TFR reported some time ago that Daniel had been cast as beat generation poet, Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your Darlings. Now we have a batch of on-set images of him in full costume.

We must say, Dan is looking rather convincing in Ginsberg’s trademark attire: suit, sweater and scarf. Even the specs don’t give us Harry Potter flashbacks , being much larger and squarer than the round ones that he’s worn for the last decade or so. What’s more, he’s changed his eye colour to match Ginsberg’s own (brown), especially for the role.

We have also been given a glimpse of Dane DeHaan, who is starring alongside him. The Chronicle star plays Lucien Carr, a key figure in the beat movement.

Directed by John Krokidas, Kill Your Darlings will follow Ginsberg and his relationship with his friends and fellow beat generation writers, Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster), after David Kammerer (who was reportedly infatuated with Carr) was unexpectedly murdered. The film will chart their relationships and how they are tested in the aftermath.

Kill Your Darlings also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyra Sedgwick and recent breakout star, Elizabeth Olsen. The official release date is yet to be set, but the film is expected to reach cinemas some time during 2013.

Radcliffe certainly looks the part, but how will his portrayal be received? Click on the images below to see the full-sized picture, and let us know what you think!

The spine tingling thriller, starring Harry Potter‘s Daniel Radcliffe, has stayed at the top of the UK Box Office chart for three weeks and has earned an estimated £14,598,813 from 457 screens.

The film has managed to make more money than earlier major Hollywood horror productions, such as The Others and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, both of which were filmed in the UK, as well as featuring British actors including Erik Sykes and Gary Oldman.

The Woman in Black has even topped the takings of home-grown British horrors such as 28 Days Later  and Simon Pegg’s black comedy, Shaun of The Dead.

The Hammer hit has been just as successful in North America, taking in more than $50 million after just 25 days of release.

The Woman in Black, directed by James Watkins (The Descent Part 2 ), was adapted from the classic novel by Susan Hill. The spooky story has also been made into the popular play of the same name. It has been running in the West End since 1989, making it the second longest running, non-musical play in the history of the West End.

The record-breaking success of The Woman in Black was said to have ‘affirmed the re-birth of Hammer’ according to the President and CEO of Hammer, Simon Oakes.

According to Oakes, Hammer is set to produce more intelligent genre films like The Woman in Black this year; these include The Quiet Ones and Gaslight, both of which will shoot in the UK.

According to Xavier Marchand – the Managing Director of Momentum Pictures –  the film is close to reaching a staggering $100m in the worldwide Box Office Chart.

He was impressed with the recent UK Box Office record and said: ‘It shows how great British films can resonate not only here in the UK but also abroad. Congratulations to James Watkins, Daniel Radcliffe, Jane Goldman and all involved in The Woman in Black.”

The previous top British horror titles, according to figures by Rentrak, are:
The Others (2001) – £11,880,848
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1993) – £11,548,429
Interview With the Vampire (1995) – £10,674,956
Sleepy Hollow (2000) – £10,047,381
Shaun Of The Dead (2004) – £6,692,683
28 Days Later (2002) –  £6,296,734

The star of Harry Potter has been extremely busy since he left the franchise behind last year. He’s just finished his leading role in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway, and has been promoting his new film, The Woman in Black ever since.

The film which is released in the UK on Friday 10th February, will be shown at a special screening the day after in Leicester Square, with the lead actor dropping by to introduce it.

Based on The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, the book that spawned a chilling and successful stage production, Daniel plays Arthur Kipps, a recently widowed lawyer who leaves his son behind to deal with the affairs of the deceased owner of Eel Marsh House. While there he can feel a presence of a woman in the house with him.

If it is anything like the stage show, it is bound to be a suspense-filled ordeal for audiences. Jon Nutton, the Marketing Director of Empire Cinemas is pleased to welcome the actor:

“We’re very excited to have the star of such a hotly anticipated film coming to the cinema to talk to our audience about his latest success. Daniel Radcliffe is a big star on the UK Cinema scene so we are very proud to be playing host to him at our Leicester Square Cinema.”

What better way to kick off a special screening than to have the star introduce it?

The screening starts at 3pm Saturday 11th February. Members of the public can apply for tickets at: empirecinemas.co.uk or call 0871 4714 714

The actor who plays the most multi-layered and unpredictable character in the entire franchise,  Professor Severus Snape, has been there since the series began in 2001.

He was tricky to figure out from the off, what with his unexplained hatred for Harry and contradictory actions. Therefore any member of the audience who hadn’t read the books would have been surprised by the character’s final revelation in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, one that was performed beautifully by Alan Rickman who helped create an emotional and pivotal scene.

Daniel Radcliffe is complimentary of his co-star:

“I don’t think there is going to be another performance from an actor in a supporting role that is so powerful,” Radcliffe said, “where the actor had the challenge of realising a scene that’s been realised millions of times the world over in the imaginations of readers.”

Ten years and eight films built up to this moment. It must have been a tough challenge for him, and Radcliffe is keen to give credit where credit is due.

“That scene – those revelations about Snape’s past – represented maybe the most anticipated part … [of a] movie in the last 10 years,” Daniel added. “I think Alan does amazing, amazing work.”

We have to agree. And not just in the Harry Potter films. Few can forget his scene-stealing turn as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or his performance in the original Die Hard, not to mention Truly, Madly, Deeply or Galaxy Quest. In terms of Potter, he (and of course JK Rowling) kept us guessing the whole time who’s side he was on until the very end.

Fans are wholeheartedly in agreement with Daniel’s sentiment. After its release during the summer, the words ‘All of the awards!’ were repeated and reblogged all over the Harry Potter Tumblr and Twitter fandoms.

He’s become something of a national treasure. It’s shame that he will no doubt be snubbed come January.

Do you agree that Alan deserves an Oscar for his role as Severus Snape? Let us know.

Kill You Darlings, which was also co-written by Krokidas, is expected to detail the formation of the Beat Generation in mid-1940s New York. The story is likely to include the events surrounding Lucien Carr’s 1944 murder of his stalker, David Kammerer. According to Ginsberg “Lou [Carr] was the glue” that brought the beats together, but ended up in prison for the murder shortly after his introductions.

Originally, it was The Social Network‘s Jesse Eisenberg who was said to be attached to the role of Ginsberg, with Chris Evans and Ben Whishaw as Kerouac and Carr, respectively. However, with Whishaw recently being confirmed for the role of Q in the latest Bond film, Skyfall, and Evans taking over from James Franco in serial-killer drama, The Iceman, it is thought that these castings are also likely to change.

In fact, it was Franco who we last saw take on the role of Ginsberg, in the 2010 biopic, Howl. Several Beat legends, including Kerouac and Ginsberg, also appeared in footage which was recently compiled for Alison Ellwood and Alex Gibney’s documentary film, Magic Trip.

All eyes will no doubt be on Radcliffe over the coming year or two, to see which direction the 22-year-old actor will go in, now that his Harry Potter days have finally come to an end. Filming for Kill Your Darlings is thought to begin after Radcliffe finishes his Broadway stint, where he is currently appearing in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Filming of Kill Your Darlings will begin at the end of January. In the meantime, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is out on DVD tomorrow, and you can catch Dan in The Woman in Black in UK cinemas February 2012.

We’ll keep you posted!

The Harry Potter author, who is now worth a staggering £500 million, will be played by Australian actress Poppy Montgomery, best known for playing an FBI agent in Without A Trace.

Strange Magic, as it is known, will be a made-for-television movie filmed in Canada. It has been reported that the city of Victoria will stand in as Edinburgh, the author’s home town.

The story will follow her early years as an impoverished author, including how she came up with the idea for Harry Potter and her struggle to get it published.

Harry Potter, is as we all know, a hugely successful brand which is now worth £7 billion, largely due to the popular film adaptations of the book.

Talking of Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe has been busy making plans to secure his future after the spectacle-wearing wizard.

It has been confirmed that Radcliffe next foray into film will be in the film The Amateur Photographer. It is an indie comedy from the writer and director Christopher Monger. Yes, we know pairing the words ‘indie’ and ‘Radcliffe’ seem as likely as Harry and Voldermort sorting things out over a cup of tea down in Diagon alley, but that’s what it is. The idea of Radcliffe even doing comedy is pushing it we know, but it shows he is willing to step outside his Hogwarts bubble.

The story is set in a New England town in the 1970s. Radcliffe will play a young man with an unlikely artistic streak which he harnesses to photograph the towns’ people, capturing their most intimate moments. Sounds interesting, we wonder where the comedy comes into it?

Meanwhile he has just finished working on The Woman in Black and he is signed up to star in All Quiet on the Western Front as a German soldier next year. He is also returning to Broadway at the end of this month in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Phew, it’s good to know he’s keeping busy and that Rowling, the woman who gave him his spring board, is also still being recognised, even if it’s only in a made-for-television movie.

For someone like myself who isn’t a computer geek, the iPad looks a bit like something from Harry Potter itself. It’s like the photographs in the films which have moving images inside them. It felt like I had a little bit of magic in my hands. For Harry Potter fans this may be an ideal gadget, because not only can you watch films on it but you could load it up with the audio books, the Kindle book and the Lego game.

First impressions were about how light and thin it was – ideal for carrying around. Secondly it’s really easy to use, it kind of reminded of one of those touch toys you give to toddlers. Within three clicks I’m there, with access to all six films. It couldn’t be more convenient.

My only complaint with the iPad would be trying to position it if you are sitting on the sofa or lying in bed. I know you can buy stands for it, so that would definitely be something to invest in.

And the experience of watching the films themselves on the iPad? It was as good, if not better than watching them on a laptop.

Let me give you a brief outline of the movies so far..

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

This is when Harry first finds out he is a wizard at the age of eleven from Hagrid the half giant. During the course of the film Harry discovers he is in fact a very famous wizard, because he survived an attack form the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, who killed his parents.

Harry begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and becomes close friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Together they go on the hunt for the Philopher’s Stone which is somewhere in the school.

Watching this film again now,it is pretty amusing seeing how young they all look and there aren’t so many special effects as there are later.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Harry returns to Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione, but they’ve got rather a lot to deal with as The Chamber of Secrets opens, causing everyone to be absolutely petrified. Harry steps in to save the day, which involves finding a mysterious diary and realising he can speak Parseltongue. And it’s the first time we meet the much loved house elf, Dobby.

This second instalment is pretty slow moving, although it’s true to the book it really does drag a bit unless you’re a hard-core fan.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Again it starts with Harry returning to Hogwarts. The convicted murderer Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban Prison and Dementors are sent to protect the school. Harry learns more about his past and also what his relationship to Sirius is.

This one really steps up, it is visually stunning, exciting and there’s hints of a darkness that just isn’t present in the first two. It’s also quite amusing and touching at the same time, as Harry comes to terms with who he is.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

It’s Harry’s fourth year at school already and it’s time for the Triwizard Tournament, which is amazing in the book. Three European schools take part in the tournament and have to compete against each other in deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire selects the players and for some reason picks four instead of three, the final of whom is Harry.

The films are just getting better. The characters are getting more mature, and there is a great mix of drama, danger and the magic we all really loved from the first films.

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Things turn nasty for Harry, as the Ministry of Magic are in denial that Lord Voldermort has returned. Harry is dealing with Professor Umbridge and his rejection by the other students, while being a big part of the Order of the Phoenix, an organisation fighting against Voldermort.

Again it’s pretty dark but it feels like there might be something missing from this one. It’s as if it’s just rehashing the previous films.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Voldermort and the Death Eaters will step up their reign of terror this year. Dumbledore and Harry join forces to find a way to get rid of the Dark Lord once and for all. Meanwhile Draco Malfoy is trying to carry out a task that Voldermort has given him.

The sixth film has a much more mature feel to it, there is even romance in it. It looks great, but goes on a bit.

Yates should have just done that. Part I of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is really long, it goes on and on and to be honest not much happens. It is building up for the big finale, but to be honest I’d rather just watch that. I don’t really care about the bits in between. Yes it’s nice to see how the characters have grown up and how there is some weird sexual chemistry crackling between them, but that’s about it.

That’s not entirely fair though, the opening scene is spectacular. The mood is set entirely with the first spoken words of the film when the Minister of Magic says : “These are dark times, there’s no denying.”

Unlike the other films in the series, the gang do not return to Hogwarts. Instead they set off to find and destroy the Horcruxes, so that Voldermort, the evil one, can not regain his full powers and then kill Harry.

It is interesting seeing them out of the school context. They are of course in real life adults now and there is no denying this fact in the film. We all know that Emma Watson, played by Hermonie, is a model in her spare time and that elegance really shines in her character. Ron is a man, not just in looks, although you can’t deny the manly buffness he has developed, but in his character as well. There has been a shift in his relationship with Harry. Instead of being the gawky sidekick, he is now a strong and loyal wing man.

What is most extraordinary is that they have discovered their sexuality (and hair straighteners for Hermione). Ron is insanely jealous of Harry’s relationship with Hermione. It is weirdly similar to the recent TV show The Only Way is Essex, where Amy describes her man Kirk as ‘well jell’, which is about the only way to describe Ron at this point – well jell.

Ron stalks off in a jealous rage leaving Hermonie and Harry alone in the tent. This is the section of the film, which really drags. Literally nothing happens. Hermonie is peeved that Ron has left her and Harry really doesn’t have a clue what he is doing. As they sit in the tent acting like sulky teenagers, a song comes on the radio (Nick Cave’s O Children). Harry gets up and offers his hand to Hermonie to dance. It’s pretty awkward and they exchange a whole range of looks, some of which are pretty confusing to the viewer. What exactly is their friendship? Unfortunately we don’t ever find out, but it looks pretty darn sexual to me.

The scene is strange, as is a dream sequence Ron has where he envisions Harry and Hermonie writhing around naked and kissing passionately, which is juxtaposed with them wandering lost around Shaftesbury Avenue looking like children once again.

On top of all this, there are some genuinely scary bits where the adult audience around me literally jumped out of their seats. It’s curious that in a film which feels like nothing happens, is actually packed full of lots of little things which don’t really have much consequence but remain true to J.K Rowling‘s books.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, is a preamble on the way to the big one, but it seems to have lost its way a little bit and not be entirely sure who it is aimed at. If you didn’t know Harry Potter, if you hadn’t seen the other films or read the books, I am not sure what you would think of it. Three slightly mad kids, who all seem to fancy each other, fighting a man with half a nose.

What Harry Potter is and always has been good for is the great British cast which includes everyone Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes and so on.

If you love Harry Potter and are over 15, then I think you’ll like this. If you love Harry Potter but are under 15, it may go over your head a little and scare the life out of you and if you are any other age, I think you may be just a little bit confused, bored by it all and not even remotely hyped for the final instalment.

The bit where.. Dumbledore dies in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Wizardry, why? It’s the final scene, it’s moving and leaves us gagging for the final instalment.

The bit where… we see Voldemort for the first time in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Wizardry, why? We always knew he who must not be named would be pretty terrifying to look at, but when Professor Quirrell takes off his turban to reveal that Voldemort is alive at the back of his head, it’s very scary and really sets the scene for his reign of terror in the other films.

The bit where… Hermione gets all girl power on us and slaps Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Wizardry, why? Well, she stands up for what she believes is right and quite rightly gets upset when Malfoy sneers at the idea of Buckbeak being executed. He gets his comeuppance when she wacks him one.

The bit where… Harry visits Diagon Alley for the first time in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Wizardry, why? It’s his first time in London and, like all school kids, he needs to get all his stuff for the term. The secret world is exciting and gives us a taster of the wizardry world, us muggles will never get to enter.

The bit where… the Quidditch World Cup takes place in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Wizardry, why? It’s pretty great when something you read about comes to life, and even better when it is done well. This scene is truly spectacular. The stadium is as big as we hoped and the Death Eater’s attack is wonderfully terrifying when transferred from words to pictures.

The bit where… the Millennium Bridge is pretty much destroyed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Wizardry, why? As it’s a place that we all know, it seems that bit more scary when the Death Eaters come and destroy it. It looks really realistic and it’s always cool seeing famous landmarks being destroyed, isn’t it?

The bit where… when Ron rescues Harry in the flying car in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Wizardry, why? Ron acts like a bit of a bad ass and rescues his best mate. Aww. It’s a pretty crazy ride and Harry’s facial expressions are just priceless.

The bit where… Harry snogs Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix
Wizardry, why? He has a big crush on her, they work together well for the better in the D.A. sessions and it’s Harry’s hotly anticipated first kiss.

The bit where.. they all seem like teenagers for the first time at The Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Wizardry, why? Firstly the ballroom looks amazing, secondly Hermione looks beautiful, thirdly even Hagrid is feeling in the mood of love, and finally only bloody Jarvis Cocker is the singer in the band.

The bit where… Harry sees his parents in The Mirror of Erised in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Wizardry, why? Harry’s parents are quite a big part of the film even though they are dead, so it’s emotional seeing Harry looking at them in the mirror. It makes us really feel for the young boy and reminds us again what a nasty piece of work Voldemort is.