Great Expectations, which stars Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham, Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch, Robbie Coltrane as Mr. Jaggers and Jessie Cave as Biddy has finally gotten its USA release date. Deadline revealed last week that it will be released on October 11, 2013. The film was released in the UK back in November of last year.  You can watch the trailer for the film, which was directed by Goblet of Fire’s Mike Newell, may be watched below:

Numerous websites have been reporting today that several cast members, including Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) have been back filming some scenes for a short that will be shown at Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The Sun reports,

Helena Bonham Carter, 46, is among cast members who have been filming scenes at the Potter studios in Hertfordshire — reprising her role as witch Bellatrix Lestrange. A source confirmed last night: “The cast have really enjoyed getting back together — they are so tight-knit.”

The new “mini movie” will go on show at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction in Florida and two new Hogwarts theme parks under construction. The source said of the mystery new adventure: “The shooting schedule is nowhere near as long as the films, so though filming has been intense, the stars have enjoyed being able to pop in and out.”

While it seems that this is correct information, and it most likely is, the news should be taken as a rumor until confirmed by Universal or Warner Bros. If true, this could mean that the new short(s) will be shown along with the new Hogwarts Express ride, which will hopefully be opening some time in 2014.  It is also a possibility that they will be shown in the California and Japan theme parks when those open in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

A new trailer for Mike Newell’s latest film, Great Expectations, has been released.  Mike was the director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  But Mike isn’t the only Potter alum to be involved in the film.  It stars Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham, Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch, Robbie Coltrane as Mr. Jaggers and Jessie Cave as Biddy.

For those of you that never had to read Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations in school, the book tells the story of Pip, an English orphan who rises to wealth, deserts his true friends, and becomes humbled by his own arrogance [x].

Helena Bonham Carter is set to receive a CBE, short for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, from Queen Elizabeth II. Helena says she is dedicating the CBE to her late father. Other Potter stars who have received honors from the Queen include Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon.

These honours are givren twice a year by the Queen (New Year’s and on her birthday in June). Recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public. The honours are knighthoods, CBE, OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire.)

In honor of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II being released in the UK, Warner Bros. have sent over a new clip from “The Women of Harry Potter” feature that is on the DVD. In the clip Emma Watson talks about being a woman and her relationship with Helena Bonham Carter.

As always, make sure to Like the Harry Potter UK Facebook page to stay up to date on all the latest Potter news!

The BAFTA Los Angeles awards were held last night and Potter director David Yates won the John Schelsinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing. Helena Bonham Carter won the Award for British Artist of the Year.  Below is a quote from the chairman of BAFTALA about David Yates (and a fellow filmmaker)

“John Lasseter and David Yates are master creators of joy and imagination,” said Nigel Lythgoe, chairman of BAFTA Los Angeles. “Their high standard of art, perception and pure entertainment is unparalleled. The worldwide success of Mr. Lasseter for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Mr. Yates’ contribution to the final four parts of the Harry Potter franchise makes them global wizards in their own right, and are delighted to honor these remarkable filmmakers with this year’s Britannia Award.”