This morning, Warner Brothers Consumer Products and Becker Group announced Harry Potter: The Exhibition, "a state-of-the-art exhibition highlighting artifacts from the Warner Bros. films based on J.K. Rowling's beloved book series."

According to the press release, the exhibition will span 10,000 square feet and host "elaborate displays of authentic costumes, props and artifacts from popular environments featured in the films."

The tour will begin in Spring of 2009. Exact dates and locations will be forthcoming, but they recommend keeping an eye on the official exhibition site. We'll update you with more as we know it!

Good news for those of you who plan to make the switch to Blu-ray DVDs: Warner Brothers has announced that several films will be released in a special book-like edition, including Harry Potter. HighDefDigest.com reports:

...the studio will kick off a new line of deluxe next-gen releases geared towards the collector's market. Sure to please film buffs, the slate of ten releases will wrap the high-def picture and sound in a handsomely bound volume containing rare and never-before-seen archival material.

We're not yet sure which Potter films will be re-released, nor what "archival material" they will include. However, we'll keep you updated. Thanks to Matt for the tip!

As we mentioned previously, as part of its "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas," ABC Family is showing the first three Harry Potter films this weekend, concluding with Prisoner of Azkaban tomorrow night at 6 p.m. ET.

Additionally, at select parts during the broadcast, certain never-before-seen footage from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is being aired. If anybody can capture these videos, please send them in!

Sir Ian McKellen was recently interviewed by The Guardian where amongst other things he discusses Dumbledore vs. Gandalf, the character who he played in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

McKellen says that while he and Michael Gambon are close friends, the topic of "how to play a wizard" has never come up. And as far as if he would have taken over the role of Dumbledore from the late Richard Harris, McKellen said:

"People say to me, don't you wish you'd played Dumbledore? I say no! I played Gandalf! The original. There was a question as to whether I might take over from Richard Harris [Gambon's predecessor in the Dumbledore role], but seeing as one of the last things he did publicly was say what a dreadful actor he thought I was, it would not have been appropriate for me to take over his part." He smiles icily. "It would have been unfair."

When asked who would win the battle between Dumbledore and Gandalf, McKellen never hesitated, "Gandalf. Of course."

As part of ABC Family's "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas," the first three films of the Harry Potter series will air as part of a Harry Potter weekend beginning on Friday, November 30 with Sorcerer's Stone at 7:30 p.m. ET. It will be followed by Chamber of Secrets on Saturday, December 1 at 7 p.m. ET and Prisoner of Azkaban on Sunday, December 2 at 6 p.m. ET (re-airing Thursday, December 13 at 8 p.m. ET).

Thanks to Ramona for sending this in!

The Associated Press is reporting that Time Warner Inc., the company which owns Warner Bros. saw profits fall 53% in the third business quarter, but the Harry Potter movie series "helped the media conglomerate meet Wall Street expectations."

The article went on to say that:

"Time Warner's earnings from movie production, which are often volatile because of hits and misses at the box office, jumped 71 percent on the latest 'Harry Potter' movie, as well as 'Rush Hour 3' and 'Oceans 13.'"

Thanks to Dorothea for sending this in!

As reported earlier this week, Patrick Doyle's "Music from the Movies" was held tonight at the Royal Albert Hall to benefit Leukemia Research with several Harry Potter actors in attendance. Kenneth Branagh (who directed the event), Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Imelda Staunton and Mike Newell all turned up to show their support. Photos are now available via Getty Images.

Harry Potter actors will come together to attend Patrick Doyle's "Music from the Movies" at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, October 28th. Featuring music from the Goblet of Fire composer, the event will be held in aid of Leukaemia Research. Doyle is himself a leukaemia survivor and will join the London Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Chorus for this very special performance.

The event will be directed by actor Kenneth Branagh, who played Professor Lockhart, and supported by other Harry Potter actors including: Emma Thompson (Professor Trelawney), Alan Rickman (Professor Snape) and Robbie Coltrane (Professor Hagrid). Others in attendance will include Richard E. Grant, Sir Derek Jacobi and Dame Judi Dench. These stars will introduce some of the greatest film soundtracks of all time.

To take advantage of a special ticket offer for as low as £10, use the code "2639" when calling the Royal Albert hall box office at 020 7589 8212 or by visiting their website.

As reported yesterday, a lawsuit was filed against an Indian community that had created a replica of Hogwarts castle to be used in an upcoming festival. Today, an Indian court rejected the claim made by author J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers for copyright breach.

"The group's lawyer said they argued that since the celebrations were held in the public interest and they were not for profit, the community did not need to pay compensation."

Neither court officials nor the lawyers for J.K. Rowling were immediately available for comment.

CBC News, based in Canada, is reporting that an Indian community is being sued over their replica of the Hogwarts castle. Made out of canvas and papier mâché, the castle was going to be used in an upcoming festival. However, a representative for the community groups claims they had no idea they needed to seek permission. From CBC:

The group had also hired artists to create a replica of the Hogwarts Express, the train that Harry Potter and his young wizard friends take to the school, as well as life-sized models of the main figures in the best-selling series of books.

The group has spent about $30,000 for its replica, called a pandal.

"It's just a theme.… We have also modelled the Titanic and no-one sued us," said another organizer, Robin Mukherjee.

A lawyer will try to fight the lawsuit on Friday. For the full story, click here.

In a new interview with Variety, Harry Potter producer David Heyman discusses what lies ahead for him after the last two films as well as what it has been like to work with actors both young and old. Heyman takes little credit for the development of the young stars citing their relationships with actors such as Gary Oldman and Maggie Smith:

"It's because of their commitment and curiosity to develop their craft. We've given them the platform, but they're here because they're good."

For more, including why Heyman thinks every role is important click here. Thanks to everyone who submitted the tip!

Two new audio interviews with Harry Potter movie producer David Heyman and set designer Stuart Craig have emerged online. The first interview, with Heyman, can be listened to here; the producer discusses, among many things, why David Yates was given the director's helm for Movies 5 and 6.

The second interview, with Craig, can be heard here; he discusses the challenges he encountered while working on Order of the Phoenix and briefly mentions the sixth film.

Warner Brothers has announced this evening that the Harry Potter series is the largest-grossing film franchise to date globally, surpassing Star Wars and and James Bond. Totaling $4.47 billion in ticket sales (with two films left to go, WB points out), several high-ups at Warner Brothers are quoted in the press release:

In making the announcement, Alan Horn [President & Chief Operating Officer] said, “It would be an understatement to say we are proud of the success of the Harry Potter films. We also want to congratulate all of the extraordinary actors, filmmakers and artists who have shared this remarkable cinematic journey with us.”

Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, said, “It is a thrill to see the Harry Potter franchise reach this unparalleled mark, and, with two movies yet to come, it is amazing to think what heights the franchise could reach by the end of the decade.

Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, Warner Bros. Pictures President of International Distribution, added, “This worldwide box office record once again proves that the appeal of the Harry Potter movies knows no border, no age limit, and no language barrier. Each of the five films has captured the hearts and sparked the imagination of audiences everywhere.”

Of note, Variety has published an article comparing the Potter film franchise to the other big ones:

Bond, which dates back to 1962, has generated $4.44 billion worldwide and the "Star Wars" pics have pulled down $4.23 billion since the first release in 1977. None of the tallies account for inflation or rising ticket prices.

And domestically the "Star Wars" franchise still far outpaces the boy wizard. All told, the "Star Wars" pics have grossed $2.18 billion, while the "Harry Potter" franchise has grossed $1.41 billion. But then there are still two more "Potters" to go.

And all three have generated millions upon millions in downstream ancillary coin for their studios, once homevideo and TV revenue are added into the tallies.

To read the press release from Warner Brothers, click the link below.

According to a new report released by several British film and tourism bodies, the location of scenes shot in the Harry Potter movies are among several recent films responsible for the boost in UK tourism.

"British films and television programs play a powerful role in showcasing the UK to the rest of the world and boosting tourism," said John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council.

"There are countless examples of visitors flocking to locations they've seen in films or on TV and the effect can last for years."

The report also listed several other non-Potter films, including The Da Vinci Code, Gosford Park and Pride and Prejudice.

According to a new press release, for the first time ever, hundreds of pictures taken on the set of the Harry Potter movies are now available to buy, via MoviePrints.co.uk.

These pictures, known as "Unit Photography," have never previously been available to buy. Now, as a result of a deal between Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Comprints Ltd, a company specialising in Print on Demand (PoD) services, Harry Potter fans will be able to choose from over 300 pictures on-line and order them as prints and canvases in a variety of sizes.

In a new interview, Harry Potter movie producer David Heyman discusses how he "can't wait" for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. On his life post-Potter, he says:

"It's a combination of sadness and excitement, I think—for Jo, and for all of us. This world has become a huge part of millions and millions of people's lives. We all love it so much, and I think, afterward, there will be a little hole in our lives for a while."

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Official Concept Art:
Hogwarts | Hogsmeade | Owl's View of Park | Logo

Latest Developments (10 AM EST):
- Official park website now open; visitors can sign up for e-mail updates.
- JK Rowling: "The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

Universal Studios and Warner Brothers made a joint announcement this evening from Leavesden Studios on the set of Dumbledore's Office to reveal that a Harry Potter theme park is currently in development. The image to the left is the first piece of concept art for the park: Hogsmeade Village.

Here's what we learned from Potter set designer Stuart Craig and a representative from Universal Studios (both of them hosted the big reveal):

- "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort"
- Announcement was made live via internet at 12:01 AM EST today to select media, including MuggleNet.
- Areas of park to include Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, and the Forbidden Forest.
- 20 engineers working on project.
- Universal came to WB looking for authenticity.
- Potter park to be built in "Islands of Adventure" area of Universal.
- Stuart wants to "take his grandchildren" to the park.
- Opening early 2010.
- Universal's Potter website to be available at this link.
- JK Rowling has been involved "since the very beginning" of the project. Also "supportive and encouraging."
- Stuart thinks that the park will be better off in the United States.
- Have been in design "for at least a year and a half."
- "Important that the theme park represents the entire saga from Book 1 to Book 7"

In a rather cute way to end the announcement, the Universal representative asks Stuart Craig, "Now where's Dumbledore?" Stuart paused for a moment, looked around the office, and replied, "He was just here."

We'll be discussing these developments on this week's episode of MuggleCast (due out over the weekend). This post will be updated frequently as we learn more!

MTV has asked a number of renowned directors how they would helm a Potter film. Here's what some of them had to say:

Rob Zombie ("Halloween"): "I'd probably be very violent with a lot of nudity. That's what it needs. Harry should say 'f---' a lot. That would spice it up."

David Fincher ("Zodiac"): "Could I make it darker than Alfonso's? I don't know. [Should Harry die?] As all good teenagers must."

Thanks to everyone who emailed.

Warner Brothers has announced that the popular 20Q game will be released with Harry Potter answers later this year. The game works by asking the player 20 questions. Once all of them are answered, the system tries to guess what person, place, or thing the person is thinking.

Radica, the company behind the game, is asking Potter fans to help train the system by visiting their official website and clicking on "Harry Potter" at the top. Go here to get started!

We now have a new interview with actor Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in every Potter movie but the fourth. In this interview, Percy discusses the fifth movie, the seventh book, and more.