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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)
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Points: 38
Melede says:
I have personally written to Warner Bros. And I think more people need too as well. I am determined to change the release date back.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 11:47 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1909
Hermione5 says:
We should really boycott this all. All WB movies. All movies til July.
I feel like they will gonna have to make an announcement soon that due to the unexpected (unexpected for them, duh!!!)rage of fans they have to move the premier back to November!!!
ARGGGGH!!! I'm sooo angry. And if next year, why July??? can't it be March or April for a change??? If November is out of question?
What J.K. might think? :( She probably has true feelings towards us fans. :( I wish she would make an announcement too, even if only to say she is sad too and to express her empathy. :(
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM EST
Rupert's TRU 1 N'Only
Points: 4419
ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe says:
I don't understand the point in boycotting every other WB movie except the Harry Potter movie?
First of all, it isn't JUST Harry Potter fans who see the other WB movies, and, secondly, STILL going to see the Harry Potter movie is giving them what they want. They get their money, and YOU still have to wait until July.
If you really wanna make a stand, don't go see it at all. You've waited this long. I'm sure everyone could wait for the DVD.
But still going to see the movie, whether you don't go see it opening night or opening weekend, isn't going to do much, if they still get your money.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 12:08 PM EST
Rupert's TRU 1 N'Only
Points: 4419
ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe says:
And I don't understand why people keep saying "true" Harry Potter fans will see the movie no matter when it comes out. Regardless of when it comes out or what movie it is, moviegoers have rights, don't they?
People made PLANS to see this movie. Some wanted this as a birthday present, Christmas present, etc. This wasn't just another movie to go see to have something to do over the weekend.
The same thing goes with any other movie. We were promised November, so why not take a stand against them changing their minds? This doesn't make you any less of a Harry Potter fan, because you decide you're not going to go see the movie, WHENEVER they release it.
You're just standing up for what's fair. Saying that someone who chooses NOT to go see it isn't a true fan is just ridiculous. I'd have to question any person who thinks so's judgement.
Don't tell me you're one of those who asks "how high" when WB tells you to jump.
I mean come on, people.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST
Points: 217
Theo Murpse says:
@ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe:
One person boycotting HP doesn't make a difference. Therefore, if a boycott is to work, many people must boycott. Assuming many people will boycott, the most effective boycott would be if they refused to see ALL WB movies.
That is the point of boycotting all WB films. It says that you will hurt them financially as much as possible until HP comes out.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST
Points: 217
Theo Murpse says:
@RON's all up in heRmiONe:
They may have split #7 up into two movies for money reasons, but you'd have to be very ignorant to think that anyone would go see a single five hour movie. Theaters might not even carry such a film.
I don't have time to go see a five-hour movie because I have responsibilities like a job and school. Three hours I can do. Five hours I cannot.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM EST
Rupert's TRU 1 N'Only
Points: 4419
ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe says:
@Theo Murpse,
I know the definition of a boycott. What I'm saying is, why boycott every OTHER WB movie and NOT boycott the Harry Potter movie? Harry Potter fans aren't the ONLY people who go out to see their movies, so WB may or may not take a hit from HP fans not paying to see them.
The HP movies are movies we KNOW the majority of its audiences are fans of the books and movies. If the majority doesn't go to see the movie in July, I think that's having a bigger statement than not seeing other WB movies, and, then, going to see HBP.
Not giving them the success they expect to get from HBP in July will hit home a lot better than not seeing any of the other WB movies. I mean for every HP fan that's decided to boycott WB's movies, there's probably like 4 who don't even care and will go to see their movies anyway.
Boycotting ALL of their movies is just an unattainable goal. Boycotting this one could be done, and it should be, because we all know WB's not going to change their minds about July.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 1:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 693
RebeccaWatts+RobynWilson says:
It's taken me a while to figure out what I'm going to say here.
And to be honest, I don't think enough swear words can cover the anger. (:
This is probably the worst decision WB have made.
And now Twilight has stolen our realease date?!
(No offence Twilight fans, but I've never read the books so I don't know what I'm missing.)
So now they're going to be sitting with the finished movie, leaving it to gather dust before finally releasing it 11 months later?
It just doesn't make sense.
Wouldn't they rather have two amazing films in the same year (HBP and Dark Knight), instead of seperating them so people don't think they're slacking? They'll only bounce back with DH Part 1 either way!
I still can't decide whether to go see the movie or not.
A boycott is not exactly going to stop everyone going, but they will lose some hardcore fans.
But I don't know if I can wait even longer for this film. It would drive me mad to know the film was out and that all my friends had seen it, but I hadn't.
So confused.
So all in all;
Warner Bros are stupid.
All they care about is money.
The fans are angry.
All they want is to see the movie.
And hate mail will be piling up soon.
Hah, well WB deserve it. (:
RW+RW
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 1:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
Basilina says:
If we can arrange a full-scale boycott of HBP (that is, say, everyone who is signing the petitions and much more), maybe WB will understsand the stupidness of their actions. However, I do not think they even posess brains, but we could still try to arrange a boycott.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 2:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
destroyingangel says:
WB actually SUCKS now! duh!
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM EST
Student
Points: 220
dobbysfan says:
Oh no! Thats too long a time! I was starting to get excited:-(
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 3:25 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 6
number1fanHP says:
This is totally unfair all Warner Bros. cares about is themselves not about the Harry Potter Fans and how long we've all waited to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood-Prince just about how much money and if you agree with me go to Petitionspot.com and sign the petition to bring Harry Potter And the Half Blood Prince to the big screen in November!!!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 3:48 PM EST
Points: 217
Arra Tonks says:
I really don't like this, two years without Harry Potter...doesn't even sound right.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 4:44 PM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9948
Gryffindor Dude says:
I am just as disappointed as the rest of the fans. I am shocked to know that they did it all for money. I hope JKR releases a statement about it as soon as possible.. she should know how disappointed we are.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 306
9skinny says:
I don't care what he says. He just made my face flush red for the third time this week. Reading articles about the changed date do nothing except make me angry and raise my blood pressure anymore.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 5:08 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1032
Puddy says:
Warner Bros. are doing all Harry Potter fans a BIG disservice by postponing purely for their SELFISH CAPITALIST GAIN, and MUST change the date if the are to avoid 1000s of angry fans and boycotters (which includes myself).
I know the movie industry is very different from the literary one, and one cannot nessesarily influence the other but since it's J.K. ROWLINGS STORY, not Warners, wouldn't J.K. Rowling be able to intervene on behalf of her fans? If so many people are going to boycott the movie now, that would certainly affect HER as well now?
Ultimately it comes those stupid dollar signs for the movie industry, and I don't believe JK Rowling will be happy to see the company she entrusted with her beautiful story taint it like this and treat it as a pure commodity.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 5:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1262
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Hmm... it would be really REALLY hard for a lot of us (me included), but if enough HP fans didn't go and see the movie, WB would obviously lose a lot of money.
This way, it's making a stand and proving a point: Here they are thinking they're going to make more money by drastically changing the release date. But with so many people not going to see it, they're going to lose money, whereas if they would have just left it the way it was, they'd have made more money.
If that makes any sense...
I guess what I'm trying to say, is because of this decision they let a potentially high-grossing movie (because we all know it would still make a huge profit regardless of when it is released) lose out on a lot of money - and that would not make them happy.
And I agree with ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe as well as Theo Murpse - In order to make a difference, focusing boycotting HBP would be the most effective way to approach it, but it wouldn't hurt our cause if we did boycott other WB movies as well. Many of us are mad at the company, and they will begin to notice if they start losing profit with other movies as well.
And another thing we could do to help that cause: If we know people who are going to see the movie just for the sake of seeing a movie (i.e. not a hard-core fan who is indifferent to the whole thing and does not have their heart set on seeing HBP), convince them to help your cause by seeing another movie.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 306
9skinny says:
All i can say is that i hope they realise what a RUCKUS they've started. *shakes head* *shakes head again*
Here's to them changing their indecisive minds back to November and realise that they are NEVER EVER EVER going to do such a thing ever again.
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 5:55 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
bruja-blanca says:
What? are you crazy?...noooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Ok let's watch TWILIGHT...or...any other movie..because they care about their fans.JKR..DO SOMETHING PLEASE!
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 8:36 PM EST
Squib
Points: 112
nr2solace says:
WB is spewing out a bunch of bs and they deserve all the hate mail they can get. They don't love the fans they love our money. >=[
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 9:25 PM EST
Student
Points: 285
NicoleHalliwell says:
I'm confused! Is is coming out in November still?
Posted Aug 16, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
That is such horse Poo!!!1 I can't believe that they are doing that!!! But I sould take that back because all they want is money and they have made it very clear that they want to release next summer to capitalize on the summer release! Bunch of jerks!!!! That is so typical of large corporations to do such a money hungry thing! The same amount of people would go and see the movie in november!
Posted Aug 17, 2008 at 12:46 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 400
capella_black says:
If the movie's done then I'm sure an employee of Warner Bros or one of the distribution companies is going to pirate it way before the release date and put it on the internet. Doesn't that happen with most movies anyway?
Angry HP fans should just make a point of watching the pirated version (according to my brother they are often DVD quality) and boycotting it when it comes to theatres in July. That way we'll get to see it before the release date and Warner Bros will take a financial hit for being such greedy, money-grubbing jerks.
Posted Aug 17, 2008 at 12:56 AM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2606
krisie says:
How can they do this to us. I was really looking forward to this movie and now they are making us wait even longer. This really sucks! I just can't believe it.
Posted Aug 17, 2008 at 3:48 AM EST
Witch
Points: 605
Sahara says:
WB decision is total rubbish! I am infuriated by their decision to make Harry Potter fans wait 11 months for the release for Half Blood Prince. Their decision was based solely on how much more revenue could be squeezed out of the release. But what WB has failed to realize is that by pulling such an asinine stunt like this they have enraged a large portion of the Harry Potter fan base, and in doing so have hurt any chance they had of making mega bucks on this release. I know for sure that if I see the film at all now it will be only once. No multiple viewings for me. WB you have made a MONUMENTIOUS MISTAKE!!!!!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2008 at 3:54 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1054
dracolady says:
I'm so disappointed.
I was really looking forward to seeing the movie this Christmas...
I can't wait that long...
Posted Aug 17, 2008 at 5:48 AM EST
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