Last week we told you about CBS News' report on the growing trend of colleges playing one another in Muggle Quidditch. Now, MTVU has a video report online in which they cover a Middlebury VS Princeton game. You can watch the video here to see some of the game action, learn how it is played, and more.

Will Intercollegiate Quidditch sweep the fandom like Fan Fiction, Wizard Rock, and Podcasting have? Let us know what you think in the comments.

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast brings two big events: the return of Jamie Lawrence and a big announcement concerning future episodes of MuggleCast. Plus:

- Andrew is absent, so the mockery kicks in immediately.
- We announce a brand new version of MuggleCast, starting next week.
- 1/4th Potter, 1/4th Twilight, 1/4th Narnia, and 1/4th Lord of the Rings.
- Chapter by Chapter covers Chapter 23 of Deathly Hallows.
- The Sorting Hat, a new segment, is given a shot.
- Jamie makes up for his time away with Make the Connection.
- Lots of bloopers.

All that and much much more can be found on this week's episode! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

Nigel Newton, the chief executive of the UK Potter publisher Bloomsbury, will disclose on Tuesday that the phenomenal success of Deathly Hallows was the major factor behind an increase in annual profits from £5.2 million to more than £17 million.

A report by the Sunday Herald continues that Newton "will claim that the Potter effect will continue for years ahead as the group dips into cash reserves of more than £40m, built up from past Potter sales, to promote new talent and to make further acquisitions."

Thanks to everyone who wrote in!

The Harry Potter book series has once again won Favorite Book at the 2008 Kids Choice Awards. As most of you probably know, Potter has repeatedly won the award for Favorite Book in past years.

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

EmmaWatson.com has been updated saying that photos of Emma from a recent Warner Bros. photo shoot will be released soon. Among them will be her new fan mail photo. Stay tuned!

Ronald Weasley actor Rupert Grint appeared tonight on Al Murray's Happy Hour on ITV in the UK. In a very hilarious interview, he talks about getting the role, filming Half-Blood Prince, and much more. Check it out here, with big thanks to RupertGrint.net for the capture!

Over the past couple of months, hundreds of you have sent in links to an alleged Half-Blood Prince teaser poster that was confirmed to be a fake. Now, a new one is making its way around the web and we want to tell you about it before it gets out of hand. CanMag.com has a picture of a reader standing next to a new "teaser poster" in the UK. It depicts a green Dark Mark with the caption "Everything Will Change" at the top.

Two reasons why this could be fake: 1) It's blurry, as all fakes-taken-in-real-environments are. And 2) The caption is very similar to lines from other Potter films (most notably "It's changin' out there" in Order of the Phoenix).

UPDATE: We've learned from TheDailySnitcher.com that this is indeed fake. A real one to come soon? We sure hope so!

The CBS Early Show will be doing a piece on the growing sport of Quidditch on college campuses across the country this Friday morning. As previously reported in USA Today, Quidditch is becoming a very popular sport among college students and now the school that began it all, Middlebury College, is going on an eight-school tour during their spring break recess.

Starting tomorrow, they will be at Amherst College in Amherst, MA and that is where the CBS Early Show will be broadcasting from.

All the merchandise seen in the piece, including broomsticks, house ties and scarves, was provided by our partner Alivan's.

UPDATE: CBS News has posted video from today's earlier broadcast, which'll show you how to play. Check it out here! Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip.

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast covers the latest chapter in our Chapter by Chapter series, takes your voicemails, plays Make the Music Connection, and much more! Including:

- News Competition runner-up winner Ash Jackson gives us the news!
- We discuss David Heyman's interview about the DH split.
- Will each part of the film get its own DVD release?
- MuggleMail addresses some burning topics on listener minds.
- Mikey and Micah host the M&M show.
- Voicemails return with questions about female listeners, Potter conventions, and more.

To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

NOTE: I accidentally screwed up the audio files when they were originally uploaded. If you already downloaded the show and our voices sound deeper than normal, just refresh your feed and you'll see the new episode. Or simply re-download on the Episodes page. Sorry for the mix up!

Our friends at DanRadcliffe.com have a new set report online from a Chilean magazine called Wiken. In it, they talk with Dan Radcliffe and speak about several different aspects of Leavesden Studios (where all the Potter films are shot). Of interest to those clamoring for new Half-Blood Prince news, they talk about Horace Slughorn's Christmas party:

Wikén witnessed a scene during a filming day. In it, the new Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Horace Slughorn (played by the British actor Jim Broadbent, known by supporting roles in classic movies such as "Brazil and "Richard the Third"), celebrates a Christmas party in his room for a selected group of students. Slughorn walks from one group to another chatting with his guests, trying to gain his favourite students' favour.

After a second take, the filming team watches the repetition of this scene through some monitors. As the director David Yates leaves the place, he gives some additional instructions. A few meters away, actors and actresses of other scenes wait very focused, seated in white plastic chairs outside the set where scenes are being filmed.

You can read the full translation of the article right here.

As mentioned previously and as many of you are well aware, J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. are involved in an ongoing lawsuit with RDR Books over a companion novel seeking publication by Harry Potter Lexicon owner Steve Vander Ark. The Associated Foreign Press is reporting this evening that Jo is expected to appear in court in New York City next month.

A New York Federal District Court Judge ordered today that the case go to trial beginning April 14th and Rowling's presence has been requested by RDR Books.

"We asked for her and they said they would provide her," said lawyer David Hammer. "I would say it would be very unlikely that she would not appear," he added.

The witness list must be submitted by April 4th. We will keep you posted as this story continues to develop. Thanks to Matt for sending this in!

New details have emerged from the interview an Edinburgh University student conducted with JK Rowling in which she openly discussed the depression she dealt with earlier in her life.

“Mid-twenties life circumstances were poor and I really plummeted,” said Rowling. “The thing that made me go for help . . . was probably my daughter. She was something that earthed me, grounded me, and I thought, this isn’t right, this can’t be right, she cannot grow up with me in this state.”

...

"We're talking suicidal thoughts here, we're not talking 'I'm a little bit miserable',"

Click here to read more from The Times.

Most of you have seen the hilarious Potter Puppet Pals videos that are a huge hit on YouTube. Thanks to Auror Proudfoot for letting us know that their "Mysterious Ticking Noise" video recently won Best Comedy at the 2007 YouTube Video Awards. Congrats to them!

Nickelodeon Magazine is offering U.S. residents the chance to win a trip to the Los Angeles premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The contest opens today and runs through May 1. Participants must be between the ages of 6 and 14. The sixth film will hit theaters on November 21.

We will update you on any further information regarding the movie premieres and their dates.

Thanks to HPANA for the tip!

Yesterday we showed you a pictured from Half-Blood Prince that appeared in Nickelodeon Magazine's April 2008 issue. Warner Brothers has now passed along the high-res version of this pic, and you can check it out here!

The April issue of Nick magazine will contain this new advertisement for the sixth Harry Potter movie as well as this new photo of the trio in the Gryffindor common room.

Thanks to RHS.com and everyone who emailed!

The Telegraph reported today that Dame Maggie Smith (Prof. McGonagall) is fighting a private battle with breast cancer. "She is dealing with it in her typically brave and understated way," says a friend of hers. "She has had a tumour removed and subsequently completed a course of chemotherapy. This was precautionary and the prognosis looks good. The last thing she wants to do is to make a fuss about it."

The article continues, stating that "the 73-year-old Oscar winner insisted on going ahead with filming her role as Minerva McGonagall in the latest installment of the Harry Potter series last month even as she was undergoing radiation therapy."

Our hearts go out to Maggie and her family. We wish her a speedy recovery.

On Saturday night we brought you the first part of MuggleCast and Portus' exclusive interview with Potter audiobook narrator Jim Dale. Today, Portus has the second half of the interview online! Just visit their podcast in iTunes and press "Subscribe" to grab their latest episode for March.

Don't forget both MuggleCast and Jim Dale will be giving presentations at Portus 2008 in Dallas, Texas. Visit their site for more details, including how to register!

HP Fan Trips, who hosts Potter-centric trips to the United Kingdom, has teamed up with Alivan's to create a new FREE virtual journey for everyone: HP Quest. From their website:

The object of the quest is simple - solve a series of weekly clues and you'll be able to register to win a variety of weekly wizarding prizes and a chance to win the School of Wizardry trip.

Each week a new series of clues will be released. Participants solve the clues to discover new "destinations"/new website addresses. Fans must play each week to be eligible for that week’s prize drawing. Each website address provides the next set of riddles/challenges that need to be solved. Total number of clues imbedded in your website will be determined by the number of participating partners and the level of participation of each partner.

The first weekly drawing was held today and will continue through April 25th. It all leads up to the Grand Prize drawing on that day: a trip for two to Ford's Castle in England. For more, be sure to check out their website, and don't forget about their special trip for MuggleNet fans as well!

Dave Legeno is set to play the part of Fenrir Greyback in Half-Blood Prince. The 44-year-old spoke to The Star saying, "Daniel will be taking his own 17 stone monster in this film - me."

The fighter, known as The Legend Killer for his giant-slaying ways, added: "He is a lovely guy but let's just say he will have his hands full when I get hold of him."

Check out a scan of this brief interview here, thanks to Snitch Seeker.

As promised, the latest episode of our Harry Potter podcast is here, featuring MuggleCast and Portus' interview with Jim Dale! As the narrator of the US and Canada Potter audiobooks, Jim is one of the most knowledgeable people in the Harry Potter industry. In the first part of our interview, he shares his views on the recently announced Deathly Hallows split, the process for recording the audiobooks, and MUCH more.

- One of his sons is actually a movie helicopter operator who has worked on the Potter films.
- What is his favorite Potter character voice? Which one is the hardest - or as he puts it - the most annoying to do?
- He discusses how he prepares to record the Potter books: some water and a green apple anyone?
- How long does it take him? More like how long is he given! The answer may surprise you.
- Does he ever read the books for enjoyment and what is his relationship with J.K. Rowling?
- Just what does he think about the HP fandom?

To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website.

Part 2 of the interview will be available very soon on Portus Previews. You may remember that last week, we first told you Jim will be appearing at Portus to give several talks. Enjoy!

Author J.K. Rowling will attend the 2008 Galaxy British Books Awards in association with the Richard & Judy Show on April 9th. The announcement was made on the show this past Friday after a short piece officially announcing the awards.

Thanks to Fi for sending this in!

ComingSoon.net reports that, in a conference call on Friday, IMAX Corporation revealed Half-Blood Prince will indeed be playing on the big BIG screen. It will be simultaneously released on the same day it hits regular theaters, which is November 21st.

You may remember that Prisoner of Azkaban through Order of the Phoenix have also been released in IMAX, so this should come as no surprise!

E! has just released a new interview with Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton where they discuss the sixth Potter film and some of the cuts that have been made. Also in the clip is footage of the crew filming a corridor scene with Dan and Rupert at Gloucester Cathedral.

Thanks to The Daily Snitcher for the tip!

Thanks to Todd for pointing out that Empire Magazine has a brand new interview with Potter producer David Heyman, who reveals lots of new information regarding Wednesday's announcement:

The extended shooting time means there’ll be nearly two years between the release of Half-Blood Prince and the first part of Deathly Hallows in 2010. Are there any concerns about that?

Actually, we would have been in a very similar place if we’d done one film, because it would have been four and a half hours long. The shoot would not have been considerably shorter, so it would have been on similar lines.

And when do you expect to start shooting Deathly Hallows?

Early next year. Most of 2009 will be filming. We’ll be anticipating shooting in February. We’re all really excited about the possibilities and the challenges of seven. It’s going to be a cracker.

Read the full interview here. See more quotes from Heyman in the original announcement, and screenwriter Steve Kloves' thoughts here. Thanks again, Todd!

Our special LIVE episode of MuggleCast, recorded Thursday evening with over 1,300 people listening, is now available! Join us for over two hours of Deathly Hallows film discussion as we take your calls, bring back old co-hosts, and much more!

- Ben and Kevin return to co-host the show!
- Was the split done to make more money?
- Is the 6 month wait between part one and two THAT bad?
- Where should the split be made?
- We give Jamie a quick call and Ben messes with his head.
- We take YOUR calls about the split!

Our regular weekend show, to include an interview with Jim Dale, will still be released Sunday evening... so get listening! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves today sent an email to the Baltimore Sun, shedding light on his thoughts of the Deathly Hallows split announced yesterday:

"Years ago," he writes, "we briefly — and seriously — considered doing Goblet of Fire as two films. So this concept is not altogether new. As for Deathly Hallows, I intuited — almost from the first moments I began reading it and certainly once I’d finished — that to realize the story in a single film was going to be a tall order. Others in 'the group' felt similarly. So the idea of two films began to get kicked around as early as late summer of 2007. We didn’t take it lightly. But ultimately everyone felt that despite the challenges it would present, it was the most sound creative decision. I’m sure some will think we’re crazy.

Read the full interview here! Thanks to SnitchSeeker for the tip.

UPDATE: As expected, this morning Warner Brothers issued a press released about the split. No new information is revealed.

Story highlights (Digg this story!):
- Part 1 to be released November 2010, Part 2 May 2011.
- JK Rowling was "cool" with the idea, according to Heyman.
- Warner Brothers to make official announcement tomorrow at ShoWest.

It's official! The LA Times has confirmed that Deathly Hallows will be split into two films AND will be directed by OOTP and HBP director David Yates. Read the full article HERE. Quotage from the article:

Producer David Heyman said the decision was made with some anxiety and only after considerable deliberations. The producer joked that "while my wife and Warner Brothers were pleased" to hear that the Potter movie magic will continue into the next decade, he himself fretted that the cynical observers would see the decision as a purely mercenary move.

"I swear to you it was born out of purely creative reasons," Heyman said during an interview in a converted airplane factory outside London that has been home base to all of the "Potter" productions. "Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book. You can remove scenes of Ron playing quidditch from the fifth book, and you can remove Hermione and S.P.E.W. [Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare] and those subplots . . . but with the seventh, that can't be done."

Heyman said he approached Rowling with some trepidation about the strategy but found that she signed off on its logic rather quickly. "I went to Jo and she was cool with it," Heyman said, "and that was quite a relief."

Collectormania 2008 hosted Matt Lewis and his brother yesterday in Manchester, England, where he answered several questions about the Harry Potter films. Snitch Seeker has a small report from Matt Lewis' talk, where one reader says he did confirm previous rumors that Deathly Hallows would be split in two.

All of these leaks and quotes from people inside the Potter film are adding up, and at this point an announcement from WB should be imminent. We'll keep you posted!

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!

Construction continues to make progress at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, Florida. The last time we updated you, vertical construction had begun on an unknown area of the park. Just two weeks later, we have, well, more basic construction to show you.

However, progress is progress and we look forward to showing you more exciting pictures in the coming months. We'd also like to point out this article from Jim Hill Media, which comments on the rollercoaster war going on between competing theme parks in Orlando. This includes Univeral's Dueling Dragons ride, which is set to be turned into a TriWizard Tournament-themed coaster.

Thanks so much to Jillian for the pics!

As we told you yesterday, Emma Watson was nominated for Best Actress, Dan Radcliffe for Best Actor, David Yates for Best Director, Nicholas Hooper (who composed the fifth film's soundtrack) for Best Soundtrack, and OOTP itself for Best Film and Best Sci-fi/Fantasy at the Empire awards.

The ceremony took place last night and congratulations to David Yates who earned the Best Director award for his work on Order of the Phoenix. Check out a video interview with him at the bottom of this page where he concedes being tempted to direct the Deathly Hallows film.

Further coverage of the event, including photos of Emma Watson, Evanna Lynch, Katie Leung and Jason Isaacs, can be seen here.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in!

JK Rowling's official website has been updated wishing Remus Lupin a happy birthday for the 10th of March.

Milo from has sent in a report from the Millenium Bridge in London, where crews have been filming this weekend for Half-Blood Prince. Details:

- Filming is for the bridge collapsing scene.
- About 60 crew members and 120 extras.
- Stuntmen will be falling into the river.
- Bridge was being filmed with helicopter, on foot, and mounted camera crane.
- Crews were only allowed to film every half hour to allow public on bridge.
- More location shoots will be taking place in London.

You can see a nice collection of photos right here in our galleries. Milo also tells that she asked a crew member about Deathly Hallows being split in two, to which he smiled and nodded. Expectedly, he also said filming for both parts will occur back to back. Thanks again, Milo!

Jo Rowling recently granted a lengthy interview to the Edinburgh "Student" newspaper in which she discusses religious opposition to the books, her depression, Dumbledore's sexuality and more. Below is an excerpt:

How does she react to those who disagree with a homosexual character in a children's novel? "So what?" she retorts immediately "It is a very interesting question because I think homophobia is a fear of people loving, more than it is of the sexual act. There seems to be an innate distaste for the love involved, which I find absolutely extraordinary. There were people who thought, well why haven't we seen Dumbledore's angst about being gay?" Rowling is clearly amused by this and rightly so. "Where was that going to come in? And then the other thing was-and I had letters saying this-that, as a gay man, he would never be safe to teach in a school."

An air of incredulity descends on the room as if Rowling herself still can not believe this statement. She continues: "He's a very old single man. You have to ask: why is it so interesting? People have to examine their own attitudes. It's a shade of character. Is it the most important thing about him? No, it's Dumbledore for God's sake. There are 20 things that are relavant to the story before his sexuality." Bottom line then: he isn't a gay character; he's a character that just happens to be gay. Rowling concurs wholeheartedly.

Emma Watson has added a new post to her official site where she talks about the Empire awards taking place tonight. She says, "I think I'm also presenting an award which will be great! I really hope it will be a good night for Potter! Fingers crossed!"

Emma has been nominated for Best Actress, Dan Radcliffe for Best Actor, David Yates for Best Director, Nicholas Hooper (who composed the fifth film's soundtrack) for Best Soundtrack, and OOTP itself for Best Film and Best Sci-fi/Fantasy.

The awards will be broadcast tomorrow at 9 PM on ITV2.

On this week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast, we proudly announce that Jim Dale, narrator of the US Potter audiobooks, will be joining us next week! It gets better for listeners: you get to ask Jim your questions! Listen to this week's episode for details. Plus:

- MuggleCast News guest anchor Edith gives us the news.
- Chapter by Chapter covers Chapters 20 and 21 of Deathly Hallows.
- Discussion topics include the Deathly Hallows, Xenophilius Lovegood, and more.
- Voicemails return and we have lots of fun questions and answers!
- Make the Music Connection challenges our musical creativity.
- Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul: Baby Edition!

All that and much more can be found on this great new episode of MuggleCast. To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

We are very happy to break the news that Jim Dale, narrator of the US Potter books, will be presenting at HPEF's Portus 2008 this July! Portus representative Aziza Aba Butain talks about how excited they are to be hosting him:

"We've just confirmed that Jim Dale, the amazing "reader" of all the HP audio books for the US , Broadway icon and the narrator of ABC's new hit series "Pushing Daisies", will be presenting at Portus in July. This will be Jim Dale's first HP conference. We're all very excited and honored to have a guest so involved with the series be apart of Portus's Programming. Mr. Dale is quite the dynamic, accomplished speaker and we can't wait for Portus to arrive.

Portus's monthly newsletter, The Portal, will be updating soon with the latest on Jim's programming. This will, undoubtedly, be a must-see conference for Harry Potter fans. We cannot wait to find out what Portus and Jim Dale have to offer!

If you're interested in attending Portus, you must register! Visit Portus2008.org for more information. Don't forget, MuggleCast will also be hosting a podcast at the conference as part of their Podcast Palooza. This is one conference that you definitely will not want to miss!

On March 2nd Wizrocklopedia.com announced the 2008 Wizard Rock People’s Choice Awards winners! Fans around the world voted for their favorite bands in several categories, such as Best Male/Female Vocals, Best EP, Band of the Year, Best Holiday Song, and Best Album Art. The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to The Whomping Willows! Congratulations to Matt and to all of the winners! See a full list of categories and winners here.”

They apparently don't give Dylan enough work at school, because he's found the time to cook up three new designs for you to choose from:

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A few stories relating to the production of Half-Blood Prince have appeared online today.

- Ralph Fiennes, the actor who plays Lord Voldemort in the Potter films, has revealed in an interview with Ain't It Cool News that he won't be appearing in the sixth film. When asked about if he is signed for Deathly Hallows, he says "not yet."

- On ITV's This Morning, Damian Lewis (Helen McCrory's husband) revealed that Helen is filming her scenes as Narcissa Malfoy this week. Damian said she was "extremely excited" and is following blogs that are also excited.

- Lastly, a newspaper in Norway reports on some scenic filming being done in a small village called Bjorli. The crew is filming shots that will be used outside of the Hogwarts Express. With big thanks Karen, you can read a loose translation of the article at the link below.

The Telegraph has a short piece about Jo Rowling continuing to write in cafes:

"I will continue writing for children because that's what I enjoy," reveals Jo, who greatly misses the child wizard. "It's left me with the biggest emptiness in my life." She will, however, leave behind the magical world of Hogwarts. "I believe that it's good for me and good for my readers that I bring myself to work on something different," she declares.

In a search for inspiration, Jo discloses that she has returned to the Edinburgh cafes where she completed her first novel while unemployed and living on benefits: "I am very good at finding a suitable cafe. I blend into the crowd and, of course, I don't sit in the middle of the bar staring all around me. In 90 per cent of cases, it's the cafe's staff who allow me to work without being bothered."

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast kicks off with feedback from listeners who pointed out my slip-up during last week's show. We also have a great discussion on Chapters 18 and 19 of Deathly Hallows, plus:

- The Top 5 contestants for Micah's News Contest!
- Help Mason raise money for the American Cancer Society.
- We have an in-depth discussion on Dumbledore and Grindelwald's relationship.
- Why is the sword at the bottom of the pond?
- Matt gets angry at Snape's sword placement.
- Laura justifies Hermione's anger at Ron when he returns.
- Make the Music Connection returns!
- A new segment: Hold Up, Hosts!
- Chicken Soup.

All that and much more can be found on this week's episode! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!