LONDON, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- British director Mike Newell, who made Hugh Grant a star with the 1994 "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is ready to take on Harry Potter.
Newell has been tapped to direct, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's series, The Scotsman reported Sunday.
Newell most recently directed "Mona Lisa Smile," with Julia Roberts, and also "Enchanted April" and "Donnie Brasco."
Production on "Goblet of Fire" will begin next April with a scheduled release in 2005. The story is longer, darker and more complex than the three previous books, the Scotsman said.
The third movie, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," is currently being filmed by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón.
The first two Harry Potter movies were directed by Chris Columbus, who is producing "Prisoner of Azkaban."
Warner Brothers Pictures hailed the hiring of Newell, saying he handles drama and comedy "equally well."
