An old, false press release making the rounds on social media this week has “Harry Potter” fans excitedly awaiting the release of an eighth book in the boy wizard series.
According to a report from Entertainmentwise Tuesday, the hoax started following the publication of an "April Fools' joke" article on Story Carnivores earlier this year claiming that the series' creator, author J.K. Rowling, was prepping to release another “Harry Potter” novel. “Readers who failed to see the date and presumed it to be a genuine new press release have been spreading it around Facebook and Twitter - oblivious to the fact that it isn't true,” stated the report.
The original “press release” claims that Rowling decided to write a new installment for the young-adult, best-selling series, which follows the story of a wizard named Harry Potter and his journey to learn magic at the wizarding school of Hogwarts, due to the mixed reviews she receieved following the release of her most recent novel “The Casual Vacancy” in 2012.
“She was discouraged particularly by the disappointment of the younger readers, who picked up 'The Casual Vacancy' expecting another 'Harry Potter' book. She wanted to go back and write a book that will be a treat to her fans all around the world,” said the false report, adding, “Yahoo News and the New York Times today confirmed that J.K. Rowling is writing the eighth Harry Potter novel, and is already 75% done with the manuscript. Details on the storyline are hush hush, but Rowling is said to be revealing more about the upcoming HP novel later this very week in a press conference in Scotland.”
The hoax also claimed that a potential ninth “Harry Potter” film may result following the release of the book, saying, “While none of the series’ actors have officially signed on, one of the stars has already voiced his excitement about returning to play the title role."
While the report has since been deemed a hoax, Rowling has previously stated that she has considered writing another “Harry Potter” book. When prompted about her plans regarding the future of the boy wizard series, Rowling replied on her official website saying, “I have always refused to say ‘never’ to this question, because I think it would be foolish to rule out something I might want to do in a few years’ time,” she said, adding, “I have no immediate plans to write another Harry Potter novel and I do think that I have rounded off Harry’s story in the seven published books."
In September, Rowling confirmed that she will pen the script for the upcoming Warner Bros. film, “Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them.” The movie, based off of her short novel of the same name released in 2001, will take place in the wizarding world of “Harry Potter” but will feature a new character named Newt Scamander. The film’s release date is currently unknown.
New ‘Harry Potter’ Book Hoax: Fake Book 8 Press Release Prompts Rumors Of Another Installment In The Boy Wizard Series
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