Latest news with #WizardingWorld
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ink, ideology, and a billion-dollar empire: The J.K. Rowling story
The magical business of words Live Events Beyond Harry Potter Philanthropy, politics and privacy (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel If outrage were a Horcrux, J.K. Rowling has faced seven. Yet none have managed to destroy the legacy she built with seven books, eight films, and a world that refuses to stop believing. With a wand of iron will and a fortune guarded by dark magic, the architect of Hogwarts is once again a billionaire, proving one thing: her magic doesn't fade under the Forbes' Billionaires List 2025 , the British author has reclaimed her spot with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. She is one of only five female billionaires who are self-made, and she is the first author to reach a billion-dollar status, according to Forbes , which included her as a billionaire for the first time in their 2004 rich Harry Potter series may be aimed at young readers, but the books deal with serious themes: death, trauma, sacrifice, and the abuse of power. That willingness to explore darkness in fiction mirrors aspects of her public persona. In recent years, Rowling has been in the spotlight not just for her stories but for her outspoken political views, especially on gender and sex-based of Rowling's wealth comes from her strict control of the Harry Potter brand. She owns the intellectual property rights and licenses them through her own company, The Blair Partnership. That control means she gets a cut from every merchandise, adaptation, or theme park ticket sold under the Harry Potter franchise has sold over 600 million books in 85 languages, and the original eight films brought in $7.7 billion at the box office. The Wizarding World now includes theme park attractions at Universal Studios in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan, and the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which continues to play in major 2023, the Hogwarts Legacy video game grossed over $1.1 billion, making it one of the year's best-selling games. Rowling doesn't directly profit from the game, but she still earns through licensing fees as the creator of the HBO's streaming platform Max is rebooting the Harry Potter series into a decade-long television project. Rowling will serve as an executive producer and retains creative control, ensuring her vision continues to shape the Potter is the foundation of her fortune, Rowling has also found success beyond the wizarding world. Under the pen name Robert Galbraith, she writes the Cormoran Strike crime novels with a loyal readership and a BBC TV also founded Pottermore, a digital hub for Harry Potter fans that has evolved into Wizarding World Digital. The platform offers games, quizzes, eBooks, and immersive content and helps maintain fan engagement and brand her wealth, Rowling is not often seen in celebrity circles. She lives a private life in Scotland and rarely appears in the media. However, she is active in philanthropy. She has donated hundreds of millions to charities, including her foundation, Lumos, which works to end the institutionalisation of children comments, often posted on X, have drawn criticism from trans rights groups, activists, and even the stars of the Harry Potter films like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Rowling, however, has refused to be silenced. She continues to engage in public debates, asserting her views on women's rights and freedom of speech. While the backlash led to calls for boycotts, it did little to dent her philanthropy is one reason she reportedly fell off Forbes' billionaire list years ago. But with the success of her expanding franchise, she has returned quietly.J.K. Rowling's story is a rare one. Few writers achieve even a fraction of her success. Even fewer manage to retain ownership of their work, guide its expansion, and withstand public scrutiny the way she has.
Travel Weekly
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Epic Universe debuts
Epic Universe debuts Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada The Atrium of the British Ministry of Magic in the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry in Epic Universe's Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
5 Financial Literacy Lessons From ‘Harry Potter'
Actors, Daniel Radcliffe, (L) Emma Watson (M) and Rupert Grant (R) on the set of the film, 'Harry ... More Potter and The Goblet of Fire', London, England, 2005 (Photo by Murray Close/ Getty Images) With the HBO Max reboot of Harry Potter slated for release in 2026 and the recent announcement of key cast members including the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione, it's the perfect moment to return to the Wizarding World—not for nostalgia, but for wisdom. Beyond the magic, J.K. Rowling's classic series is rich with useful insights, including potential lessons in financial literacy. Though Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts may not appear in your bank statements, the characters and their stories mirror those in the Muggle world. Here are five financial literacy lessons inspired by Harry Potter. In Harry's world as in personal finance, acting on misinformation can be catastrophic. For example, Lord Voldemort misinterpreted the prophecy and acted on incomplete information passed on by Severus Snape. He targeted Harry without knowing that he risks marking Harry as his equal and passing to him 'powers that the Dark Lord knows not.' That error set in motion his first downfall at the beginning of the series. It also remained his main motivation to hunt Harry throughout the novels, which led to Voldemort's defeat in the end. Dumbledore, by contrast, took years to gather intelligence, understand Voldemort, and strategically prepare Harry to destroy the Horcruxes. He exemplified what might be called due diligence. This highlights the importance of financial literacy and keeping up with relevant information. The foundation of wise financial decision-making is in acquiring accurate, up-to-date information. There are a lot of resources available to increase your knowledge base. You can read books and articles from reputable websites and blogs, attend workshops or seminars, and follow trusted advisors and other financial professionals. Never base major financial decisions on rumors, trends, or partial data. Albus Dumbledore was the ultimate long-term strategist. From the moment he left The-Boy-Who-Lived at the Dursleys' doorstep, his decisions were guided by his dual goal of protecting Harry and killing Voldemort. Though Dumbledore himself admitted to making mistakes in regard to Harry (especially in Order of the Phoenix), his planning yielded fruit in the end. Thinking long-term is equally critical in personal finance. For example, when investing, having a long-term perspective allows you to withstand short-term fluctuations and avoid the perils of timing the market. In terms of savings, a long-term outlook lets you maximize compounding. The earlier you save, the more interest your money will earn in time. You can also apply this to goal setting. Planning for a child's college education, a home purchase, or your retirement requires patience, discipline, and resilience. Financial goals are rarely achieved overnight but the earlier you start, the better. And like Dumbledore, you should trust in the long game. No one is immune to deception. For instance, in Goblet of Fire, Harry spends an entire year under the mentorship of who he believes is Professor Alastor Moody—only to discover that it was actually Barty Crouch Jr., a Death Eater using Polyjuice Potion. Similarly, in Sorcerer's Stone, Harry suspects Snape of trying to steal the stone. Then it was revealed in the end that it was 'p-p-poor, st-stuttering' Professor Quirrell who posed the real threat (with Voldemort in the back of his head, to boot!) In the real world, financial scams are often disguised as friendly advisors or trustworthy emails. Beware of phishing, identity theft, Ponzi schemes, and get-rich-quick investment opportunities. It is critical to learn how to identify red flags, verify identities, and protect your personal information. Use two-factor authentication whenever available. You should also check and monitor your accounts regularly for suspicious activities and report them as soon as possible. Never share crucial personal information online and be careful about anything you post even in social media. Live by the mantra, 'If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't' and as Moody will remind you, 'Constant vigilance!' James and Lily Potter may have perished early, but they left Harry with the magic of love that protected him from Voldemort throughout, not to mention the vault full of gold at the wizard bank, Gringotts. ('Didn't think yer mum and dad will leave you with nothing now, did yeh?' said Hagrid in Sorcerer's Stone.) That and an additional inheritance from Sirius later in the books, sustained Harry's Hogwarts education and beyond. Thankfully, they had. You should follow this example and plan your estate as early as possible. It's also important to understand that estate planning is not only for the wealthy—it is for anyone who wants to ensure their loved ones are taken care of and their wishes respected. As soon as you are 18, and especially if you have any earned income, it's advisable to start estate planning. Regardless of the amount of assets you have, prepare for the possibility of death. Even a simple will can ensure that you leave specific instructions as to how your estate will be managed. Later, as your assets become more substantial, you can set up trusts, durable power of attorney, healthcare proxies, advanced directives, and beneficiary designations, as needed. While it is possible to do it yourself, it's better to have support and guidance from friends, family, or professional advisors when managing or planning your finances. After all, Harry's victories were never achieved alone. He had help from Ron and Hermione for most of his adventures. Dumbledore, Lupin, Sirius, and the other members of Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army also played indispensable roles in the defeat of Voldemort. In your financial journey, you should also surround yourself with trustworthy allies. For example, your friends and family can be accountability partners as you work to get out of debt, build your emergency fund, or develop your savings habit. They can also provide moral and sometimes even financial support. There may also come a time when you will need professional advice. Whether it's a certified financial planner, a tax advisor, an investment broker, or an estate attorney, professional guidance can help you with tailored strategies especially as your finances become more complicated. Just remember to do your due diligence when choosing advisors. You never know when your most trusted advisor is your worst enemy (as it turned out Snape was to Voldemort). While you may not be able to use Legilimency and read people's minds, you can use tools like FINRA's BrokerCheck or the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website to conduct background checks. As the world awaits the Harry Potter reboot, revisiting the series though a financial lens reveals useful insights. From ensuring accurate information and thinking long-term to being aware of scams and seeking help from others, the characters and stories from the Wizarding World not only entertain but can also help teach financial literacy.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Actors revealed for Harry, Hermione and Ron in Harry Potter TV series reboot
Like the films, the series is sure to be a Who's Who of A-list talent, with budgets that dwarf almost everything else on TV. The first performer to confirm their participation was Conclave star John Lithgow, cast as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow, 79, said that he did not expect to be asked to follow in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law (who all played Dumbledore in the Wizarding World films). 'Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,' he said in February. 'But I'm very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.' Loading I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu has been cast as potions master Severus Snape, while Ozark 's Janet McTeer is to play deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall, a role that was made famous by the late Dame Maggie Smith and was previously rumoured to be going to Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz. Other stars confirmed to have signed up are Shaun of the Dead 's Nick Frost succeeding Robbie Coltrane as gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, while the role of cantankerous caretaker Argus Filch will be filled by comic performer Paul Whitehouse. We also have our first villain. Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone who is later revealed to be under the control of the evil Lord Voldemort, will be portrayed by Luke Thallon. The 29-year-old is best known as a stage actor. Who will play Voldemort himself in later series is being kept under wraps, but those said to be in the frame include Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy. How will the series be different from the films? HBO boss Casey Bloys has said the series will be a 'very, very specifically British 1990s production'. It is being overseen by Gardiner and Mylod, Britons who are both alumni of HBO's Succession. One need only look at their track record to know that the series will not merely be a rehash of the films. Gardiner worked on the TV adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials; while Mylod's hits include Game of Thrones and The Menu, a Ralph Fiennes horror satirising fine dining. It is expected that the series will be darker than the films, with HBO looking for a slightly older viewership than the pre-teens who were the primary target of the cinematic pictures. Friends of Gardiner – who wrote her master's thesis on the importance of darkness in kids' stories and has spoken of her dislike for patronising children – say she wants to bring a grittier, ' Wednesday /Tim Burton vibe' to the series. Perhaps most notably, the characters will be the same age as they are in the books, with each series presumably following the school year. That means, for instance, that Severus Snape (played by the inimitable Alan Rickman in the films) will be in his early 30s on the small screen. Essiedu is 34; Rickman, by contrast, was 55 when the first film was released. The exception is Dumbledore, who lived to the ripe old age of 115. Lithgow is unlikely to want to be working in his 12th decade. Is J.K. Rowling involved? Despite selling more than 600 million Harry Potter books and amassing a fortune of almost £1 billion ($2 billion) according to The Sunday Times' Rich List, Rowling has become a polarising character for her public contributions to the transgender debate. 'That's a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we're going to get into,' Bloys said at an investor presentation in April 2023. 'Our priority is what's on the screen.' The 59-year-old author is key to the whole series: she serves as its executive producer and will have the final say on all the casting choices. Rowling praised HBO for 'preserving the integrity' of her books and said the new adaptation would 'allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series'. Will the original stars return? Probably not. Many of the original cast members – including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson – have criticised Rowling's trans views, and sadly others (including Gambon and Rickman) have died. Jason Isaacs, who played the villainous Lucius Malfoy in the films, was asked whether he would mount a comeback at the premiere of The White Lotus in February. 'I'm hoping to come back as Hermione,' he said, not entirely seriously. 'I sent my audition tape in and I've yet to hear. But they have my number.' When will the series be broadcast?
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Actors revealed for Harry, Hermione and Ron in Harry Potter TV series reboot
Like the films, the series is sure to be a Who's Who of A-list talent, with budgets that dwarf almost everything else on TV. The first performer to confirm their participation was Conclave star John Lithgow, cast as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Lithgow, 79, said that he did not expect to be asked to follow in the footsteps of Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and Jude Law (who all played Dumbledore in the Wizarding World films). 'Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I'm afraid,' he said in February. 'But I'm very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That's why it's been such a hard decision. I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I've said yes.' Loading I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu has been cast as potions master Severus Snape, while Ozark 's Janet McTeer is to play deputy headmistress Minerva McGonagall, a role that was made famous by the late Dame Maggie Smith and was previously rumoured to be going to Sharon Horgan and Rachel Weisz. Other stars confirmed to have signed up are Shaun of the Dead 's Nick Frost succeeding Robbie Coltrane as gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid, while the role of cantankerous caretaker Argus Filch will be filled by comic performer Paul Whitehouse. We also have our first villain. Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone who is later revealed to be under the control of the evil Lord Voldemort, will be portrayed by Luke Thallon. The 29-year-old is best known as a stage actor. Who will play Voldemort himself in later series is being kept under wraps, but those said to be in the frame include Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy. How will the series be different from the films? HBO boss Casey Bloys has said the series will be a 'very, very specifically British 1990s production'. It is being overseen by Gardiner and Mylod, Britons who are both alumni of HBO's Succession. One need only look at their track record to know that the series will not merely be a rehash of the films. Gardiner worked on the TV adaptation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials; while Mylod's hits include Game of Thrones and The Menu, a Ralph Fiennes horror satirising fine dining. It is expected that the series will be darker than the films, with HBO looking for a slightly older viewership than the pre-teens who were the primary target of the cinematic pictures. Friends of Gardiner – who wrote her master's thesis on the importance of darkness in kids' stories and has spoken of her dislike for patronising children – say she wants to bring a grittier, ' Wednesday /Tim Burton vibe' to the series. Perhaps most notably, the characters will be the same age as they are in the books, with each series presumably following the school year. That means, for instance, that Severus Snape (played by the inimitable Alan Rickman in the films) will be in his early 30s on the small screen. Essiedu is 34; Rickman, by contrast, was 55 when the first film was released. The exception is Dumbledore, who lived to the ripe old age of 115. Lithgow is unlikely to want to be working in his 12th decade. Is J.K. Rowling involved? Despite selling more than 600 million Harry Potter books and amassing a fortune of almost £1 billion ($2 billion) according to The Sunday Times' Rich List, Rowling has become a polarising character for her public contributions to the transgender debate. 'That's a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we're going to get into,' Bloys said at an investor presentation in April 2023. 'Our priority is what's on the screen.' The 59-year-old author is key to the whole series: she serves as its executive producer and will have the final say on all the casting choices. Rowling praised HBO for 'preserving the integrity' of her books and said the new adaptation would 'allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series'. Will the original stars return? Probably not. Many of the original cast members – including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson – have criticised Rowling's trans views, and sadly others (including Gambon and Rickman) have died. Jason Isaacs, who played the villainous Lucius Malfoy in the films, was asked whether he would mount a comeback at the premiere of The White Lotus in February. 'I'm hoping to come back as Hermione,' he said, not entirely seriously. 'I sent my audition tape in and I've yet to hear. But they have my number.' When will the series be broadcast?
