Leaky has this:

Reports abound that a new PoA commercial aired during Emma Watson and Rupert Grint's appearance on Nickelodeon Takes Over the Supber Bowl, and according to our readers it included Harry getting slammed into the window of the Knight Bus, which has a shrunken head (I learned on the set that the head was a touch from Cuaron, and that it comments funnily on Ernie's less-than-stellar driving skills) and there's a housekeeping lady of some sort in the dormitory. Transcript of the appearance soon, screencaps appreciated, and smart viewers should keep an eye on the Super Bowl for a replay!

It seems so, as director Mike Newell told Studio Magazine that French Actress Carole Bouquet has acquired the role of Madame Maxime. You can see the article (en français) here.

Thanks to Leaky for the tip.

Yes, tonight marks the beginning of the return of the iHP Cast bios! So far, we've got pages for Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), David Thewlis (Lupin), and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) up! The rest will resurface periodically--enjoy!

Thanks to reader Andra for letting us know that HarryFive.tk has made a clone of this one (and a rather bad one at that). Not only is this a blatant copy, it's also a violation of copyright laws.

Let their webmaster know your discontent: vivaut@yahoo.es.

The search for iHP newsposters continues! We'd like all interested candidates to send an email to both Jasen and me, M17, by clicking here!

In the email, we'd like you to write a few sentences on why you think you'd be a good newsposter, and why you want to be a newsposter at iHP.net (i.e. past website experience, etc.).

For more information on the Staff Search, you can read the original message here!

From a tour of the release of PoA, to celebrating HP's birthday with fans and friends alike, fan groups of HP have announced their 2004 plans. Check them all out at HPANA!

We've recently received word from the official HP site webmaster newsletter that a new PoA site is nearly completed and and is highly anticipated. Sounds to be the beginning of something cool--We'll keep you covered!

Contrary to popular belief and theory, the fourth installment of HP on the big screen will not be a two-part movie. Empire has this:

Not so, insists the director. Allaying fears that he'll turn out a two-act Potter, Newell told Empire that it's one film all the way. "As far as I'm concerned it's absolutely possible to do it in one. I think it would be slightly embarrassing to do it in two."

[ Read More ]

Leaky received a translation from a French magazine interview with the one and only Harry Potter actor! Read all about it here!

For all you Sean Biggerstaff fans out there...Sean's Official Site has a new edition of 'Getting to Know Sean', where Oliver Wood himself answers fan questions. Check it out here!

Thanks very much to the folks at Veritaserum for the tip!

Nancy Stouffer, a woman claiming Harry Potter was a rip of of her own work, lost in court, and had to pay some hefty fees. Entertainment Law Digest reports:

A federal appeals court has upheld a rare $50,000 judicial sanction against a woman who claimed that the Harry Potter books copied her work. In addition, the appeals court upheld the dismissal of her claims and affirmed the trial court order that she pay her opponents’ attorneys fees.
US District Judge Allen G. Schwartz of the Southern District of New York had found that there was “clear evidence” that Nancy Stouffer had committed fraud in presenting her evidence of copyright infringement.

[ Read More in Depth ]

North Country Guide has the story:

Over $20,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the second St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament ™ August 20th and 21st. Young carp anglers will cast for the largest four fish of their two day catch along a beautiful 35 mile section of the St. Lawrence River between Massena and Ogdensburg, New York.

Read the article in its entirety here.

CBBC has this bit:

Imagine being Daniel Radcliffe's love interest in the fourth Potter film.
Well, that dream will come true for one girl when she's cast as Cho Chang in Goblet Of Fire - but the film-makers are being strict on who can audition.

[ A Bit More Here ]

From the looks of the sales, the latest HP book, Order of the Phoenix, has absolutely controlled Australia's top seller list. The Age has this story:

Harry Potter's spell over the Australian reading public continued last year when the fifth instalment of the young wizard's adventures topped the bestseller lists, outstripping its nearest rival by almost 650,000 copies.

Contact Music has this:

And, rather than reading the script for the ALFONSO CURAN-directed third film HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, Gambon opted to familiarise himself with the role using the STEPHEN FRY-narrated tapes - but his method has left him worried about his performance.

Read the full article here.

Thanks to Veritaserum for the tip.

Reality Check has a quite humorous comic involving the lightning bolt scar on Harry's forehead.

[ See the Comic Here ]

In a recent interview with Sci Fi Wire, Robbie Coltrane confirmed his role as Hagrid for the fourth Potter installment on the big screen.

[ Read the Complete Interview ]

The actor search for Viktor Krum has been announced! Ananova has this:

Bulgarians bid for Potter role

PoA Visual Effects Supervisor Guy Hudson tragically died on December 24th in London. He did excellent work on such movies as 'Alien', 'Jurassic Park', and not to mention the third installment of the Potter series. Mr. Hudson was only 45 years old.

Everybody here at iHP would like to give our deepest sympathies to Mr. Hudson's family and friends.

Source: Yahoo! News

For all you Rupert Grint fans out there, DigiCasey has two new photos of Mr. Grint. Check them out below:

[ Photo 1, Photo 2 ]

It's apparent that with the rumors of the fourth installment of the Potter series being the most expensive movie ever, it must have dazzling eye candy. The Gloucestershire Echo has the latest buzz:

Harry Potter magic is being created in Winchcombe.