This morning we have some exciting news for Potter fans who frequently visit Kings Cross station (or for those of you who will be visiting London.) We posted quite some time ago about the new location of Platform 9 ¾ within the station and the possibility of a store. Well, today we can officially announce that The Harry Potter™ Shop At Platform 9 ¾ will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 15th December 2012 at 7:30 am. The shop will be open 7 days a week from 7:30am-10pm and is located at Unit 1, King’s Cross Station, London N1 9AP.
Situated near the platform 9 ¾ trolley at London’s newly refurbished King’s Cross Station, the shop will sell items such as golden platform 9 ¾ collectible train tickets, wands, robes, uniforms and other collectibles in homage to the successful Harry Potter™ film franchise and book series.
THE HARRY POTTER™ SHOP AT PLATFORM 9 ¾ has been produced by Jonathan Sands (Founder and Chief Executive of London Film Museum) and partners, under license from Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the shop just in time for Christmas 2012, Jonathan Sands of London Film Museum and Platform 9 ¾ K1ngs Cross Ltd said “ We are proud to be opening the official Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in association with Warner Bros. Consumer Products as this is precisely where Harry’s journey to Hogwarts began. King’s Cross Station has recently undergone the most amazing re-development and we are delighted to be a part of it thanks to Network Rail.”
Daniel Radcliffe was a guest on The Graham Norton Show, on Friday. The episode may be watched online on the BBC’s website. The episode will air this Saturday, December 15th, on BBC America so those of us not in the UK will be able to watch. Daniel discussed his new TV series, A Young Doctor’s Notebook as well as some more, rather odd, topics such as Dan Radcliffe Fan Fiction. The BBC have posted a short clip from the interview which may be watched below:
It should be noted that this show is known for some strong language and parents should use caution when allowing their children to tune in!
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.
Arthur Weasley actor Mark Williams visited Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter this past weekend to help them celebrate their one millionth visitor! A photo from the surprise visit may be seen in our gallery, thanks to Warner Bros.
WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON – THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER CELEBRATES ONE MILLION VISITORS
December 8th 2012: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, the UK’s newest attraction, today welcomed its one millionth visitor.
Benjamin from Dudley was delighted to be met by actor Mark Williams, who plays Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, and presented with a collector’s edition Nimbus 2000 broom.
Benjamin said: “I couldn’t believe it when I walked through the door of the Tour and Mr Weasley met me. I love Harry Potter and I’ll never forget my visit to the Studio Tour.”
Mark Williams commented: “It’s wonderful to be back on the Harry Potter sets and to see so many people getting the chance to enjoy them. I feel really privileged to meet the millionth visitor to the tour.”
Sarah Roots, Vice President, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London says: “Since opening our doors on 31st March 2012 we have been overwhelmed by both the level of interest and the incredibly positive reviews and we are delighted to welcome our millionth visitor in the first year of operating. We limit the number of visitors per day so this is a particularly significant achievement.”
Mark Williams then went on to surprise visitors in the Great Hall by revealing filmmaking secrets as an impromptu tour guide.
This past weekend Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter was given a festive makeover for the Holiday’s (running until January 6th)! This morning we have been sent a few photos of the new decorations! View the photos in the gallery!
For those of you that missed the first post, the press release stated:
Eight Christmas trees will line the Great Hall, adorned with authentic decorations as they first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™. In the film, these decorations are levitated onto the trees by Professor Flitwick, played by Warwick Davis. The long dining tables will be dressed as they were for the seasonal feasts with turkey, hams, fruit, vegetables, plum puddings and snow cakes. The food featured in the feasts throughout the early films was real; however, the Set Decoration Department later used artificial food created from powder and resin.The Gryffindor common room, boys’ dormitory and Weasley kitchen will also undergo a seasonal transformation and visitors will see the hand-knitted jumpers that Molly Weasley gave Ron and Harry for Christmas in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone™. Other costumes on display include Harry’s first Christmas present at Hogwarts – his Invisibility Cloak – and the dress Luna Lovegood wore to the Slug Club Christmas party in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince™. It took over two months to make the four versions of the dress needed for filming which were adorned with 50 metres of real tinsel and 1000 individual crystals. Evanna Lynch, who played Luna, created the jewellery she wore with the costume and many of the other accessories she wore while filming.
Visitors will also discover secrets behind the footprints in the snow, which were filmed for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ and appear when Harry sneaks into Hogsmeade under his Invisibility Cloak.
The BBC have announced today that they will be creating a television show based on J.K. Rowling’s newest book, The Casual Vacancy. The show is expected to air in 2014, with an unknown episode count, and J.K. Rowling comments in the press release and says she thinks BBC is the perfect home for the book.
BBC One and BBC Drama have commissioned an exclusive adaptation of The Casual Vacancy from The Blair Partnership, who represents J.K. Rowling.
The series will be produced through an independent production company operated by Neil Blair, on behalf of The Blair Partnership, and Rick Senat, which shall engage the executive series producer. The deal was struck following discussions between Neil Blair and BBC One Controller Danny Cohen.
J.K. Rowling will collaborate closely with the project, with the number and length of the episodes to be decided once the creative adaptation process has formally begun.
The series has been commissioned for the BBC by Danny Cohen, Controller of BBC One, and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama, and is expected to air in 2014.
The Casual Vacancy is already a global best-seller and is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.
The novel is set in Pagford, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils… Pagford is not what it first seems.
J.K. Rowling says: “I’m thrilled that the BBC has commissioned The Casual Vacancy. I always felt that, if it were to be adapted, this novel was best suited to television and I think the BBC is the perfect home.”
Danny Cohen says: “It is thrilling to be bringing the work of J.K. Rowling to BBC One audiences. J.K. Rowling’s story-telling is of course peerless in its popularity, and I am looking forward to collaborating with her. This project highlights the ambition and scale of BBC One Drama, as well as the ability of modern television to attract the world’s biggest talent and most exciting creative ideas.”
Ben Stephenson adds: “We are thrilled to bring J.K. Rowling’s extraordinary tapestry of modern Britain to the screen. It’s a book of such richness that through humour, social commentary and above all fantastic characters, says something insightful and entertaining about the country we live in.”
