Extra, Extra: News for Muggles and the Wizarding World

This post is brought to you by Barbara Frum Library's children's librarian Amena, a huge Harry Potter fan!

It has been eight years since the last Harry Potter book was published and four years since the last film, but “the Boy Who Lived” continues to make headlines.

Here’s the latest in Harry Potter (HP) news:

An HP spin-off film, possibly the first of a trilogy, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2016. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an adaptation of a Hogwarts textbook penned by the fictional magizoologist Newt Scamander. The film, set in New York, follows Newt on his adventures as he attempts to document magical creatures. Eddie Redmayne has signed on for the leading role and Colin Farrell is the latest addition to the cast.

In other film news, a fan-made short film titled Severus Snape and the Marauders will be released on YouTube this December. It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Alan Rickman playing Snape but since the movie is set in 1978 (and is an independent, non-profit venture) I’m willing to refresh my mental image of Severus.  Set in a bar, we meet James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew (the Marauders) as they celebrate their graduation from Hogwarts – until Snape shows up.  Dun-dun-duuun!

And the latest theory that is currently blowing the minds of Muggles everywhere involves our beloved Dumbledore. To understand this we need to revisit the The Tale of the Three Brothers. Fans have posited that the three brothers are Voldemort (Elder Wand), Snape (Resurrection Stone), and Harry (Invisibility Cloak). But who represents Death in this tale?  Well, according to a Tumblr post that has resurfaced Dumbledore is Death. 

If you’re new to the Wizarding World or just want to revisit Hogwarts visit your local library to check out the ever popular series.

PS. If you happen to be a Harry Potter AND Taylor Swift fan you may find this trending video entertaining!