‘Order Of The Phoenix’ Casts Luna Lovegood
Author: Stephen Gerding
February 3rd, 2006
Principle photography hasn’t started just yet, but the Harry Potter movie news is already starting to leak out for the next installment in the boy wizard’s story. “Order of the Phoenix” starts shooting February 6th under the direction of British filmmaker David Yates, and there are quite a few additions to the already huge cast.
Joining the stellar cast are Imelda Staunton (Nanny McPhee, Vera Drake) as Dolores Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; George Harris (The Interpreter, Black Hawk Down) as Kingsley Shacklebolt; Helen McCrory (Casanova, Enduring Love) as Bellatrix Lestrange; Natalia Tena (Mrs. Henderson Presents, About a Boy) as Nymphadora Tonks; Kathryn Hunter (All or Nothing, Orlando) as Mrs. Figg; and 14 year-old newcomer Evanna Lynch, who beat over 15,000 hopefuls at an open casting call to win the role of Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw student who becomes an important ally of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s.
EDIT: A second publicity shot of Ms. Lynch is available for viewing here.
Full press release after the jump.
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
COMMENCES PRODUCTION FOR WARNER BROS. PICTURES
~ Young Cast Returns and Welcomes New Members to the Ensemble ~
BURBANK, CA, February 2, 2006 – Principal photography will commence February 6 at England’s Leavesden Studios on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter novel series.
Directed by award winning British filmmaker David Yates (The Girl in the Café, Sex Traffic, State of Play), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is produced by Harry Potter film series producer David Heyman and David Barron, from a screenplay by Michael Goldenberg (Where the Wild Things Are, Peter Pan, Contact).
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as close-knit teen wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The production also welcomes back production designer Stuart Craig, costume designer Jany Temime, creature effects supervisor Nick Dudman, special effects supervisor John Richardson and visual effects supervisor Tim Burke. The director of photography is Slawomir Idziak (King Arthur, Black Hawk Down) and the editor is Mark Day (The Girl in the Café, State of Play).
Joining the stellar cast are Imelda Staunton (Nanny McPhee, Vera Drake) as Dolores Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; George Harris (The Interpreter, Black Hawk Down) as Kingsley Shacklebolt; Helen McCrory (Casanova, Enduring Love) as Bellatrix Lestrange; Natalia Tena (Mrs. Henderson Presents, About a Boy) as Nymphadora Tonks; Kathryn Hunter (All or Nothing, Orlando) as Mrs. Figg; and 14 year-old newcomer Evanna Lynch, who beat over 15,000 hopefuls at an open casting call to win the role of Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw student who becomes an important ally of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager’s recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Fearing that Hogwarts’ venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort’s return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge’s Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves “Dumbledore’s Army,†Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in 2007.
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53 Responses to “‘Order Of The Phoenix’ Casts Luna Lovegood”
February 2nd, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Wow! I can’t wait for another mediocre and lifeless adaptation of these wonderful books!
February 2nd, 2006 at 5:35 pm
This one very well may NOT be mediocre and lifeless. David Yates is a BRILLIANT director. He’s the man responsible for my favorite show of all time, “State of Play,” an unbelievable BBC Telvision program that received RAVE reviews and garnered some major British awards. Also, he directed last years “The Girl in the Cafe” which garnered two Golden Globe noms for best acting.
David Yates may be the finest director the Harry Potter films have seen thus far. Let’s hope they give him a good script.
February 2nd, 2006 at 7:05 pm
And the last 2 Harry Potters weren’t mediocre and lifeless.
February 2nd, 2006 at 8:55 pm
I’ll grant you three had its moments because it had a director who had the balls to stray from the books a little. But overall, yes, they were mediocre and lifeless. Four was useless. It didn’t convince me that it had any good reason to exist.
February 3rd, 2006 at 6:53 am
adunc, I’ll grant you a warm cup of shut the hell up.
February 3rd, 2006 at 7:31 am
You’ve defended your opinion very well. Kudos.
February 3rd, 2006 at 9:06 am
Please see my previous response.
February 3rd, 2006 at 9:41 am
Seriously, thanks for proving my point.
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:58 am
Shouldn’t you be working? Anyway, the first 2 films are mediocre and lifeless — they are the books on film literally, with zero artistry. The 3rd and 4th films, however, have some real heart, especially the 4th one — the inter-school dance scene, the showdown with He Who Must Not Be Named, Cedric’s death. I saw the movie with friends who’ve read the books and friends who haven’t and the girls were on the verge of tears. My biggest gripe with GOBLET was that the maze felt a little rushed and wasn’t that threatening, but for an adaptation of a 600 page book, I thought it pulled it off with wit and class.
February 3rd, 2006 at 12:48 pm
The last movie was great…the death of a student Cedric Diggory) was very moving. Its my favorite one so far…but this is strictly opinion only.
February 3rd, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Jenn, don’t sell yourself short. Since I agree with you, what you say is FACT.
February 3rd, 2006 at 1:37 pm
i happen to love all the books. So far and the movies have been very close to the books. I do have to say thou,they did leave some stuff out but what can you expect the books always go into more detail. but the movies bring things alive that you can only dream about.
February 3rd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
personally i think they left a hell of a lot out of the 4th moviethey left 3 whole characters out that were very important t the movie !!!! ok maybe not that important but they had their parts and i didnt like the movie that much because of itthey are just tryingto make the movie their own and that is disrespectful to J.K Rowling i think!!!!
February 3rd, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Im a HUGE fan of all the Harry Potter books and movies. I enjoy the books more because they go into much more detail but if the movies had that much detail then they would last all day. I’m extremely excited about the fifth movie and if it is as good as the last four I’m sure i will enjoy it immensely
February 3rd, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I think you are totally right Clyre. They left out too much. I call a re-do!!! They are disrespecting J.K. Rowling and insulting us as Harry Potter fans!!!! As for those poor souls that had never read the books, well, I’m sure they were pretty darn lost!
February 3rd, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I happen to agree with Daniel. The first two movies were the books right down to a “T.” They did a wonderful job of introducing the characters that we have come to know and care about. The third and fourth films were very good in capturing what it is like for the characters and their growing pains. Goblet was very imaginative and the maze scene was rushed a bit to me too, however overall I have to say that it is my favorite film so far. I have read all of the books so far and there wasn’t anything that you couldn’t fill in for yourself on the parts that were left out. I’m sure that the next director will do what he can to insure a strong film just like the other four have been.
February 3rd, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Well, I love Harry Potter all around I think the stories are great and I can not waite for the next book and movie, The cast sounds amazing and im sure it will be wonderfully directored. GO HARRY!!!!
February 3rd, 2006 at 10:14 pm
Well said, Stacey! Take that, adunc!
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:34 pm
I have enjoyed all the books and movies immensely. Number 3 was my favorite movie so far. I hope that for movie #5 they bring back the Harry Potter theme tune! And bring back John Williams for the movie score, he was sadly missed in #4.
February 4th, 2006 at 10:18 am
With all due respect, I really think a lot of people just get caught up in the hype on these films. Again, ok, three had its moments, but overall one, two and four suffer from being A) straight translations and B) rushed. If you step back and look at them, you’ll see they’re nothing more than serviceable and mediocre at best. These are competent, but not “good” films.
I think four — even if you haven’t read the book — is a choppy, laborious muddle at best. There’s just not a lot of tension to tie all the plot threads together — no real tangible threat and anxiety like Rowling is able to communicate in the books. I think the people who made it probably did the best they could given the time constraints. But Dan, come on — class and heart? “Million Dollar Baby” and “Finding Nemo” have class and heart. The Harry Potter films are obviously just celluloid dollars to the studios.
This all said, hey, maybe five will be good. You guys let me know.
February 4th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Luna is such a cute, weird, goofy, lovable kinda character. But with that look on Evanna’s face, I ono. I hope she changes that look on her face completely when the movie gets here next year. That’s honestly not how I imagined Miss Lovegood. AT ALL.
February 4th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
I can’t disagree more on 4 being a direct translation of the book. If anything, it altered and changed things more than ever. The dance scene? I thought it was really refreshing to see an band that kids of today would actually like, as as opposed to the stereotypical garbage we usually see in those scenes in Hollywood films. They didn’t skimp on Cedric’s murder, which was really important, and they got rid of Dobby (thank CHRIST) and the usual Malfoy/Potter standoffs we’ve seen in every film. So yes, class and wit. P.S. you ever read the Godfather? They cut so much out of that book, but no one says anything because The Godfather novel was not the phenomenom that the Potter books are. I have to disagree and say that people aren’t getting caught up in the hype. Most critics felt the first 2 Potters were mediocre, and they were right –if ever there was a time to be caught in the hype, it was with the first films of the series.
February 4th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
The Godfather? No one says anything about The Godfather film in relation to the book because The Godfather film is not only an adaptation, it’s an artistic and literate masterpiece. I don’t think it’s even fair to HP4 to compare the two, man. I mean, what American film is going to compete with The Godfather?
And no, the book The Godfather wasn’t a phenomenon like Potter, but it was a gigantic bestseller before the movie. So, a lot of people had read it. In fact, I think Coppola was under a lot of pressure because the book was so popular, people were afraid at what he was going to do with it.
Also, my arguments against the film don’t matter whether you’ve read the books or not. Harry Potter 4 is merely ok. It’s nothing special.
February 5th, 2006 at 7:40 am
Let’s keep running in circles! I watched X-Men last night (I was sick as a dog) and loved it all over again. It’s a relatively small movie, not on the scale of the second, but man, how can you say there’s no tension or drama? When was the last time you watched those? I’ll lend them to you if you ever want to revisit.
February 5th, 2006 at 11:10 am
There’s no tension or drama because they’re predictable. You know where it’s going, you know what’s going to happen, you know how the characters are going to act even if you haven’t read the comics.
Sure, there are a couple interesting scenes: like in the second one where the Iceman dude “comes out” as a mutant to his parents? That was great because it showed maybe the movie was smart, there was a subtext to the scene — something extra and unexpected. Unfortunately the rest is just dull, routine noise.
Again, I have to explain myself: it’s not like I think HP4 or the X-Men movies are bad — they are not bad by any stretch of the imagination. Something like “The Hours” to me is much worse.
But I still fail to see what exactly is so special about them. There are so many more interesting movies/TV shows/whatever to watch…like, why would you watch X-Men more than once? What is so interesting about it that it bears rewatching? You know me, man — I’m not thinking it has to say something deep about the human condition or whatever, but I just don’t get the atraction.
February 5th, 2006 at 11:24 am
I haven’t seen a single word about O.W.L.’s in the plot description for the movie. Will they be pushed out of the picture? This is why the DA was created in the first place. Will the Weasly twins return? It’s going to be hard to get thru all this without them or the OWL’s.
BTW: If Yates is reading this, sir, don’t worry if the film is long. If kids will read a book for 6 hours in a row, a couple extra screen minutes will not kill anyone.
February 5th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I personally think that they are disrespecting J.k’s books! I mean the 4th movie was shortend way to much!!!!! The dragon scene was way too long. The Yule Ball was too short also!!!!! Hopefully they put their heads together and make a better 5th movie.
February 5th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Well, I’ve watched all of the films, but have not read the books so my opinion is movie based only. I thought 1 and 2 were very good. Movie 3 was alright, I thought it dragged in places. Movie 4, Goblet, was entertaining yes, but lacked something I can’t put my finger on. It also dragged a bit, I mean all the hype of Voldermort coming back, and he and Harry don’t really go at it, they just talk mostly…..I thought that could of been better done. Just my opinion people, no offense meant to anyone! I still can’t wait for the next movie though!!!!!!!
February 5th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Wow! They cast Luna perfectly! She looks exactly how I had imagined she would.
February 5th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
I read all the books in about two weeks and since I came late to the characters as an adult, I find the books a real treat. The movies find their problems in re-creating the flights of fantasy of a very creative author into something resembling the books; granted they take to elimating and condensing parts of the books. I find that since the remaining books are so much longer this will only be further the problem, unless they decide to do as “The Lord of the Rings” did and sequel the last three books into four or five movies.
February 5th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
I agree they did leave some stuff out of the 4th move. Thats why i am concerned they will take out too much in the 5th and it will be just pitiful with no meaning. J.K needs to steep in and not let them cut out any sceens from the book. But overall the 4th was very meaningful and not dull like the first two movies.
February 5th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
You can’t expect the movies to display everything in the books, thats what makes reading so much different than watching a movie. In my opinion, the 4th movie is by far my favorite. I was expecting them to leave out so much more than they actually did. As long as we don’t have another movie as bad as the 3rd we’ll be good!!
February 5th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Wow I just can’t wait until the new movie comes….it will be sooooo groovy..i will cry so hard once i walk out of the theater..
February 5th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
As for all those that would have young Wizzard Harry Potters wand and place it in an uncomfortable place;I’m here to say as a grandfather and fan of good and decent entertainment for all to enjoy, “Great job Mz Rowlands” keep the stories coming and the good fun of young adventures safe and sure, because we do so appreciate the effort and style of yours.
Thanks ever so much for many hours of decent and yes beloved lore.
James O.
February 5th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
i have a 17 yr old son who looks like harry potter. he was called that so much in school, he became quite irritated about it at times.
February 5th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Dear Kate:
Sadly, the producers can’t bring back John Williams to score the next movies. Williams has passed on “to the other side.”
February 5th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
I thought the 4th movie was fantastic. It could have been more detailed and had more of the characters. Harry Potter is so hot!!! I am really looking foward to the 5th one.
February 5th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Going back to the Potter discussion — obviously the Godfather as a film is on an entirely different level than the Potter films. But if you’re a fan of the books, and can appreciate that a 600 page book will have to sacrifice content to fit a 2 hour film, then 3 and 4 definitely are faithful adaptations. I don’t think they’re amazing movies, and I don’t think any of the Potter films have really had the artistry that the great Fantasy/Sci-Fi films have had (LOTR, Star Wars, ET), but I think that to say they’re all mediocre is to react against the hype.
Back to X-Men, some great moments, off the top of my head:
1. The opening — tying a comic book villain to the Holocaust? And in such a smart way as to explain his motivations? Brilliant.
2. Magneto kidnapping Rogue — rips apart the train, shoots Wolvie about 200 feet, then turns all the cops’ guns on themselves, while Xavier mind-controls Sabretooth and Toad. Was watching with my parents and they were both saying, “This is so great.” Best moment of the film.
3. Wolvie’s scenes with Jean Grey
4. Wolvie vs. Mystique
5. Plastic prison, Xavier visits Magneto
February 5th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Oh my.
Everyone is getting all defensive.
If you prefer the books, then read the books, if you prefer the movies, then watch the movies.
I love Harry Potter all the same so I like to watch the movies and read the books. It’s just a matter of how receptive you are to change and to different things.
There havent been many books or comics that have stuck to their originals.
Look at Fantastic Four…it was completly off topic fromt he original story.
And look at Sin City. I picked up the graphic novel at a comic book store after watching the movie on my PSP for the millionth time and it was all there. Word for word. They took out one sentence here or there, but they didnt add anything or go off topic.
It’s just how you want to see it.
If you want to see Harry Potter word for word, it’s not going to happen.
February 5th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
one more thing!
This girl thats playing Luna better not hold back and better be as crazy and wild and random as Luna in the book. It will loose it’s essence if she’s just normal.
February 5th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Kevin, I am sure John Williams will be sad to hear of his demise. Unless he has passed in the last day or so.
…
“John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma are tentatively scheduled to appear on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday, February 6, performing a selection from Memoirs of a Geisha.”
February 5th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
i personally loved all of the movies and books. i do not know how u can compare the movies to the Godfather.
either way, i think they left a lot of stuff out of the 4th movie, but it was still really good
February 5th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Kevin — I don’t think John Williams is dead, buddy. I think he probably had other commitments or something. Maybe Revenge of the Sith…?
Dan — Yeah, all my explanations above mean I’m reacting against the hype. Sorry that I can think for myself. Kidding! As for the X-Men flicks, you can try all you want — there’s no one that can convince me those things aren’t overrated. I think if you looked at the films objectively, you’d agree.
Also, everyone — There’s no need to worry about the pissy debate Dan and I are having. We’re pals who happen to disagree on a lot of geekery — mostly because I’m really cranky. Oh, and because he has bad taste. Ha ha. Totally kidding, man.
February 5th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
This is for Adunc–
You’re really down on the Harry Potter movies. Question–remember the Wizard Of Oz? Try comparing the movie to the book–or have you ever read it?
February 5th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
Dudes & Dudettes!!! the movies are good okay!? the books are great. granted the movies leave stuff out still if you want the whole story get off your a$$ and read the dam* books!. oh and if they’re disrespecting Jk’s work then she shouldnt let the books become movies. i say if jk’s okay with the way they’re shorting teh movies. then so be it. its her life and her books! yall are being to huffy with it. its just books and movies! dont yall have more important thing to do? yall just need to go with the flo…
February 5th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
wow…u guys are kinda funny. all this argument over harry potter is probably very flattering to jkr…i feel i have to input my opinion on this.
the 1st movie left out very little that was needed and was a lighthearted piece…exactly like the book.
the second movie left out very little and was a darker story, i don’t watch that one all that often, but it was never my favorite book.
the 3rd which was my fave book, i have to say was not done well on film. i felt it was way too rushed and it left out a lot and i was disappointed in it.
the fourth which was a very action packed book was my favorite movie so far. i really loved how they did this one and it is in my opinion the best adaption so far excluding the things they left out.
and by the way, to all of you that say these movies are disrespecting JKR, she helps write the screenplays idiots…
February 5th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Not to be mean or anything, but, if Tom Felton bows out, with her current hair colour, Miss Lynch could replace him for Malfoy…
February 5th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Does anyone else see that this new girl cast to play Luna Lovegood looks like Drake Malfoy’s twin??? Or at least a younger sister.
February 5th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
I am a HUGE fan of J.K.Rowling’s books and I have been very pleased with the movies based on her novels. Harry Potter is the best thing to happen in along time. The 4th movie was not as detailed in some areas that I would have liked to have seen but then again if it were it would have been an 8 to 10 hour long movie! I say Bravo to all directors, screen writers and above the actors, after all w/out them the movies wouldn’t be what they are!!!!
February 5th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
soooo.. i;m a little embarassed to say this but i haven’t seen the newest HP movie!!! Is it pretty good or just ok? I mean will I be as amazed as I was when i saw the harry potter in theaters for the first time????
February 5th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Blaine -
“Goblet of Fire is totally worth buying and watching
, actually. It was my fave book and, while the movie does leave out some stuff I wish they’d included, it’s my favorite movie of the series as well.
February 6th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Andrew, we WERE pals. WERE. Me and Stephen are still tight though.
February 6th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
That’s fine. I’m tired of your x-mess.