If you’re going to make mistakes, it’s best not to etch them in stone.
But the producers of the latest Harry Potter movie have been taken as muggles by Pottermaniacs for making blunders in a tombstone’s inscription.
Scores of fans worldwide have spotted two errors in a publicity image for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and have demanded Warner Bros take action.
The still shows the young wizard, played by Daniel Radcliffe, in front of a tomb whose inscription reads “Tom Marvolo Riddle 1915-1943”. This was the birth name of Potter’s arch-enemy, Lord Voldemort, who is still alive. (The letters of his name transpose to the message “I am Lord Voldemort”.)
In any case, Voldemort was born on December 31, 1926, fans say. And, if the name refers to his father – whom they insist could not have had Marvolo as a middle name – he would have been only 11 years old when his son was born.
Dozens of die-hard Potter fans have e-mailed Harry Potter fan websites to point out the glaring mistake.
Now Warner Bros. is wondering what to do before the film’s release on November 16. Producers are said to be considering altering the tombstone with the latest computer wizardry.
They have ruled out re-shooting scenes involving Radcliffe. But it is unlikely they can simply ignore the issue after it led to a fierce online debate.
One Australian fan, calling himself Sickle, said: “This drove me crazy.”
Some also wondered why Rowling, who takes a keen interest in the movies, did not point out the errors.
Warner Bros. insists the film will be accurate.
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