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The locomotive that features as the "Hogwarts Express" in the film series.
In 1998, Rowling sold the film rights of the first four Harry Potter books to Warner Bros. for a
reported £1 million ($1,982,900).[178][179] Rowling demanded the principal cast be kept strictly British,
nonetheless allowing for the inclusion of Irish actors such as the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore,
and for casting of French and Eastern European actors in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where
characters from the book are specified as such. [180] After many directors including Steven
Spielberg, Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Demme, and Alan Parker were considered, Chris Columbus was
appointed on 28 March 2000 as the director for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (titled
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States), with Warner Bros. citing his work on
other family films such as Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire and proven experience with directing
children as influences for their decision.[181]
After extensive casting, filming began in October 2000 at Leavesden Film Studios and in London
itself, with production ending in July 2001.[182][183] Philosopher's Stone was released on 14 November
2001. Just three days after the film's release, production for Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets, also directed by Columbus, began. Filming was completed in summer 2002, with the film
being released on 15 November 2002.[184] Daniel Radcliffe portrayed Harry Potter, doing so for all
succeeding films in the franchise.
Columbus declined to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, only acting as producer.
Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón took over the job, and after shooting in 2003, the film was released
on 4 June 2004. Due to the fourth film beginning its production before the third's release, Mike
Newell was chosen as the director for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, released on 18 November
2005.[185] Newell became the first British director of the series, with television director David
Yates following suit after he was chosen to helm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Production began in January 2006 and the film was released the following year in July 2007. [186] After
executives were "really delighted" with his work on the film, Yates was selected to direct Harry Potter
and the Half-Blood Prince, which was released on 15 July 2009.[187][188][189][190]
Games
Main article: Harry Potter video games
A number of other non-interactive media games and board games have been released such
as Cluedo Harry Potter Edition, Scene It? Harry Potter and Lego Harry Potter models, which are
influenced by the themes of both the novels and films.
There are thirteen Harry Potter video games, eight corresponding with the films and books and five
spin-offs. The film/book-based games are produced by Electronic Arts, as was Harry Potter:
Quidditch World Cup, with the game version of the first entry in the series, Philosopher's Stone,
being released in November 2001. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone went on to become one
of the best-selling PlayStation games ever.[208] The video games were released to coincide with the
films, containing scenery and details from the films as well as the tone and spirit of the books.
Objectives usually occur in and around Hogwarts, along with various other magical areas. The story
and design of the games follow the selected film's characterisation and plot; EA worked closely with
Warner Bros. to include scenes from the films. The last game in the series, Deathly Hallows, was
split, with Part 1 released in November 2010 and Part 2 debuting on consoles in July 2011. The two-
part game forms the first entry to convey an intense theme of action and violence, with the gameplay
revolving around a third-person shooter style format. [209][210]
The spin-off games Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4 and Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7 were developed
by Traveller's Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The spin-off
games Book of Spells and Book of Potions were developed by London Studio and use
the Wonderbook, an augmented reality book designed to be used in conjunction with the PlayStation
Move and PlayStation Eye.[211] The Harry Potter universe is also featured in Lego Dimensions, with
the settings and side characters featured in the Harry Potter Adventure World, and Harry, Voldemort,
and Hermione as playable characters. In 2017, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment opened its
own Harry Potter-themed game design studio, by the name of Portkey Games, before
releasing Hogwarts Mystery in 2018, developed by Jam City.[212]
Audiobooks
All seven Harry Potter books have been released in unabridged audiobook versions, with Stephen
Fry reading the UK editions and Jim Dale voicing the series for the American editions.[213][214]
Stage production
Stage production
Main article: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I and II is a play which serves as a sequel to the books,
beginning nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was written
by Jack Thorne based on an original new story by Thorne, Rowling and John Tiffany.[215] It has run at
the Palace Theatre in London's West End since previews began on 7 June 2016 with an official
premiere on 30 June 2016.[216] The first four months of tickets for the June–September performances
were sold out within several hours upon release. [217] Forthcoming productions are planned for
Broadway[218] and Melbourne.[219]
The script was released as a book at the time of the premiere, with a revised version following the
next year.
Spin-off production
Main article: Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic
Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic is a play which
is a spin-off from the Harry Potter franchise. It takes place at the same time of the book series but
focuses on the "Puffs", who only wish to be in as much glory as Mr. Potter. It is written by Matt Cox
and was originally directed by Kristin McCarthy Parker. It played off-off-Broadway at the Peoples'
Improv Theatre from 3 December 2015 to fall 2016. It then transferred to the off-Broadway Elektra
Theater where it was modified by Parker and Cox. However, Puffs soon transferred to a more
prominent off-broadway space, New World Stages, where it played from 17 July 2017 – 18 August
2019. Soon after, a production was performed at The Entertainment Quarter in Sydney, Australia for
a limited run. Another production ran at The Lower Ossington Theatre in Toronto, Canada from 7
June to 14 August 2019. Since then, the rights to the show has been released (including a junior
version) through Samuel French, Inc. (now Concord Theatricals).
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has begun, Cox has written three additional plays to
the Puffs universe. Nineteen-ish Years After or; There and Back Again was performed on 4 April
2020. A Patreon link was included in the bio of the livestream and all the proceeds from the event
went to Queens Feeds Hospitals. A second play, Dude, Where's My Fantastic Friends?, was
broadcast live on 17 April 2020. The proceeds from this event went to the New York Humane
Society. Finally, on 24 April 2020, PUF3S: Eventfulness Maximus was broadcast as the finale to
the Puffs tetralogy. The proceeds went to the Ali Forney Center. All of these readings were
performed over Zoom and broadcast live on YouTube. While all the readings were free, the
donations from watchers combined came out to $10,200.
They have also hosted several Q+A's and watchings of Puffs on their YouTube
and Instagram accounts.
Attractions
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Main article: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogwarts Castle as depicted in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal Orlando Resort's
Island of Adventure
After the success of the films and books, Universal and Warner Brothers announced they would
create The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new Harry Potter-themed expansion to the Islands of
Adventure theme park at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The land officially opened to the public
on 18 June 2010.[221] It includes a re-creation of Hogsmeade and several rides. The flagship attraction
is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which exists within a re-creation of Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. Other rides include Dragon Challenge, a pair of inverted roller coasters,
and Flight of the Hippogriff, a family roller coaster.
Four years later, on 8 July 2014, Universal opened a Harry Potter-themed area at the Universal
Studios Florida theme park. It includes a re-creation of Diagon Alley and connecting alleys and a
small section of Muggle London. The flagship attraction is Harry Potter and the Escape from
Gringotts roller coaster ride. Universal also added a completely functioning recreation of
the Hogwarts Express connecting Kings Cross Station at Universal Studios Florida to the
Hogsmeade station at Islands of Adventure. Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley contain many shops
and restaurants from the book series, including Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and The Leaky
Cauldron.
On 15 July 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at the Universal Studios Japan theme
park in Osaka, Japan. It includes the village of Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and the Forbidden
Journey ride, and Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster.[222][223]
On 7 April 2016, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at the Universal Studios
Hollywood theme park near Los Angeles, California.[224][225]
Background[edit]
Throughout the three previous novels in the Harry Potter series, the main character, Harry Potter,
has struggled with the difficulties of growing up and the added challenge of being a famed wizard.
When Harry was a baby, Lord Voldemort, the most powerful dark wizard in history, killed Harry's
parents but was mysteriously defeated after unsuccessfully trying to kill Harry, though his attempt left
a lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead. This results in Harry's immediate fame and his being
placed in the care of his abusive Muggle (non-magical) aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley,
who have a son named Dudley.
On Harry's eleventh birthday, he learns he is a wizard from Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and
Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and enrols in Hogwarts. He befriends Ron
Weasley and Hermione Granger and confronts Lord Voldemort, who is trying to regain power.
In Harry's first year, he has to protect the Philosopher's Stone from Voldemort and one of his faithful
followers at Hogwarts. After returning to school after summer break, students at Hogwarts are
attacked by the legendary monster of the Chamber of Secrets after the Chamber is opened. Harry
ends the attacks by killing a Basilisk and thwarting another attempt by Lord Voldemort to return to
full strength. The following year, Harry hears he has been targeted by escaped mass murderer Sirius
Black. Despite stringent security measures at Hogwarts, Harry encounters Black at the end of his
third year and learns Black was framed and is actually Harry's godfather. He also learns that it was
his father's old school friend Peter Pettigrew who betrayed his parents.
Overview[edit]
In a prologue, which Harry sees through a dream, Frank Bryce, Muggle caretaker of an abandoned
mansion known as the Riddle House, is murdered by Lord Voldemort after stumbling upon him
and Wormtail. Harry is awoken by his scar hurting.
The Weasleys invite Harry and Hermione Granger to the Quidditch World Cup, to which they travel
using a Portkey. After the match, masked Death Eaters, followers of Voldemort, attack the camp
site. The Dark Mark is fired into the sky, causing mass panic. Harry discovers that his wand is
missing. It is later found in the possession of Winky, Barty Crouch's house elf, having been used to
cast the Mark. Barty Crouch dismisses Winky from his service.
At Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore announces that Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody will be the Defence
Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year. Dumbledore also announces that Hogwarts will host the
Triwizard Tournament, in which a champion of Hogwarts will compete against champions from other
wizarding schools. The champions are chosen by the Goblet of Fire from names dropped into it. As
Harry is under the age of majority in the wizarding world, he is disallowed from entering. The Goblet
of Fire picks Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy, Viktor Krum from Durmstrang Institute,
and Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts to compete. Unexpectedly, it chooses Harry as a fourth
champion, forcing him to compete.
Hagrid covertly reveals to Harry that the first task in the tournament is to get past a dragon. Harry
struggles to find a way to accomplish this, until Moody suggests flying. Hermione helps him perfect a
Summoning Charm, which he uses to summon his Firebolt broomstick and fly past the dragon to
retrieve a golden egg. The egg contains a clue to the next task, but when opened it shrieks loudly.
Following a tip from Cedric, Harry discovers that the task is to recover something from Merpeople at
the bottom of the lake in the grounds.
Harry struggles to find a way to survive underwater. On the day of the task, Dobby, who now works
at Hogwarts, gives him Gillyweed, having heard of it from Moody. This allows Harry to find Ron at
the bottom of the lake. However, he refuses to leave the other champions' hostages behind, and
rescues Fleur's sister when Fleur does not arrive. Harry finishes last, but is awarded high marks for
'moral fibre'.
While talking near the Forbidden Forest, Harry and Krum encounter Crouch, who had stopped
appearing to work. Seeming insane, he claims to have done something terrible, and begs
for Dumbledore. Leaving Krum with Crouch, Harry fetches Dumbledore but returns to find Krum
stunned and Crouch gone. Moody tries and fails to find Crouch. Harry later has a dream involving
Voldemort punishing Wormtail for a mistake. Harry tells Dumbledore about this, and stumbles upon
a Pensieve in Dumbledore's office. With it, he discovers that Crouch's son was sent to Azkaban,
where he supposedly died.
Harry prepares for the final task, a hedge maze filled with dangerous obstacles, the goal being to
reach the Triwizard Cup at the center. Inside the maze, Harry and Cedric reach the Cup, and agree
to touch it at the same time. However, they discover that it is a Portkey that transports them to a
graveyard. There, Wormtail appears, kills Cedric, and performs a ritual to restore Lord Voldemort to
a body.
Voldemort summons his Death Eaters, berates them for believing him dead, and mentions that he
has a servant at Hogwarts, who has led Harry there. He tortures Harry, then challenges him to a
duel. However, when he and Harry fire spells at each other, their wands connect, as they share a
core, causing echoes of Voldemort's previous magic to appear, including manifestations of Cedric
and Harry's parents. These echoes help Harry escape with Cedric's body to the Cup, which returns
him to Hogwarts.
Under the panic caused by his arrival, Moody takes Harry to his office. He reveals himself to be
Voldemort's servant, having put Harry's name into the Goblet, and guided him throughout the
tournament to ensure he would touch the Cup. As Moody prepares to kill Harry, Dumbledore,
McGonagall, and Snape intervene and stun Moody. Moody is revealed to be impersonated by Barty
Crouch Jr., Crouch's son, via Polyjuice Potion. Using Veritaserum, they learn that Crouch had
rescued his son as a favour to his dying wife. Crouch Jr. was kept at home, until Winky convinced
Crouch to allow him to see the Quidditch Cup, where he escaped, stole Harry's wand, and conjured
the Dark Mark. Voldemort discovered Crouch Jr. and plotted to install him at Hogwarts, abducting
the real Moody. Crouch was imprisoned by Wormtail, and when he escaped to Hogwarts, Crouch Jr.
killed him.
Dumbledore announces Voldemort's return to the school. However, many people, including Minister
for Magic Cornelius Fudge, refuse to believe it. The Dementor's Kiss is performed on Crouch Jr.,
rendering him unable to testify for Voldemort's return. Dumbledore puts plans against Voldemort into
action. Not wanting his tournament winnings, Harry gives them to Fred and George to start a joke
shop, and returns to the Dursleys.
Development[edit]
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series. The first, Harry
Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was published by Bloomsbury on 26 June 1997. The
second, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was published on 2 July 1998. The third, Harry
Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, followed on 8 July 1999.[1] Goblet of Fire is almost twice the size
of the first three books (the paperback edition was 636 pages). Rowling stated that she "knew from
the beginning it would be the biggest of the first four." She said there needed to be a "proper run-up"
for the conclusion and rushing the "complex plot" could confuse readers. She also stated that
"everything is on a bigger scale," which was symbolic, as Harry's horizons widened both literally and
metaphorically as he grew up. She also wanted to explore more of the magical world. [2]
Until the official title's announcement on 27 June 2000, the book was called by its working title,
'Harry Potter IV.' Previously, in April, the publisher had listed it as Harry Potter and the Doomspell
Tournament. However,[3] J. K. Rowling expressed her indecision about the title in an Entertainment
Weekly interview. "I changed my mind twice on what [the title] was. The working title had got
out — Harry Potter and the Doomspell Tournament. Then I changed Doomspell to Triwizard
Tournament. Then I was teetering between Goblet of Fire and Triwizard Tournament. In the end, I
preferred Goblet of Fire because it's got that kind of cup of destiny feel about it, which is the theme
of the book."[2]
Rowling mentioned that she originally wrote a Weasley relative named Malfalda, who, according to
Rowling, "was the daughter of the 'second cousin who's a stockbroker' mentioned in Philosopher's
Stone. This stockbroker had been very rude to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the past, but now he and his
(Muggle) wife had inconveniently produced a witch, they came back to the Weasleys asking for their
help in introducing her to wizarding society before she starts at Hogwarts." [4] Malfalda was supposed
to be a Slytherin and was to fill in the Rita Skeeter subplot, but she was eventually removed because
"there were obvious limitations to what an eleven year old closeted at school could discover."
Rowling considered Rita Skeeter to be "much more flexible." [4] Rowling also admitted that the fourth
book was the most difficult to write at the time because she noticed a giant plot hole halfway through
writing.[2] In particular, Rowling had trouble with the ninth chapter, "The Dark Mark," which she
rewrote 13 times.[5]
Themes[edit]
Jeff Jensen, who interviewed Rowling for Entertainment Weekly in 2000, pointed out that bigotry is a
big theme in the Harry Potter novels and Goblet of Fire in particular. He mentioned how Voldemort
and his followers are prejudiced against Muggles and how, in Goblet of Fire, Hermione forms a
group to liberate Hogwarts' house-elves who have "been indentured servants so long they lack
desire for anything else."[2] When asked why she explored this theme, Rowling replied,
Because bigotry is probably the thing I detest most. All forms of intolerance, the whole idea of that
which is different from me is necessarily evil. I really like to explore the idea that difference is equal
and good. But there's another idea that I like to explore, too. Oppressed groups are not, generally
speaking, people who stand firmly together – no, sadly, they kind of subdivide among themselves
and fight like hell. That's human nature, so that's what you see here. This world of wizards and
witches, they're already ostracized, and then within themselves, they've formed a loathsome pecking
order.[2]
She also commented that she did not feel this was too "heavy" for children, as it was one of those
things that a "huge number of children at that age start to think about." [2]