Harry Potter fans have been on the edge of their (cinema) seats since it was announced the final book in the seven part series by Scottish writer JK Rowling would be split into two films. While skeptics claim it is done to grab more money for everyone involved instead of to give the film the time it deserves to make it similar to the book, hype about the film soared when a trailer featuring scenes from both movies was released recently.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the only one of the Harry Potter films to be released with full 3D effects, although some of the previous films featured some scenes in 3D. It is directed by David Yates, who has held this role since film five in the series: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Other directors such as M Night Shyamalan were reportedly interested in directing this film, which due to the nature of the book, will clearly be darker than all previous films.
The Cast of the Final Harry Potter Film
The main cast for this film remains unchanged, with trio Harry, Ron and Hermione played byDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Professors McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and Snape (Alan Rickman) return, as do baddies Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes); Malfoy senior and junior (Jason Issacs and Tom Felton); and Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter).
Characters from other Harry Potter films such as the Dursley and Weasley families; classmates from Hogwarts school; members of the Order of the Phoenix; and wand maker Ollivander (John Hurt) all reprise their roles. There have also been some new stars added in the roles of new Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) and Luna Lovegood’s father Xenophilius Lovegood (Rhys Ifans).
One character missing from part two of the film will be Draco Malfoy’s friend Crabbe. In the book, Crabbe was killed in the final battle, however, as the character’s actor Jamie Waylett was arrested and convicted of drug charges he could not be in the film and the role was written out. A full cast list is available at IMDB.
The Known Storyline of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows From the Bloomsbury Book
Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione must defeat the villainous Lord Voldemort in order to save the world and prevent the deaths of thousands of Muggles – non-magical people. They discovered at the end of penultimate adventure Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that Voldemort split his soul into several pieces called Horcruxes. The trio decided not to return to school Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their final year and instead search for these items, which they must destroy in order to have a chance of killing the currently immortal Voldemort.
A prophecy has already told Harry that he and Voldemort, who killed his parents, cannot both live. With the clever Albus Dumbledore dead, Voldemort takes over Hogwarts and captures anyone who could help him gain access to three items which would make him immortal forever: the Deathly Hallows.
These three items – an immortality stone, a cape which prevents death from seeing the wearer, and a wand that cannot be beaten – are part of a true fairy tale from ancient wizarding family Peverell. Harry must find these items before Voldemort in order to beat him, but must also face his loyal follower Bellatrix Lestrange, who killed his godfather Sirius Black, and the rest of his gang: the Death Eaters.
The climax of the story will be in the second film with a battle at Hogwarts between good and evil, where Harry must face his enemies once and for all.
What Other Information About the Last Film in the Harry Potter Series has Been Released?
Comic Con, near the end of July 2010, had a Harry Potter area which released images from the new film including the wedding between Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley, Death Eaters, and Bellatrix holding Harry. Harry Potter fan site the Leaky Cauldron released apodcast talking about this information, which is available for free. Tom Felton was at this convention, but many fans were disappointed that Daniel Radcliffe did not attend, although there was no mention that he was going to. He made an apology to “the wishful thinkers for my disappointing non-presence.”
It has been reported in many newspapers about how Tom Felton’s real-life girlfriend, Jade Olivia, plays his husband at the end of part two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Jade is a stunt assistant on the Harry Potter films, which is how the two met.
Fan site Mugglenet shows that David Yates has revealed some information about the film, such as a scene not in the book where Harry and Hermione exchange information while dancing (presumably during the wedding), and that Harry is unclothed twice during the film: one point where Harry and Hermione kiss after facing a Horcrux, at which point Ron sees them; and the second when Harry has a near-death experience and sees Dumbledore.
At one point in 2009, Joshua Herdman, who plays Goyle, announced that the split between the two films was supposed to occur when Harry, Ron and Hermione are captured by the ‘Snatchers’ and handed over to the Death Eaters. However, Warner Brothers have warned that since this information was leaked, it is likely this will be changed.
As part of the run-up to the release of the first film on November, ABC Family aired a Harry Potter weekend in the middle of July. They showed previous films in the series, as well as three behind the scene segments, entitled ‘the story’, ‘on the run’ and ‘forest run’.
Whatever happens in the films, it is sure to have a nail-biting split and dramatic scenes throughout.
Ishbel Macleod - Ishbel Macleod is a journalist from Glasgow, Scotland. She is a reporter for a media and marketing publication. She previously ...
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