|
AUGUST 14, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Business Wire
Warner Bros. has just announced
that the release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has been pushed back and will be released on July 17, 2009 instead of this coming November. This news has been confirmed to HPANA by Warner Bros.
Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. stated:
Our reasons for shifting Half-Blood Prince to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move Half-Blood Prince to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer.
Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, confirmed:
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.
While producer David Heyman offered:
When Jeff Robinov explained the rationale behind moving the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to July 2009, it was immediately apparent that this offered us the potential to reach the widest possible audience. I am extremely proud of this latest film and of the work of David Yates and our incomparable cast; I believe we have developed and pushed the series further still. We are all looking forward to sharing it with Harry Potter fans around the world, even if we have to wait just a bit longer.
UPDATE: The official Potter site has been updated with the new release date.
UPDATE II: We don't normally do this, but fan reaction to this news is understandably heated (to put it mildly) and we thought it would be fun to post links to petitions that will try to convince WB to rethink their decision. (No offense, but it will have no effect whatsoever except to make them feel bad -- momentarily -- before going back to counting money --Ed., Cheeser.) Feel free to send links to any petitions you find!
UPDATE III: IMAX was apparently caught by surprise. They've just released a very short statement concerning the change:
Reflecting today's announcement that the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has moved to July 2009, IMAX Corporation confirmed it is already exploring alternative titles for this year's holiday season and is confident it will secure a solid film for the IMAX(R) theatre network.
UPDATE IV: Hold on to your hats, folks. Studio head Alan Horn told the Associated Press today after the announcement:
"The picture is completely, absolutely, 100 percent on schedule, on time. There were no delays. I've seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November."
UPDATE V: 16-year-old explodes due to delay of 'Harry Potter 6'
Reader Comments (289)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
226-250 251-275 276-289
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1494
~*WitherWings*~ says:
Oh my god, what the hell?!?! July 2009?? How can they move it so far ahead! The movie will be ready for Nov but they're gonna release it in July?? How does that make sense? GRR *is so angry*
I can't believe WB are doing this! We have to wait a whole year for HBP >:|
I hope they change their decision, this is just rediculous.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:21 AM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8449
Paper Cut says:
I agree with TheSeventhHorcrux, it seems really odd. They officially released international release dates for NOVEMBER just a few days ago, meaning the decision to change it has taken place in the past couple of days. the trailer has also been released, though it's crazy to produce a trailer a year before a film comes out. WB have changed their mind very suddenly.
As for getting a bigger audience in the summer - what difference does it make? People go to see movies all year round!
And Why did Alan Horn say it was the best decision to move it, and blamed it on the writers strike, and then say in his next comment that it would be perfectly able to be out in November? They've FINISHED the movie, why make us wait 8 extra months?! There is just no point.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:27 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 320
Jorel says:
WOW! Just when i though WB couldnt disappoint us anymore.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:40 AM EST
Points: 45
down1989 says:
Bad doing WB, Very BAD!!! i was soo very much looking forward to this November, and i don't think there will be much difference with the money by changing the release date.
Waiting for November was almost too much, but now waiting for July is far too much.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:41 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2138
Happy Pancakes says:
That is so ridiculous.. Can people stop for a second and think of the fans over the money..
And it may be a Summer release in the US and UK but in Australia it's a winter release.. People will see the movie regardless of the season
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:54 AM EST
Witch
Points: 670
draconifors says:
Like Dementors shaddow I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
PISSED!!!!!!!!!
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
I signed those petitions all right. This is preposterous! Everyone knws that the Harry Potter movies are watched by Harry Potter fans, and they will watch it no matter the date. The excuses are ridiculuos, especially when it was stated that the movie was ready. I hope that this was all a misunderstanding, otherwise many people are going to be disappointed.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 5:58 AM EST
Lunarly challenged
Points: 2480
Grayback'sVictim says:
Is HPANA on Punk'd or something?
That's not right!
Like November isn't far enough they'd push it till new year, SUMMER!I mean come on, that decision will never stand under the presure of the fans...
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 6:09 AM EST
Points: 2
lienteken says:
Boycot it... Don't go on harry potter sites or whatever
We have to show them they won't make more money... If they want to act stupid, why shouldn't we? They won't read the petitions... we have to do something else to prove we won't take this crap!
It's another year waiting... Like 1.5 year is not enough... This is really rubbish!
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:02 AM EST
Witch
Points: 536
-Rebellion- says:
WHAT IS WRONG WITH WB!! *cries*
hooow can they do this to us??!!! i'm so angry right now that o could just.........................AAAGH!!!
and i thought it was soo long time for us to wait until november! and now we have to wait ANOTHER YEAR??? :'(
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:22 AM EST
Dumbledore's Girl
Points: 4511
flyby says:
I officially hate you warner bros. do you not give a dam about your fans !!?? fair enough you want a summer release BUT DONT SAY IT WAS GOING TO BE NOVEMBER ! most people decide a final date before releasing a trailor with it on! I am absolutely gutted, i will be more gutted if jkr is backing this. STAND UP TO THEM JK !
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:33 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 72
Unnursvana says:
NOOOOO!!! Why Warner Bros? Why? why are you doing this to us?
I do not think that I can wait until July next year to see it...
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:42 AM EST
Facotrot Founder
Points: 4737
Aurora_7 says:
UPDATE IV: Hold on to your hats, folks. Studio head Alan Horn told the Associated Press today after the announcement:
"The picture is completely, absolutely, 100 percent on schedule, on time. There were no delays. I've seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November."
Having this information angers me even more. Someone should leak the film! That'll teach them.
Let's see your next move WB
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:46 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4299
Juicybit says:
This is ridiculous, that they hold some finished product back like this. It just emphasizes the fact that to them it's all about money and business and marketing... I'm disgusted.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 7:47 AM EST
Master of Multiplication
Points: 2726
TwnmomX2 says:
This is so stupid! Widest possible audience my behind.... Twilight comes out Dec 12th and they don't want to compete. I'm more HP and the movie franchise has a bigger following than the books(it would seem). Release it in November!
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 8:25 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1899
Hermione5 says:
I'm just sick of this all. I can't believe what they've done... I'm seriously pissed off, and getting gloomy all the same. :( This is not fair. It won't make more money by a July release, I can tell this to them now, it's only that there's nothing in their cage for a brain that will understand the words. I can easily tell this too: it will get out form WB sooner than they think. Someone probably will be able to sneak it out in this H U G E time gap til the release. And that will mean even less money.
I'm sad J.K. doesn't have a right to do something against this as a leader of an army of enraged fans. :(
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 8:37 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
HPSmart says:
I'm distraught.
I couldn't sleep last night for hearing this news yesterday. I don't believe that anyone has offered good reasoning yet for the delay either.
Well, we still have Tales of Beedle the Bard to look forward to in December. Unless that gets pushed as well!
I love HP!
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 8:44 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
I shouldn't have opened my big mouth about loving when OotP came out in the summer... I'm ok with it though, I really do have so much more time to enjoy HP in the movie theatre when it's in the summer.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 8:58 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
Voldemorts Adviser says:
oh my god!!! I'm off the web for a few days and this happens??? Can't believe their doing this, I'm so disappointed...but....getting over the shock I guess its understandable, summer season is the best time for movies....still...I was so looking forward to this film and now we have to wait another 8 months or so....:(
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 9:05 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
OH MY GOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!! This cannot be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had it all planned out for my birthday!! :(( *bawls*
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 9:31 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1485
Flawed Hero says:
What?? When I saw the whole "16 year old explodes" thing, I thought it was some random outraged fan (outrage is an understatement for most fans, presently), but I didn't expect it to actually be me. Well I guess now I should pay more attention to what I say... since apparently it is not evident that people "explode" in anger, or as Google says, "show a violent emotional reaction" :D
Don't worry people I've calmed down a bit, and am not recovering from any kind of combustion (that I know of), but I'm still kind of annoyed. Ah well nothing we can do (except sign all those fun petitions!). Its about time WB showed their true colors.
Ah well this is my non-hp fansite internet debut! As anonymous 16 year old crazy person, just like I would have expected.
[Note to self: do not exaggerate about outrageous WB stuff in future]
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 9:44 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 25
LemonFaerie says:
I am a regular on Leaky Cauldron but I check HPANA all the time and have posted here once or twice. Like most everyone else here, I am enraged and shocked beyond all reason at WB for doing this. The people I hang out with at Leaky and I are starting a DA-esque, grass roots rebellion against this idiocy. We are boycotting EVERYTHING to do with WB. ALL their movies, their TV channel, AOL, TimeWarner, their print media, events, merchandise, everything. The petitions are great but the only way we'll have a chance of really making them switch the date back is if they feel it in the only place they have feelings left: their wallets. If their profits and stocks drop far enough they will have no choice. This is market driven and WE are the consumers. That means WE control the market. If the whole fandom will get serious about a boycott we might yet get our film in November. Get everyone you know involved, whether they're HP fans or not. In the internet age, we could take this around the world and back in 24 hours.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 9:56 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 442
Adria_Tonks says:
This is just about this most ridikulous thing I have ever heard.
EVERY fan would be there in November to see the movie. Just because July is a hot month and most people don't have school, doesn't make it any more likely for them to go. Just slightly easier. slightly.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 10:18 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 471
Nathalie McGonagall says:
Ok like seriously, stop thinking about money! The Harry Potter Franchise already makes like a gazillion dollars a year just by merchandise, books and more. To release it during summer when Batman was released is stupid. Batman suceeded because of the hype sourrounding it, not because it was summer. Harry Potter 6 was to be released near Christmas, making it lots of Christmas gifts for fans and a thing to do during the holidays. There's is much hype around this movie as Batman, so it will do as good as Batman. Plus, we have all these loyals fan who are willing to see this movie and bring in money anyways; they'll even see it more then once! I mean HP5 did well because it looked like a much more interesting movie then the others, liek HP3 was released in summer and did not as well as hoped. Don't do this for money, because trust me, you will loose lots of fans.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 10:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Twilight princess midna says:
Come on people please, sign the petition.I'm begging you please.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 10:21 AM EST
Witch
Points: 660
HalfBloodMel says:
WHAT!!????!!!
no i cant be true , i mean they have allready a trailer and it says it comes in november. HOw could they do this!
this is very mean done, if they put a date decide wish and dont change it all the time!!!!*mad face*.
Posted Aug 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST
226-250 251-275 276-289
Back to top of page