Actor Kenneth Branagh(Gilderoy Lockhart)is reportedly set to direct and possibly star in a film version of Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute. The musical will begin production next year. Mr. Branagh is currently filming “Warm Springs” a movie for HBO in which he will portray U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Today, Dawn French (The Fat Lady in PoA) turns 47. Happy Birthday Dawn! Also, Dawn will be in the upcoming film version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe as the voice of Mrs. Beaver.

The Public Choice Award at the World Soundtrack Awards went to John Williams for the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban soundtrack. The awards were a part of the 31st Flanders International Film Festival in Bijloke, Ghent. Thanks to Wizard News for the link!

The Scotsman reports that Jo Rowling donated a time turner from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to a charity auction in benefit of Edinburgh’s Maggie’s Centre, which supports cancer patients. Thanks to Veritaserum for the link!

The BBC has an article about Warner Brothers ordering 80 new brooms for use in the upcoming Goblet of Fire film. Traditional Besom Brooms, a family- run company which makes the handcrafted hazel and birch brooms, has been around for 300 years. Sue Nash, widow of the late owner, Arthur Nash, was delighted at the …read more!

There are several articles (CBS News here, thanks Bessie!) out today discussing the death of another HP character in book six (based on JKR‘s revelation that there will be more deaths, which isn’t news to fans and while expected isn’t specified for book six). This is our absolute favorite, from The Evening Standard: Names in …read more!

HPANA.com has the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD menu opening sequence. It is the part when you put the DVD in, and then it plays as it goes to the main menu. This begining opens with a montage of scenes from the film, then goes to Ernie driving the Knight Bus. Please, Right click, and “save …read more!

HarryLatino.com has posted an image of the small, handwritten book by Jo Rowling that will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London November 1st for the charitable organization 999 Club. Thanks to HarryLatino for the link!

Well, it’s up at last! We have been waiting to go live with this since the title was announced and since our server got set up but it’s taken a while to work out all the bugs. “The HBP FAQ: Everything There is to Know about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (If You’re not …read more!

Empire Magazine’s list of the 100 Sexiest Stars of All Time is hitting newsstands along with their November 2004 issue – and Jason Issacs makes the list, somewhere down below Orlando Bloom, who’s the top name on the male side (Kiera Knightly is on the female side). Thanks to Kate for letting us know!