This April visitors to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter are invited to discover how filmmakers brought feathered creatures to life on screen and created the illusion of flight on the sets of the most successful film series of all time. From Friday 4^th to Sunday 27^th April, a selection of owls, ravens, special effects equipment and feathered animatronics will fill the attraction as part of its first ever Feathers and Flight feature.

Visitors will get the chance to pose for a photograph with the owl that played Harry Potter’s letter-delivering companion Hedwig as he sits outside 4 Privet Drive. The talented owls that played Ron Weasley’s tiny pet Pigwidgeon and the Weasley family owl Errol will be stationed along the wizarding street of Diagon Alley and crows and ravens that appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will demonstrate their acting skills in the Studio Tour’s backlot. In addition to watching live training demonstrations, visitors will discover how birds learnt to ‘act’ by taking a look at the equipment that was used on set.

Hair and Feather Supervisor Val Jones will lead an expert team to demonstrate the techniques that made winged wonders such as Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Fawkes the Phoenix a reality on screen. By individually inserting thousands of feathers, Val worked to create the Hippogriff’s feathery coat which helped transform it into a believable creature that really moved.

Visitors will be able to see the broomsticks of Fred and George Weasley, used during their escape in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, in Hogwarts’ iconic Great Hall and the set will be decorated as it was for owl post delivery scenes. Specially-made broomsticks and letters, which were designed to be light enough for owls to carry, will be on display as well as a breakfast feast of racks of toast, cereal and jugs of juice.

Feathery facts:

• The Buckbeak that appeared curled up in Hagrid’s pumpkin patch was an animatronic; his wings, neck, eyes and beak all moved. In other scenes, the Hippogriff was created digitally by the Visual Effects team and the cast were given props – such as a beak on a stick – to interact with on set.
• The animatronic Fawkes was so realistic that even some members of the cast believed he was a real bird when they first saw him! It was only when the Creature Effects team moved the Phoenix using their control buttons that they realised he wasn’t.
• Contrary to popular belief, owls aren’t quite as wise as they are thought to be. They can take up to three months to learn what a raven or crow can learn in just one week.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed today that the CW has set a premiere date for Labyrinth, starring Harry Potter actors Tom Felton (and John Hurt!) We reported last month that CW bought the rights to the four-hour mini series and now we can share that it will air on Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m. in two hour segments.

Separated by time but united by destiny, two headstrong heroines, 17-year-old Alaïs Pelletier du Mas (Jessica Brown-Findlay) from 13th century Carcassonne and modern day PhD graduate Dr. Alice Tanner (Vanessa Kirby) embark on a journey of peril, passion and adventure as they battle to protect the secret of the Grail. Set against the epic and historic landscape of southwest France, an all-star cast also featuring John Hurt, Sebastian Stan, Tony Curran, and Tom Felton bring to life the worldwide bestselling novel by Kate Mosse. This gripping and epic tale will have you captivated from beginning to end as the true legend of the Grail is unearthed.

Thanks Mugglenet.

In honor of Matthew Lewis’ new television series, Bluestone 42, airing tonight (at 10pm on BBC Three) we decided to do a news roundup to get you up to speed.  All news is thanks to our partner site, Matthew-Lewis.com, so be sure to visit for all the latest Matt news.

Matt stars as Corporal Gordon House aka Tower Block in the second series of the show.  Bluestone 42 follows the antics of a bomb disposal detachment serving in Afghanistan. In an interview with the Gloucestershire Echo Matt discusses his joining the show and his character:

“I watched the first series and remember thinking that I’d love to be part of a show like that. It’s a comedy and aims to make people laugh but it’s not trivialised,” says Lewis, who made his first appearance in the Christmas special and cements his character in the new six-part series. Cheeky chappy Gordon, nicknamed Tower Block, was brought in to replace Corporal Millsy (Gary Carr) as number two to Captain Medhurst (Oliver Chris).

“He’s the best of the best and came top in all his classes, but when he arrived in Afghanistan he was very green and thought he knew a lot more than he actually did,” explains Lewis, who admits his alter-ego “had a bit of a chip on his shoulder” at first.

“He didn’t get on with Medhurst initially, there was a bit of friction between them. Gordon’s a lad and loves getting stuck in with the banter – especially giving Medhurst stick for being a posh public schoolboy, but then he did a lot of growing up in that half-hour special.”

In another interview, Matt’s co-star Oliver Chris talks about their characters’ relationship:

How is the class war between Nick and Tower Block [Matthew Lewis] developing?
“I’d say it’s added a new dynamic. One bit of feedback we got from series one was that my character’s quite posh and no one seems to pick him up on it. Who better to do it than a whippet-licking, tripe-smoking Yorkshireman with a massive chip on his shoulder? Matt Lewis has fitted into the group brilliantly.”

Radio Times has posted Ten reasons to watch Bluestone 42 and, Matt is one of the reasons to tune in:

Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter

We know what you’re thinking. When did the gap-toothed, gormless kid from Hogwarts transform into such a hunk? It’s a wonder what a few gym sessions, some stubble and a decent haircut can do for a fella. If you tuned in at Christmas you’d have seen Matthew Lewis join proceedings as Nick’s deputy Gordon “Towerblock” House, replacing Gary Carr’s Sergeant Millsy. We’ve been promised shirtless scenes.

Finally, view the trailer for the show below:

View all Bluestone 42 news.

Rupert Grint was interviewed by Red Carpet News TV after his What’sOnStage win for his role in Mojo. In the interview he talks about the play as well as J.K. Rowling’s recent remarks about the relationship between Ron and Hermione.

In a new interview with The Telegraph Daniel Radcliffe talks about his role as Igor in Frankenstein.  In their quick interview he talks about his longer hair for the film:

“I don’t mind how it looks but I mind dealing with it. I don’t know why any man would have it voluntarily,” he laughed. “The amount of work it takes, having to dry it – doing anything to it is a f—— nightmare. I do have a whole new sympathy for women. I wouldn’t be growing my hair this long in my own time.” He added: “I actually don’t mind it because there’s something really fun about looking totally different and seeing yourself that way. But it’s not a permanent change.”

Emma Watson has been announced as one of the presenters at this year’s Academy Awards. It has not been revealed which award she will present, but the show airs on Sunday March 2nd at 8:30pm on ABC.

“We are very excited that the Hollywood community will be turning out in force for Sunday’s Oscar ceremony,” said Zadan and Meron. “We sought to include a tremendous diversity of stars to represent not only this year’s nominees, but the legacy of the motion picture business as well.”

For a full gallery of Oscar presenters, visit www.oscar.com.

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

The 9th annual “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” airs SUNDAY, MARCH 2 after the late local news ET/CT and at 10:00 p.m. PT on ABC. Broadcasting from Disney’s El Capitan Theater located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of L.A.’s star-studded Walk of Fame, the studio is just steps away from Dolby Theater, home to the “Academy Awards.” Past guest appearances on Kimmel’s post-Oscar specials have included Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Ellen DeGeneres, Jessica Chastain, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, John Krasinski, Samuel L. Jackson and many more.

Additionally, previous comedy bits featured include the epic trailers for “Movie: The Movie,” which has been viewed over 24 million times on YouTube, the follow-up “Movie: The Movie: 2V” as well as “Toddlers and Tiaras” with Tom Hanks and Kimmel pitching show ideas to Oprah. Last year’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” marked the most-watched post-Oscar telecast in the franchise’s history.

Thanks to SnitchSeeker for the tip!