Tag: Harry Potter

We’re not known for our style or fashion coverage here at Hero Complex — we roam a landscape where Klingon boots are acceptable and wearing a Batman cape is fine after Labor Day. But we do keep track of the Muggle Nation and all-things-”Potter,” so here’s a look at Emma Watson’s newly shorn hair, which makes for a big departure from her decade of Hermione curls. Do you love or hate? Vote below..to read more about Hair-moine, go our sister blog, Ministry of Gossip. Updated: And here’s some special guest commentary from All the Rage blogger Melissa Magsaysay… “While the gamine crop is a drastic change from her long, honey colored locks, Watson is just one of many young actresses who’ve been cutting their hair lately. Carey Mulligan and Mia Wasikowska are sporting pixie short hair and like Watson, channeling Mia Farrow in ...

HOGWARTS EXPRESS: It took J.K. Rowling five years to outline and write “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (which would be renamed for the American marketplace) and that long paper chase began when she was at the mercy of the British rail system. She recounted the tale for the BBC in 1990: “I was going by train from Manchester to London, sitting there, thinking of nothing to do with writing and the idea came out of nowhere and I could see Harry very clearly; this scrawny little boy, and it was the most physical rush of excitement. I’ve never felt that excited about anything to do with writing. I’ve never had an idea that gave me such a physical response. So I’m rummaging through this bag to try and find a pen or a pencil or anything. I didn’t even have an eyeliner ...

EXCLUSIVE: THE ACTOR SAYS GOODBYE TO HARRY AND HELLO TO HAMMER Daniel Radcliffe’s next magic trick will be his hardest — can he successfully disappear into a new starring film role after a decade as Harry Potter? On Monday, just three days removed from his 21st birthday, the actor seemed eager for the challenge even though his thoughts kept drifting back to Hogwarts. “Working is how I will best get through a very weird time,” Radcliffe said. “I know it’s the most constructive thing I can do because otherwise I’d be moping around and being a bit like, ‘Oh, I miss everyone … ’ So I’m quite pleased to go on to the next thing and the next challenge.” The “next challenge” is actually a list of things. Radcliffe will appear on Broadway in the spring in “How to Succeed in ...

EXCLUSIVE Daniel Radcliffe says he’s sorry he missed out on Comic-Con International, where hundreds of “Harry Potter” fans camped out overnight and harbored hopes that the British star would be a magical surprise guest. “I apologize to all the wishful thinkers for my disappointing non-presence,” Radcliffe said Monday by phone from London. The actor, who has finished some post-production voice work on the last “Potter” film, says he is still grappling a bit with the concept that he will never wear the robes of Hogwarts on screen again. He still cares deeply about “Potter” fans, though — he sounded genuinely distressed to hear for the first time about the wildfire rumors that led fans to believe he would be at the San Diego pop-culture expo that wrapped up on Sunday. “Really? Oh, God, I had no idea. I suppose it’s like when I’m at Reading Festival and I hear that suddenly ...

The “Green Lantern” panel was transcendent and “Sucker Punch” was audacious, but what about “Harry Potter”? A lot of fans said they felt like it was an afterthought or major disappointment with the absence of the Big Three, but for Tom Felton, the pride of Slytherin, the brief, solo sprint through Comic-Con International was worth the flight from Britain. “I’ve heard the stories of Comic-Con, and it is amazing,” Felton said after the panel as we chatted in a quiet corner of the Hilton Bayfront. “I know how I’ll look back on all of this in five years. [The film franchise] is winding down and it’s sad to think it’s over. It hasn’t really sunk in. It’s a bizarre feeling to think of it not being in my life; it’s bizarre to think of my life without the movies. It ...

On Saturday, the boy who lived became the boy who did not show up. While Warner Bros. did not commit to appearances by cast members for its Hall H presentation of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the studio teased fans in its description of the event, which promised “a program created just for Comic-Con fans… Don’t miss it!” That was enough to draw thousands of Potter enthusiasts, some of whom camped out overnight or arrived before dawn to secure their places in line. Some were even hoping for a glimpse of Daniel Radcliffe, who, of course, plays the title character. The program started well enough with footage from the double-feature conclusion of the series, the first installment to be released in November, the second next in July. After the brief trailer, actor Tom Felton walked onstage to thunderous applause. ...

  The doors for the Saturday program at Hall H don’t open until 9:30 a.m., but fans began lining up Friday evening for a program that features famous faces and footage from upcoming films. And, for the fans who camped out the longest, it was about a certain boy wizard. “I’m here for the ‘Harry Potter‘ panel, and it’s going to be my birthday in an hour,” said Nicole Donner, who could have used the 24 candles to try to stay warm in the damp San Diego night. I had gone by the Eisner Awards on Friday night at the Bayfront Hyatt Hotel (where it was great to catch up with Gerard Way, Mark Evanier, Mike Richardson and Grant Morrison), and on the moonlight hike back toward the center Gaslamp Quarter, my wife, Tracy, and I stopped to chat with ...

Magic is in the air… – Jevon Phillips RECENT AND RELATED RARE PHOTO: The day Daniel Radcliffe met Rupert Grint… David Yates reveals where he will split “Deathly Hallows” REVIEW: Universal’s Harry Potter outduels Disney Rowling takes a ride with Potter in Orlando Which celebrity intimidates Emma Watson? You may be surprised Dumbledore diss? Gambon sees “no point” in reading Rowling Daniel Radcliffe talks about life after Hogwarts    

Los Angeles Times television critic Mary McNamara is in Orlando to review the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Her full review will run later this week, but here’s a few quick dispatches from the scene. Click on the photos to go to a full gallery. Although Universal Orlando doesn’t release numbers on park attendance, the first week crowds for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter seem to have taken officials by surprise. Those staying at the resort hotels are allowed in the Islands of Adventure Park one hour before the 9 a.m. opening time, but the crowd at the gate forms much earlier. Once inside, those wanting to visit Harry first thing are channeled into a line that swoops around the park in an effort to keep the Wizarding World from being overrun. Hundreds of guests ...

Los Angeles Times television critic Mary McNamara is in Orlando to review the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Her full review will run later this week but here’s a few quick dispatches from the scene. Click on the photos to go to a full gallery. I never realized it was so hot and humid in Hogsmeade or that snow could look so convincing in Florida. Lines for Honeydukes and Ollivanders are longer than for the two smaller rides, which are great, by the way. And as for the ultimate question — can Universal out-disney Disney? — the answer is apparently yes. Forget Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey is now officially the coolest ride on the planet. Don’t drink the pumpkin juice, though.  The saucy schoolgirl look that has made knee socks and pleated ...