Yaaay! The first PoA pictures are up

[Nia <penumbra10@ameritech.net>]

The Sun online has pictues of the triple decker "knight bus" from the 
new PoA film as well as one of Dan on set here:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003070408,00.html

The bus is a real hoot, isn't it? There is also an accompanying 
article that indicated the knight bus scene was too dangerous for Dan 
so they had to use a stunt double.  I guess it must be the part where 
the bus comes careening out of nowhere when Harry is holding his wand 
out. The bus must come awfully close and I imagine it's a bit tipsy 
and top-heavy being so tall and all. Looks like that will be quite 
exciting to watch.  :-)

Also, at "The Leaky Cauldron" there is a link to an article that 
indicated Cuaron was too busy on the PoA set to give an interview 
about his Academy Award nomination.  Sooooooo, it looks like filming 
has begun before the "announced" February 17th start date.  It would 
be rather nice, wouldn't it, if they managed to let everyone in on 
the big casting 'secrets' before they got too far underway.

Question:
Since it will only take about nine months or so to film PoA, and the 
release date isn't until June, 2004, does anyone know if they plan to 
start filming GoF in late 2003, early 2004 or wait until after PoA is 
released?  That will be about an 8-month hiatus--a bit long, don't 
you think?
--Nia