News Archive, 1st Quarter 2003

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Hair Today, Gone Yesterday

Story dated: Mar 10th, 2003.

The Wella Celebrity Hair Auction for Comic Relief ended yesterday and the final bid on Dan's lock of hair, and in fact the highest bid of the auction,  was £751, beating out Pop Idol Gareth Gates by £100! The auction raised a grand total of £3506 for Comic Relief.

The lock of hair comes framed with a photo and a certificate signed by both Dan and Harry Potter chief hairdresser Eithne Ferrell - click here to see a picture.

Dan nominated for a Saturn Award

Story dated: Mar 6th, 2003. Source: Cinescape. Tip credit: The Leaky Cauldron

CINESCAPE and The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films announced [yesterday] the nominees for the 2003 Saturn Awards ceremony. Leading the pack in the feature film category with a whopping 10 nominations each are THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS and MINORITY REPORT, followed closely behind by STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (six nominations), HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (five nominations) and SPIDER-MAN (five nominations).

The nominations for HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS are in the categories of:

Best Fantasy Film
Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Daniel Radcliffe)
Best Direction (Chris Columbus)
Best Makeup (Nick Dudman and Amanda Wright)
Best Special Effects (John Mitchell, Nick Davis, John Richardson and Bill George)

The award ceremony is typically held in June in Los Angeles, CA.

Set Report from Borough Market

Story dated: Mar 3rd, 2003. By Stef for DanRadcliffe.com

(Note: Stef was lucky enough to attend the filming of some scenes for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which took place at Borough Market in south-east London on March 2nd.)

I came to the set at about 10 a.m., but nothing was going on. Alison, who wrote the set report for TLC, and her mom were already there, and with them Jill, a nice American girl, who studies in London.

They told me that the filming begins at 4 p.m., so we just walked around the area and found the Knight Bus standing on a parking space. It's really massive and huge as you can see from the pictures.

We got back to the set and one nice guy told us that they start filming at about 4 and that Dan will arrive on the set about 5.30. It was very interesting to watch them preparing the scene when the Knight Bus brings Harry to the Leaky Cauldron. They had a stand-in for Dan, who has got the same height, to check on the camera angles and the lights etc..

At about 4 they started shooting the scene when the Knight Bus arrives in Diagon Alley. For the Leaky Cauldron they prepared a door with a fake brick wall and put the cute metal sign with a witch and her cauldron over the door. They filmed the bus from different angles.

It began to get really crowded. Most people were locals, but we also met some nice tourists. For the huge crowd of people they got a monitor so that they had a better view of the filming.

At about 5.30 Dan and his publicist arrived on the set in a small black Mercedes. I could only see him from a far distance and couldn't take any pictures, because he was surrounded by people from the set. After every take they would bring Dan back to redo his makeup.

They shot the scene when Harry arrived and had to go into the Leaky Cauldron. At about 6.45 Dan left the set and they filmed the scene when the Knight Bus leaves Diagon Alley. At 12.20 a.m. filming finished.

It was a very interesting day for me and I would like to greet all the people I met on the location.

Elvis's hair - for a snip

Story dated: Feb 27th, 2003. Source: Ananova

Elvis fans are being offered the chance to bid for his hair.

The music legend is the main attraction in a Comic Relief auction of celebrity hair.

Also for sale in the online auction are hair snippings from Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Gareth Gates.

Wool from the late cloned sheep, Dolly, and locks donated by Graham Norton, Carol Smillie and Caprice will also be sold in the auction, organised by hair firm Wella.

The strands of Presley's hair were collected by a barber who gave him a trim at Graceland in 1973.

The star was noted for his jet black locks, but was naturally a dark blonde who dyed it.

The auction at www.wella.co.uk begins tomorrow and lasts until March 9. All proceeds go to Comic Relief, for which Wella is one of the official partners.

Wella spokesman Kevin Arkell said: "I'd like to thank all the celebrities who have donated their hair to the auction, their generosity - and temporary bald patches - are much appreciated."

Angus Deayton, Gary Lineker and Dale Winton have also donated bits of hair to the appeal.

Prisoner of Azkaban to begin principal photography

Story filed: Feb 20th, 2003.  Source: ComingSoon.net

Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will commence principal photography in Leavesden, England, on February 24, it was announced today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Renowned actors Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall (Nicholas Nickleby), Michael Gambon (Gosford Park), David Thewlis (Timeline), Pam Ferris (Mathilda) and Paul Whitehouse (star of the BBC's The Fast Show) have joined the esteemed ensemble cast of the film, which is being directed by Academy Award nominee Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien) and produced by David Heyman, Chris Columbus and Mark Radcliffe.

The executive producers of the film are Michael Barnathan and Callum McDougall. The screenplay is by Steve Kloves.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione return as teenagers to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.

"We couldn't be more excited about 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' being in the hands of such a relentlessly imaginative director as Alfonso Cuaron, and are thrilled about the new actors he has assembled to join our already established cast," said David Heyman.

"To be entrusted with such rich and beloved material, and given the opportunity to collaborate with this extraordinary cast and crew on the next Harry Potter adventure is an honor," Alfonso Cuaron said. "I look forward to bringing this intricate story to the screen and sharing it with film audiences around the world."

"I'm so proud to have been involved in this truly amazing film series, both as a director and a producer," added Chris Columbus. "I look forward to seeing it grow as Alfonso and the cast and crew further our imaginations with their truly inspired work."

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gary Oldman plays Sirius Black, the eponymous prisoner whose escape is thought to pose a great threat to Harry Potter; Michael Gambon plays the role of Professor Dumbledore, Hogwarts' venerable headmaster; Timothy Spall portrays Peter Pettigrew, an old friend of Harry's father, James Potter, from their days at Hogwarts; David Thewlis plays Professor Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who harbors a mysterious secret; Pam Ferris plays Harry's overbearing Aunt Marge; and Paul Whitehouse portrays Sir Caddogan, a Knight who becomes the temporary guardian of Gryffindor Tower.

Reprising their roles from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are Daniel Radcliffe in the title role; Emma Watson as Hermione Granger; Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley; Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid; David Bradley as Argus Filch; Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy; Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon Dursley; Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge; Alan Rickman as Professor Snape; Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia Dursley; Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall; Julie Walters as Mrs. Weasley; and Mark Williams as Mr. Weasley.

Picture: Dan and Alfonso with the Knight Bus

DR.com note: In case you're wondering who he is, Paul Whitehouse also played the role of The Pawnbroker opposite Dan in "David Copperfield".

Harry's block-bus-ter

Story filed: Feb 12th, 2003.  Source: The Sun.  Tip credit: The Leaky Cauldron.

By Duncan Larcombe

NOW that’s magic! Schoolboy wizard Harry Potter hops aboard this TRIPLE-decker in his third movie.

The over-sized London bus makes its debut in Prisoner of Azkaban, currently being filmed.

Our sneak preview reveals the giant purple Knight Bus, a real three-deck vehicle created specially from a red London double decker for the film.

It was pictured in West London yesterday.

In the third film from JK Rowling’s stories, Harry — played by Daniel Radcliffe — escapes in the Ministry of Magic bus after he is confronted in the street by baddie Sirius Black, in the form of a black dog.

When Harry steps aboard he finds dozens of wizards lying on beds while they wait to reach their stops. The Knight Bus is used to rescue wizards in distress.

It can take them anywhere — except underwater — and clears a route through London in the most spectacular special effects sequence in the film.

But the dramatic scene was considered too dangerous for star Daniel, 13, and a stunt double acts in his place.

The first Harry Potter film, The Philosopher's Stone, premiered in 2001 and took £620million at the box office.

Last year the second Harry Potter book — Chamber of Secrets — repeated the success of the first movie.

One highlight was Harry’s sidekick Ron Weasley escaping a speeding train in a flying Ford Anglia.

AOL Moviegoer Awards

Story filed: Feb 5th, 2003.  Source: Moviefone.com.  Tip credit: The Leaky Cauldron.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has been nominated in five categories at the 8th Annual AOL Moviegoer Awards:

Best Picture (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
Best Supporting Actor (Richard Harris)
Best Supporting Actress (Emma Watson)
Best Director (Chris Columbus)
Most Unforgettable Scene (Harry Battles The Basilisk)

Click here to vote for your favorites!

Pretty special stars

Story filed: Feb 3rd, 2003.  Source: Evening Standard.

Chiwetel Ejiofor won the award for his performance as an illegal immigrant in Stephen Frears's Dirty Pretty Things.

In a ceremony hosted by Jack Dee last night, German supermodel Heidi Klum presented Ejiofor's award in front of British stars including Roger Moore, Hugh Grant - with Mariella Frostrup as his date - Rosamund Pike, John Hurt, Samantha Bond, Twiggy, Mike Leigh, Gillian Anderson and Maureen Lipman.

Receiving his award Ejiofor, 25, said: "I had a wonderful, incredible time doing this film, but it seems incredible to receive an award for doing it."

It was only the first triumph last night for Frears's brilliant exposÈ of 21st-century London, which also won the best film award.

Introducing the ceremony for her first time as Editor of the Evening Standard, Veronica Wadley paid tribute to the vibrancy of the British film industry - which continues to produce world-beating cinema in the face of increasingly vicious economic strictures.

She said: "Our awards are dedicated solely to British talent at home and abroad. This makes them unique. British film companies like Film Four are retrenching. Granada has ceased making films - we hope only temporarily. The Film Council is being forced to take a harder look at value for public money. There may be less of it soon. But we keep a special affection for the talents that these awards have honoured and discovered over 30 years."

Presenting Stephen Frears with the best film award, maverick director Terry Gilliam said: "These are not good times and I do not know how much money is going to make new films - but I wonder how much is being spent on all these employees of the Film Council."

Despite the industry's bureaucratic and financial problems, last night was a time, above all, to celebrate the films made in Britain during 2002.

Catherine Zeta-Jones - once a lowly chorus girl in a West End production of 42nd Street - was best actress for her high-kicking, high-decibel performance as Velma Kelly in Chicago. Speaking via videolink from her California home she apologised for being gushingly theatrical but added: "I can't tell you, receiving this award in my homeland means so, so much to me. I wish I was with you tonight."

Dougray Scott - tipped as the next James Bond - was in the audience to see the Bond films win the Evening Standard's Special Award for 40 years of cinematic excellence. Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson were presented with the award by former 007 Roger Moore.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe presented the technical achievement award to Eve Stewart for her work on the gritty, bittersweet film All Or Nothing. Daniel said of special effects work: "When you've been stuck on a broomstick for as many days as I have, you really appreciate it."

Receiving her prize Ms Stewart gave Daniel a huge smacker and declared: "I can't believe I've just kissed Harry Potter."

The best screenplay award, presented by actress Gina McKee, went to Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger for The Lawless Heart. Rosamund Pike awarded young director Asif Kapadia the most promising newcomer award for The Warrior.

Hugh Grant - a former Evening Standard film award winner - came a cropper when presenting the Peter Sellers award for comedy. The hapless actor lived up to his onscreen persona by forgetting the names of Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, who won with Lucy Darwin for their painfully funny docudrama Lost In La Mancha. "I just can't remember their names," said Grant, "I really am terribly sorry."

Edited on Feb 5th, 2003, to add:

Quote from People.com's report of the British Film Awards: "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, 13, presented the award for technical achievement to production designer Eve Stewart, who declared after picking up her trophy: "Wait till I tell my three girls I just kissed Harry Potter!"

Potter adds magic to awards

Story filed: Jan 28th, 2003.  Source: Evening Standard.  Tip credit: The Leaky Cauldron.

By Neil Norman, 27 January 2003

Daniel Radcliffe, known to the world as Harry Potter, will make a rare public appearance at The Savoy on Sunday evening to present the Eros statuette for Best Technical Achievement at The Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Daniel will bring a touch of magic to the ceremony on its 30th anniversary.

"I am delighted and honoured to be invited to present this award," Daniel told The Standard. "These people are the unsung heroes of film-making."

Daniel will be joining the guests at the most eagerly anticipated night in the British film industry's calendar. The Standard awards are the only prizes exclusively for the achievements of UK cinema and British stars in work at home and abroad.

Among the guests expected are Gillian Anderson, Samantha Bond, Terry Gilliam, Jerry Hall, Lindsay Duncan, Adrian Lester, Kelly MacDonald, Natascha McElhone, Ismail Merchant, Dougray Scott, Clive Owen and Olivia Williams.

The eight awards are designed to celebrate the pinnacles of achievement. And the judging panel, of Alexander Walker, Angie Errigo, James Christopher, Derek Malcolm and myself, have also chosen a Special Award for extraordinary contribution to British cinema.

The ceremony will be hosted for the third year running by Jack Dee, whose brilliant compering has been so successful.

In a gruelling year for the British film industry many remarkable movies emerged. Die Another Day and Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets brought critical acclaim as well as box office success, while brilliant movies from veterans like Ken Loach (Sweet Sixteen) and Mike Leigh (All Or Nothing) jostled with terrific work from newcomers Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger (Lawless Heart), plus debut performances from Parminder Nagra (Bend It Like Beckham) and Martin Compston (Sweet Sixteen).

More than 400 guests will attend the event hosted by Lord Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc, and Lady Rothermere.

The ceremony will be screened on Carlton Television on 5 February at 11.30pm.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVD Release Announced.

Story filed: Jan 22nd, 2003.  Source: Newstream.com .  Tip credit: The Leaky Cauldron.

January 2003 (Newstream) -- On April 11, unlock the magic as Warner Home Video (WHV) releases the $260 million* smash, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on an extra features-loaded double disc DVD and on VHS. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second installment in the Harry Potter series, follows Harry, Ron and Hermione through their second year at Hogwarts School. The DVD delivers another adventure with more magic, more laughs and more thrills and with 19 additional/extended scenes, self-guided tours including background characters, an exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves and all-new interactive challenges.

"The home video release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets extends the movie experience with more exciting DVD features than ever before," said Mike Saksa, WHV head of U.S. Marketing. "With special features such as crystal-clear, self-guided tours and One VoiceDVD technology that allows users to magically control their computers with their voices, the DVD offers fans the ultimate Harry Potter experience."

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will also be released on DVD and VHS in key territories such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia on April 11, 2003.

The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets loaded, two-disc DVD will cast a spell on fans everywhere with magical features including the following:

• 19 additional/extended scenes, including more Dobby mischief, more flying car adventure, a frightening encounter with the Malfoys in Borgin and Burkes and much more!
• Crystal-clear, self-guided tours, which for the first time include background characters, let viewers have an up-close experience, allowing them to linger on the details of the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore's office and Diagon Alley - including places never shown in the film such as more Diagon Alley shops, the sitting room in Dumbledore's office and more!
• Interviews with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) and other cast members who talk about making the film, favorite scenes, what their friends think and more.
• An exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves about rendering the adventure to the screen.
• Fun-filled activities allow viewers to escape the Forbidden Forest, sneak into the Chamber and more.
• Visit Lockhart's class, and get a closer look at his photos and memorabilia through the use of still galleries.
• Feature film available in English and Spanish; subtitles available in English, French and Spanish.

• The One VoiceDVD technology will allow users to navigate through the DVD-ROM features and access set top features using only their voices, giving kids the illusion of a magical experience interacting with the DVD.
• An animated, interactive Hogwarts timeline provides important dates in Hogwarts history with mini pop-up videos from the Harry Potter films.
• A slider puzzle challenge featuring motion video.
• Printable magic trading cards to collect and share with friends.
• Jigsaw puzzles, matching challenges, downloadable screensavers and much more!