ith the release of author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, it looks like the adaptations are right on target. When the first movie began filming, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were 11, 12 and 10 respectively. Their characters, Harry, Ron and Hermione, were supposed to be 11 years old. 

  Each book in the series covers one year in Harry's life, and by the time the second film, Chamber of Secrets, was shot, the kids were just one year older. But by the time the third installment, Prizoner of Azkaban, was filmed, enough time had passed that although their characters were only supposed to be 13, Rupert was actually 15 and Daniel was 14 (Emma was the same age as her character by then). 

  It caused many to speculate that the three might grow out of their roles if the movies didn't come out quickly enough. Radcliffe, however, has been confirmed for the fifth movie, The Order of the Phoenix, due to begin shooting in February 2006, and it's very likely that Grint and Watson will also be back. Watson even told Darkmark.com,  "People have been talking about outgrowing the 
actors
Daniel Radcliffe Emma Watson Rupert Grint
Ralph Fiennes Miranda Richardson

director
Mike Newell

locations
England
Scotland

outtakes
There were rumors that the 734-page book would be split into two separate films, however Newell decided against it, making massive cuts from the plot including all three of the Dursleys.

character, but that's not really possible."

  The film begins with Harry attending the Quidditch World Cup with Ron Weasley and his family, before returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his fourth year. While there, supporters of Harry's nemesis, the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), send a shockwave of fear throughout the wizard community when their Dark Mark scorches the sky at the Cup, signaling Voldemort's return to power.

  Back at school, the students learn that Hogwarts is hosting the prestigious Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous competition that's being held for the first time in one hundred years. Only one student from each of the three competing wizarding schools is to be selected, but when Harry's name is mysteriously chosen by the Goblet of Fire, many of his cohorts sneer, assuming Harry must have had the gall to enter despite being underage. But nothing could be further from the truth.

  And when the competition begins, it's not only Harry's life that is threatened -- Ron and Hermione find themselves in serious danger as well.

- Alexandra Heilbron