With the third installment of a potential series of seven movies still hitting theaters, we Muggles can’t sit down and relax, because Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is already in the making. This time the first British director of the series, Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mona Lisa Smile), has to direct, what will be a truly monster project both in length and budget. A closer look (some spoilers are ahead for those unfamiliar with the story of The Goblet of Fire).

Tidbits

The estimated budget for The Goblet of Fire is £170m, which is more than Titanic and the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. Matter-of-factly (as Rowling likes to put it), it is more than any other movie ever produced.

The total length of the movie is said to be near 4 hours. I personally doubt if this is something the producers can maintain, since it is commercially not interesting. With such a duration only one screening can be programmed per evening. Four hours is long, but then again, there is a lot to tell: The Quidditch World Cup, The Triwizard Tournament, The Yule Ball and the grotesque and shocking finale.

Harry’s stay with the Dursleys was cut off the movie entirely. Actors Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursey) and Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley) were informed about their absence after production has already begun. The studio was under the impression ‘they knew’ they were not in it. The opening of the novel is very dark and eerie and I sincerely hope this was kept in.

Actors Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron) are reprising their roles and have not decided yet if they will do the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, scheduled for a 2007 release, let alone a sixth or seventh movie. Other actors reprising are Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Maggie Smith (Professor McConagall), Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy). Emma Thompson (Professor Trelawney) is not confirmed yet but is likely to reprise as well.

New Cast Members

Casting has progressed immensely the past couple of weeks and here’s a closer look at some of the new cast members:

Lord Voldemort (aka ‘You-Know-Who’ or ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’) – John Malkovich The American veteran as the ultimate bad guy with world dominating aspirations. He will be replaced a lot by CGI, mainly in the beginning of the movie. The previous months were dominated by rumors Voldemort would be played by Rowan Atkinson who is recovering from a depression and looking for something serious. Thank God these rumors proved to be false.

Madame Maxime – Frances de la Tour The French giantess Maxime and headmistress of the French delegation of the Triwizard Tournament. De La Tour is mainly known for her work in smaller American and Canadian productions and for her work in several TV shows. Initial casting took place in France, but the casting directors decided to go along with an American actress for the role of Madame Maxime, who is in for a romantic escapade with Hagrid.

Alistor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody – Brendan Gleeson The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, a position no one can ever maintain longer than a year at Hogwarts, with an all-seeing eye. Gleeson most recent part is in Troy. Gleeson is originally Irish and stars in many films, including Cold Mountain and Mission: Impossible II.

Cho Chang – Katie Leung Korean actress Katie Leung plays Harry’s love interest Cho Chang, briefly introduced in The Prisoner of Azkaban (the book that is). The casting process of Cho Chang took quite some months and she is an important character in the devepment of Harry (also into puberty).

Cedric Diggory – Robert Pattinson Pretty boy (as well as his father Amos Diggory) introduced in this book who has a key position in the finale. Also important in relation to Cho Chang, which will eventually have its effect on Harry and his relation to Cho Chang.

Viktor Krum – Stanislav Yanevski The Bulgarian Quidditch champion. Initial casting for Hermione’s love interest began in Sofia, Bulgaria, but then rumors arose it was a Scottish actor. Eventually, Bulgarian actor Stanislav Yanevski was cast.
Fleur Delacour – Clemence Poesy The French participant in the Triwizard Tournament. Her casting was just recently announced. Even the name of Kate Winslet came up for this role. Poesy is 21 years old already and has starred in a few French movies so far.

The only big parts still to be fulfilled are:
- Ludo Bagman – Head of Magical Games and Sports
- Barty Crouch – Percy Weasley’s boss at the Ministry of Magic (but hey, maybe he’s cast already )
- Bill and Charley Weasley – the two eldest Weasley brothers (but they may be left out).
- Rita Skeeter – gossip queen and bugger of Harry (may I suggest Jennifer Saunders?)