JK Rowling has sparked speculation that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is heading to the big screen after posting a cryptic tweet.
The 54-year-old author hinted that the stage play follow up to her hugely successful franchise is continuing, with further parts to arrive.
Returning to Twitter after a six-month break, Rowling shared a stylised image of villain Lord Voldemort's infamous Dark Mark and added the hashtag #CursedChild.
She captioned the post: "Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child is a stage play and award-winning follow-up to the original series of seven books, and some fans are hoping that a movie is in the pipeline.
Pottermore, dashed fans hopes about a film by tweeting: "There is something exciting coming later on from @CursedChildNYC, but it's not a movie…"
Sarah Jessica Parker kicked off the Times Square takeover of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, announcing that the stage show will continue with new chapters.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts," the teaser wrote, with a yellow background and wizard at the ready.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child premiered in London's West End in July 2016 and proved to be a huge success.
The play's story picks up 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, and features Harry Potter as a senior figure at the Ministry of Magic while his son Albus Severus Potter is set to start at Hogwarts.
We'd all have absolutely lost the run of ourselves if Daniel Radcliffe had signed our Harry Potter books when we were kids (we'd still die if it happened today, to be honest).
A book believed to contain the actor's first ever autograph on a Harry Potter book has just been sold for €2,900, and one lucky person now has a slice of cultural history.
Radcliffe was just 11-years-old when he allegedly signed the hardback during filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in North Yorkshire in 2000.
The book's owner was an extra in the film, and was the first person to request his signature. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint also signed the book, which was auctioned by Teesside-based Vectis.
Vectis claim the book's owner asked the actor to sign the now-iconic novel as he sat in a marquee on set at Goathland on the first day of filming. The North Yorkshire village appears in the film as Hogsmeade.
He wrote on Verity Collins' novel: "To Verity, best wishes Daniel Radcliffe."
Image: North News/NNP/Vectis
The actor who portrayed Hagrid in the franchise, Robbie Coltrane, also wrote his autograph on the novel while the film's director, Chris Columbus, wrote "Believe in magic".
The novel's owner, Verity Collins, was having chemotherapy to treat leukaemia. Collins' mother, Valerie Rudd, is selling the book on her behalf.
Rudd, who is selling the book on Verity's behalf, said: "She loved her time there. We would have even paid for her to be an extra. She was a big fan of the books.
“When Verity was 13 she was spending lots of time in the hospital and she’d read the books while she was there. I started reading the first one in the hospital with her."
Her mother continued explaining the story of Verity's part in the movie;
"So when we found out they were advertising for extras for the film we applied straight away, and even though she was having her treatment she was allowed to do it.
“She was about 15 at the time and he would have been about 11. She was with a group of extras, saw Daniel Radcliffe sitting by himself and felt sorry for him so she went and talked to him," Rudd continued.
The book, which has 13 signatures, was the first item Radcliffe had ever been asked to sign; "He said it was the first time anyone had asked him for an autograph."
Verity also received a special invitation from director Chris Columbus to visit the Warner Bros Studio, before it was open to public.
Her mum said: “She had the most marvellous time.
“Although she was going through her treatment, it was just such a wonderful time for her to be an extra in her favourite book and then to be invited down to see the studio."
33-year-old Verity now lives in Somerset, and was given the all-clear from the illness. She opened her own homemade jewellery business and is hoping the book's sale will allow her to move South.
Kathy Taylor, a representative from Vectis, said the book had smashed its "conservative" €500 estimate; "It's such a lovely story. It's always difficult to gauge the price when something is unique."
"The seller, who now lives in the south, has great memories of her time on the film and the way the cast treated her during a difficult time while she was ill but her mum said recently it had been sitting in a drawer," she added.
"It became apparent when we promoted the sale on social media it was likely to have been signed on the first day of filming on what was the first Harry Potter film, with actor Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley, confirming he had signed the book as well."
All those Harry Potter fans craving more of our favourite bespectacled hero can rejoice: JK Rowling has officially announced a brand new short story series via Pottermore.
More shenanigans are expected at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, courtesy of a quartet of new eBooks.
The 53-year-old author is releasing four short stories in an all-new series entitled Harry Potter: A Journey Through…
The franchise takes inspiration from the British Library exhibition and its companion books, Harry Potter: A History of Magic.
Pottermore uploaded a post of the four eBook covers, captioning the images;
"Ever wondered where magic really came from? Introducing the Harry Potter: A Journey Through… non-fiction eBook shorts, adapted from the audiobook Harry Potter: A History of Magic and inspired by the British Library exhibition of the same name.
"Swipe to see all four titles in the series, and head to the link in our bio to find out more (including release dates!)," it added.
Four of Rowling's “non-fiction” stories are titled: Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harry Potter: A Journey Through Potions and Herbology, Harry Potter: A Journey Through Divination and Astronomy and Harry Potter: A Journey Through Care of Magical Creatures.
According to Pottermore, “In addition to exploring the origins of magic through history and folklore, the eBook shorts will also feature notes, manuscript pages and charming sketches as previously seen in Harry Potter: A History of Magic.”
Each tale is created to teach readers a new Hogwarts lesson, while staying true to the original folklore and magic of the classic book series.
Image: standard.co.uk/Warner Bros
The first of the two shorts, Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts and Harry Potter: A Journey Through Potions and Herbology, will be online and ready for purchase on June 27.
The rest of the eBooks are due to be published in the coming months. You can also preorder the entire quartet onAmazon.
JK Rowling released Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone back in 1997, and it blew all of our minds with magical creatures, spells and characters which will live on forever.
The book series and film franchise are showing no signs of losing popularity, with young and old fans alike re-watching the movies, re-reading the books and visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as often as they can.
If this isn't enough magic for you, Aldi have just released their Harry Potter range, and it's truly amazing as well as offering products which won't break the Gringotts bank.
From Harry Potter notebooks and pencil cases with Hogwarts crest designs for €2.99 each, Top Trumps cards at €3.99 each and crochet kits for just €4.99; The range has something for everyone.
Knit your very own Hogwarts house scarf or hat with Aldi's Harry Potter knit kit, including needles and yarn, for just €4.99.
Imagine strutting into school sporting one of these Hogwarts bags? We absolutely adore these designs, and can't believe how low the prices are.
Children's character shorty pyjamas are only €4.99 with four gorgeous designs are also available, as well as drinks assortments, lunch bags at €5.99 and buckle bags for €12.99 each.
Just look at those colourful duvet sets, we're in love with each one and they're only €14.99 for the single sets (including pillowcase) and €16.99 for the double version.
The light painting wand, collector-quality replicas, are based on the original film props and are the perfect way to cast your Expecto Patronum spells. With an ultra-bright LED tip, we can't believe they're just €14.99. Choose between the Elder Wand, Hermione or Harry Potter.
Aldi's range of Official Harry Potter interiors, accessories, home-wear and games are on sale in all 137 stores nationwide from Sunday, May 19. Grab your broomstick and get down there before it sells out.
Many of us who grew up with the entire Harry Potter franchise remember waiting in those incredibly long queues for the latest book to be released, eagerly sprinted to the cinema for the flicks and desperately trying to dodge spoilers about character plots.
We also know that once it gets rebooted, we're officially OLD. Daniel Radcliffe will always be our Harry, Emma Watson our Hermione, and Rupert Grint our ginger nut Ron.
The actor who played the title role has now confirmed his thoughts that the hugely popular franchise will be rebooted, and we're totally in denial. Please don't do this to us.
Radcliffe spoke toIGNabout playing the boy wizard in the formative film series, sharing his affirmation that "some other version" of the movies will be created in the future.
"I’m sure there will be some other version of it. I know I’m not the last Harry Potter I’m gonna see in my lifetime – we’ve already got a few more in stage play Cursed Child."
The Fantastic Beasts franchise has kept the wizarding world alive (and is allegedly getting five films), as well as Pottermore and Harry Potter World. Radcliffe didn't rule out the possibility of a Harry Potter TV spin-off.
The actor recently revealed that the spin-off would be intriguing especially if it featured the Marauders- the name given to the group of friends featuring Harry's papa James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black.
The Marauders gang aren't alive before the final book or movie, the movie would presumably be a prequel. "I feel like there are other stories from that world that you could absolutely turn into a TV series, 100 percent," Daniel told TV Guide.
"A series with the older generation Marauders, that could be very cool." Amen, Daniel, Amen.
“To a certain extent with things like the play and Fantastic Beasts, I think people are still interested in talking to me about it, but nothing’s been happening in that area,” he told E! Newsin May of last year.
“At the moment, I’m very much enjoying playing lots of different stuff.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporterhe wouldn’t mind reprising his role.
“I’m never going to close that door, but I think I’ll be happy enough and secure enough to let someone else play it,” he said at the time.
Radcliffe's latest role sees him take on the part of a low-level angel in Miracle Workers who must convince God to let humans survive.
Irish actress Evanna Lynch, known for playing Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter franchise, lost out in the US Dancing With The Stars final despite receiving a perfect score last night.
Despite missing out on the glitterball trophy, the 7-year-old actress received numerous special good luck messages from her former co-stars.
"Evanna, you are in the final! Can we just say this again? You are in the final. I am so proud of you. We love you. We are rooting for you. Kill it tonight, girl," Emma Watson shared in a video wishing her luck.
the harry potter cast wishing evanna lynch good luck in the dancing with the stars final is the cutest thing ever pic.twitter.com/fhjTT8cu7J
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, joked about their differing Hogwarts houses: "Despite all of our differences at Hogwarts, I want to wish you all the very best tonight!"
Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, James Phelps, Katie Leung, and Neville Longbottom himself Matthew Lewis all shared good luck messages to Evanna as she headed into the finals of the popular US dance show.
J.K. Rowling also cheered on the actress: “Best of luck, Evanna. Hope you win!” Rowling had been a huge support to Lynch during her adolescence.
Radio personality Bobby Bones was eventually crowned winner, each of the four contestants were tasked with performing two dances: Firstly their most memorable from the season, and then a freestyle performance.
Judge Bruno Tonioli gave Evanna's dance with partner Keo Motsepe high praise, saying; "It was bright, it was colourful, it was quirky."
The duo received a 30 out of 30 for the dance, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to get Evanna the crown.
The Harry Potter series has gripped the imaginations of multiple generations, and thanks to the internet, fan theories are dime a dozen.
From wild ones involving Snape being Harry's father to the is-he-isnt-he debate over certain character's sexuality, there are plenty to go around.
Luckily, author JK Rowling has a penchant for sharing fun HP facts via Twitter, and answered one particular theory.
Hermione is now a very well known name thanks to the book and film series, but pre-Potter, it was rather unusual.
So, when the books first came out ahead of the movies, there were plenty of people mispronouncing the Shakespearian moniker.
That is, until the fourth tome – The Goblet of Fire, in which JK. Rowling placed a paragraph where Hermione explains how to say her name to love interest Viktor Krum.
A Twitter fan hypothesised that Roling had intentionally placed this scene in the novel; because she was sick of so many people mispronouncing the core character's name.
And guess what folks, that theory was correct – as confirmed by JK Rowling herself.
Perhaps a similar paragraph for Xenophilius Lovegood wouldn't have gone astray.
Any Harry Potter fan worth their weight in chocolate frogs will know that today, May 2, marks the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts.
The climatic war between good and evil, which played out in the final book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was responsible for the deaths of some of the series' best-loved characters.
Every year, JK Rowling honours those fallen soldiers by apologising for their brutal and untimely deaths – and this year is no different.
Tweeting this morning, the author paid tribute to the one and only, Dobby the house elf.
It's that anniversary again. This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn't die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who'd win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf.
“This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn’t die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who’d win it," she wrote.
“I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf.”
For those od you who don't remember, Dobby suffered a knife wound at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange while trying to save Harry and his friends from the Death Eaters.
A true hero. In life and in death.
Rowling has previously apologised for the deaths of Severus Snape, Fred Weasley and Remus Lupin.
The Harry Potter series has gripped the imaginations of multiple generations, and fans still hanker after any little piece of additional information they can find about the series.
Luckily, author JK Rowling has a penchant for sharing fun HP facts via Twitter.
In a recent thread about unusual things people have written their ideas on, JK Rowling offered this exciting titbit of information:
The best thing I ever wrote on was an aeroplane sick bag. Came up with the Hogwarts houses on it. https://t.co/Fut4BvS6iM
JK Rowling faced criticism this week after defending the choice to cast Johnny Depp in the upcoming film The Crimes of Grindelwald.
The film, a spin-off from the iconic Harry Potter series, will feature Depp as the leading character.
Depp was accused of domestic violence and abuse by his ex-partner Amber Heard during their divorce proceedings. Rowling released a statement on her website to say:
'The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life.'
'For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful.'
'However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected.'
"There will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right."
I've carried this quote deep in my heart ever since I first read it. I am so sad to see that you chose what is easy.
'Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.'
Rowling's statement was met with massive disappointment from fans.
Many accused her of hypocrisy, after penning a famous novel series about an abused boy to then defend someone who is an alleged domestic abuser.
Remember that final, final chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows book (and film, of course)?
It was a flash forward, nineteen years after Harry and his pals graduated from Hogwarts.
The chapter described what had happened since the famous wizards left school, including the fact that Harry married Ginny Weasley (cuties), and had three gorgeous kids together.
Lily Potter II, James Potter II and Albus Potter were Harry and Ginny's aptly-named children, who all went on to follow in their parent's footsteps.
This all brings us back to our story, and the fact that today is the day that Albus Potter starts in Hogwarts.
We have the INCREDIBLE J.K Rowling to thank, as she kindly reminded us all of this important anniversary.
Today's the day Albus Severus Potter boards the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross for the first time #19yearslater
Bag of sweets. Hopeful smile. A blonde kid waits on a train carriage for his life to change. #19yearslater (been – waiting – for this day) https://t.co/lt09W6HjQ9
If J.K Rowling has taught us anything during her reign as the undisputed queen of Twitter, it's that she has absolutely no time for negative comments.
Regardless of whether or not they have been directed at her, the Harry Potter author has no problem shutting down any sexist, racist or generally ignorant tweets that make it onto her radar.
In her latest attempt to rid the internet of negativity and uneducated statements, J.K scolded one Islamophobic user for his outrageous comment.
DID YOU KNOW:
In Britain, we call things that are completely untrue 'bollocks'? pic.twitter.com/7q1AlCVUcw
Meanwhile, the adaptation of J.K Rowling's crime books, written under pseudonym Robert Galbraith, will debut on BBC this evening.
Stike tells the story of private investigator, Cormoran Strike, who is hired to to determine whether a fashion model who fell from the window of her apartment did so by her own choice, or if foul-play was involved.
The mini-series is said to follow the book very closely, and even if you are yet to books, Strike will surely excite any J.K Rowling fan.
Strike – The Cuckoo's Calling airs on BBC One tonight at 21:05.
