A tale of two Potters

Emily Watson will join the cast of Miss Potter, the story of Beatrix Potter, author of the classic children’s book series that includes Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck. She’ll play the sister of Ewan McGregor’s character, Norman Wayne. Wayne was the publisher – and lover of Potter (to be played in the film by Renee Zellweger, who is no doubt brushing up on that classy British accent she used in Bridget Jones). The film kicks off shooting in March. When she’s finished hanging out with the talking animals, she’ll move on to Peter Weir’s Shantaram, which stars Johnny Depp as a bank robber who escapes from an Australian prison and relaunches his criminal career in Mumbai.

And the other Potter – that’ll be Harry – has added cast members to the bubbling Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. Actor George Harris – a veteran of Raiders Of The Lost Ark and Layer Cake – will play Kingsley Shacklebolt, a Dark Wizard hunter employed by the Ministry of Magic. Also on board is newcomer Robbie Jarvis, who will play the younger version of Harry’s dad James Potter, who we’ll meet when Harry gets to see into the past.