We've had a fantastic response to our offering the chance to work as an intern for Magical Tours on all their Harry Potter themed tours next summer. The application period has ended with over 600 incredibly qualified candidates from 21 countires! Every applicant who furnished a valid e-mail address will soon be notified of the preliminary results.

24 super-star finalists will qualify to post video presentations on YouTube by February 14th. MuggleNet will post the viewing links so our fans can help choose the best person for the job. We'll announce the name of the winner by February 21st. There's still space available on next summer's Magical Tours, so click here for all the details.

As we told you Sunday and last Thursday, filming crews are preparing to start shooting scenes for Half-Blood Prince at Gloucester Cathedral.

Thanks to visitor Becca, we now have 25 pictures to show you in our galleries. As you can see from the photos, preparations are clearly underway. We'll update you as we know more!

According to our numbers, 0.34% of our visitors visit MuggleNet via their fancy pants iPhones or iPod touches. Those visitors outnumber any other entertainment device besides a computer.

With Apple's latest software update (1.1.3), websites can create little buttons that will look nice on the iPod/iPhone home screen. We've now added this capability to our site. Simply load our home page, press the "+" button at the bottom of the screen, then press "Add to Home Screen." That's it! Enjoy the easier access!

Jo Rowling has been awarded with an outstanding achievement prize at the UK's The South Bank Show awards which recognize British achievement in music, theatre, television and the arts.

The author mentioned that finishing Harry Potter "has been the worst break-up of my life - far worse than splitting up with any man. But it has also been wonderful to stop and draw breath and think, 'My God, look what's happened with an idea I had 17 years ago on a train'."

The awards will be broadcast on 3 February on ITV1 at 2240 GMT.

Check out some pics of Jo, looking wonderful, at the award ceremony at Getty.

UPDATE: Sky News video interview with Jo here and her acceptance speech here.

Although he has shown an interest in working on the much anticipated final installment of the Harry Potter film series, it has emerged today that Guillermo Del Toro will not be directing Deathly Hallows since “he’s rather busy”, as put by producer David Heyman. In fact, it seems that he will instead be taking the reigns of The Hobbit and its sequel film.

Since Deathly Hallows is set for release in 2010, and principal photography for The Hobbit begins in 2009, he would not be able to work on both projects.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

As reported earlier this week, filming crews for Half-Blood Prince will be returning to Gloucester, England, where scenes have not been shot since the first two movies.

A few photos have emerged online and a brief article from This is Gloucestershire reports that:

"The corridors of the school are alive with excitement as 174 pupils prepare to join the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the film version of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince."

A full report and additional pictures are expected in tomorrow's Citizen.

That silly pensieve. For years now, we've seen it as just a place to safely store your memories. On this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast, we look at several other possibilities for the pensieve that probably would end up getting cut from the books.

As promised this week, we also have part one of our interview with Spiderwick Chronicles star Freddie Highmore! Plus:

- Muggle Mail on movie intermissions, cliffhangers and Chapter 10.
- Interview with Freddie Highmore (with a chance to win tickets to an IMAX showing).
- Chapter-by-Chapter: Chapters 11 and 12.
- The hosts draw some excellent comparisons in these chapters to Nazi Germany.
- We analyze the argument between Harry and Remus from both perspectives.
- Kreacher and the saucepan: finally some comedy!
- What is up with this plan to infiltrate the Ministry? Micah doesn't buy it.
- Why does Hermione keep nagging Harry to close his mind? It actually helps him!

All that and much more can be found on this week's show! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

Yesterday we told you that the Food Network's Ace of Cakes would be doing a special last night on the Hogwarts Castle Cake from the LA Order of the Phoenix after party. DanRadcliffe.com now has the video online, and you can watch it over at their site. Thanks, Jenna!

Of note to MuggleNet visitors, when you get to 2:38 you'll see Ben and Emerson behind one of the cake designer's right shoulder. Unfortunately, we were too afraid to touch the cake because of how well it was designed.

In a small interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor who plays Snape in the Potter films reveals he'll begin filming his parts for Half-Blood Prince in early February:

EW: Okay, I think your wranglers are giving me the signal, but I have to say, even before I got to the end of the Harry Potter books —
Rickman: Before you go any further, I never, ever talk about that character. Number one, because it's not fair on kids who haven't read to the end. And for me to say anything — there's a bit of it that just should be left innocent. It's real storytelling, what she's done, and I'm part of that. So I just never talk about it.

EW: When do you go back to shoot Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Rickman: They're shooting six [now], and I start shooting my part of it beginning of February.

EW: It's a bigger part for you this time.
Rickman: Ahh.... There's important stuff. [Smiles]

In this article, residents of the English town welcome back, with open arms, film crews intent on filming scenes for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Scenes from the sixth movie shot at Gloucester Cathedral will include those set in different locations around Hogwarts, and quite a few of the college's students have been cast as extras for them. Interestingly, Gloucester has not been used as a filming location since the first two films were produced:

Gloucester City Council leader Paul James said filming the blockbuster would pump cash into the local economy and put Gloucester on the map.

"It brings excitement to the city," he said. "It also benefits the local economy on two levels. You've got the direct spend of people who come here filming and doing associated things and then when it's aired that Gloucester is being used and people see parts of the city on their screens it puts us on the map."

The Food Network's Ace of Cakes will make its season premiere tonight (Thursday) at 10:30 PM EST. An uncountable amount of visitors have informed us that the premiere will feature a look at how a Hogwarts Castle cake was created for the July Order of the Phoenix LA after party.

Dan Radcliffe is expected to make a brief appearance on the program as well. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

On this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast, look forward to an interview with Freddie Highmore, who is starring in the upcoming film The Spiderwick Chronicles. Freddie has also starred as Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka, and more recently Evan Taylor in August Rush.

In part one of the interview, Freddie talks about his interest in Harry Potter, his relationship with Dan Radcliffe, and more. Also be sure to listen for a chance to win tickets to an IMAX screening of Spiderwick! MuggleCast will be available early this weekend, when we plan to bring you all of the regular segments. See you then!

Agence France-Presse is reporting this evening that JK Rowling has halted printing of the Finnish Deathly Hallows translation due to environmental concerns. Jo insists "that it import paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as being derived from wood grown and harvested in a way that promotes sustainable forest development."

Read the full story right here. The Finnish translation is still due out on March 7th.

Empire magazine recently caught up with actor Daniel Radcliffe to discuss his projected role in Journey, the story of Dan Eldon, a photo-journalist who was stoned to death by a mob in Mogadishu in 1993.

"There's a lot of stuff flying around about this at the moment," he said. "I am absolutely attached to it and it would be amazing to play that part. But people are making assumptions about when it's going to happen and it won't happen – if indeed it does happen – for a while yet. But basically...Eldon grew up in Africa and discovered a gift and a passion for photography. Eventually he got too caught up in something that lead to his death".

With stupendous reviews from wizard rock fans and bands alike, Joe and Paul DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters have announced that they plan to continue the Wizard Rock EP of the Month Club in 2008! They have already donated $13,000 to First Book with money raised from the 2007 EP of the Month Club.

Members of the EP of the Month Club receive three exclusive, limited-edition albums from wizard rock bands at four different points in the year. This year, the bands include Harry and the Potters, The Whomping Willows, the Hermione Crookshanks Experience, The Mudbloods, Catchlove, Gred and Forge, Justin Finch-Fletchly and the Sugar Quills, The Nifflers, The Giant Squidstravaganza, The Basilisk in Your Pasta, and Gryffindor Common Room Rejects. The proceeds from this year's project will be split evenly between two fantastic organizations: The Harry Potter Alliance and First Book.

Also, remember to check out MuggleNet's brand new Wizard Rock section! With interviews and song samples from over 170 bands and several podcasts, there will surely be something for fans of every genre. Don't forget to write a review for your favorite wizard rockers!

You asked for it, now you've got it (a little late, sure, but better than never)! Editorial fans can now subscribe to an RSS feed and be updated whenever a new editorial or column is posted in the section. Just click on the RSS icon on the right side of your browser's address bar and select "MuggleNet Editorials RSS," or copy this link and paste into your favorite feed reader to subscribe. You can also subscribe to MuggleNet's news and MuggleCast feeds.

On a related note, we're still working like little house-elves to keep the editorial section going, but we need readers' help! Jo may have answered most of the questions that kept editorials busy before the final chapter, but there are surely topics still worth exploring. We've reopened The Burrow and are accepting submissions for February's topic, so tell us what you think. And hopefully we'll have some new features coming soon!

We have several questions on this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast that need answering. Join Eric, Laura, Micah, Matt and me for those mind-benders, plus:

- Rumors concerning a two-part Deathly Hallows surface.
- Harvard announces JK Rowling to give commencement keynote. We fantasize.
- Chapter by Chapter: Kreacher's Tale.
- How does the Fidelius Charm actually work?
- How does Bathilda Bagshot visit Lily if Pettigrew is the only Secret Keeper?
- Favorites: We each talk about our favorite song from the Potter soundtracks.
- Chicken Soup.
- Dog bloopers!

All that and much more can be found on this week's show! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

TCPalm.com has a small quote from Universal Orlando Resort President Bill Davis, stating that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter may be opening as early as December 1st, 2009.

As we reported back in August, a NEC filing for the park stated that the earliest it could open is December 15th. This earlier opening may be good news at first sight. However, you may remember a report from Jim Hill Media in November, which won't leave fans as excited. The website suggested that phase one, to be opened in December, "will probably only include Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village." Phase two, which would include the Forbidden Forest and a flying-car attraction, will open in 2010.

Of course, none of this is official yet. Given that the Potter park only has dirt laid on its ground right now, these dates are bound to change. We'll keep you updated! Thanks to Justina for the tip.

Timothy Spall, who played Peter Pettigrew in Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, has said he will reprise that role for the final two films.

"I'm in the next one. And I'm also in the one at the end – I have a very big scene in that. I think they might be shooting two of them back-to-back – hard to know though, what with this writer's strike and all. They're shooting the penultimate one at the moment – which I have a brief appearance in it. I should be doing that soon."

Once again MuggleNet is on the job with a new talent search. We are teaming up with Magical Tours to find the perfect intern for their 2008 Harry Potter-themed tours in Britain. The person selected will participate in all three Magical Tours itineraries - all expenses paid!

Go here for full application details. Qualifying candidates will post video “interviews” on YouTube, and MuggleNet fans will be able to help decide who becomes the intern.

If you're not interested in becoming an intern, but want to learn more about the tours, check out the great tours still available on Magical-Tours.com. Visit soon before all the limited spaces are filled!

NOTE: If you are from outside of the United States you are still eligible to enter. However, please include your complete address in the box beneath your 200 word statement on the entry form.

Good Luck!

It was announced today that our favorite author will deliver the keynote address at this year's Harvard University commencement ceremony on June 5th. University President Drew G. Faust was quoted as saying:

Perhaps no one in our time has done more than J. K. Rowling to inspire young people to experience the excitement and the sheer joy of reading. Her tales of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and their Hogwarts adventures have cast a spell on millions of readers around the world. Harvard isn’t exactly Hogwarts, but I’m sure that her visit with us this June will be a moment of magic for J.K. Rowling’s many admirers across the University.

If any of you lucky Harvard students out there are present at the ceremony, we welcome all reports from Jo's keynote sent in after the event! Thanks to everyone who e-mailed in with the tip.

UPDATE: Harvard student Jill has informed us that the school always posts video from their commencement ceremonies online, so we'll all have a chance to see Jo's speech!

Four months in development, today we're bringing you our latest project: MuggleNet's Wizard Rock section! With over 160 bands in our database, you can read interviews, listen to samples, write reviews, and more! It's the perfect place for you to discover the fandom phenomenon that is the music genre of Wizard Rock.

MuggleNet will begin covering more Wizard Rock-related news now that we have an area to archive it all. We also have more plans for this section, so check back regularly as it continues to grow! A huge, GIGANTIC thank you goes to Christine Roberts who has conducted interviews with all of the bands and organized all of the information you see. We'd also like to thank Matt, our fantastic coder, who did a perfect job of creating the back-end of our database. This project would not have been possible without either of them.

Get listening, get reviewing, and enjoy!

Congratulations to Amanda Peterson for winning the MuggleNet 'Ultimate Fantasy Fan' Contest! Amanda will be MuggleNet's official representative at the premiere of The Spiderwick Chronicles on January 31st. The movie will be released in theaters on February 14th. You can watch the trailer here. Also, be sure to check out Amanda's essay!



Congratulations also to our runners up:

Emily Khaykin
Jessie O'Hara
Fatima Fareed

All of the entries were amazing and it was a difficult choice! Keep an eye out for Amanda's report on the premiere!

Also, if any MuggleNet visitors have read The Spiderwick Chronicles and are interested in working on an upcoming MuggleNet project, e-mail kaitlin@staff.mugglenet.com.

On this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast, we bring back an old favorite: Make the Connection. It's a fun episode hosted by Jamie, Laura, Eric, Micah, Matt, and me! Plus:

- JK Rowling Documentary discussion.
- What was the character name she took from the book in the church?
- Andrew, Matt and Laura review Sweeney Todd.
- Our thoughts on the recent Helen McCrory interview.
- Chapter-by-Chapter: A Place to Hide.
- Is Hermione the genie in the Potter world?
- Chicken Soup.
- Andrew attempts the fastest show close ever.

All that and much much more can be found on this week's show! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

UPDATE: Empire Online is now quoting WB as saying "no decision has been made," in part because no script exists yet. Steve Kloves cannot begin work on the Deathly Hallows script because of the US writer's strike. We'll let you know more once we hear it!

Several visitors have sent in this article from the Daily Mail, which claims crews working on Half-Blood Prince have been told the final film will be split:

A film source said: "There's so much to fit that the view is the last movie should be in two halves. There is a huge battle when Harry, played by Daniel Radcliffe, takes on Voldemort that needs to be done really well."

What's more, the Daily Mail claims that big name directors such as Steven Spielberg are being considered to direct Deathly Hallows. We'll look into this rumor and let you know what Warner Brothers has to say!

Emma Watson has updated her official website with a new blog entry today. She says she has just started filming scenes with actor Jim Broadbent, who is playing Horace Slughorn in Half-Blood Prince:

"It's amazing to be working with him. It's also great because I have been eating profiteroles ALL DAY at Slughorn's dinner party!!!"

You can always find much more information in our Half-Blood Prince section of MuggleNet. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

A new interview with Helen McCrory, Narcissa Malfoy in Half-Blood Prince, has been published by The Independent. On filming the highly-anticipated movie, she says:

"I'm looking forward to it. It's unusual to have such a successful film only starring British actors. I have really started to enjoy the craft of film acting. I do a lot more film and television now than theatre. The difference between screen and stage is that in theatre it's tangible whether someone can act or not. I've worked with people, who will remain nameless, where a film scene has had to be cobbled together from a whole day's worth of takes because the actor is [bad]. They can't remember the lines; if they do remember the lines, they can't remember the moves. In the final project, they will look great, because the director will cut the film for them. In theatre, you can't employ someone who can't remember their bloody lines. That's the difference."

Two websites that follow Universal Studios developments have recently updated with new construction photos and information regarding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park.

First, Universal Ignited has three new pictures of construction on their site. While it doesn't show much, we do see that progress in terms of land clearing is being made.

Second, Screamscape has a YouTube video revealing two concept images we saw in the JK Rowling documentary. One, seen left, is the Hogwarts Express on display for visitors. The other appears to be Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.

We'll continue to bring you updates as construction rolls along. As we reported back in August, the theme park is scheduled to open between December 2009 and June 2010. Thanks to Jerry for the tip!

In a press release yesterday, Warner Brothers announced that their movies will be exclusively on Blu-Ray high definition discs starting in May 2008. Currently, all five Potter films are available in HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats. All of WB's movies will continue to be released on standard DVD.

Because of WB's announcement, Sony's Blu-Ray format is dominating the high-definition market. Most major movie studios are now exclusive to it, and the competing HD-DVD format is likely to disappear soon.

At approximately 7pm on January 2nd, a team of sexually frustrated men (hackers) penetrated MuggleNet's defenses, bravely fighting off Damon's armies of killer dragons and ninjas to breach our servers. The invaders were driven off, however, and the site has been restored.

We apologize for the interruption, and will now continue with our regular business of not messing in other people's business.

According to figures released today by the BBC, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the UK and Ireland's highest grossing film last year, making £49.4 million (around $98 million) and putting the movie just ahead of the third installments of both the Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek franchises, and big releases such as The Simpsons Movie and Transformers, which also opened in 2007.

This makes it the most successful Potter film since Chamber of Secrets, which grossed £5.3 million more in the UK.

Thanks to Tammy for sending this in!