Warner Bros. Pictures has just released details concerning the latest installment of the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This is the sixth film in a franchise with a set ending that is close approaching. Harry Potter fans worldwide can breathe a sigh of relief at least in the sense that all their surviving cast favorites will be on-hand for this new feature. David Yates, director of the previous Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will also return for one more turn at the helm alongside producer’s David Heyman, and David Baron. Screenwriter of the first four films Steve Kloves will also be on hand to do the honors for Half Blood Prince.

Producer David Heyman reassured fans by commenting, “I am really excited that David Yates and all our cast are back for the sixth film and welcome some wonderful new additions to our ensemble.  We all share a commitment to Jo Rowling and to Harry Potter fans around the world to keep making these films the best they can be and, as we head into the final installments, I can promise that this level of commitment will not waver.”

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will be returning to reprise their roles as the saviors of Hogwarts from the wrath of one Lord Voldemort. In addition to the main players, Helena Bonham Carter, David Bradley, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters and David Thewlis, as well as Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis and Bonnie Wright, will all be returning to their previous roles, as amazing accomplishment considering the number of films still to be shot. There will also be several new comers to the cast.

Jim Broadbent (Iris) will play new Potions Professor Horace Slughorn, while Helen McCrory (The Queen) will play Narcissa Malfoy mother to Harry’s nemesis Draco Malfoy. Jessie Cave has won the part of Lavender Brown, while two young actors have been drafted to portray a young Tom Riddle at different stages in his childhood; Hero Fiennes Tiffin (age 11) and Frank Dillane (teenaged Riddle), the later Riddle is well on his way to becoming the evil Lord Voldemort. This installment focuses on the up-coming fight between Voldemort and Potter, with Professor Dumbledore focused on preparing Harry for the fight to come. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be released November 21^st, 2008.