NYCC 2019 Recap: Panels for ‘Cursed Child’ and Rupert Grint’s ‘Servant’ Plus Loads of Magical Merch!
Oct 04, 2019
Books, Contests, Conventions, Events, Fan Events, Fandom, Fans, Fiennes, Fun, Grint, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, HP Cast, Interviews, News, Potter News, Products
Welcome to Leaky’s recap of the opening days of New York Comic Con, Potter fans!
NYCC 2019 got off to a bit of a slow start on Thursday, Oct. 3 with huge crowds and some rainy weather, but none of that deterred the throngs of devoted fans, including Leaky correspondent Gianfranco Lentini. Protected by house robes and armed with an abundance of magical enthusiasm, he wove his way through each entry obstacle like a Triwizard contender and headed straight for the convention floor!
A little bit of magic on our way to @NY_Comic_Con this morning!!?#NYCC#cursedchildnycpic.twitter.com/NLdXpta5PK
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
We’ve arrived at @NY_Comic_Con! Follow us this weekend for coverage of the @CursedChildNYC panel and exclusive interviews, Rupert Grint on the #Servant panel, and more! #NYCC19 #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/G1Om6px1Oo
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Thanks to his extensive onsite coverage of booths and panels, we’ve put together a recap of the day’s events and announcements for the fandom members who couldn’t make it.
His first stop was the Cursed Child booth (#1736), where fans can view a display model of the Christine Jone’s set, hear the production’s soundtrack playing in the background, peruse and purchase Cursed Child merch, pick up an exclusive NYCC poster, and pick up tickets to the show. There’s also an “Owl hunt”: Be on the lookout for a hidden owl keychain on the show floor. Whoever finds it gets a free pair of tickets to the show, and there will be one owl hunt per day!
? Model of the #CursedChild set designed by Christine Jones ? Listen to the play’s music (by @imogenheap) ? #NYCC19 poster, merch AND tickets on sale ? “Owl hunt” – one owl keychain will be hidden on the show floor per day. Find it to win a pair of tickets to the show!? — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
And what would Comic Con be without spending a fortune on Harry Potter merch? ? The @CursedChildNYC booth sure has some nice choices! ? #NYCC19@NY_Comic_Conpic.twitter.com/VSzg6TJnPd — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Gianfranco also ran into Bubba Weiler (Scorpius Malfoy), which ramped up our excitement ahead of the Cursed Child panel.
It’s Bubba Weiler (Scorpius Malfoy in @CursedChildNYC)! ??? Join us shortly for the #CursedChild panel at @NY_Comic_Con… #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/ybNPJI9cDk — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
But before heading straight there, Gianfranco stopped off at the Insight Editions booth (#1946) and discovered some incredible wizarding merch!
This is the @insighteditions collection of Tiny Books, and we’ve never seen Harry Potter books look more adorable!? @NY_Comic_Con #NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/ckS3fWs8L3 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Round 2 of “Pop Craft” by @insighteditions ???@NY_comic_con#NYCC19pic.twitter.com/89D0Gagzzh
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
The tiny popup books especially caught our attention. They are so perfect ‘as is’ you won’t need to use the engorgio charm, no matter how well practiced. So enthralling were the Potter products, it was hard to pull away, but Gianfranco had a panel to attend, so he took tore through the crowd like the trio dodging trees and Snatchers!
We’re ready and waiting for the @CursedChildNYC panel at @NY_Comic_Con! ?? #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/uKrwASTlny
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
It was an anxious wait, but as soon as Harry Potter star James Snyder took the stage, we knew we were in for a magical meetup with the cast. They might be “up to no good,” but it was a very good thing to be along for the ride!
The panel then kicked off with some comments from the movement director and movement captain about their minimalist approach and “cloakography,” as well as a performance of the “Wand Dance” by Cursed Child cast.
“By using the bare minimum in the show… it engages the audience to use their imaginations.” – Movement Director @benjwheel (who also played James Sirius Potter in Y1) chatting with Movement Captain @TheJBIII (who also plays the Centaur)! #NYCC19 @CursedChildNYC pic.twitter.com/DE2FSOEV6l
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Joey Labrassca was demonstrating ‘cloakography’, and three movements key to #CursedChild – throw, sink, float!
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
AMAZING performance of Wand Dance (@imogenheap) by the @CursedChildNYC cast at @NY_Comic_Con! ???#NYCC19pic.twitter.com/aiwBdvZJct — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
When the primary cast joined Snyder on stage, they began to field questions about their characters and personal experiences.
“The thing that’s really magical and different every night is the audience.” – Bubba Weiler (@CursedChildNYC‘s Scorpius Malfoy). Diane Davis (Ginny), Matt Mueller (Ron) and Bubba just joined the panel! ?? pic.twitter.com/IC4UVmBzh7
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
The next question is about their characters’ backstory: “The potters and the Weasleys went to Cairo multiple times! Family vacation!” – Matt (Ron)@NY_Comic_Con#NYCC19@CursedChildNYC pic.twitter.com/NBx7GH4ae5 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
“Before I go on, I imagine the conversation that Scorpius has with Astoria the night before he goes to Hogwarts.” – Bubba (Scorpius) ? “I seriously think Bane is in love with the leader of My Little Pony.” – @thejamessnyder (Harry) ?@NY_Comic_Con#NYCC19@CursedChildNYC pic.twitter.com/THpQCw2jve — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
What would each member of the @CursedChildNYC cast’s House / Wizard job be? Diane – Ravenclaw, she’d work for the daily prophet as an investigative journalist Bubba – Hufflepuff, Herbologist Matt – Gryffindor, Auror#NYCC19 @NY_Comic_Con pic.twitter.com/lsdpybzLUK — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
James Brown – Slytherin, he’d start playing quidditch and then be an Auror@benjwheel – Pottermore (@wizardingworld) sorted him in both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, he’d be a Quidditch coach@thejamessnyder – Gryffindor, Auror@NY_Comic_Con @CursedChildNYC #NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/44yYhD1C6G — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
What makes the play so special for the @CursedChildNYC cast? @dianeddavis1 (Ginny): the first thing that comes to mind is playing Ginny as a mother who is really fighting for her family. I’m also a mom of three, so I understand exactly what she’s fighting for. ??#NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/w2WRC3V00y — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Bubba Weiler: “It was such an important story to me growing up. And it’s really cool to get to step in and play a new character in that world.” Matt: “The people. You love these characters. It’s the people you get to play and to play with.”#NYCC19 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
James Brown: “It’s one of the reasons why I got into acting – the opportunity to escape life and tell other stories. It’s exciting to tell a story that has a lot of heart and allow an audience every night to escape for 5 hours into a world you’ve grown up with”#NYCC19 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
. @benjwheel: “I was watching and noting the show. Next to me was a young girl, 8 or 9, in her Ravenclaw robes, and she was magic-ing the whole show. We have a responsibility to our young theater goers to make them theatre lovers, and in that moment you could see that magic.” — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
The panel then drew to a close following some final moving reflections from Snyder about the heart of the play and what it’s meant to him as a father.
“It’s made me a better person, certainly a better father.” – @thejamessnyder ????? pic.twitter.com/7X0YUtDrNH — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
(We’re not crying…are you crying?) After recovering our composure, and with some time to kill before the evening panel for Rupert Grint’s Servant, Gianfranco returned to the convention floor to continue his tour of the booths.
He stopped by the Hallmark booth (#1920), which featured Popminded Hallmark ornaments, an exclusive itty-bitty Professor Trelawney, as well as a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-released itty-bitty Nearly Headless Nick, an amazing Hogwarts Christmas tree topper, “storytellers” interactive ornaments and other magical merch!
We loved getting a sneak peak at Popminded @Hallmark ornaments coming in 2020 – see them for yourself at #NYCC19 booth #1920! @NY_Comic_Con pic.twitter.com/QAsGMUGECF — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
We love this @Hallmark #NYCC19 exclusive itty-bitty – it’s Professor Trelawney! ? There’s also a Nearly Headless Nick itty-bitty that’ll be released soon. His head his held on with Velcro! ? pic.twitter.com/cK5NQH4X7n — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
A real @Hallmark #NYCC19 highlight was this amazing Hogwarts Christmas tree topper! ????@ny_comic_con pic.twitter.com/y0jRG84kba — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
We also adore these ‘story tellers’ – interactive #HarryPotter ornaments that speak to each other!?? Hermione is the most recent addition, but we want the whole SCHOOL. #NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/Nlo6xVsiFs — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Some more @Hallmark#HarryPotter merch at #NYCC19 – which, of course, we LOVE! ??? pic.twitter.com/6ZEQgXoe7A — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Next, he hit up a string of publishing companies, starting with the Harper Collins booth, which had a full slate of MinaLima illustrated classics on display!
Some great selections at the @HarperCollins booth at #NYCC19, selling #HarryPotter Film Wizardry & Page to Screen. ??They’re also selling @minalima illustrated classics, each of which comes with a free print! ? pic.twitter.com/0o17gzSoR2 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
From there Gianfranco toured the Hachette US booth, spotting J.K. Rowling’s latest Robert Galbraith entry, Lethal White.
We’ve spotted #LethalWhite (@RGalbraith / @jk_rowling) at the @HachetteUS booth at @NY_Comic_Con! #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/T2211OxKUa — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
At the Running Press booth (#2218), he discovered some incredible collectible items, including a coaster book set and a Dark Arts collector’s set.
A #HarryPotter coaster book set is available at the Running Press booth (#2218) at #NYCC19 ?? pic.twitter.com/LO134BSN2z — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
They’re also offering this Dark Arts Collectible set, just in time for Halloween! ? #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/ox8oSrg7s5 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
The NewYorkPuzzleCo booth (#2309) was selling some exciting new Potter-themed games. From a 36-piece matching memory game to a 1,000-piece puzzle, they had something for everyone!
At the @NewYorkPuzzleCo booth (#2309), we found this new #HarryPotter memory game! #NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/TT24SKkpOG — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
We also LOVE this Mirror of Erised puzzle from @NewYorkPuzzleCo – their newest addition! #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/Z6Yw8Sbksh — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
Here’s a video of all of @NewYorkPuzzleCo‘s existing puzzles, too – one for the Ravenclaws out there! ???#NYCC19 pic.twitter.com/2e4X6gpmhf — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
And did you know Jelly Beans aren’t just for eating? Gianfranco discovered a work of art in the making, and it was a sweet sight to behold.
We’re always blown away by the @JellyBellyUK art at @NY_Comic_Con! Kristen Cummings is making masterpieces with Bertie Botts, and it’s fair to say we’re impressed – no magic necessary! ??? #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/eEsgtm637E — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
No shame for those who actually want to eat the sweets though–Jelly Belly’s booth (#436) is your candy trolley! And hopefully, they’ll be restocked with Chocolate Frogs by tomorrow!
Anything from the trolley? Some sweet treats available at @JellyBellyUK booth #436 — they’re already sold out of Chocolate Frogs! ? #NYCC19pic.twitter.com/29ngqg7Q98 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 3, 2019
After satisfying our sweet tooth, it was time for the panel on Rupert Grint’s upcoming series from M. Night Shyamalan, Servant.
No #RupertGrint on stage yet but director M.Night Shyamalan tells the audience at @NY_Comic_Con the @AppleTV series is gonna be 60 30-min episodes released over 6 years!??#NYCC19pic.twitter.com/BWWVsoDFaQ — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
Shyamalan, speaking to moderator Josh Horowitz, went on to rave about Grint’s performance and announce the November premiere.
“Rupert from #HarryPotter he came in [for his audition]… he is transcendent in this show. He’s a different human being from when we knew him as a child.” —- Shyamalan Weasley is our King!????#Servant #NYCC19 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
#Servant with #RupertGrint will premiere on @AppleTV November 28– Thanksgiving!! ??? — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
Shyamalan unveiled an exclusive teaser trailer, which won’t air to the public for another two weeks. Take our word for it though–it’s chillingly creepy. And then, finally, Rupert Grint took the stage!
#RupertGrint takes the stage at the #Servant panel at @NY_Comic_Con !!!!?? pic.twitter.com/bBqUEwMMIp — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
The director also revealed the serendipitous first meeting with the young actor on the set of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a film with its own dark twists.
Shyamalan talking about visiting the #ChamberofSecrets set and meeting Rupert for the first time. He was in talks to direct after Chris Columbus, but it didn’t work out!!??#servant#NYCC19pic.twitter.com/pShOkelw2U — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
Horowitz then turned the conversation to Grint himself, asking about his experience with genre projects and new character Julian.
Before Rupert discusses his #Servant” character Julian, host @joshuahorowitz asks him if he’s ever done any genre projects before??? pic.twitter.com/T2zNe4IJ29 — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
Before we could chime in “Weasley is our King,” the panel was over!
That’s a wrap on the #Servant panel with #RupertGrint at @NY_Comic_Con !! Don’t miss it when it premieres Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving on @AppleTV !!? pic.twitter.com/4pO90XNfos — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
And though we didn’t make it to The King’s Man panel, our extendable ears picked up the news that Ralph Fiennes was in attendance promoting the Kingsman series prequel.
Wait for it…look who else was at @NY_Comic_Con today talking about his role in the upcoming Kingsman prequel @KingsmanMovie !? ?
Lord Voldemort himself #RalphFiennes!!??????? pic.twitter.com/gfW71uOw19— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fiennes told the crowd:
“I enjoyed the first Kingsman films, and very much respected the clever balance of relationship and action that Matthew established…I thought it was an unusual and original spin on the British spy theme. I was flattered and delighted when Matthew [Vaughn] proposed this prequel to the story. I hope that, when you see the film, you will see there is a richness to the way that the Kingsmen intelligence agency started.”
Leaky correspondent Gianfranco Lentini then returned to the convention center mid-morning on Friday, Oct. 4 and managed to track down Cursed Child’s James Snyder for an interview! Gianfranco was sporting some fantastic cosplay, making it a meeting between two of the wizarding greats, and Snyder delivered some truly great responses.
We’re back for Day 2 of @NY_Comic_Con and caught up with @CursedChildNYC ‘s Harry Potter himself @thejamessnyder on dream co-stars Cursed Child destinations and the Mirror of Erised!!?? pic.twitter.com/yPeKLQ59QS — The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
Asked about his dream collaboration, Snyder chose Alan Rickman. (And who wouldn’t? The man was an icon in the role of Severus Snape.) As to where he hopes the Cursed Child production expands next, Snyder suggested Japan! But because we’re all about staying grounded, Gianfranco wrapped up the brief interlude asking what Snyder, now star of a Tony award-winning play, would see in the Mirror of Erised. He replied that he would most desire to be with his family. (He’s practically Harry, you guys.)
Following that delightful conversation, we sought out other cosplayers, and they were most definitely on their game. In fact, we’d like to know who was selling the Polyjuice Potion and where we can procure a bottle!
Some more excellent cosplay at #NYCC19 today – look at that adorable Potter family! ??? @NY_Comic_Conpic.twitter.com/ml8B9h05Hg
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) October 4, 2019
And with those happy encounters rounding out our day, Leaky signs off its Potter coverage of New York Comic Con 2019. It’s wonderful to know that magic, and magical people, are still part of a thriving wizarding fandom that feels like a very small world indeed!