On Monday, May 2nd 2005, Imax Corporation announced that J.K. Rowling's fourth book and audio CD will become a Warner Bros. film released simultaneously to both IMAX and conventional theaters. Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire comes to the big screen on November 18th.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban first introduced Potter and Rowling fans to the IMAX Experience.

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment said on Monday, "The impressive performance of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience showed that Harry Potter is a perfect match for IMAX's immersive format, and we are confident the fourth installment of this globally beloved series will also be a box office draw for commercial and institutional IMAX theatres worldwide."

Harry Potter Feature Film Series

Rowling's first two films were directed by Chris Columbus, who is now working on Rent in San Francisco.

The third theatrical release called Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban was directed by Alfonso Cuaron.

Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company and J.K. Rowling have turned to Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeraland Mona Lisa Smile) for the direction of the fourth film. David Heyman is producing Goblet while Steve Kloves is writing the screenplay based on J.K. Rowling's novel.

The executive producers of the film are David Barron and Tanya Seghatchian. The director of photography is Roger Pratt; the production designer is Stuart Craig; the editor is Mick Audsley, and the music for the film is being composed by Patrick Doyle.

Daniel Radcliffe returns as Harry. Rupert Grint again stars as Ron. And Emma Watson will for the fourth time play Hermione.

Emma Watson as Hermione in the Upcoming "Goblet of Fire"

Other top-notch actors who will add spice to Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts include: Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, Gary Oldman, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall and Julie Walters.

Imax has tried to boost sales by making deals with Hollywood studios in recent years to convert blockbuster films to its own format.

Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros. said:

IMAX is carving out a new distribution platform that can generate incremental revenues for event films.

We believe releasing the next Harry Potter adventure in IMAX theatres will add to the excitement around this excellent film and enable audiences to experience it in a whole different way.

One of our favorite IMAX films from the holidays was The Polar Express. We saw it twice. The second time was in an IMAX theater. It was worth the additional price of admission. We all walked out thinking we still had snowflakes melting on our heads.

Harry Potter IV is not the only IMAX film to be released in 2005.

In a statement released by IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, they said:

Securing highly anticipated titles like 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' is an important component of our commercial growth strategy, and we are excited to be working with Warner Bros. Pictures on another one of their great event films.

Richard Gelfond said, "Two years ago, we had to convince studios to release in Imax. Now they're trying to convince us to release their films."

With five digitally remastered Hollywood event films in place for 2005, as well as an attractive original IMAX 3D production, we believe we've assembled the best film slate in IMAX's history - and that this will continue to fuel expansion of the IMAX theater network.

The free market world is responding most favorably to Gelfond and Wechsler's direction.

Since last year, IMAX Corporation's stock has doubled. At the time of this post, the per share price of the entertainment tech company was trading on the NASDAQ at $8.78."

Yesterday alone, IMAX's stock jumped 10% on the Harry Potter news. Maybe it's time to consider buying some IMAX stock.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 7th, Harry Potter II makes its television debut. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint will host a special television event surrounding The Chamber of Secrets that provides an exclusive window into the making of the upcoming Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire film.

In 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,' the fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter novel series, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) must contend with being mysteriously selected to compete in the prestigious Triwizard Tournament, a thrilling international competition that pits him against older and more experienced students from Hogwarts and two rival European wizarding schools.

At the same time, 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 Quidditch World Cup, signaling Voldemort's return to power. But for Harry, this is not the only harrowing news causing him anxiety - he still has yet to find a date for Hogwarts' Yule Ball dance.

Harry Potter fans will get a first look at film clips, cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage this Saturday.

This never-before-seen footage will be presented as interstitials throughout a special four-hour presentation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on the ABC Television Network.

To add "fuel to the fire" 13 minutes of previously deleted footage from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be shown.

Set your TiVos now.

Harry Potter IV is my nine year-old daughter's favorite book of the current five in the series -- soon to be six.

She can't wait to see what the Goblet of Fire will look like. She said:

Where many of J.K. Rowling's characters and figures have been imaginable in the past, the TriWizard Tournament's decision making device to determine who is competing in the tournament is impossible for me to imagine what it looks like. I can't wait.

She is excited to see what the film creators will do to bring the Goblet of Fire to life much like Chris Columbus did with the school's Sorting Hat.

A Sneak Peak of The Goblet of Fire

Meanwhile, we are ticking away the days on the calendar in anticipation of getting our hands on Rowling's sixth book,
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. July 16th can not come too soon in this household.

About IMAX

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of December 31, 2004, there were 248 IMAX theatres operating in more than 35 countries.

To get the official scoop on Harry Potter happenings, go to Jo Rowling's site at:

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "looking forward to summer and fall" living -- specifically a book-filled summer and an IMAX 3-D fall!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

Harry Potter Stars Rain Magic in London at "The Goblet of Fire" World Premiere