Cinematical

The first Harry Potter book begins with Harry's parents dying because author J.K. Rowling, dealing with the death of her own mother, decided to burden her boy hero with the death of his own parents, Rowling said in an interview published in Tuesdays Daily Telegraph newspaper.  Rowling's mother died without ever knowing of her daughter's literary success, and Rowling said her biggest regret is not being able to tell her mother all that's happened. Rowling recalls she had started writing Harry Potter at the time her mother died of multiple sclerosis on New Years Day, 1991. (Note: spoilers after the jump)

Rowling also admits that she is obsessed with death, and that is why the theme of death so permeates the Harry Potter novels (and films): Harry's parents are dead, his archnemesis, Voldemort, is obsessed with eternal life, and Rowling has already killed off two beloved characters in the first six books, and reveals that in the seventh and final Harry Potter installment, more death - both to good guys and bad guys - will be coming. Harry Potter fansites and blogs have long been buzzing about who is likely to die in the seventh book; Dumbledore's death at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has sparked considerable speculation about what Rowling has planned next for the boy wizard, who has grown to be one of the most popular literary and film characters ever. 

[ via Yahoo News ]