Scans from Empire Deathly Hallows set report now online, including new photos

Thanks to MuggleNet reader Sarah for passing along scans of Empire Online's Deathly Hallows, Part 1 set report found in their latest issue.

The report mainly focuses on interviews with Dan, Rupert and Emma as they discuss the challenges of filming scenes for Deathly Hallows. Emma also talks about life at Brown University.

Included are a few new stills including a shot of Harry looking at the two-way mirror, the trio in a trailer park, and three portraits of each road-tripping trio member.

- Page 1 (start of article)
- Page 2 (large portrait of Harry)
- Page 3 (article and still of Harry in the dark)
- Page 4 (large portrait of Ron)
- Page 5 (large portrait of Hermione)
- Page 6 (article and still of trio in trailer park)
- Page 7 (end of article and still of Harry looking at two-way mirror) 

Empire Online teases upcoming Deathly Hallows set report, releases two Part 1 stills

This morning Empire Online released a small preview of what's to come in their Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 set report. With the preview came two great new stills:

- The cover featuring Harry
- Remus authenticates Harry
- Scrimgeour hands Harry the Golden Snitch

Below is their tease of the set report:

We talked to the central three castmembers - Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson - to profile how they're dealing with the end of an era, and a shoot that's lasted well over a year. But there's also news on what you can expect from the King's Cross scene, how much damage Hogwarts will sustain and why it's the emotional stuff that's really going to get you this time.

If anyone can get us scans of the full article in the magazine (which appears to include this beautiful shot of Harry), please do e-mail them to tips at staff dot mugglenet dot com!  It should be on store shelves soon.

September Birthday Reminders

We would like to extend a very Happy Birthday wish to the actors, actresses, characters, MuggleNet and MuggleCast Staff members that make MuggleNet and MuggleCast so successful today.

September Birthdays:

7th  - Hugh Mitchell - Colin Creevey

9th  - Joshua Herdman - Gregorgy Goyle

10th - Chris Columbus - Director (SS/COS)

18th - Elizabeth Spriggs (RIP) - The Fat Lady (SS)

19th - Andrea Salazar - MuggleNet Staff

19th - Hermione Granger

20th - Keith Hawk - MuggleNet Staff

20th - Sian Thomas - Amelia Bones

22nd - Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy

24th - Kate Fleetwood - Mary Cattermole

27th - Margery Mason - The Food Trolley Lady (GOF)

May all of your Birthday wishes come true.

Rowling donates £10m to open MS research clinic in memory of her mother

According to BBC News, Harry Potter author author JK Rowling has donated £10m to the University of Edinburgh to set up a multiple sclerosis research clinic.

The hope of the the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic is to help researchers find a cure for the disease, which took the life of Rowling's mother Anne, at the age of 45.

Work at the new clinic will also focus on other degenerative neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Motor Neurone Disease.

"I cannot think of anything more important, or of more lasting value, than to help the university attract world-class minds in the field of neuroregeneration, to build on its long and illustrious history of medical research and, ultimately, to seek a cure for a very Scottish disease."

Felton, Lewis, Rankin headline Paris' Magic Christmas Convention

If you're going to be in France this December, you may want to check out a "Magic Christmas" in Paris from December 18-19, 2010 at La Maison Internationale.

The conference's Facebook page has Tom Felton, Chris Rankin and Matthew Lewis listed to attend, as well as others who have worked on the Harry Potter films. Those who have done French voiceovers for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dolores Umbridge will also be in attendance.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in sessions with cast and crew, attend an autograph session and photo shoot, play games, enter contests and see a few magic shows. An orchestra will play music from the films throughout the conference. On Saturday night, a Sorcerer's Ball will be held.

If you're interested, check out the conference's Facebook page for full details. Thanks to Amandine!

MTV releases new photo of Harry climbing Grimmauld Place stairs (updated)

UPDATE: The photo is now available in high-res at this link!

As part of their Fall Movie 2010 Preview, MTV has released a new photo from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.

Viewable here, it shows Harry climbing a set of stairs in Grimmauld Place.

Universal to expand Wizarding World within next two to three years?

If you've visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Orlando, you likely passed through The Lost Continent area of the Islands of Adventure.  It's the area right before the Wizarding World if you're entering via the Hogwarts Express entrance.

You probably flew right through it because you were too excited to get to The Wizarding World.  Upon passing it again as you left The Wizarding World (filled with Butterbeer), you probably looked around The Lost Continent and thought 'meh'.

You're not the only one who gave it a meh.  And it looks like Universal agrees too. MuggleNet reader Kelsey tells us she was on a tour of the park the other day when a Universal guide told her that within the next two or three years The Wizarding World would expand and replace The Lost Continent.

In my opinion, The Lost Continent is begging to be replaced.  Potter could do so much better in that area. And this is in line with a number of strong rumors we've heard that say Universal has an agreement with Warner Brothers insisting on new additions to The Wizarding World in two to three years.

So, this means we could see an addition to the park opening possibly as early as Summer 2012.  If it were to open then, Universal certainly has some plans in the works right now.  What would YOU like to see added to The Wizarding World?

First turned away, man successfully loses enough weight to ride Forbidden Journey

You may have heard that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park's Forbidden Journey ride has a certain body size limit that prevents many people from being able to ride.  Specifically, it has to do with your gut area.  If the ride worker does not hear the safety harness click inward three times, you cannot go on the ride.

This was the case for a man who started a blog titled 'Banks Lee & The Three Clicks'.  He created the blog as a way to keep track of his progress towards being able to ride Forbidden Journey.

Today, an update to 'Three Clicks' includes a photo of him on the ride.  He lost 12 pounds total - the weight he needed to lose.

Congratulations, Banks!