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Director Mike Newell discusses 'Goblet of Fire' experiences 
OCTOBER 30, 2007 at 4:50 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: MTV Movies Blog
While promoting his new movie Love in the Time of Cholera, director Mike Newell
spoke about his experiences working on the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie by stating that he would have not changed a thing and the fact that J.K. Rowling did not tell him anything about the last book, Deathly Hallows.
Director Mike Newell on meeting Jo:
No. Absolutely nothing. I asked her and she wouldn't [say a thing]. She was very funny about that. I asked her questions [and] she simply said "I'm not answering them. Not that. Not that. Not that."
I remember we went up to see her in Edinburgh and her little daughter was in the room and she started to say cute things like, "Are you going to do this mummy? And [Jo] said "Sweetheart, why don't you go into the other room and play?"
Newell on if he would have do anything different with Goblet of Fire:
There was something in the book that was absolutely glorious and would produce this great driven vehicle which would really hum along. It was a God given thriller. It's like North by Northwest. That's how the strong story in Goblet worked. I thought that was a colossal way of structuring the story, and would work really well. You would dilute that if you went into all the subplots.
There's a whole storyline for [Hermione] that's all about free the house elf, and it was okay. But that was going to be shunted into a second movie I couldn't see what was going to keep that second movie afloat.
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Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 25658
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Oh nice!
*loves interviews*
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 4:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2081
Nataly says:
Goblet of Fire was great well done to Director Mike Newell! I was certain that Jo didn't tell him anything :)
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 5:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1239
MollyMomma says:
For some reason I rarely give a hoot what the director has to say, but I'm a little miffed that he "wouldn't change a thing." I would! The subplots are enjoyable and part of the whole HP experience. You can't just have Harry running after Voldie and Voldie after Harry. There are other things going on that would greatly enhance the movie-watching experience, regardless of being a main plot line or not. I missed Mungo's, Ron's quidditch and Hermione's passion for house elves. That's the point at which she throws herself at Ron when he mentions saving the elves. I don't know, I think we're all interested in all the nuances and intricacies of the Wizarding world, not just Harry.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 5:15 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8184
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Nice input and feedback. Of course we will have to see how it translates into the final product. But it is nice to have something to chew on in the meantime.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 5:48 PM EST
Hogwarts Social Worker
Points: 3148
SnoopyLover says:
While I totally agree that the subplots enrich the books tremendously, it would be hard to pack in all the great things into a movie.
I would like to see five-hour HP movies that could have all of the details--wouldn't you all go?
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 6:34 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
PatiGWBlack says:
He was here in Brazil promoting his new movie too and during a interview, he said that he was pratically forced to read Goblet of Fire!
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 7:02 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1590
~Harry's true love~ says:
I absolutly loved Goblet of Fire, for sure the top movie in my eyes!`
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 7:02 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 2854
Tikihaha says:
Hmmm ... I think he's a bit narrow-minded if he reckons that he didn't need to change anything ... how about the direction of Michael Gambon? He was charming and energetic in Prisoner of Azkaban, and then surly and violent in Goblet of Fire! Not really Dumbledore at all ...
Although, the scene in the graveyard at the end of the movie was AWESOME!
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 7:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2718
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats interesting. I wonder what the other directors have to say about their expeirences on the movie set.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 9:47 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4451
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Honestly, I'm glad he got rid of SPEW. It was annoying hearing her talk about it.
~Drish~
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 9:56 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
awww Mikey!
he did a great job with GOF, I wouldnt mind having him come back for DH or at least to help with it.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 9:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2297
mad_eye muggle says:
Interesting interview.Very amusing,love GoF.Can't wait for HBP to come out.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 10:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 536
MWbashfulAR says:
I don't mind SPEW getting the boot. It slowed down an otherwise glorious novel. But the film version of the third task: HORRIBLE!!! He completely ruined what I was looking forward to most! I was expecting blast-ended skrewts and an acromantula and a SPHINX! Instead, violent shrubbery. At least the version of Voldemort's rebirth was astounding. Though I can't say the same about the minimal art production for the cemetery set. Coulda been better.
I'm holding out hope still for Cuaron for Deathly Hallows!
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 10:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2305
SlytherinStarGazer says:
I love reading pieces like this, gives some insight into what the director of the film is thinking, and how they perceive the movie...Good Job :)
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 10:26 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4021
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
Great interview, but I do disagree with him on a few things. I would have changed a lot of things in GoF. I loved the movie, but it wasn't my fave HP movie. I have to admit I loved the minor subplots that are in the HP movies, especially the Hermione/SPEW subplot. The whole book isn't about Harry, most of it is, but its also about the trio, its about the Wizarding World. The subplot about Hermione and the house elves would have added maybe, 10 minutes to the film, in my opinion, it would be very essential to the film. He basically made the movie mostly have Harry Potter, like it was in the book(because the movie does revolve around Harry and the Triwizard Tornament"). Including the subplots would have made the movie much better. The most amount of time you see Ron and Hermione is during the Yule Ball, that's it. I would have liked to see them more.
I honestly wouldn't want him to come back and direct the last HP movie. I don't really care who directs it as long as they make DH the best movie ever!! I really like David Yates, and OotP is my fave movie so far, and I am sure that the next one will be just as amazing, so I would really like to see him come back.
Again, I don't care who directs the last HP movie, as long as its not M. Night "Shyamalomadingdong"(he said they asked him to direct PoA). The only thing I care about is that the director doesn't take out anything of importance, any subplots that are important, or any characters or stuff like that...I have no idea how they're going to make the last book into a movie, there's just too much important stuff to make it under 3 hours long. I have an odd feeling DH is gonna be missing a lot of stuff that us fans want in it, but we just have to be optomistic and hope for the best.
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 11:01 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 2451
Hecate3fold says:
It's more important for me to see all the little sub plots that are going on even if it would have made the film extremely long. Thats what the world of Hogwarts is all about.
I was disapointed with the loss of all the extras. Could there be a sequal centered around Hermione and her exploits? I'd certainly want to see it and I'm sure there is some talented screen writer out there that could make a whole movie out of what was left out of the original.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 11:47 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Director Mike did a good job with GOF! I love it!
Posted Oct 30, 2007 at 11:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
~AlyPotter~ says:
GOF was not all that bad. I would have changed some things, but very minimal things to say the least. I have to admit that he did a great job with the 3 tasks and the graveyard scene.
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 12:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1668
Bright Eyes says:
Yeah, I feel so sorry for the script writer of GoF, so, so, so many subplots to cut out - if you were a big fan of the books you'd cry everytime you had to remove somehting! At least I would!
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 12:33 AM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
Good, GOF is one of my favorites movies. Funny, Jo didn't got invoved in this movie and it came out great, on the other hand, she was involved in the POA and was completly different from the book.
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 12:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 932
crazywitch says:
The subplots are very important, because it isnt all about Harry, its about them all and the Wizarding World as a whole. I've always missed Peeves not being in the films.
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 6:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1439
~*WitherWings*~ says:
Mike actually did a good job on the movie, cos it was a complicated book. It was sad SPEW was cut, but he was right not to make a second movie. GoF was great, but it wasn't the best. I wouldn't want him back for DH.
I hope we get a brilliant Director for DH, that is one movie that can not be screwed up. Maybe they should think about splitting it into two parts..? That would actually work quite well..
*HaPPy HaLLoWeeN*
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 9:13 AM EST
Squib
Points: 157
cshorte says:
I loved Goblet of Fire. I thought he did a great job! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!
Posted Oct 31, 2007 at 12:30 PM EST
Honeydukes Eye Candy
Points: 3500
Pansyful says:
Haha and their still talking about JK's plans. i still am a bit uncomfortable with what she did to DD but maybe i'll feel better when i see the movies L0L. okay just kidding
Posted Nov 1, 2007 at 9:14 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 495
Elphaba Thropp says:
Umm...too bad no one cares. GoF was how long ago? Yeah, it's called building a bridge and getting over it.
Posted Nov 1, 2007 at 11:49 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4064
ILoveHP! says:
I loved what he did with Goblet. He fit the movie. :)
Posted Nov 2, 2007 at 12:54 AM EST
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