Hong Kong and Macau vendors have conjured up a brisk trade in illegal copies of the Harry Potter movie, weeks before the film is due to open in these Chinese enclaves, Reuters reports. The pirated VCDs were in English with Chinese subtitles. Trade in illegal CDs, VCDs and DVDs remains rampant in the former British …read more!

The Nando Times calls “Harry Potter” a certain best-picture nominee when the annual Academy Awards nominations are announced (Feb. 12). “In terms of acting, however, “Harry Potter” doesn’t stand a chance.”

CoS Casting News Thank you Colin, for sending us this from TV Gold: Back in the 60s’ actor Alfred Burke played private inquiry agent Frank Marker in the ITV series Public Eye. Now 83, Alfred has just landed a role in the new Harry Potter movie. Filming begins in two weeks on the second movie, …read more!

We’ve received word from a reader that the MTVUK thing has aired already…repeatedly…but it’s still worth watching. Gives question to what networks call the “premiere,” though…

A little info on the MTV UK thing: Step inside the world of the hugely anticipated film adaptation of JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book. Meet the cast & director for the full story on the literary sensation & cinematic sensation.

UK and Ireland, set up your tape machines: MTV UK will premiere MTV Movie Special: Harry Potter on December 3 at 12:30 p.m. GMT. More word on this as we get it.

Dark Horizons posted this link which must surely be the most creative Harry Potter poster out there – it’s not just ON a train, it pretty much IS the train. In Singapore.

NiceGuy Germain from Counting Down scored some interviews with Emma, Rupert, Robbie and Chris Columbus at the NY Press event. Cuteness abounds – Emma on kissing Daniel or Rupert should the time come: “No chance. It’s not in my contract!”

The New York Posts’s Page Six (bastion of truthful reporting that it is :P) says JKR is about to become the first writer in the world to reach the $1 billion earning mark.

The New York Times has an interesting article about all the record smashing and nicely lists all the figures for us. 🙂