latest news from mugglenet

HP4U has posted five new pictures, albeit slightly blurry, from the OOTP filming at King's Cross on Monday. They include shots of Daniel and Natalia Tena (Tonks).

DanRadcliffe.com conducted an interview with Daniel last July, in which he discussed his upcoming appearance on the BBC's comedy show "Extras," the World Cup, and lots more.

"I play a very, very warped version of myself in a scouts uniform," Daniel laughs, "because obviously they couldn't do references to Harry Potter for legal reasons, so they had to put me in a scouts uniform. They couldn't have me in a school outfit or anything. The scouts uniform looks absolutely ridiculous and very, very funny. I play this very obnoxious teenage boy who endlessly flirts with everybody he sees. It should be very, very funny, but there is this whole other story in the episode, which I think is also very funny."

DR.com also confirmed that Dan's episode of "Extras" will air on BBC2 at 9:00 PM on September 28th. You can read more about this interview here, including information on when you can listen to audio clips from it.

MuggleNet staffer Natalie attended today's premiere of Driving Lessons (photos here), starring Rupert Grint and Julie Walters, in London's Leicester Square. She managed to snag a short interview with Rupert Grint, and also spoke briefly to Emma Watson, Julie Walters, and Bonnie Wright.

She asked Rupert about his favorite scenes in both Driving Lessons and OOTP, his opinion on the Ron/Lavender relationship in Book 6, and much more. In Bonnie's interview, she talks about her friendship with Rupert off set, a typical day on the Potter set, and more. To hear these interviews, simply right click and "Save Target As..." on the links below:

- Rupert interview [1.55 MB, WAV]
- Bonnie interview [.8 MB, WAV]

UPDATE: You can now listen to our interviews with Emma Watson and Julie Walters:

- Emma interview [1.55 MB, WMA]
- Julie interview [2.54 MB, WMA]

Lord Voldemort was voted the number one villain in the BigBadRead, an online Bloomsbury poll to find the UK's favourite literary villain from a children's book.

Here's what Jo had to say about this "honor":

I am thrilled and honoured beyond words that Lord Voldemort has been voted best villain in the Big Bad Read poll. I am not sure how he would react to knowing that he had won a Muggles' unpopularity poll. A mixture of pleasure that you recognised his power and menace, coupled with fury at your nerve at mentioning his real name, I think. His author, however, is absolutely delighted.

I am sorry not to be there in person to join your celebration of literary evil, but Lord Voldemort requires my constant presence at the moment, as his Dark plans are unfolding in all their grisly glory. I hope those of you who voted for him in the Big Bad Read enjoy reading about him in book seven, where he finally gets the legroom for which he has been aching during all those years in exile.

I have always felt that cardboard baddies make weak heroes and that Harry deserved a really deluxe model, so I have done my best to make Lord Voldemort a real person, red eyed and snakelike though he might be. He, of course, is one of the reasons the Harry Potter books are often banned, but I remain of the firm belief that we need our imaginary villains, the better to brace ourselves for the ones we need to fight in reality.

Voldemort heads an extremely distinguished list, and I shall enjoy picturing him at the head of the table, while Sauron [#2], Lex Luther [#4] and Mrs. Coulter [#3, from His Dark Materials] glower at him, awaiting their chance to topple him. In the meantime, thank you again, on his behalf and mine, for the great honour.

Rounding out the top ten were The Joker (Batman), Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events), The Other Mother (Coraline), The White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Dracula, and Artemis Fowl respectively.

Rupert Grint and Julie Walters did a photocall this morning to promote their new film, Driving Lessons, which will premiere tonight in London. You can check out some photos here in our gallery.

Emma Watson, James Phelps, and Oliver Phelps will also be attending the film's premiere tonight. MuggleNet staff member Natalie will be on-hand to report on the evening's events. Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE: Some great photos from the red carpet can be seen here. They feature Bonnie Wright as well as the aforementioned actors.

Another batch of Order of the Phoenix set pictures recently surfaced online, and although we've seen a couple of these before, they're in much higher quality. They show filming at Virginia Water, where, presumably, the scene in which McGonagall is attacked by Umbridge and co. is being shot. In the photos, we catch glimpses of Natalia Tena (Tonks), David Yates, Martin Bayfield (Hagrid's body double), Tom Felton (Malfoy), and Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) reading The Daily Prophet which bears the headline, "He Who Must Not Be Named Returns."

Thanks to MuggleThai and everyone else who wrote in!

As we reported previously, Daniel Radcliffe is set to make a guest apperance in the BBC's popular comedy show, "Extras." A trailer for the program, featuring Dan in a boy scout uniform, recently aired on BBC2 and can be seen online here at YouTube. Season two of "Extras" will begin on September 9th, but it is still unknown when Dan's episode will air. We'll keep you updated.