Fortune favors the bold, we’re told, luck the well prepared mind. Well, that or those who manage to get their hands on a little vial of Felix Felicis, of course. (Just a tablespoon will do ya!)

“Harry Potter” fans got lucky themselves a little bit, this morning, with the release of a new image from “Half-Blood Prince,” which showcases The Chosen One and the one who does the choosing in the latter’s potion classroom.

But what does the image tell us? Read more…

- Disney and Pixar announce upcoming animation slate, including “Toy Story 3,” “Cars 2,” “Newt,” a Pixar fairy tale, and a Philip K. Dick story. (AICN)

- Jake Gyllenhaal reportedly offered lead role of Dastan in “Prince of Persia.” Actor brings many strengths, including being slightly more Persian looking than Orlando Bloom. (Latino Review)

- 50 Cent signs on for “Spectacular Regret.” The man whose name means change will play a death row inmate. (Variety)

- Amazon.com to lend J.K. Rowling’s “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” to a lucky fan for a weekend. (Yahoo)

- On the matter of the boy wizard, Daniel Radcliffe’s “Equus” begins it’s Broadway run September 5. (Playbill)

- Djimon Hounsou goes crazy over a comic book trilogy, and it could be…Conan? (CHUD)

- Protego! Daniel Radcliffe reportedly under constant protection after death threats. (Metro UK)

- A slew of pictures from the set of “X-Men Origins” pop up online. (Just Jared)

- Alternate ending for “I Am Legend” gets leaked. (/film)

- First look at Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and (holy crap) Robert Downey Jr. from “Tropic Thunder.” (EW)

Sit back and enjoy a hot steaming cup of our links of the day, back again in the new year with news on Daniel Radcliffe, Frank Darabont, and possibly the greatest trailer mash-up ever.

- Daniel Radcliffe to play photo-journalist Dan Eldon in “Journey.” 22-year-old photographer was stoned to death in 1993. (The Observer)

- “Back to the Future,” “Dances With Wolves,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” all among flicks added to National Film Registry by Library of Congress. (Library of Congress)

- “Be Kind, Rewind” director Michel Gondry opening video store in NYC. Will give people the opportunity to create their own short films. (/film)

- Frank Darabont prepping movie about “Tokyo Rose,” famed Japanese-American broadcaster convicted of treason. (Collider)

- “Why so serious?” This trailer mash-up of “The Dark Knight” and Adam West’s “Batman” television series might be the funniest thing we’ve seen in a while. (YouTube)

Sit back, relax and enjoy a hot, steaming cup of our links of the day, back again with news on “Harry Potter,” “Hulk,” Jake Gyllenhaal, Zac Efron and more.

- “I always lean towards the dark side.” Daniel Radcliffe disappointed in comic tone of “Half-Blood Prince.” (Edmonton Sun)

- Hulk smash Abomination in new film? Hold off just one second. “With Abomination there’s actually a monster that can kill [Banner] when he’s in Hulk form.” Director Louis Leterrier talks new “Hulk.” (Wizard Entertainment)

- A 100 percent guarantee: Jake Gyllenhaal to play panty-hose-wearing NJ Jets Quarterback Joe Namath in upcoming biopic. Can Heath Ledger as Suzy Kolber be far behind? (Variety)

- But can he wink? Matthew Perry to play grown-up version of Zac Efron in “17.” (Hollywood Reporter)

- “I’ll let you guys go nuts on this one.” Joe Carnahan posts an image of Juggernaut on his blog signaling … what? An X-Men origins story? Vinnie Jones? We have no idea. (Joe Carnahan)

- Here’s to you, Mrs. Tomei! Oscar-winning actress tops list of top 20 nude scenes of ‘07. (Mr. Skin)

- Soldiers sound off on “Stop-Loss.” (Stop-Loss)

In a world filled with magic spells, where problems can be solved with a flick of the wrist, the old adage still applies, a delighted J.K. Rowling told reporters: Be careful what you wish for!

That held particularly true for the stars of the “Harry Potter” movie series, she said, who all wanted to know what was going to happen to their characters as the last “Potter” book approached…until, that is, she started to tell them. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.)

“I think they were always petrified of asking me,” she said, smiling broadly. “I went down to the set and Dan [Radcliffe] and I had a real chat and it was great. And I said to him ‘Dumbledore’s giving me a bit of trouble.’ And he said, ‘But Dumbledore’s dead!’ And then immediately ‘Don’t tell me! Don’t tell me!’” Read more…

As the actor who embodies Harry Potter’s every move, Daniel Radcliffe certainly knows from heroism. There’s the type of courage needed to battle a basilisk, for instance, or the bravery required to face down several dementors. But you can keep your dragon rides and your sorcerers’ duels, insisted Radcliffe, who told MTV News that the scene from the upcoming movie, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” he’s most looking forward to filming is the one in which Harry’s heroism manifests itself in the simple act of telling a friend it’s all going to be ok.

“I’m really looking forward to filming the cave and all the stuff in there with the lake and the Inferi,” Radcliffe enthused. “Me and [Michael] Gambon in a row boat for a few days. It’s gonna be amazing.” (Warning: spoilers ahead for those who haven’t read the book.) Read more…

Actor Jim Broadbent recently announced that he’ll be playing Hogwarts’ morally conflicted potions professor, Horace Slughorn. Earlier, Daniel Radcliffe described for us the complex character who plays a pivotal role in the sixth “Harry Potter” book.

Rumor has it our links of the day are frontloaded with speculation, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying news on Daniel Radcliffe, Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Punisher” and more.

- Daniel Radcliffe shaken as Harry Potter. Is he going to stir things up next as a young James Bond? (JoBlo)

- He was King of the World! Is Leonardo DiCaprio now King of Ireland in “Freedom Within the Heart”? (Moviehole)

- Paddy Considine to play Jigsaw in “Punisher: War Zone”? (Coming Soon)

- Terry Zwigoff to direct “The $40,000 Man,” about a bionic superhero built with a limited budget. (Variety)

- “Paddington Bear” heading to the big screen. (Variety)

We always love to catch up with Daniel Radcliffe here. And we’re especially happy for him as he branches out from the “Harry Potter” franchise. Today marks the release of his first non-Potter flick, “Decmber Boys.” And thanks to this flick, filmed prior to the last “Potter,” we know that Harry’s kissing scene in “Order of the Phoenix” wasn’t his first brush with a girl.