PROVIDENCE, R.I. — “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson says she plans to return to Brown University to complete her degree.

The British actress who plays Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series tells The Virginian-Pilot that she remains enrolled at Brown even though she’ll study at England’s Oxford University in the fall.

She says intends to return to Providence in 2012 to complete her studies at the Ivy League school.

The 21-year-old Watson left Brown earlier this yearto devote her time to the final “Harry Potter” film and other acting opportunities.

The final chapter in the series premiered last week, setting box office records. It took in an estimated $168.6 million domestically from Friday to Sunday. That beats the previous best opening weekend of $158.4 million for 2008’s Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight.

Bardem understands piracy, ‘but it’s not right’

Advertisement

GENEVA — In the 2008-film “No Country for Old Men” Javier Bardem’s hitman character mercilessly collected unpaid debts with a deadly bolt gun.

When it comes to movie pirates, the 42-year-old Academy Award winner is more understanding.

“People don’t have money and movie tickets are sometimes too high,” Bardem told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday. “I understand that.”

Still, Bardem says freeloading off others hurts the nine in ten actors who already struggle to pay the bills with their work.

“What I don’t agree with is the mentality of the people, that to do piracy is fine,” the Spanish actor said.

Bardem traveled to Geneva to support a new international treaty protecting actors rights across the globe. He was joined by Egyptian actress Esaad Younis, British producer Iain Smith and Indian director Bobby Bedi.

Advertisement

The World Intellectual Property Organization is currently hosting talks on a draft treaty that is expected to be approved by governments next year.

Bardem called for actors to get the same protection as musicians and writers, including the right to earn money from the use of their performance beyond a film’s original release. He also said he wants movie tickets to be cheaper – that way even would-be pirates go to see a film at the theater once in a while.

Has he ever downloaded a film or song illegally? “I barely can put on my iPhone,” Bardem said.

Newport Folk Festival is sold out

NEWPORT, R.I. — For the first time in its history, the Newport Folk Festival has sold out of tickets in advance.

Producer George Wein announced Tuesday that no tickets remain for the two-day music festival. It is scheduled for July 30 and 31 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.

Advertisement

The festival was first held in 1959, and is known as the place where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965. The event has never sold out of tickets for both days.

Organizers say some 10,000 people are expected to attend each day of the festival.

Artists appearing at this year’s festival include the Decemberists, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Gillian Welch.

U.S. won’t seek extradition of Quaids from Canada

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. —  A California prosecutor says U.S. officials have rejected a request to seek the extradition of actor Randy Quaid and his wife from Canada to face felony vandalism charges.

Authorities in Santa Barbara have sought the couple’s return for months. Senior Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter says the U.S. State Department notified him last week that it would not extradite.

The Quaids were arrested in September in the coastal city and accused of causing more than $5,000 in damage to a home they once owned. They were no-shows at several court hearings.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.