Harry Potter fans converge on central London for new film premiere

Nov 6, 2005, 18:20 GMT

Harry Potter fans Julia Webber (L) and Molly Faulkner at the world premiere of \'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire\' at the Odeon cinema in London\'s Leicester Square, Sunday, 06 November 2005. The film is the latest in a series adapted from the best selling books by author J.K. Rowling. EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY

London - Harry Potter fans were out in force again Sunday, converging on London for the world premiere of the latest film about the boy wizard created by author JK Rowling.

A giant fiery goblet and huge banners proclaiming Hogwarts School of Magic were set up outside the Odeon in Leicester Square, where the premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' was being screened.

Although none of the fans had any chance of admission to the invitation-only glitzy affair, hundreds had already gathered by late afternoon to witness the arrival of the film's stars.

Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe - playing Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry respectively - were being joined by Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon and Dame Maggie Smith, plus author Joanne Rowling for the evening showing.

The 12A-rate film, meaning children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult owing to what classifiers call 'more intense scenes', is directed by Mike Newell.

The action - more that os a thriller, with its now maturing main characters - sees Harry selected to compete in the Triwizard Tournament against students from Hogwarts and rival schools from Europe in what is the fourth film version of Rowling's books.

The film also sees Harry get his first girlfriend in the form of Chinese pupil Cho Chang in the 157-minute action making it the second longest Potter film to date. The fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is due out in 2007.