It should be obvious, at this point, to any observer:  the world loves Harry Potter.  Not just America, or even the Western World, but the whole World – Planet Earth.  The first of the last three movies based on the successful series by British author JK Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, came out last week, leaving only two more movies to cover the final book in this epic saga of magic.  It will be another two years before the movies are released to the public and the mixed tears of both unrelenting sadness and joy are shed, which gives both Rowling and the studio (Warner Bros.) time to consider the all-important question: what’s next?

After the last book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, was released two years ago, JK Rowling stated in many different interviews that the series would not continue – she felt the characters had been brought to completion, and included a halfhearted “look at the characters in the future!” epilogue as if to prove she was serious.  However, she’s not likely to stay away forever, and the reasons are simple:  the world adores her work, she’s made millions from the series, and, most importantly, this magical realm lives inside her head in a very real way.

The best authors, when creating imaginary worlds, construct them in their heads piece-by-piece and treat it as if it were real – J.R.R. Tolkien and Rowling have this trait in common.  But when these imaginary worlds become a part of the author’s life for so long, Tolkien for the better part of his, and Rowling for the last twelve years, their very existence becomes entwined.  Evidence of this can easily be seen in the fact that Tolkien could not leave Middle Earth, even after all the books were completed, or that Rowling will offhandedly refer to a previously-unknown fact like “Dumbledore is gay” as if it were obvious to the outside world.

Rowling has already revisited the magical land of Harry Potter once, to write “The Tales of Beetle the Bard” and a few more times as a consultant for the production of the movies – who’s to say she can stay away for good?  The options for her to return to the series are many and varied, with most of them being great ideas in and of themselves.  A few storyarcs come to mind almost immediately:

• Voldemort’s first ascent to power, just prior to Harry’s being born, with the original Order of the Phoenix
• James, Sirius, and the rest of the gang as they grow up through Hogwart’s themselves
• “parallel” novels following important, but not central, characters such as Luna Lovegood or Neville Longbottom, intertwining plotlines with the existing books
• Dumbledore’s past, including the adventures (and eventual battle) with Grindelwald

The options for the growth of the world are nearly endless, and it can be done delicately and appropriately without offending fans of the current series or appearing to continue the “Harry Potter grows up” storyline past its already obvious end.

Additionally, these movies have been a huge source of fame and fortune for Rowling, so much so that it’s easy to question whether she can financially leave the world.  Without ever writing again, she will be able to live comfortably and without much thought for finances, but she will eventually get bored with having nothing to do – as everyone does.  When that time comes, she may consider finding a job to occupy her time, and will know that she lives as she does thanks to her writing career.  Logic follows that she will pick up the pen and word processor once again, with the legions of Harry Potter devotees hoping she result is another chapter in the series.

Harry Potter has become an international, multigenerational sensation that will live on forever in the hearts and minds of its fans, future readers, and the halls of literary greats.  Other modern commercial successes, such as Twilight, do not and cannot live up to the precedent that Rowling has set for young adult fantasy novels, no matter how hard book publishers or movie studios try – pure genius is self-evident.  An intelligent, creative woman at the age of 43, JK Rowling has many years ahead of her to decide what the future holds for Harry Potter – and whether or not to continue the largest love affair the modern world has ever seen.

Kyle Brady is a contributing columnist for the Inquisitr, an entrepreneur, and has a future in science fiction.  He can be found at his blog, via email, or on Twitter.

Harry Potter and the Worldwide Love Affair is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to Mugglenet which describes itself as the ultimate Harry Potter fan site:

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a fantasy adventure film based on the book of the same title, finds Harry and his friends returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their sixth year.

The film contains moderate threat. The moderate threat occurs in one quite scary sequence in which Harry and Professor Dumbledore are attacked by menacing looking creatures that have emerged from an underground lake. Harry is pulled into the lake and dragged beneath the water. The scene has the potential to upset younger or more sensitive children.

In another scene Draco Malfoy kicks Harry (below screen) and appears to break his nose; blood can be seen on Harry’s face. Tables are turned later on in the film when Harry defeats Malfoy in a wand battle in the school toilets. Malfoy, who is rendered unconscious, has several bloodstains on his white shirt and his blood can be seen to mix with and cloud the water on the flooded floor.

Malfoy, however, is soon completely healed by a nearby teacher. The film contains mild language including the words ‘God’, ‘bloody’, tosser’, ‘sod’, ‘hell’ and ‘git.’”

Whoa! Talk about spilling the beans in a big way!

So based on what’s quoted above, will you be going to see the new Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

[Props to Mugglenet]

New “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Detials Emerge Online is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New Harry Potter Trailer

Watch the new Harry Potter trailer for yourself below.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hits theaters July 15. That’s two days earlier than its most recently publicized release date of July 17. You can find more about the film, including images and a synopsis, at the official Warner Brothers site.

Watch the New Harry Potter Trailer Now is a post from: The Inquisitr

A new (and final) international trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has been released, offering new scenes from the movie.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling and is the sixth film in the popular Harry Potter film series. It is directed by David Yates, the director of the fifth film, and sees the the cast return for what could be the last film in the series; least they’re getting so old now that it would be hard for future movies to be believable.

Originally due out in April, the movie has been pushed back for a July release.

Here’s the new Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Trailer:

New Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Trailer is a post from: The Inquisitr

A new international trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been released, showing new footage from the film not previously seen.

As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously “This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince” and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort’s dark past.

The movie is due out July 2009.