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...

He may be a fan of Hitchcock and the supernatural, but don't ever expect to see Anthony Hopkins tag team with Lord Voldemort or Old Man Dumbledore.

"I'm not a 'Harry Potter' fan I'm afraid to say," the Oscar-winner admitted to us, putting to rest questions as to why one of the most acclaimed British actors of all time hasn't wound up in a "Potter" flick.

"I tried to read the books," he sighed, "but I'm not a fan of [them] or the films. I have to be honest."

Had he been interested, it wouldn't have been too difficult to find a role for the star. Our own Shawn Adler fingered Hopkins as a favorite for the character of potions professor Horace Slughorn before the part went to Jim Broadbent.

"Potter" fans shouldn't be too offended though; it's the genre that's the problem, not the franchise. "It's funny," said Hopkins, "I've never really been [a fan of fantasy]. I think it's because I've never really been a part of a team of actors."

Bummed that Hopkins is skipping Hogwarts? What role could you see him in? Chime in below!

With news last week that Jim Broadbent had signed on as Hogwarts Potions Master Horace Slughorn, one of Harry Potter-dom's last, great roles was officially filled.

Fans aren't crying any tears over the casting -- although we wouldn't have chosen him, we have to admit he's spot on -- but consider the plight of poor Simon Pegg, the man who would love to be in "Harry Potter"...if only they would let him.

"I haven't done my stint yet. I feel like I've been left out of a massive club," he sighed. "It's like every actor in Britain worth their salt has played a wizard or a muggle." 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.

Come Tuesday and a new batch of links, including news on Anne Hathaway, Brittany Murphy, Stan Lee, Michael Moore, and Jared Leto.

- Anne Hathaway teams with Jonathan Demme for comedy "Dancing With Sheba," about ex-model in and out of rehab who attends her sister's wedding. (Blackfilm)

- Brittany Murphy travels to "The Other Side" with Jason Lee, Giovanni Ribisi, Jim Broadbent, and Tim Roth in fantasy comedy. (Variety)

- Jared Leto and Sarah Polley the somebodies attached to "Mr. Nobody," a "butterfly effect" romance. (Hollywood Reporter)

- "I think [Tim] Story is doing the best he can." Stan Lee talks "Fantastic Four," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man," and more. (Superhero Hype)

- "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the secret of life. (Sydney Morning Herald)

- Michael Moore and CNN call truce in their online battle of numbers. (MichaelMoore.com)

Batman keeps getting new gadgets, Indy keeps getting new friends, and Owen Wilson keeps working with Ben Stiller. That and more in our links of the day.

- The Batcycle! Click source link for full-size image. (L.A. Times)

- Jim Broadbent cast in "Indy 4”? (AICN)

- Eli Roth lashes out at pirates for box office failure of "Hostel: Part II." (Myspace)

- Alas, John Cusack. Patrick Wilson more or less confirms he's cast as Nite Owl in Zack Snyder's "Watchmen." (ComingSoon)

- Tuesdays with Adam. Sports columnist and best-selling author Mitch Albom writing baseball script for Adam Sandler. (Variety)

- Owen Wilson and Nick Nolte join Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder." (Variety)

- "The Cat Burglars" and "Operation Rudolph" among upcoming films from "Wallace and Gromit" studio Aardman Features. (Variety)

- Forest Whitaker and Jude Law set for "The Repossession Mambo," morality tale about seizing black market organs. (Variety)