Harry Potter Mania

The fantasy fiction series created by Rowling is making a splash in the film world. With fans such as Rosie O’Donnell backing the books, it was inevitable there would be a rush to put the books on film. Rowling, who is working on her fifth novel in the Potter series of seven, has given her thumbs up to the film version. The film premiered in London under Rowling’s original British title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. With a running time of 152 minutes the film promises to bring to life the magical world of Potter and the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The youthful wizard battles the evil Voldemort and leads the Gryffindors to victory in the broomstick battles of Quidditch.

Director Chris Columbus has promised to stay true to the story lines. There are two sequels on the horizon and Warner Brothers has the rights to Rowling’s seven book series. In fact, production on the second installment Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets begins production on November 18. The film will feature the same cast as the first Harry Potter as well as some new additions, including Kenneth Branagh. The third installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is to start shooting next November and should be released around Thanksgiving 2003.

The reasoning behind such a tight filming schedule is to ensure that the core cast, Daniel Radcliffe in a breakout performance as Harry Potter; Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley; and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, does not outgrow their roles. The American version, which will premiere in the U.S. under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – the name the book was released under stateside, will be in theaters November 16th.