KEY POINTS:
So you think you know all about Harry Potter?
Cast your eyes over these choice pieces of trivia to see whether you have the makings of a Hogwarts graduate, or a dumb dementor.
1. J. K. Rowling's manuscript for Harry Potter was turned down a staggering 15
times by book publishers, before Bloomsbury Press finally purchased it in 1996.
2. Robbie Coltrane was handpicked by J.K. Rowling to play Hagrid and was the first person to be cast
3. The first film is known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone everywhere except the USA, meaning every scene in which the philosopher's stone was mentioned had to be filmed twice, with the word 'philosopher' changed to 'sorcerer'.
4. Richard Harris only agreed to take on the part of Albus Dumbledore after his eleven-year-old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he didn't.
5. After the death of Richard Harris, many actors were considered for the vacant role of Albus Dumbledore including Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Peter O'Toole and Richard Attenborough.
6. The special effects genius behind the Harry Potter films, John Richardson, was also the man behind Aliens.
7. Tim Roth was considered for the part of Snape, but dropped out to play General Thade in Planet of the Apes.
8. Rik Mayall's starring role as poltergeist Peeves in The Philosopher's Stone was cut from the film.
9. Although we know that Harry has a scar on his forehead, it's never specified in the books where it's actually located.
10. Rosie O'Donnell and Robin Williams asked for roles (without pay) in The Philosopher's Stone.
11. The Hogwarts motto, "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus" means "never tickle a sleeping dragon".
12. The effects team spent six months creating the dementors, resorting to CGI after other techniques didn't produce the right effect.
13. Daniel Radcliffe spent approximately 42 hours underwater during the course of filming The Goblet of Fire.
14. Warner Brothers supplied ushers at cinemas with night vision goggles to prevent illegal recording and pirating of each film while on theatrical release.
15. There was a huge media outcry in Gloucester, England when it was decided to use the local Cathedral for some of the Hogwarts scenes.
Protesters wrote letters by the sack-load to local newspapers, claiming it was blasphemy and promising to block the film-crew's access. In the end, only one protester turned up.
16. Author J.K. Rowling insisted that the principal cast be British and she got her wish, with two exceptions - Richard Harris who was Irish, and Zoë Wanamaker who is actually a US citizen.
17. Steven Spielberg reportedly wanted Haley Joel Osment ("I see dead people") for the part of Harry.
