Latest news with #HarryPotter
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Corrie legend floors fans as they realise he starred in Harry Potter
Like many of the soap stars, Corrie's Tony Maudsley has been on our screens for decades, however his appearance in Harry Potter is what's leaving viewers shocked. Before he was digging graves in Weatherfield, Coronation Street star Tony Maudsley made a memorable appearance in the Harry Potter universe - as a half-giant. The actor debuted as George Shuttleworth in September 2020, arriving on the ITV soap as the offspring of the deceased undertaker Archie Shuttleworth (Roy Hudd). But long before he was burying Corrie legends, he had a buried cameo of his own in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - which was released 17 years ago today, July 12, 2007. In the wizarding world, Tony portrayed Grawp the gentle half-brother of beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid, played by the late Robbie Coltrane. Grawp, who stood at around 16 feet tall in the books, was brought to life through a mix of CGI and motion capture, with Tony providing the on-set performance that helped animate the character. In the film, Grawp's kind-hearted nature played a pivotal role in the downfall of Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), the cruel Ministry official who took over as Hogwarts Headmistress. After she threatened Harry with the Cruciatus Curse, Hermione lured her into the Forbidden Forest, where Grawp handed her over to an angry herd of centaurs. Dolores, held a deep-seated bias against "half-breeds" and seized control as Headmistress after displacing Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) She also put Hagrid on probation, prompting him to implore Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) to look after his little brother should anything happen to him. As Umbridge was about to resort to the Cruciatus curse on Harry, Hermione agreed to reveal Dumbledore's "secret weapon." Speaking about the role, Tony told Female First: 'I was weighed down with these huge monster feet that were so heavy, that I could never get into the canteen and back in time.' Tony's career also includes a fan-favourite stint in Benidorm as hairdresser Kenneth, making him a familiar face across British telly. And don't expect his Corrie character to disappear anytime soon either. He also appeared on The Big Soap Quiz Coronation Street v Emmerdale last year, Tony joked that he's got job security in the bag. When asked how George was getting on in Weatherfield, he said: 'Well, business is booming as always in Weatherfield. The best thing about playing George is, they can't kill me off because there's no one to bury me! So yeah, I'm staying put, me!' On the quiz show, other Corrie stars Channique Sterling-Brown and Jack P Shepherd appeared, with Stephen Mulhern hosting the battle of the soaps. From magical forests to funeral homes, Tony Maudsley's career has been anything but ordinary, and that's exactly why fans love him.
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
J.K. Rowling Has Anti-Trans Fund From Harry Potter Wealth
J.K. Rowling has created a new organization that is a "legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights," furthering her financial commitment to funding anti-trans legislation. The UK Supreme Court made headlines last month for its ruling that meant that trans women can no longer be legally considered women. Rowling herself celebrated the move and had contributed the equivalent of $92,000 to the group that brought the case against the Scottish government. Last week, the Harry Potter author posted on X saying that she'd "happily fund" legal action "on the basis of sex discrimination." She then confirmed that she'd support a cis woman incarcirated with a transgender woman who wanted to sue, writing, "I'd give financial backing to any woman who wanted to sue because she suffered detriments through being incarcerated with a man." The "J.K. Rowling Women's Fund," which appears to have been created recently, is a private fund, meaning that it gets its money from Rowling's personal wealth. This means that others cannot donate, as she clarified on X, "I looked into all options and a private fund is the most efficient, streamlined way for me to do this." For one, the group funds women and organizations who believe they have been made to comply with "unreasonable inclusion policies" or who have faced professional difficulties because of their "expressed beliefs." Screening questions include asking organizations whether they have "been forced to adopt policies regarding female-only spaces or trans inclusion that you fundamentally disagree with." The news of Rowling's fund comes as HBO has finalized the casting for their series based on the book. As per Forbes, she's estimated to earn around $20 million per year for her involvement in the series. The creation of the fund subsequently attracted backlash, furthering calls for a boycott of licensed Harry Potter products. Meanwhile, Rowling has continued to post anti-trans rhetoric on X, including referring to trans women and "men in skirts" and accusing them of coordinating "a hostile takeover." It's certainly not the first time people have called for a boycott — Pedro Pascal even chimed in last month to write of Rowling, "Awful disgusting SHIT is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior." This morning, Forbes wrote that "Rowling's business empire is now larger than ever" and she is once again a billionaire.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harry Potter Actor Alastair Stout's Age Explained
With the casting process for the upcoming Harry Potter reboot series entering its final stages, HBO has now announced the trio who will occupy the leading roles of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. With Alastair Stout joining the cast as Ron alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry and Arabella Stanton as Hermione, fans have become curious about the child actor and his age. Here's everything you need to know about Stout and what's currently known about his age. While the exact age of Alastair Stout remains unknown, he is believed to have been born between 2014 and 2016. As such, the British youngster could be anywhere between 9 to 11 years old at the time of writing, as this was the age range given in the casting call put out by producers. This would make Alastair Stout a similar age to the 11-year-old Arabella Stanton, as well as Dominic McLaughlin, whose age also falls in the 9 to 11-year-old bracket. Unlike his co-stars, however, Stout hasn't had much experience performing in front of the camera. McLaughlin has already secured roles in the upcoming Sky comedy Grow, as well as the BBC action adventure series Gifted, while Stanton has featured in renowned plays such as Matilda the Musical and Starlight Express. In sharp contrast, Alastair Stout, whose real age remains under wraps at the moment, has reportedly only starred in a single advertisement for Albert Bartlett potatoes so far. The newcomer portrays 'Son at dinner' in the commercial, which is titled 'Roll on Jersey Royal Season,' as per The Scotsman. While Harry Potter fans might take some time to adjust to the aforementioned child actors taking over the roles of Hogwarts' iconic trio from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner believes that they have found the right actors to carry on the Harry Potter legacy. 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen,' Gardiner noted while confirming the cast for Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the much-awaited Harry Potter reboot. Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon. The post Harry Potter Actor Alastair Stout's Age Explained appeared first on Mandatory.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Arabella Stanton hailed as perfect Hermione for Harry Potter series, after audition tape goes viral
An audition tape featuring Arabella Stanton, the actress cast as Hermione Granger in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, has captivated fans and drawn widespread comparisons to the original portrayal by Emma Watson. The 11-year-old Stanton, who has already gained acclaim for her lead role as Matilda in London's West End production of Matilda the Musical from 2023 to 2024, appears in the resurfaced footage showing her auditioning for the role of Hermione. While it is unclear if the video is her official audition for the Harry Potter series, viewers on social media were quick to praise her performance, noting striking similarities to Watson's interpretation of the character. On TikTok, fans expressed astonishment, with one user commenting, 'Are we sure she wasn't lip syncing Emma Watson's audio? That was uncanny.' Another wrote, 'Yeah that's Hermione Granger 100 percent. The facial expressions, the attitude, the tone. Nailed it.' Others echoed the sentiment, stating the clip should put any doubts about her casting 'to rest.' Fans have also compared Stanton's performance to a blend of Emma Watson and Jenna Ortega, applauding her for capturing the essence of the beloved book character. 'She's literally PERFECT for this role! I wasn't so excited they were remaking HP but I'm kinda looking forward to it now,' commented one viewer. The casting for the highly anticipated series was announced earlier this week, with Dominic McLaughlin set to play Harry Potter and Alastair Stout cast as Ron Weasley. Creator J.K. Rowling praised the young leads as 'wonderful,' stating she 'couldn't be happier' with the choices. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the extensive casting process led by Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, saying, 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.' The series will also feature veteran actors including Nick Frost, John Lithgow, and Paul Whitehouse, adding further excitement to the project. The enthusiasm surrounding Stanton's audition tape highlights the anticipation and high expectations for HBO's new take on the Harry Potter universe.
India.com
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
World's highest-grossing film, made in Rs 10000 crore, earned Rs..., name is..., not Lord of The Rings
In the world of cinema, some stories don't just entertain, they create legacies that not just hold a special place in the heart of cinema lovers but also in the industry as well. From the mystical realms of Avatar to the heroic saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from the epic battles of The Lord of the Rings to the animated wonders of Nezha, these franchises have given shape to redefined global storytelling. But among them, one stands tall, not just for its vision, but for its monstrous budget of Rs 10,000 crore and record-breaking box office success. With its stunning visuals, gripping storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this franchise earned a special place, not just in the hearts and minds of children but also for all ages who want to watch a cinematic visual treat. Let's know this all-time blockbuster franchise, which is all set to turn into an upcoming television series. An Untouched Legacy Of The Wizard Here we are talking about the Harry Potter franchise that completely changed the course of magic-driven storytelling format, which is based on J.K. Rowling's powerful novels. The story was based on a boy who inherited a huge legacy from his father and mother as a wizard who is unaware of the hurdles and challenges that he'll be facing in the future. The franchise, which was started in 2001, made its conclusion in 2011 with a satisfying ending. By this time Harry Potter franchise stunned everyone with its exhilarating response and gigantic box office reception. The Beginning Of The Magical Saga The saga began in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , where audiences were introduced to a young boy discovering his magical heritage and finding loyal friends in Hermione and Ron . The first film grossed an impressive 317 million dollars worldwide. With each installment, the series grew darker, strengthening its bond with fans. The second film, The Chamber of Secrets, took things to a different level as the main antagonist of this franchise, Voldemort , becomes the biggest nightmare for Harry while learning about magic and the world of wizards in Hogwarts . As per box office reports it earned 261.99 million dollars worldwide. After this, in 2004, Prisoner of Azkaban arrived on big screens that became even darker than its first two parts, due to which it earned 249.36 million dollars, which was less than its previous parts. The Shape-Shifter That Became a Game-Changer The Goblet of Fire , known for its dramatic tournament and shocking twist, collected 290.01 million dollars, which revived this franchise once again due to its stunning visual quality and nail-biting sequence between protagonist and the antagonist. During this part the characters matured and so did the themes, drawing audiences closer to its conclusion. By the sixth installment, The Half-Blood Prince , the box office surged to 301.96 million dollars. The final chapter was split into two parts: Deathly Hallows Part 1 which earned 295.98 million dollars, while Part 2, with the same name shattered all the records with a whopping 381.01 million dollars, which combinely estimated Rs 63,910 crore (around 8 billion dollars), making it one of the highest-grossing franchises in cinematic history. The franchise, based on J.K. Rowling's seven novels, was brought to life by four talented directors from Hollywood which including Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell , and David Yates, as each of them added their unique touch to the wizarding world.
