A fake news story claiming that a new Harry Potter book is en route has been fooling fans around the world today – despite being set-up back in April. An April Fools Day gag by Story Carnivore declared that author JK Rowling was 75% of the way through work for the 8th book in the wizarding series, with Daniel Radcliffe poised to return to the titular role for the subsequent movie adaptation.
However, nobody who fell for the story seemed to notice that it was published on April 1, 2013 – even though it is only now that it seems to be going viral.
In the forged press release, Radcliffe is quoted as saying:
“I never thought Jo would write another novel, but I’m interested to see what she comes up with. I absolutely would return to that world, if all the elements were to come together. When we wrapped the last film, I still felt like I wasn’t finished with this grandiose story. I can’t wait to come back.”
Daniel Radcliffe won’t be back as Harry Potter (PR)
Referencing the date, he is then (falsely) reported to have said:
“Wait, what day is it again?”
Rowling is, however, working on a new screenplay set in the wizarding world, though not featuring Potter.
