A new trailer for Emma Watson’s new film The Bling Ring has been released and may be watched below. The film, which is a true story, follows the exploits of a group of teens who use the Internet to track celebrities’ whereabouts in order to rob their homes. The Bling Ring will premiere in May at the Cannes Film Festival and hits theaters for a limited release on June 14th.

Last night at the MTV Movie Awards, Emma Watson was presented with the 2013 Trailblazer Award by former costars Eddie Redmayne and Logan Lerman.  She was also nominated for Best Female Performance, Best Kiss (with Logan Lerman) and Best Musical Moment. Unfortunately she lost all three. A video of her acceptance speech may be watched below:

This May, animal actors from the Harry Potter film series will make a special appearance at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – which highlights the talented training teams that helped create the performances of the 250+ live animals that appeared across all eight films. From Saturday 25^th May to Sunday 2^nd June 2013, a selection of animals, trained by Head Animal Trainer Julie Tottman, will revisit the incredible sets they frequented when working on the films.

Visitors will be able to pose for a picture with one of the snowy owls who played Harry Potter’s letter-delivering owl Hedwig as she sits outside 4 Privet Drive or watch as she flies across the Studio Tour’s backlot. A selection of owls, including the one that portrayed Ron Weasley’s pet Pigwidgeon, will be showcased in the backlot throughout the week and will also feature outside the shop front set of Eeylops Owl Emporium in Diagon Alley.

One of the cats that played stealthy Mrs Norris and one of the ginger cats that played Hermione Granger’s bandy-legged feline Crookshanks will prowl the Gryffindor common room. Visitors will also be able to learn how rats and toads were trained behind-the-scenes as the animal actors, who played Neville Longbottom’s toad Trevor and Ron Weasley’s rat Scabbers, were.

During filming, 40 kittens were brought to the studio to be filmed in front of a blue screen for Dolores Umbridge’s porcelain kitten plates which can be found at the Studio Tour in Umbridge’s Ministry of Magic office. The kittens were adopted after the shoot and their current owners have no idea that their pets once starred in one of the Harry Potter films. Visitors will discover firsthand how these scenes were filmed as the Studio Tour recreates a blue screen set complete with kittens.

A Neopolitan Mastiff, trained like those who played Hagrid’s loyal dog Fang, will be stationed outside the half-giant’s hut and visitors will be able to compare him to the incredibly lifelike figure that currently sits in the Gamekeeper’s hut.

Tickets must be pre-booked in advance and can be purchased from www.wbstudiotour.co.uk.

Today we have some news regarding the play Potted Potter The Unauthorized Harry Experience: A Parody by Dan and Jeff. The play will be returning to New York City at the end of May. The press release is as follows:

All Seven Harry Potter Books in 70 Hilarious Minutes

Begins on May 30th, 2013
Official opening is June 4th, 2013
at the Little Shubert Theatre

13 Weeks Only!
Through September 1st, 2013

TICKET INFORMATION:
Beginning April 20th, 2013 tickets will be available by calling Telecharge at (212)239-6200 and online at telecharge.com. Beginning May 9th tickets will also be available at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street). Tickets prices range from $39.99-$79.99.

The hit off-Broadway show Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff returns for a 13 week engagement to off-Broadway’s Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street) following a hugely successful North American tour.

Performances begin Thursday, May 30th and officially opens on Tuesday, June 4th. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, September 1st, 2013.
Potted Potter is written and performed by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner with direction by Richard Hurst. The creative team includes Simon Scullion (Sets), Tim Mascall (Lighting), Phil Innes (Music), Richard Hurst (additional material) and Hanna Berrigan (Associate Director).

In addition to being a critic’s pick by the New York Times, New York Magazine and Time Out London, the show received the prestigious 2012 Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment & Family Show, playing to sold out houses worldwide.

Corey Ross, president of Starvox Entertainment said “After a wildly successful extended run at New York’s Little Shubert Theater last season, an incredibly successful national tour and an ongoing production in London, we are so excited to return to NYC where we were so warmly welcomed last year. Potted Potter is a wonderfully entertaining time for all ages, both fans and neophytes of the Harry Potter phenomenon alike.”

Written and performed by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the play takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing, or “potting” all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, according to Clarkson and Turner’s unique set of rules.

Whether you camped outside a bookstore for three days awaiting the release of the Deathly Hallows or you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, the comedy, magic and mayhem of Potted Potter makes for an entertaining and hilarious visit to the theatre. The fast-paced show, which has made audiences aged six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed) roar with laughter all over the world, is perfect for the entire family.

It is with a very heavy heart that we type this post.  Richard Griffiths, best known to us as Uncle Vernon in the Harry Potter series, has passed away last night at age 65. He died of complications following heart surgery.  Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, said Griffiths’s unexpected death would devastate his “army of friends”. He said: “Richard Griffiths wasn’t only one of the most loved and recognisable British actors – he was also one of the very greatest.”

Daniel Radcliffe also stated, “Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career [Harry Potter and Equus]. I was proud to know him.”

Richard has had a long career in film, television and theatre and was awarded an OBE in 2008 for his service to drama.  Fellow Potter actor Warwick Davis had this to say about Griffiths: “You got a great deal of support (as an actor) for having Richard about. He was lovely, he would always make time for his fans, that’s what makes a great actor, it’s about having a good persona.”

Thank you Richard, for all the joy you have given fans throughout your career. You will always be remembered.

The telegraph has posted a short video montage of Richard in his most well known roles:

As we posted last month, Emma Watson’s was set to receive a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.  That figure has been revealed today in London! Representatives of Elie Saab, the designer of the dress that wax Emma is wearing said:

“We are delighted to have been asked to dress Emma Watson’s figure here at Madame Tussauds London. The dress is made from embroidered tulle and we wanted to ensure it is perfectly fitted to the figure. We are very pleased with the results and now the public will have a chance to see up close the intricate work of this delicate design – as originally worn by Emma herself”.

PR Manager for Madame Tussauds had the following to say:

“Emma is the perfect addition and we’re very lucky to add her to our A-list line up. She’s a true English rose known and loved by millions of film and fashion fans around the world. Elie Saab donated the stunning gown Emma is wearing and we’re thrilled to have his involvement. She will feel right at home among a host of other glamorous personalities and we know she will be a huge hit with all our guests!”

Click the image below to see a larger version of Emma’s figure.