According to Alex Fung’s Film Page, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has been nominated for six Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: Best Ensemble Acting; Best Live Action Family Film; Best Costume Design; Best Visual Effects; Best Makeup; and Best Performance By A Youth In A Leading or Supporting Role – Female (Emma Watson)

According to an article in The Scotsman, JKR’s lawyers are paying close attention to homosexually explicit fanfic, more commonly termed “slash” [before the term became over- and misused to denotate every possible romantic pairing or batting of an eyelash within the books, that is – and it should be noted that the general definition of …read more!

This is not confirmation, but our reader Sara tells us that Book V is being listed on the Barnes & Noble employee database as available on none other than Harry’s birthday, July 31, 2003 – and seems to be accepting pre-orders. Again, this sounds like a “safe” date that can change at any moment (the …read more!

We’ve been hearing of new advertisements in various newspapers for CoS, including this one from Australia. If you’ve seen anything new in your local papers, please scan it in and let us know, so we can add it to the fandom’s collection.

Two bits from EW this week: “CASTING: Gosford Park star Michael Gambon, 62, is negotiating to play Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Harry Potter franchise. “They’ve offered, and he wants to do it,” says his agent. Gambon would replace Richard Harris, who died in October. The third film in the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner …read more!

SeanBiggerstaff.com had this to say regarding the circulating rumours that he’s not slated for PoA: We have received a number of inquires as to Sean and his position with the upcoming Prisoner of Azkaban movie. There have been rumours circulating that Sean will not be returning as Oliver Wood. Please understand that rumours are exactly …read more!

The IMDB says: The family of late Irish actor Richard Harris are urging the makers of Harry Potter to pass the part of Professor Dumbledore to his drinking friend Peter O’Toole. …Harris’ brother Noel says, “Dicky (Richard) made the role his own. He will be a hard act to follow. Peter was a great, great …read more!

This is, again, not confirmation, but Cindy points out that Gary Oldman has been added to the Hollywood Stock Exchange as Sirius in PoA. Everyone and their mamas are confirming this thing, so how about we get an official yay or nay, you movie folk?

Thanks David, for pointing out this notice from Bloomsbury concerning the close of their 2002 financial year and the beginning of the 2003 effort. No mention is made of the fifth book (a telling omission if there ever was one), though other titles slated for release are highlighted, and the post points out how well …read more!

UKHarryPotter reports that an official notice has been sent to bookstores stating the book will be available between February and May of this year. We would love if this were true but a few things point opposite ways: We have not yet heard from Bloomsbury. Getting anyone’s hopes up this way would be very irresponsible …read more!