MuggleNet's Harry Potter Timeline
Page 2

August 2005 - MuggleCast, MuggleNet's Harry Potter podcast, releases its first episode to the world. It was the very first weekly podcast dedicated to Harry Potter. Visitors to MuggleNet enjoyed the idea of a Harry Potter talk show, and there spawned a new part of the Potter fandom. Soon after, several other Harry Potter podcasts followed.

September 2005 - Apple releases a Harry Potter special-edition iPod, which features the Hogwarts crest engraved on the back. The Harry Potter audiobooks are also put up for sale on iTunes, marking the first time they are available for digital download.

October 2005 - The Christopher Little Agency announces that over 300 million copies of Harry Potter have been sold worldwide.

November 2005 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is released in theaters in the United States and United Kingdom.

August 2006 - JK Rowling holds her first charity reading alongside Stephen King and John Irving in New York City. It features all three special authors reading selections from their books, along with question and answer sessions.

August 2006 - Goblet of Fire is released on HD DVD. It is the first of the Potter movies to become available in a high definition format.

August 2006 - Dan Radcliffe announces that he will be making his theater debut in Equus, playing the leading role as a boy who has an abnormal obsession with horses.

October 2006 - It is revealed that JK Rowling has signed a letter of intent for a Potter theme park, stating that initial planning can commence. Shortly after this news spread, it was deemed as false by official sources. In hindsight, this could have been a cover-up to conceal the official announcement for 2007.

December 2006 - An early Christmas present is given by JK Rowling to her fans when we find the title to Book 7 on the author's official website.

March 2007 - Warner Brothers announces that Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all been signed for the final two Potter films. This comes as a relief to Potter fans, who have heard lots of mixed thoughts from the trio on completing the series.

March 2007 - Scholastic and Bloomsbury release the cover art for the United States and United Kingdom versions of Deathly Hallows. Fans, as well as podcasts for the first time, begin to speculate over what the three covers released at the time mean.

May 2007 - Universal and Warner Brothers announce plans for a Harry Potter theme park within Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Along with pictures, Universal says fans can expect the park opening in late 2009 - early 2010.

July 2007 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is released in the United States and United Kingdom. It grossed $12 million from midnight screenings alone, and broke the first day record of $40.2 million with $44 million.

July 2007 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final novel in Jo's epic seven-part series, is released. The book's release is celebrated with midinight release parties around the globe. The book becomes the fastest-selling novel of all time.

September 2007 - Warner Brothers announces that the Harry Potter film series is the largest grossing film franchise of all time. It surpasses James Bond and Star Wars with a total of $4.47 billion to date. Although some believe this may not be accurate because of inflation, skeptics are reminded that there are still two more films to go.

October 2007 - JK Rowling sues Steve Vander Ark of the HP-Lexicon.org for his upcoming Harry Potter encyclopedia book. Rowling argues she does not approve of companion or encyclopedia books, while Vander Ark argues that his relationship with WB gives him permission to publish. JK Rowling and WB, suing Steve together, file a restraining order to halt publication of the book until the court trial ends.

October 2007 - JK Rowling makes five stops (Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York twice, and Toronto) on her North American Open Book Tour, where she reads selections of Deathly Hallows to kids and adults alike. Jo signs one copy of a Harry Potter book for each and every book tour attendee.

December 2007 - The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of fairy tales handwritten by JK Rowling, goes on sale at Sotheby's for charity and sells for nearly $4 million. Six other handwritten copies were given to the people who helped Jo closest with Potter.

December 2007 - The documentary "JK Rowling... A Year in the Life" by James Runcie airs on ITV. It is the most in-depth look we have of Jo's life and the long journey to completing Deathly Hallows.

March 2008 - Warner Brothers announces that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two films. Part 1 is to be released in November 2010, with Part 2 following in July 2011.

May 2008 - Scholastic announces a 10th anniversary edition of Sorcerer's Stone to be released September 2008. The book features a brand new cover and exclusive bonus material from JK Rowling.

July 2008 - Scholastic, Bloomsbury, and JK Rowling announce that The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be printed for general release. The book will be released on December 4th, 2008.

August 2008 - After announcing the release date of Half-Blood Prince two years ago, WB reveals that the sixth film will be delayed 8 months so it has a summer release in July 2009. Fans become outraged and try to protest, but WB sticks with their decision.

September 2008 - Sorcerer's Stone 10th Anniversary Edition is released. During Scholastic's publicity, they reveal that they plan on making 10th Anniversary Editions for all seven books.

September 2008 - The judge in the JKR vs RDR Books trial rules that the book cannot be printed in its current form. The judge awards Warner Bros and Rowling the minimum damages of $750 for each of the seven novels about the boy wizard and $750 for each of the two companion books for a total of $6,750.

December 2008 - JK Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard is released worldwide.

April 2009 - Harry Potter: the Exhibition makes its grand opening in Chicago, Illinois. The Exhibition serves as a way for fans to see real props, costumes, and more from the Harry Potter films.

July 2009 - After a 8-month delay, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is released. The film goes on to make over $930 million worldwide.

December 2009 - Warner Brothers re-release Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets in Ultimate Edition sets. Along with a collectible box, booklet, and trading cards, each comes with one part of an eight part documentary. Warner Brothers promises Ultimate Editions for all eight Potter films.

June 2010 - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure opens to a huge first-day crowd. J.K. Rowling as well as the main movie cast attended the Grand Opening. Universal has since reported huge increases in tickets and merchandise sales thanks to Potter.

June 2010 - Filming comes to an end for the Harry Potter franchise after a decade of work at Leavesden Studios. This same year, Warner Brothers announces that part of Leavesden Studios will turn into a Harry Potter museum.

November 2010 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 is released in theaters worldwide. It went on to become one of the 25 highest-grossing films of all time.