I was one of those devastated Harry Potter fans who vowed revenge on Warner Bros. back in November of 2007 for delaying the release of Half-Blood Prince some nine months.

Did I follow through on any of my threats to: a) boycott the movie; b) send some rather disturbing hate mail to the movie execs; or c) upload a crazed and teary YouTube video, ala Chris Crocker? No, I did not.

What I did do was haunt the various Harry Potter fansites for the smallest glimpse of anything that could be deemed as Half-Blood Prince news. I downloaded all of the trailers (and there was a bunch of them), I stared at all the press shots and movie stills for longer than was probably healthy – I basically stalked the movie, ok.

So what was my mood like on July 15 when I finally walked into that movie theatre, box of popcorn and jumbo Pepsi in hand, knowing that Half-Blood Prince, the film I’d dreamed about since its postponement was announced, was going to be rolling in just a few minutes?

Well, if I squealed like a fangirl every time I saw the Half-Blood Prince trailer, you can imagine my delight – scratch that, euphoria overload.

I was practically floating on cinematic-induced cloud 9.

Having read the book (more than once) I was more than a little familiar with the plot, so I was gasping and giggling and – yes – squealing well before the moments that garnered such responses had even appeared on screen.

Some of the funniest moments came, not from the film’s leading man, Daniel Radcliffe, but from lesser-known characters and actors, some of which were making their debut appearance in the sixth installment. Freddie Stroma’s Cormac McLaggen provided some stellar comedic moments, not in the least of which was his slightly stalkerish finger-suck-and-wink over a bowl of ice cream at Slughorn’s party.

I have to admit, I was a tad concerned at David Heyman’s decision to pair high doses of humour and teenage romance with the level of darkness and angst the sixth novel held. I was even more fearful of what the movie would entail when producer Heyman described the film as “fun” and all about “romance and relationships.”

Where’s the darkness, I wanted to scream; where’s the dramatic depth of the Sectumsempra scene?

Thankfully, and surprisingly, I guess I should say, the balance between darkness and the lightness of humour and romance really worked, and I wasn’t left under-whelmed in any way. In particular, the aforementioned Sectumsempra scene was another highlight, albeit an ominous one.

The movie’s only real downfall was the portrayal of Harry’s budding relationship with Ginny Weasley. Throughout their scenes together, Radcliffe seemed stiff and awkward, while on-screen partner Bonnie Wright appeared monotonic and downright bland.

The big kissing scene was actually uncomfortable to watch, and despite the fact that I wasn’t thrilled about Harry and Ginny as a pairing to start with, I was left feeling pretty disappointed by the end of the two-second smooch. All I can say is, thank God it was only two seconds long, and not a full on pash, or I might have gagged into my box of popcorn.

The stand-out of the entire film was definitely Draco Malfoy.

The actor behind Harry Potter’s arch nemesis, Tom Felton, did a brilliant job in capturing the right level of emotion required to really makes fans of the series feel sorry for a character they have previously never sympathized with.

His journey from schoolboy to a soldier of Lord Voldemort’s was a key theme in the movie, and Felton’s acting was spot-on where it should be, over-the-top where it should be, and other times utterly heartbreaking in its authenticity.

Truly, Felton really stepped it up a notch or two in this film, leaving me feeling that he – and not Radcliffe or Grint or Watson – is the shining light at the end of this very long Potter tunnel. I think I can safely predict that the 21-year-old has a bright and lucrative career ahead of him.

That being said, I can’t leave off without admitting how adorable I found Rupert Grint (who plays Ron Weasley) in his Quidditch uniform. If it was up to me, Grint would appear in every single scene, and he would be decked out in tight, yet totally adorkable, Quidditch garb the entire time.

Hot.

And with that emission of fangirlish hormones, I think I’ve come full circle.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is in cinemas worldwide from July 15.

Daniel Radcliffe has targeted homophobes across the globe in a new interview with Attitude magazine, labeling them as “disgusting,” stupid animals who are “thick” and “scared.”

“I just loathe homophobia,” he said. “It’s just disgusting and animal and stupid and it’s just thick people who can’t get their heads around it and are just scared.”

The Harry Potter star – who recently celebrated his 20th birthday – told the gay magazine that while he wasn’t gay (he’s happily dating his Equus co-star, Laura O’Toole) he had no problem with homosexuality, and fully supported the lifestyle choice.

“I grew up around gay people entirely,” the young actor said. “I was the only child in my class who had any experience of homosexuality or anything like that.”

Radcliffe recently came under fire about his own sexuality, and was forced to explain at a recent red carpet event for new film Half-Blood Prince that while he was “flattered” by the rumours, he didn’t bat for the other team.

[Source]

He might have a “gay face” and a penchant for wearing pink and paisley print together, but Daniel Radcliffe insists he isn’t gay… kind of.

The Harry Potter actor responded to his own gay rumours when answering a question regarding series author J.K. Rowling’s outing of her beloved character Albus Dumbledore last year.

“I think it’s wonderful that Dumbledore was outed as gay… Half of me thinks Jo Rowling just did that to see if she could p**s off the right wing, but I’m not sure how true that is. I think she had it planned, I think she always knew he was gay,” he said.

He then turned his response towards his own sexual orientation, alluding that he’s straight despite how gay his appearance may be, without actually saying the word “straight”.

“I grew up around gay people my entire life, basically, that’s possibly why I’m quite camp, and some people think I’m gay when I meet them, which I think is awesome,” Radcliffe explained. “It’s always good to keep them guessing [laughs].”

The actor continued: “I don’t go on any blogs or chats or anything, but my friends are demons for them, and apparently someone said ‘Daniel Radcliffe is gay. He’s got a gay face!’ [laughs] I really don’t know what a gay face is.”

Hmm. Well, if girls everywhere were waiting for a Radcliffe admission on which way his door swings before they made their move… I guess they’ll have to keep waiting, because that wasn’t it. Not even close.

Although, he did admit to having a crush on Potter co-star Emma Watson in recent times. Perhaps that is proof enough.

[Source]

Daniel Radcliffe isn’t quite sure why girls find him attractive, especially not when they could turn their attentions to a more worthy candidate, in the Harry Potter actor’s view – his onetime co-star and Twilight hunk, Robert Pattinson.

At Thursday’s NYC premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Radcliffe told Usmagazine.com: “Rob Pattinson is a sex symbol. Rob Pattinson is a genuine sexy guy. He’s got the height.

“If girls like short and nerdy, then I’m a sex symbol!”

While Radcliffe is keen to sing Pattinson’s praises on the attractiveness front, the 19-year-old admitted that he hadn’t spoken to his former Potter co-star in years, but had high hopes for a reconciliation at a premiere or two somewhere down the track.

“I’ve said probably three words to him in the last three years and that was before Twilight all kicked off,” Radcliffe said. “But I wish him well. Hopefully, I’ll see him at some point. He’s bound to turn up at one of these [premieres] at some point.”

Sounds to me like Radcliffe has got himself a bit of a man-crush! If he’s lucky, maybe Pattinson will stop by for coffee when he moves back to the U.K. (which, given his dislike for all things screaming-fangirl, could be pretty soon).

[Source]

Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint has finally admitted that he has a crush on his wizarding co-star, Emma Watson.

The 20-year-old said he found it easy to see why Watson was so popular with male Potter fans, because she’s a “pretty girl” who everyone on set simply adores. He also put fellow co-star Daniel Radcliffe in the firing line, stating that both Potter leading men have a thing for the 19-year-old, who plays Hermione Granger in the hit Warner Bros. franchise.

“A lot of people think there’s something going on [between me and Emma Watson] because I have to kiss her on film soon,” Grint said. “I’ll be honest with you, it’s not something I’d say I’m dreading.”

Grint added: “Emma’s a pretty girl. Have Daniel or I ever hit on Emma? Well, she’s quite popular with the cast. As for who has the worst crush on her – me or Radcliffe – I’d rather not say.”

The sixth installment in the Harry Potter series, Half-Blood Prince, opens in cinemas this week. The last film – to be split in two because of its size – will begin production later this month.

[Source]

If Zac Efron gets his way, except tweens across the globe to start having heart palpitations and collapsing in the streets.

The High School Musical star, who can’t seem to forge his own path in the entertainment industry, is looking to steal rival Daniel Radcliffe’s, er, thunder, by taking over the Harry Potter actor’s role in the controversial Broadway hit, Equus.

After seeing the number of accolades Radcliffe has received since first appearing naked on stage in Britain, Efron has decided that a stint in the stage production could be just what he needs to break out of his Disney-friendly roles.

“You know that Daniel Radcliffe role on Broadway, well it’s been mentioned,” Efron let slip at the premiere of his new film, High School Musical 3.

Oh, please! Efron, naked on Broadway?! If that happens, I’m gonna need a bucket, some Vicodin, and a blindfold. And not necessarily in that order.

[Source]

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has admitted that he has a secret fetish for wearing dresses.

The 19-year-old, who’s been trying to break out of his boy wizard mould by performing nude on Broadway in Equus, revealed to Details magazine that he “wouldn’t mind” doing a bit of cross-dressing, if the opportunity presented itself.

“I think part of me would love to play a drag queen,” Radcliffe said, “just because it would be an excuse to wear loads of eye makeup.”

This statement comes for the boy who says he has fantasies about the British (male!) cricketing team. Is he trying to alienate his admiring female audience?!

Not to mention, his Details cover does look a little transvestite-ish…

[Source]

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has admitted he suffers from a mild form of dyspraxia, a brain disorder that if often associated with clumsiness and learning difficulties.

The star of J.K. Rowling’s epic series said that while he’s not as affected by the disorder as some sufferers, he still has trouble with simple tasks, like tying his shoelaces and writing.

“I sometimes think, ‘Why, oh why, has Velcro not taken off?’” he joked in a recent interview to promote his Broadway debut in the play Equus.

But it’s not so bad, Radcliffe said, as the dyspraxia was the reason he got into acting – and subsequently won him the role that made him a millionaire before he was 18 – in the first place.

Radcliffe explained that because he wasn’t doing so well at school, he turned his sights to the world of acting, a decision his mother wasn’t originally pleased with.

“My mother said, ‘Oh no you don’t,’” when he first voiced his desire to act at the tender age of five.

However, she finally allowed him to audition for the role of David Copperfield in a BBC version of the Dickens classic to boost his confidence, and the rest, they say, is history.

“I was having a hard time at school in terms of being c**p at everything, with no discernible talent,” Radcliffe said.

Dr. David Younger, a leading authority on dyspraxia from the New York University Medical School, said it was a testiment to Radcliffe’s acting that he has been able to hide his condition until now.

“I’m a big fan of the whole Harry Potter series and I am surprised Daniel Radcliffe suffers from dyspraxia,” the neurologist said.

“He clearly suffers from a mild form, but the fact he shows no sign of it at all is a great tribute to his acting skills and makes him a role model for other people with this condition.”

Dr. Younger added: “In the majority of children and young people with dyspraxia, we cannot find the cause so the basic treatment is occupational therapy – teaching them to make a plan for their actions and rehearse their movements.”

Radcliffe’s spokeswoman confirmed that the 19-year-old was suffering from the brain disorder, highlighting that he was only mildly affected by it.

“Yes, Dan Radcliffe does have dyspraxia,” the spokeswoman said. “This is something he has never hidden. Thankfully his condition is very mild and at worst manifests itself in an inability to ties his shoe laces and bad handwriting.”

Radcliffe’s new movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, won’t be released until July 2009, after Warner Bros. pushed back the release date eight months, citing the writer’s strike and monetary gain as the reason for the shift.

[Source]

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has revealed that a mystery Australian girl has stolen his heart, and he’s now searching for her, with the help of the News Ltd. paper.

The 18-year-old ‘boy wizard’ explained that he met the young woman backstage at the recent AFI Awards, and was so captivated by her that he’d like nothing more than to see her again and tell her that.

“[She] stared at [me] all night,” Radcliffe explained to the Daily Telegraph. “[It was] like she wanted to pounce on me.”

After Radcliffe’s search for the unknown girl failed, News Ltd. launched a campaign on their website to help find his mystery love.

Whether or not the girl is located, Radcliffe says he loves Australia so much that he’s hoping to return with his friends soon, possibly in time for the next Ashes cricket series.

[Source]

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has begun preparations for his upcoming Broadway debut, which will see him reprise the role of Alan in Peter Shaffer’s psychological stage drama Equus.

The 18-year-old boy wizard will drop his pants in front of a New York audience when the production goes on show in the States this fall.

Previews will begin on September 5 at the Broadhurst Theatre, with an official opening night scheduled for September 25.

Though Radcliffe is excited about starring on Broadway, he’s a little anxious that his 10-minute nude scene won’t go down as well in the Big Apple as it did in London.

“It will be amazing,” Radcliffe said, “but I will be terrified because I was talking to [costar] Richard Griffiths about playing New York, and he said the most stupid thing you can do is underestimate New York audiences.”

[Source]