Casting Is Complete on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

Casting Is Complete on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

BURBANK, California, November 16/PRNewswire/ -- Casting has been completed on the much-anticipated sixth
installment of the Warner Bros. Pictures Harry Potter film franchise, "Harry
Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." The announcement was made by Jeff Robinov,
President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

David Yates, who directed this year's summer blockbuster
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," returns to direct "Harry Potter
and the Half-Blood Prince." David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry
Potter films, is producing the film, together with David Barron. Screenwriter
Steve Kloves, who scripted the first four installments of the film franchise,
is adapting the screenplay based on the book by J.K. Rowling.

David Heyman said, "I am really excited that David Yates and
all our cast are back for the sixth film and welcome some wonderful new
additions to our ensemble. We all share a commitment to Jo Rowling and to
Harry Potter fans around the world to keep making these films the best they
can be and, as we head into the final installments, I can promise that this
level of commitment will not waver."

Once again heading the cast, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint
and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron
Weasley and Hermione Granger, who are facing new challenges and dangers in
the wake of Lord Voldemort's return. They will be reunited with returning
Harry Potter cast members, including Helena Bonham Carter, David Bradley,
Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman,
Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters and David Thewlis, as well as
Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis and Bonnie Wright.

Two award-winning actors are joining the film's all-star cast
in their first Harry Potter film. Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent ("Iris,"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") has been
set to play Potions Professor Horace Slughorn, who gives Harry an old Potions
textbook that had once belonged to the Half-Blood Prince, which proves
invaluable to the young wizard. Award-winning actress Helen McCrory
("Becoming Jane," "The Queen") will play Narcissa Malfoy, mother to Draco
Malfoy and sister to the evil Bellatrix Lestrange.

Additionally, several young newcomers will be making their
feature film debuts in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Jessie Cave
has won the role of Lavender Brown, who has eyes for Ron Weasley.
Nine-year-old Hero Fiennes Tiffin is playing the role of the young Tom Riddle
at age 11, while 16-year-old Frank Dillane is playing the teenage Riddle, who
is already on the path to becoming the evil Lord Voldemort.

In "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," Lord Voldemort is
tightening his grip on both the Muggle and Wizard worlds and Hogwarts is no
longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie
within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the
final battle that he knows is fast approaching.

Two-time Oscar-nominee Bruno Delbonnel ("A Very Long
Engagement," "Amelie") will serve as the director of photography, marking his
first Harry Potter film. He will be joined by returning Harry Potter
veterans, including production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day,
costume designer Jany Temime, creature & make-up effects designer Nick
Dudman, special effects supervisor John Richardson, visual effects supervisor
Tim Burke, and composer Nicholas Hooper.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will be released on November 21,
2008, by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

For more information, please contact: Domestic Contact: Marc Cohen, +1-818-954-6651, marc.cohen@warnerbros.com; International Contact: Lance Volland, +1-818-954-6932, lance.volland@warnerbros.com; Head of Harry Potter Production Publicity: Vanessa Davies, +44-192-368-5131, vanessa@hpfilms.co.uk; Warner Bros. UK Publicity: Jayne Trotman / Louisa Radcliffe / Stuart Gurr, Louisa.radcliffe@warnerbros.com, +44(0)207-984-5000

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