Obscure Harry Potter Facts

J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series has become one of the most successful franchises of all time. The books captured the imaginations of children and grown-ups alike and has sold millions of copies. Fans of the books were rewarded with great film adaptations for their loyalty and Hollywood stars have been created in the process, such as Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Some die-hard fans of the series will have studied all the books and films and know lots of interesting trivia but here are some they might have missed...

David Thewlis played Remus Lupin in the film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. His then partner, Anna Friel campaigned for the role of Nymphadora Tonks, Lupins onscreen wife. However, the role went to relative unknown, Natalia Tina. Thewlis and Friel have since split up.

The Harry Potter books have been translated into sixty seven different languages.

The actress Shirley Henderson who played Moaning Myrtle (o ne of Hogwarts' students) was 37 when she filmed some of her scenes, making her the oldest actor to portray any of the students at Hogwarts.

Never since Charlotte's Web written by E.B White in 1952 had children's books been included on the New York Best Seller list. The Harry Potter series was the first in almost 50 years.

The early years of Harry Potter did not look promising with several publishers rejecting the first manuscript saying that it was too long a book. It was then snapped up by Bloomsbury Publisher in 1996. Bloomsbury advised Rowling that she should use the name J.K. Rowling instead of Joanne Rowling in order to appeal to male readers. The K is not actually part of her name. Joanne had to steal the K from her Grandmother's name which is Kathleen.

Both Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling share the 31st of July as their birthday.

In Greenville, Michigan a church called the Jesus Non-Denominational Church demonstrated publicly against the Harry Potter series because they believed that there was evil within the stories. The church demonstrated their beliefs by burning the book in 2003.

The title of the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone was changed in America to Harry Potter and the Sorcerers' Stone because the publishers believed the title would be more exciting for American children.

The last instalment of the Harry Potter series as a movie is being presented to the world in 2 parts because the final book was so long. The Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows DVD will allow Potter fans to take home the first part of the finale.