The film begins shooting next April

Newell, 61, is the first Briton to direct a film adaptation of a JK Rowling book.

He will begin work on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire next April.

Newell, who also directed the Johnny Depp mafia thriller Donnie Brasco, has just finished shooting the film Mona Lisa Smile, which stars Julia Roberts.

"I'm very excited about directing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," he said.

"As audiences have become more familiar with both the books and the movies, there has been an increasing challenge to continue to develop each of these characters and to make their world real on screen."

'Perfect choice'

The first two films, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, were directed by American film-maker Chris Columbus.

The third, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, has been made by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron.

Producer David Heyman said Newell was "the perfect choice".

"He has worked with children, made us laugh, and had us sitting on the edge of our seats. He is great with actors and imbues all his characters, all his films, with great humanity. I'm thrilled," he said.

The fourth film will see Harry Potter enter a dangerous inter-school wizadry competition.