The Numbers
- MuggleNet news posts: 885
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- MuggleNet seen in: 225 countries
- MuggleCast downloads: 2,617,381
The Stellar Seven
These were our seven most popular news stories for the year.
- We learned that author J.K. Rowling sampled the Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and that the Forbidden Journey will have authentic props and rooms in its queue.
- It was reported that Warner Bros. had finalized its deal to purchase Leavesden Studios and was expected to open a Potter museum in spring 2012.
- In its landmark 200th episode, MuggleCast interviewed Harry Potter producer David Heyman, who revealed that the Deathly Hallows split had been decided and that they added a scene that will be incredibly dramatic and very moving.
- Universal Studios hosted the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park with appearances by J.K. Rowling, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Rupert Grint, Matt Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bonnie Wright and music by John Williams.
- New Deathly Hallows footage aired at Comic-Con 2010, featuring Dumbledore in his grave, Snape meeting with Voldemort, the Seven Potters, and more.
- The first trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 finally made its way online!
- Daniel Radcliffe spoke with Potter fansites about the Deathly Hallows split, the overall plot, and more.
The Stories
January 19 - A rumor surfaced that Alexandre Desplat will compose Deathly Hallows - Part 1. It was confirmed the next day.
January 21 - We got our first look at the Three Broomsticks inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
January 21 - After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Potter community came together to raise money for those in need.
January 26 - Both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were rumored to be released in 3D.
January 26 - The Financial Times reported that Warner Bros. is interested in purchasing Leavesden Studios for production and tourism.
January 29 - We learned that author J.K. Rowling sampled the Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and that the Forbidden Journey will have authentic props and rooms in its queue.
February 2 - Online video game websites revealed that there will be over 140 playable characters in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4.
February 4 - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint ranked as the top earning actors of 2009, according to Movieline.com. They all individually out-earned actor George Clooney.
February 9 - In their third quarter fiscal report, Electronic Arts listed "Harry Potter Title TBA" for an October-December release.
February 17 - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released the box art for LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4.
February 17 - Author J.K. Rowling was added as a defendant in a plagiarism suit against Bloomsbury, claiming she stole the plot of Goblet of Fire from Adrian Jacobs's The Adventures of Willy the Wizard.
February 20 - In an interview with The Telegraph, Potter production designer Stuart Craig revealed that Snape dies "an extremely good death" that brought him to tears.
February 25 - Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Bellatrix Lestrange, told Rotten Tomatoes, "I do get a good death scene."
March 3 - Rhys Ifans, the actor who plays Xenophilius Lovegood in the Potter films, compared being asked to work on Deathly Hallows with being knighted.
March 4 - The 2010 Universal Studios Orlando Park Brochure was published with new details about the Flight of the Hippogriff, the Forbidden Journey, and the Three Broomsticks restaurant.
March 4 - BBC ranked Harry Potter as the top book to pass on to the next generation of readers.
March 4 - NBC announced that a special "Making of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter" will air in June.
March 5 - The Hogwarts Express pulled into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
March 15 - The Today Show aired the first official video from inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, showcasing the Hogwarts Express and Hogsmeade storefronts.
March 18 - Alan Horn, President of Warner Bros., showed an unfinished clip from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 at ShoWest.
March 21 - A fire destroyed part of the Deathly Hallows set during Battle of Hogwarts filming. Thankfully, nobody was injured.
March 24 - After previously stating that she would not return to the final Potter films due to other commitments, Emma Thompson confirmed two days of shooting as Professor Trelawney.
March 24 - Universal announced that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park will open on June 18. Additional details about the Forbidden Journey were revealed.
March 29 - In a new interview with MTV News, Harry Potter producer David Heyman said that Deathly Hallows will be even more epic in 3D.
March 30 - Bloombsury revealed that it will re-publish Harry Potter paperbacks with new covers in November to appeal to the next generation of readers who did not grow up with the book series.
March 30 - The release of the LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 video game was pushed back to June.
April 4 - Teams on the hit NBC show The Celebrity Apprentice were tasked with a Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park project.
April 5 - Author J.K. Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at the White House as part of their annual Easter Egg Roll.
April 5 - Covers for the Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were revealed.
April 8 - James and Oliver Phelps opened Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Toronto, the third stop on its North American tour.
April 8 - President of Universal Creative, Mark Woodbury, took fans on a tour through Hogwarts as he described the storyline of the Forbidden Journey ride.
April 9 - After a decade of filming, Alan Rickman confirmed in an interview that he has completed his role as Professor Severus Snape.
April 17 - In an interview with The Independent, Rupert Grint said that he is close to wrapping filming on the Potter series.
April 20 - MuggleCast interviewed actor Warwick Davis, who plays Professor Flitwick and the goblin Griphook in the Potter films, about his new book Size Matters Not and his work on Deathly Hallows.
April 22 - Plans to turn Leavesden Studios into a permanent Harry Potter visitor attraction to open in 2012 were approved.
April 25 - Warner Bros. announced that both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would run in IMAX theaters.
May 6 - The sounds of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park started to fill the air at Universal Studios.
May 13 - In a new interview with MTV, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton spoke about filming the Deathly Hallows epilogue and the "aging training" he had to go through.
May 14 - TT Games updated its website, confirming LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 would be released on June 29.
May 14 - In a rare interview, John Hurt, the actor who plays Ollivander in the Potter films, spoke about his torture scene and the overall success of the franchise.
May 15 - According to a new poll in The Telegraph, author J.K. Rowling was voted the UK's Best Role Model for Children.
May 17 - Universal hosted an event inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, giving previews to travel and media professionals.
May 20 - Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, and Emma Watson visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
May 24 - MuggleNet received its first report that filming had begun for the Deathly Hallows epilogue scene at King's Cross station.
May 25 - NBC Universal announced that they would be airing a special on June 6 featuring the making of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
May 26 - Half-Blood Prince won in the Family category, and the Harry Potter series won a Special Recognition Award at the 2010 National Movie Awards.
May 27 - While picking up two awards at the 2010 National Movie Awards, producer David Heyman revealed that the cast and crew had just two weeks left of filming.
May 27 - Entertainment Weekly named Harry Potter one of the Greatest Characters of the Past 20 Years.
May 27 - Actor Peter Mullan was cast as Death Eater Yaxley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
May 28 - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park soft opened to the public. The first photos and reports were revealed.
May 29 - The all new MuggleNet 2.0 launched. It was our first major overhaul - ever!
May 29 - Our first look at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 video game from Electronic Arts featured a photo of Harry, Ron, and Hermione battling Snatchers and Fenrir Greyback in the forest.
June 2 - We got our first look at Deathly Hallows props, including The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore and A History of Magic.
June 3 - We learned that the first clip from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would air at the MTV Movie Awards.
June 7 - A new Deathly Hallows clip featuring Voldemort, the dragon escape from Gringotts, Ron and Harry's fight, and more aired at the MTV Movie Awards.
June 8 - The Mayor of London told The Telegraph that he wants the Harry Potter theme park in London, citing that you're more likely to be shot in Orlando.
June 9 - In its landmark 200th episode, MuggleCast interviewed Harry Potter producer David Heyman, who revealed that the Deathly Hallows split had been decided and that they added a scene that will be incredibly dramatic and very moving.
June 12 - Filming officially wrapped for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
June 12 - It was announced that Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, and Daniel Radcliffe would attend the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
June 15 - Warner Bros. announced that John Williams would perform at the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
June 16 - Electronic Arts confirmed that the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 video game would be released on November 19.
June 16 - Universal Studios hosted the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park with appearances by J.K. Rowling, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Rupert Grint, Matt Lewis, James and Oliver Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, and Bonnie Wright and music by John Williams.
June 18 - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park opened to the public. Thousands came out for the grand opening.
June 23 - The official Harry Potter Twitter was updated with the announcement that the first full-fledged trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be released online on June 28.
June 24 - After ten years, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton announced that he has completed filming the Potter series.
June 25 - In a detailed article, Yahoo! reported that heavier riders may not be able to experience the Forbidden Journey at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
June 27 - Metro.co.uk began what was to become several days of photo releases from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, including shots of Harry and Voldemort and Hogwarts under attack.
June 27 - USA Today released several new photos from Deathly Hallows, including Voldemort and Harry dueling in the courtyard, Harry and Hagrid riding the motorbike, and Hogwarts surrounded by a protective bubble.
June 28 - Warner Bros. released the second official trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
July 9 - Orlando Sentinel reported that after just three weeks of being open, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey had seen more than half a million riders.
July 12 - Release date and details were confirmed by Warner Bros. for the Ultimate Editions of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.
July 12 - The musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, starring Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, was announced to open on March 27, 2011.
July 14 - After adding J.K. Rowling as a defendant in February, the estate of British author Adrian Jacobs filed a lawsuit against Scholastic, claiming that Goblet of Fire is substantially similar to Jacob's 1987 book The Adventures of Willy the Wizard.
July 17 - Infinitus 2010, a Harry Potter convention run by HPEF, got underway from Orlando, Florida. Fans gathered to experience the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
July 17 - Emma Watson joined Twitter.
July 20 - MuggleCast released Episode 203, a combination of its live shows from Infinitus 2010 and inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at the Three Broomsticks.
July 22 - Deathly Hallows Horcrux props went on display at Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego, California.
July 23 - A Very Potter Sequel musical made its Internet debut on YouTube.
July 24 - New Deathly Hallows footage aired at Comic-Con 2010, featuring Dumbledore in his grave, Snape meeting with Voldemort, the Seven Potters, and more.
July 30 - The Wall Street Journal reported that there are rumors concerning a park to be opened in India featuring rides from Universal properties, including Harry Potter.
August 6 - In a new article with Entertainment Weekly, Emma Watson revealed her new, liberating hair cut.
August 7 - A franchise wrap party was held at Leavesden Studios, celebrating the end of the Harry Potter films.
August 10 - It was announced that the final North American stop on the Harry Potter: The Exhibition tour would be in Seattle, opening on October 23.
August 11 - The date of London premiere for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was set for November 11.
August 12 - A new article in Entertainment Weekly previewed Deathly Hallows, featuring new scenes and revealing where the films will be split.
August 16 - The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park saw one million riders in record time.
August 16 - Warner Bros. released nine high-res Deathly Hallows stills first seen in Entertainment Weekly and confirmed a plot change - Hedwig will be killed saving Harry.
August 18 - Durham University announced that they will offer the first Harry Potter class in the UK.
August 22 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was screen tested in Chicago.
August 22 - MuggleNet staff members Emerson Spartz and Eric Scull reviewed Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
August 27 - After being turned away from the Forbidden Journey ride for being overweight, Potter fan Banks Lee reported he has lost enough weight to be able to get on the ride.
August 30 - Rumors began to surface about the Wizarding World expanding into the current Lost Continent area at Universal Studios.
September 11 - After numerous articles and complaints, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park modifies the seats on the Forbidden Journey ride.
September 14 - MuggleNet offered Potter fans an exclusive trailer for Harry Potter Film Wizardry, a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film series.
September 16 - The date for the New York City premiere for Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was set for November 15.
September 20 - MuggleNet introduced its own iPhone app.
September 22 - In anticipation of a Deathly Hallows - Part 1 trailer release, Warner Bros. released thirteen high-res stills.
September 22 - It was announced that the score for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 would be released on November 16.
September 22 - The first trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 finally made its way online!
September 24 - Oprah Winfrey's website was updated with news that author J.K. Rowling will appear on her show on October 1.
September 25 - Warner Bros. released the first clips from the Ultimate Edition DVDs of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.
September 27 - Hugo, Albus Severus, James Sirius, and young Lily Evans were cast for Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
September 29 - The first posters for Deathly Hallows - Part 1, featuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione, were released.
October 1 - A new poster was released for Deathly Hallows - Part 1, featuring the trio running in the forest.
October 5 - MuggleNet released its Deathly Hallows - Part 1 set report.
October 5 - The Motion Picture Association of America gave Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 a PG-13 rating.
October 6 - Warner Bros. released several high-res Deathly Hallows - Part 1 character banners, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Snape, Voldemort, Bellatrix, and Greyback. Later that day, MuggleNet exclusive posters of Snape and Voldemort with the tagline "The hunt begins."
October 8 - Warner Bros. announced that it had scrapped plans to release Deathly Hallows - Part 1 in 3D. Producer David Heyman was quoted as saying that this was done to "preserve the integrity of Jo Rowling's books."
October 12 - Worldwide release dates were announced for Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
October 13 - It was reported that Warner Bros. was working to release Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince in a 3D Blu-ray format.
October 14 - Two more Deathly Hallows - Part 1 promotional posters were released, featuring Dobby and the Seven Potters vs. Voldemort.
October 15 - Orlando Sentinel reported that Universal Orlando's quarterly revenue rose 62%, operating profit more than doubled, and net profit nearly tripled thanks to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park.
October 15 - Tickets for Deathly Hallows - Part 1 went on sale online.
October 18 - MuggleNet released an exclusive clip from the Ultimate Edition of the Goblet of Fire DVD that focuses on John Williams's influence on the Potter series as a whole.
October 18 - Warner Bros. got the PR machine spinning, releasing eight new Deathly Hallows - Part 1 TV spots.
October 19 - Harry Potter Film Wizardry hit store shelves.
October 19 - J.K. Rowling traveled to Denmark to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award, where she spoke about the impact of children's books.
October 19 - The Ultimate Editions of the Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire DVDs went on sale.
October 21 - FOX released the first promotional video for The Simpsons upcoming Halloween special, featuring Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.
October 23 - The run-time for Deathly Hallows - Part 1 appeared online at 147 minutes, making it the third shortest of all the Potter films.
October 24 - Daniel Radcliffe spoke with Potter fansites about the Deathly Hallows split, the overall plot, and more.
October 24 - The individual track titles for the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 score appeared online.
October 26 - After receiving the names of the individual track titles days earlier, samples from the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 score were made available online.
October 27 - The British Board of Film Classification gave Deathly Hallows - Part 1 a 12A rating.
November 4 - In celebration of Warner Bros.'s "Join the Final Battle" campaign passing 55,000 fans on Facebook, fans got a 90-second clip of the Seven Potters scene.
November 5 - Fans received a third Deathly Hallows - Part 1 clip, this one featuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione battling Death Eaters inside a London cafe.
November 7 - The official Harry Potter website let it slip that Alexandre Desplat will return to compose Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
November 8 - It was reported that Warner Bros. had finalized its deal to purchase Leavesden Studios and was expected to open a Potter museum in spring 2012.
November 8 - In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Warner Bros. President Alan Horn revealed that Steven Spielberg wanted to make the Harry Potter franchise a cartoon and mash some of the films together.
November 8 - Two new Deathly Hallows - Part 1 clips were released online by ClevverTV, featuring Ron and Harry's argument and Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor.
November 9 - E!Online gave us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Deathly Hallows - Part 1, speaking with Ralph Fiennes, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson.
November 10 - BBC interviewed Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson on life after Potter.
November 10 - In an interview with FilmMusicMag.com, composer Alexandre Desplat confirmed that he will return to score Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
November 11 - MuggleNet provided live coverage from the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 premiere in London. We later provided an initial-reaction review of the film.
November 12 - At the press junket in London, Daniel Radcliffe revealed that the epilogue scene from Deathly Hallows - Part 2 would be re-shot around Christmas time.
November 12 - Warner Bros. released video highlights from the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 London premiere where J.K. Rowling and the film's top stars were interviewed.
November 14 - MuggleNet released its Deathly Hallows - Part 1 London press junket report.
November 17 - In an interview with MTV, Daniel Radcliffe said that author J.K. Rowling recently sent him a text message with a promise of no more Harry Potter books.
November 17 - MuggleNet reported on the 2010 IQA Quidditch World Cup.
November 19 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was released in theaters worldwide.
November 19 - Deathly Hallows - Part 1 grossed $61 million on its opening day at the box office, putting it on pace to pass the previous franchise opening weekend high made by Goblet of Fire with $102.7 million.
November 21 - Deathly Hallows - Part 1 made $125.1 million during its opening weekend domestically. It added $205 million in overseas markets, giving it $330.1 million worldwide.
November 21 - MuggleNet released its video interview with director David Yates, producer David Barron, and screenwriter Steve Kloves from the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 New York premiere.
November 22 - After hitting store shelves earlier in the week, the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 video game got poor reviews by critics.
November 25 - The Los Angeles Times published an article wondering whether or not Warner Bros. would push Deathly Hallows - Part 1 for Oscar consideration.
November 28 - In its second weekend at the box office, Deathly Hallows - Part 1 remained at #1, pulling in $50.3 million, bringing its total in the US to $220.4 million.
November 29 - Reuters reported that Deathly Hallows - Part 1 had made $609.6 million worldwide after ten days in theaters.
December 5 - Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was knocked from its perch by Tangled at the box office. It remained at #1 abroad and by that time had grossed $713.3 million worldwide.
December 7 - Screamscape reported on rumors that Universal Studios Hollywood may be hoping to get a Wizarding World of Harry Potter of its own.
December 10 - Kelly Macdonald was cast as Helena Ravenclaw (The Grey Lady) in Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
December 10 - Warner Bros. Switzerland reported that the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 DVD would be released on March 18, 2011.
December 10 - Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was a semi-finalist at the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects.
December 19 - A rumor surfaced concerning the first trailer release for Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
December 19 - Deathly Hallows - Part 1 climbed to the 25th highest-grossing film of all time.
December 21 - Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson returned to Leavesden Studios for Deathly Hallows - Part 2 reshoots.
December 24 – The actors casted as Young Severus Snape and Scorpius Malfoy for Deathly Hallows – Part 2 were revealed.