Big Changes Coming to Pottermore with New WIzarding World Website

Since 2012, Pottermore has been the digital heart of the wizarding world. Keeping fans updated with  the latest news in J.K. Rowling's series, we've been visiting the site as a home away from Hogwarts to take quizzes and learn new info about on our favorite fantasy series. But it seems the digital hub for Harry Potter admirers is conjuring a new look and purpose starting on or around May 15th, 2019.

In a recent newsletter sent by Pottermore to its users, the site announced that all of our favorite quizzes, articles and features will be moved to WizardingWorld.com.

From the official release:

Wizarding World Digital – a new joint venture between Pottermore and Warner Bros. – will be bringing out new digital experiences in the coming months. Wizarding World Digital will be responsible for managing WizardingWorld.com and Pottermore.com, including their registered user databases (aka – including you). The switchover is planned on or around 15 May 2019.

As Pottermore Ltd is the current data controller for your personal information, your data will transfer over to Wizarding World Digital LLC and Wizarding World Digital Ltd on that date. Now, that may all sound like Parseltongue. So, to read more about our privacy policy and how your data will be used and processed in the future click here.

With millions of fans registered to Pottermore and were sorted into one of the Hogwarts houses, discovered their patronus, and let the wand choose them, the beloved activities will be heading to WizardingWorld.com with promising additional features.

This isn't the first transformation Pottermore has made. In 2012, the site initially acted as an interactive experience for fans to explore J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series chapter by chapter to win house points, cast spells, and build their witch or wizard identity. Later in 2015, Pottermore was revamped to remove the interactive elements and become a digital encyclopedia / news site.

Pottermore and Warner Bros's recent announcement comes off the heels of a major logo change for J.K. Rowling's wizarding world in 2018, one that can be found on new products for Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, as well as the opening title credits for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

A different magic comes our way. We'll find out in all of the latest details soon. Stay tuned!

Next Fantastic Beasts Sequel Gets New Release Date

Warner Bros. Pictures

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald left Newt Scamander and his friends reuniting with Albus Dumbledore in an effort to stop Gellert Grindelwald's rise to power. As the second film of the five-planned films for Fantastic Beasts, fans have been anxious waiting news for its next installment.

Pottermore and Fantastic Beasts Film were the first to announce that "Fantastic Beasts 3" has a new release date: November 12, 2021

Ron Sanders, President of Worldwide Theatrical Distribution and Home Entertainment, released the following statement: 

"J.K. Rowling created an awe-inspiring universe that has captivated people of all ages, taking us on an extraordinary magical journey,’ he said. ‘Warner Bros. is so proud to be the cinematic home of the Wizarding World and is excited about the future of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise. We look forward to bringing the third chapter of the five-film series to audiences around the globe in November 2021."

Toby Emmerich, Chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group also added: "We are incredibly excited about and have confidence in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series. We all believe this release date will give the filmmakers time and space to allow their artistry to truly flourish and deliver the best possible film to our fans."

Crimes of Grindelwald was released to mix reviews by both fans and critics and ended up grossing $653.6 million at the box office. With extra time to hone in the story and author J.K. Rowling's cast of heroes and villains, Fantastic Beasts has a little more freedom to improve where Crimes of Grindelwald didn't exactly match up to the fandom's expectations.

Word had it that the film was originally expected to release in November 2020. There is no official explanation on why the production was delayed, but there could be any number of reasons from securing the actors in-between other projects to allotting Rowling more time to pen the screenplay as her schedule allows.

The next film will mark three years to the date that Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hit theaters. Production will begin in Spring 2020. Director David Yates is set to return with Rowling as screenwriter.

Stay tuned to Potter Talk for more info as its updated for Newt Scamander's next set of adventures.

Harry Potter Alliance Launches Its 10th Annual Worldwide Book Drive

For ten years, The Harry Potter Alliance has been collecting donated books from fans around the world to give to communities in need and advocate for libraries. In celebration of its tenth year, the HPA's latest inspiring plan is to surpass 400,000 books to support literary organizations and partner with We Need Diverse Books to diversify public and personal library collections.

From the official press release:

This year, the HPA is partnering with Reading is Fundamental, the nation’s largest children’s literacy non-profit, to send books to fantastic organizations in New York City (The Book Fairies), Chicago (Bernie’s Book Bank), and California (San Ardo Elementary School). The Accio Books campaign runs from April 18 to May 31. During that time, Harry Potter fans will host book drives and donate books to Reading is Fundamental and within their local communities in 38 countries around the world.

Since 2009, Accio Books has helped save libraries, inspire readers, and put books in the hands of kids in need around the world. Over the course of 10 years, the HPA has donated books to hundreds of literacy organizations, worked with librarians to advocate for millions of dollars in library funding, and trained thousands of wizard activists to organize their communities, lead campaigns, and change the world. For their tenth year, the HPA plans to surpass 400,000 books donated around the world, support 70 literacy organizations, and partner with We Need Diverse Books to diversify public and home library collections!

Founded in 2005, the Harry Potter Alliance is an international nonprofit that turns fans into heroes by making activism accessible through the power of story. Through past Accio Books campaigns, the HPA has helped build new libraries in Brooklyn, Uganda, and Rwanda; restocked multiple libraries in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria; provided stocked libraries and educational programs in the United Kingdom and Kansas City; and held book giveaways for children in San Diego and Detroit and immigrant and refugee families in the Netherlands.

J.K. Rowling's inspiring Harry Potter series has been inspired generations of readers to believe in the power of storytelling. Fans who are looking to make a difference and spread the magic of literature and reading can visit thehpalliance.org/accio_books to find out how to mail books, donate locally, host their own book drives, take action with We Need Diverse Books and more.

The HPA will also host a series of livestream events to help fans get involved wherever they live. You can find out instructions for mailing, event information, and resources on the HPA official website. 

Congratulations to The Harry Potter Alliance and Accio Books for its incredible contribution to aspiring readers everywhere!

7 Underrated Scenes I Loved About Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald

Warner Bros. Pictures

Fantastic Beasts and The Crimes of Grindelwald was met with division within the fanbase of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world. The spin-off has three more movies to go with so much more story and character development to explore. While there are understandably reasons to disagree or question big changes to the series, there is also still plenty more meaningful, charming, and shocking moments to love.

Here are seven underrated scenes to love about the Fantastic Beasts sequel. This post contains spoilers, so don't move forward reading this post if you haven't seen the film. Otherwise I hope you enjoy the post! 

Which scenes do you love from this latest adventure in the wizarding world? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Harry Potter And Fantastic Beasts Stars Give A Sneak Preview of Gringotts Bank Expansion

Warner Bros Studio Tour London Gringotts Bank

Do you have your key ready? The Gringotts Bank expansion at Warner Bros Studios Tour London is about to officially open to the public on April 6th, 2019. To celebrate the occasion, Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter Matt Edmondson hosted the sneak preview on the Warner Bros Studio Tour London social media channels.

The presenter met up with guests invited to the event, interviewing stars from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Claudia Kim (Nagini) and Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) were on hand to talk about their experiences while exploring the new expansion and what they would hide in one of Gringotts's vaults.

Our host @MattEdmondson will be sharing live updates from the #Gringotts launch event tonight! Watch for goblins, galleons and some very special guests. pic.twitter.com/ofxdwl5cKG

— WB Tour London (@wbtourlondon) April 2, 2019