Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opened Thursday in Australia to the sixth-highest ever opening day box office figures for the nation, the Advertiser reports. It grossed $3,203,779 nationwide, averaging $5,804 in from the 552 screens on which it was shown.

Cornell University‘s Macaulay Library, home of the world’s largest collection of natural sounds, helped provide appropriate voices for many of the creatures in the film versions of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. When looking for an appropriate sound for Buckbeak’s call in PoA, the film’s producers contacted the library. “Greg Budney, curator of …read more!

That’s right, guys. According to this Norwegian paper, J.K. Rowling is an elaborate illusion, cooked up by big companies as part of a worldwide conspiracy to sell books – because we all know you can’t do that without tricking people. This article gets our long-ago-forgotten-but-brought-back-when-truly-mind-numbingly-necessary Vernon Dursley Award, for the denial and cynicism when faced …read more!

He’s not our newest staff addition, but we wanted to welcome him all the same: Alex Robbin, who has been working for a long time on LeakyLounge almost since its inception, has joined the main Leaky team as a staff programmer. That’s a handy title, but doesn’t truly encapsulate what Alex does – so I’ll …read more!

Thanks to our wonderful elves, the PotterCast transcripts for Leaky Mug #5 and Show #14 are online. Thanks guys, and enjoy, all! If you would like to join this fine team of hardworking, persevering, truly appreciated elves, drop us an email. Thanks!

Ralph Fiennes will be appearing at Columbia University in New York City on Tuesday evening, December 6 as part of the prestigious “Reel Pieces” series. “Reel Pieces” pairs film screenings with onstage interviews of major film artists. The interview with Mr. Fiennes will follow a preview of his latest film, “The White Countess.” For more …read more!

PotterCast #15 is up and available for download! In this 45-minute show: -Mike Newell says he would like to be considered to direct the seventh film -Newell admits he didn’t read book six – because he found it irrelevant to movie four -All YOUR Goblet reviews, all over the show! -A MuggleCaster tries to kidnap …read more!

J.K. Rowling’s website has been updated to commemorate the birthday of our favorite banker. Happy Birthday, Bill (and we hope your recovery is going well)! Thanks to all who reminded us.

We’ve got a LOT of news out of the Cauldron Shop today: first of all, WB has introduced Hogwarts Denim Jackets in Kids, Juniors, and Adult versions. Hot Topic is now on the Cauldron Shop, including ALL its recently-released Goblet merchandise. Here’s a more succinct rundown of the new items: A TON of new shirts …read more!

We’ve got a bunch of nice resolution pictures for you from all the recent Goblet premieres and events, including: London pics starting on this page Another pic of Emma New York premiere Emma Watson, Katie Leung, Robert Pattinson and Mike Newell at the Japan premiere and more in this album, including a pic of a …read more!