News & Updates

Watson, Lerman in talks for 'Perks'

Emma Watson and Logan Lerman are in talks to star in indie coming-of-age drama "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," set up at John Malkovich's Mr. Mudd.

"Perks of Being a Wallflower" author Stephen Chbosky will direct from his own script with Lianne Halfon, Malkovich and Russell Smith.

For Watson, the casting would be her first feature role outside her work as Hermione Granger in Warner Bros' eight Harry Potter films. The final pic, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is set for release in July 2011.

She appeared in the 2007 telepic "The Ballet Shoes" and voiced the part of Princess Pea in 2008's "The Tale of Despereaux."

Lerman, who toplined in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief," has been cast as D'Artagnan in Paul W.S. Anderson's version of "Three Musketeers" for Constantin.

"Perks," published in 1999, is narrated by a shy and unpopular teenager who describes his life by writing a series of letters to an anonymous person and explores the awkward times of adolescence, including drug use and sexuality. [Source]

UH Alumnae Honored for 'A Work of Heart'

Mix a potion of a dedicated teacher, caring students and a worthy cause against seemingly impossible odds, and you have a subject ripe for a Harry Potter novel.

The difference, here, is that this is no fictional story. As such, there is no need to conceal the ending: This special teacher and her class will be featured Monday (May 17) on the NBC Today Show. They are one of four classes nationwide to be selected as finalists in a contest called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Most Extraordinary Class” contest. The contest, which will be decided by votes from viewers, was open to students ages 5 to 18 in classes across the country. The segment and information will be posted online Monday at: www.todayshow.com.

Lindsay Richard has been a teacher for nine years, after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston. She taught first grade for two years in the Alief Elementary School District, before marrying fellow Cougar Michael Richard, class of 2001. The couple moved to San Antonio, where Lindsay currently teaches first grade at Wilderness Oak Elementary in the North East Independent School District. The Wilderness Oak students are being recognized for their amazing response to the Haiti earthquake crisis.

“They came to me concerned and wanting to help,” Lindsay Richard says. “We began a fundraiser called ‘Hearts for Haiti.’ We sold Valentines to our school for $1 and initially raised more than $4,200 in one week.

“Since then, the kids have talked with their parents, who, in turn, gave more money and talked to their employers, who have donated even more money. We have now, to date, raised over $9,400

With her students, she made a three-minute video explaining their effort, and the Today Show came to their school in April to film the class for an entire day. This led to their selection among the four nationwide finalists. Voting will take place Monday through Wednesday, with winners announced live Thursday morning on the Today Show by Emma Watson, who starred as Hermione in the Harry Potter movies. [Read more]

Fair Trade – the next generation

The launch of Emma Watson’s collection with People Tree has helped build strong networks of students in schools and universities. Sarah Tolley talked about how Bedales, Bristol, Coventry and Birmingham had organised fashion shows to promote Fair Trade Fashion and organic cotton. “If 93% of young people think it’s important to learn about issues affecting other people lives in different parts of the world (according to the Development Education Association in the UK). Then clearly there is a big interest amongst young people about getting involved, they want to be part of the solution: students from Japanese universities reported on their activities as well. [Source]

Love From Emma Collection – watch the fashion show!