From what I've read, they won't be filming any Sirius Black scenes until the summer, so no, they wouldn't have needed to sign him as soon as the other actors.

So it sounds like I'm right. THey are just assuming that Oldman will wait around for them to sign him... If he gets offered another script that he likes and signs for it, we'll have another Bryan Singer/Fox X-men3 situation.

From Comingsoon.net:

Gary Oldman's manager has confirmed to both GaryOldman.info and HPANA that the actor will return as Sirius Black in Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Oldman, who just celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday, played the role in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and voiced the character in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

"Gary Oldman is now set to play Sirius Black in the Order of the Phoenix. A deal was concluded this morning," his long-time manager, Doug Urbanski, said.

"I'm so relieved and happy," he added. "I can't put my mind in the place of the producers, but I would've thought that when they read the book, a call to us would've been very high on their list. Obviously, the character of Sirius Black is key."

Urbanski said he was baffled by the months-long silence from Warner Bros. There were other jobs offered to Oldman, and he was very close to taking one. "Since they had no option for Gary on this film, he was a free agent. Last week, we told them that Gary had another movie, and it was just a question of doing a deal," he said.

"It's a wonderful role," Urbanski continued. "Gary read the script last night, and he read part of it to me on the phone this morning. The end of the story is: Gary's in it. It's a terrific script, and he's so happy to be back."

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=13742

Glad they got Oldman back as Sirius plays a pretty big role in the Phoenix...It would have been a shame if they had someone else playing him, or cut him out completely (which I think would be impossible).

Cho is meant to be a British Born Chinese right? :) Thats' OK, I just never imagined her like that when I read the book (4 and 5) - I always wound up giving her a Cantonese accent.
I can't remember how Luna Lovegood is described but (we've been over this before), Hermione isnt that good looking in the books is she yet in the films (well PoA anyway) she's attractive ;)

While I am glad they have Oldman, the director of this one has me a bit skeptical. The last two have really benefitted from having directors who, while lacking in FX movies, have made some very impressive story driven films, and it showed in the HP movies as they kept the focus on the characters and not the FX or flashy sets (this was my only real gripe with the first two).
Last I checked, this guy has only done a British TV series, but hey, at least they're keeping the project mostly British.

I'm glad that Oldman has some patience. I can't believe how close WB came to botching this. That's a bit ridiculous of them to pull that kind of crap...

Indeed. I'm glad they got him, but what were they thinking, waiting so long?

from Mugglenet.com:

"It's official: Warner Bros. has announced that the Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix movie will hit theaters on July 13, 2007!"

Carter Joins Potter Cast

New actors are in Order.

May 25, 2006 - Helena Bonham Carter (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Planet of the Apes) has joined the cast of Warners' Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

CBBC Newsround reports that Carter is replacing the pregnant Helen McCrory, who had been cast as Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange in the David Yates-directed film. The screenplay adaptation was penned by Michael Goldenberg (Where the Wild Things Are, Peter Pan).

Helena Bonham Carter's credits include Corpse Bride, Big Fish, Fight Club, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

In other Potter casting news, the CBBC also claims that actress Apple Brook has been cast as Professor Grubbly-Plank.

IGN.com

Carter will be perfect in that role!

I haven't read any of the books, but does Harry Potter age from one book to the next? I would imagine that the kids who play Harry and Ron have both sprouted the short & curlies by now.

They age about 1 year per book.

Each book/movie takes place during one school year (August-May approximately). Book 1 is Year 1 at Hogwarts, Book 2 is Year 2 at Hogwarts, etc. The main 3 characters are 11 in book 1, and they will be 17 in book 7 when they graduate

oh I cant wait for this movie to come out. Guess its about time to start re reading all the books again...

Carter fits better as a Deatheater..I can totally see that working. And Cho was cool; it's awesome to see an Asian with a Scottish accent :P

I'm more anxious for the next book to come out, but I guess the sooner the better for either or!

WB has officially announced the release date for this movie:

July 13, 2007

http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20060622/...JlYmhvBHNlYwM-

Does that mean movie 7 will be rated R? ;)

When I read the 6th book, it felt like it was rated R to me... but I'm sure they'll tone it down just enough for the movie so it'll be a PG-13. I felt the same way about the ROTK book, and look how much they got away with in a PG-13 movie there.

Bonham Carter Confirmed for Potter 5

The news was announced back in May, but today Warner Bros. made it official by announcing that Helena Bonham Carter, an Oscar nominee for The Wings of the Dove, who most recently starred in the hit film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has joined the all-star cast of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Bonham Carter will play Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius Black's cousin and a Death Eater, who is one of Lord Voldemort's followers.

It has also been announced that composer Nicholas Hooper will create the film's score, reuniting him with director David Yates for whom he has scored multiple film and television projects, dating back more than 15 years. Hooper won a BAFTA Award for his work on the Yates-directed television movie The Young Visiters. Their other collaborations include the telefilm The Girl in the Café, written by Richard Curtis; State of Play, which earned multiple honours, including seven BAFTA nominations; The Way We Live Now; and The Tichborne Claimant.

Bonham Carter joins a cast of returning Harry Potter veterans, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who are reprising their roles as close-knit teen wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The stellar cast also includes Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, David Thewlis, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, David Bradley, Robert Hardy and Mark Williams.

As Bellatrix Lestrange, Bonham Carter is only one of several newcomers to the Harry Potter film franchise, also including: Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge; George Harris as Kingsley Shacklebolt; Natalia Tena playing Nymphadora Tonks; Kathryn Hunter in the role of Mrs. Figg; and 14-year-old actress Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood.

The fifth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novel series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is being directed by award-winning British filmmaker David Yates and produced by Harry Potter film series producer David Heyman, and David Barron, from a screenplay by Michael Goldenberg.

The behind-the-scenes creative team is lead by director of photography Slawomir Idziak, production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, costume designer Jany Temime, creature effects supervisor Nick Dudman, special effects supervisor John Richardson, and visual effects supervisor Tim Burke.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released in 2007 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

ROPEOFSILICON.com

I can't wait to see how they portray the thestrals.

That'll be cut, I'm sure. I just hope the twins get to make their triumphant exit.

sorry this little tidbit isn't about the casting of the film, but according to an article in USA Today:

The [IMAX] company also is talking to the producers of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, due in July 2007, about having some scenes in 3-D.

will be curious to see how this will pan out.

Here's an image of Tonks. Isn't an actual movie shot, just actor in full costume so I don't consider it a spoiler, but just in case you do, don't click.

http://www.mugglenet.com/gallery/alb...sincostume.jpg

I know she changes her hair color a lot.. but I hope they keep bubblegum pink her trademark.