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Fans' Wizard Hats Droop With Anger, Sorrow as Warners Pushes Back 'Harry Potter 6'
Posted by STV at 10:00 AM on August 15, 2008
Warner Bros. sent surprising word today that it has bumped Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from a release this November all the way back to July 17, 2009 — a savvy numerological strategy landing Potter exactly one year's worth of Fridays from its opening day for The Dark Knight. Studio boss Alan Horn officially attributed the move to more practical considerations, however, namely the fact that Warners' vibrant content chain is missing a few links next summer thanks to the writer's strike. But don't get any ideas about Jonze-esque hold-ups or other snags, added Jeff Robinov:
"The release date change does not alter the production schedule for this or future Harry Potter films. Post-production on Half-Blood Prince was completed on time, and the studio's release plans for the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will not be affected by this change. We know Harry Potter fans are eagerly anticipating seeing the final chapters unfold onscreen. In fact, the good news for them is that the gap will now be shortened between Half-Blood Prince and the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Indeed, ecstatic Potter fans around the world rejoiced at having to wait another 11 months for the series' next installment — particularly those at MuggleNet, where glowing reactions ranged from "I AM SO PISSED RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NO IDEA. 2008 is officially the "WORST YEAR EVER" to creatively spelled calls for a Warner Bros. boycott. And of course, feel free to sign the inevitable angry petition for an earlier release date.
Now Variety reports that Disney is moving its own animated fall tentpole Bolt — which would have opened opposite Potter on Nov. 28 — back to July 17 as well. Universal and Will Ferrell, meanwhile, which previously had that day to itself for Land of the Lost, were last spotted scouting downtown window ledges at lunch. Send our apologies if you see them.
- 'Half-Blood Prince' moves to July [Variety]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
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Posted 11:53 AM 15/8/08
Seems like an odd move. Wonder what got them spooked? Twilight?
MCU
Posted 11:52 AM 15/8/08
"...Post-production on Half-Blood Prince was completed on time..."
How does that work, when post-production on Half-Blood Prince isn't done yet because the picture isn't even, you know, locked?
Is this that crazy Hollywood accounting we hear so much about?
MCU
Posted 1:03 PM 15/8/08
$20 says they couldnt get Dan to do publicity while he was naked on stage.
Posted 3:37 PM 15/8/08
The work of typical Muggles, no doubt. Maybe they hope the economy will be better, too, so they can sell even more tickets.
raincoaster
Posted 7:37 PM 15/8/08
@: Movies do well in recessions. Associated crap-I-mean-merchandise doesn't, but there's never been a boatload of crap associated with the Potter films, at least not since the furor over the first one died down.
I think they're just hoping their new Dumbledore will die in the meantime and they can get the death junkies out to see it.
raincoaster
BrandonGK
Posted 9:36 PM 15/8/08
The sounds like they needed a tent-pole for the summer next year and with all cash they made from TDK WB figured they could afford to hold Potter for five or six months.
BrandonGK
Fry_Bread_Power
Posted 12:13 AM 16/8/08
Bolt was moved up a week? 2008 is officially the BEST YEAR EVA!!!
Fry_Bread_Power
Decebal
Posted 2:35 AM 16/8/08
Does this mean there is no Santa Clause either Warner Brothers?
The EW's editors look like idiots with the movie on their cover this week. HA.
Too bad, I was really looking forward to the movie, having just finished the book (again) to be fresh for it. When they release the HP movies in November it truly feels like the holidays.
Decebal