Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

[Perdita]

The final instalment of the Harry Potter film franchise is to be released in 2011 it has been announced.

Fans of the boy wizard will get to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II in cinemas from 15 July.

Warner Brothers decided to split the seventh book in JK Rowling's series into two parts as it was impossible to cram its 608 pages into a single film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is set to be released on 19 November 2010.

Stuntman David Holmes suffered serious back injuries on the set of Deathly Hallows last month practising an aerial sequence.

The set was closed for a week for investigation before being allowed to re-open by the Health and Safety Executive.

It was announced in August last year that the release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince would be pushed back eight months to July this year.

Warner Bros president Alan Horn said the decision was taken to guarantee the studio a major summer blockbuster in 2009.

He also blamed the Hollywood writers' strike, which hit the film industry hard in 2008.

The first five movies have made $4.5 billion (£2.2 billion) worldwide - making it the biggest film franchise in box office history, surpassing both James Bond and Star Wars.

[Abbie]

awww wow! thats good cos the breaks wont be as long

[Perdita]

Theo Walcott's girlfriend has reportedly landed a role in the next Harry Potter film.

According to the Daily Mail, Melanie Slade will appear in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part One as a friend of Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).

Explaining her part, she said: "I had a couple of lines to say. I'd love to do more acting."

The 20-year-old, who has been dating the Arsenal and England star since 2006, was offered the role through her boyfriend's aunt, whose partner David Yates is directing the movie.

Slade will make her screen debut alongside Watson as the two girls watch a Quidditch match at Hogwarts.

Lucky her

[Layne]

If only i knew the right people

Excited about this film MY favourite book - although 2011 is ages away

[di marco]

If only i knew the right people

same, i feel like that sometimes, its so unfair! cant wait for the films though

[Perdita]

Rhys Ifans has joined the cast of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.

Appearing on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, the Welsh actor spoke about being fitted for a wizard costume while filming Mr. Nice, a movie about notorious drug smuggler Howard Marks.

"These people from Harry Potter had to fly out to Spain to fit me for my wizard outfit," Ifans said. "I'm in this room with the sleeves, the pointy hat, and Howard's wandering past the room with [a joint] on the go. He says, 'I never used to wear stuff like that'. I said, 'No Howard, don't panic. This is for another film'."

Ifans did not reveal which character he will play, but Potter site SnitchSeeker.com speculates that he may be Xenophilius Lovegood.