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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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Student
Points: 227
Sprockets says:
Sorry Warner Bros, but that was very stupid.
Very disappointing.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:05 PM EST
Student
Points: 201
full_blood_princess08 says:
yeah... so the official site now says july 17, 2009.
but after i finished freaking out. i thought about it. it makes NO sense at all. they'll take it back in about a week.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2386
lady kate says:
I could punch an old lady right now I am so mad... where is my great grandmother? OKay, I wouldn't actually punch her, but I am really mad.
I just wont go see the movie now. I'll wait for the entire thing to get leaked onto the internet and watch it for free (it is bound to happen if they have a finished product and leave it lying around for months and months).
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:08 PM EST
Squib
Points: 145
HaleyPotter says:
This is completely ridiculous. They just put out the trailer for goodness sake! Why did they put November in the trailer if they were just going to change their minds two weeks later? In the article it said that post production will be completed on the same schedule, so that means that the movie will be done in November and will just be sitting around? Sure....that'll work. We all remember how well the secrets of DH leaked. Magic of the internet. The studio is doing this because they can. Because they know, no matter how ticked we are collectively, we're still going to pay the $9.50 for a midnight release. And they're right. A petition and several strongly worded letters are in order.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:12 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
Basilina says:
What? This is not right, NOT right.......
I could scream.......there I went, I screamed.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1451
leeanne<3ron says:
Joke ??
No wayy July is way to far.!!
I was getting all excited as well.....
Ohg dear i dont think HP fans are going to be happy about this....
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 72
luvrupe says:
you know what I'm not even interested in seeing this movie anymore, the lack of news and promotion and the waiting is making me less and less excited about it, I'm so upset right now, I won't even bother in cheking the news on the internet anymore, go to hell WB!!
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:18 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 581
Dara_255 says:
WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!?!!?!
Puddy and JeFleurDeLaCour I agree completely! And I've decided to make that petition! You can see it here PLEASE SIGN!
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:23 PM EST
Points: 1
surfster says:
Everyone, please contact these individuals to complain. Make your voices heard.
Domestic Contact:
Susan Fleishman, 818-954-1919
susan.fleishman@warnerbros.com
or
International Contacts:
Jayne Trotman, 020 7984 5222
jayne.trotman@warnerbros.com
Desiree Finnegan, 818-954-3397
desiree.finnegan@warnerbros.com
or
Head of Harry Potter Production Publicity:
Vanessa Davies, 011-44-192-368-5131
vanessa@hpfilms.co.uk
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:26 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 65
ginny'sbff says:
Is this a joke?!!!? I'm going to cry!!
*I would write this in caps if I could but that would be "yelling" and is illegal
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:27 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1587
TitaniaSnape says:
Seriously? This is disappointing. This explains why the teaser trailer came out so late I guess. I was really looking forward to November, too. At least it doesn't change the release dates of DH (or it better not anyway or there would be a lot of angry fans...)
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 930
ivyelizabethwalker says:
"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."
A bit longer?? Oh, come on. This is madness.
They must have a problem on the set, they need more time to fix things! But .. more time for what? What's the problem?
They talk about the writers' strike. That strike is ended ages ago, the HPB script is supposed to be finished.. what are they talking about??
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:34 PM EST
Silly Squib
Points: 3772
Mat Madcat says:
I don't know? Does it really make a difference when the movie is released? I mean, regardless of the time frame, the movie is going to gross the same amount of money. Plus, when it hits the dvd shelves, it gives people another outlet to see the movie in case they hadn't when it was in the theatres.
Maybe I'm just rationalizing because I don't want to wait until 2009?:P
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:38 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 492
SoccerChick22 says:
Oh my god. Noooooo! That sucks.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 608
berries&cream says:
WHAT!? nooooooooooo !!! :(
im soooooo not in a good mood right now
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:43 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 38
hpfan426 says:
this almost made me cry
I cant accept warner brothers doing this
it is still going to get the same amount of money either way
grrr..
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:46 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1102
Fire Phoenix says:
Nooooooo way!! That just can't be, they're upseting fans round the world. The film is shot, the first trailer released and I bet they've finished the whole production by now.
This is half a year longer to wait and honestly who wants to wait!
This is just disappointing and if it's all about money they're just greedy.
I just don't want to believe this, first they make us happy setting a release date all along and then only two and a half month to go and they push the date half a year to the future and disappoint the fans.
That will get them a lot of bad mails in the in-box tomorrow.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:46 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 374
Big_D says:
Please tell me this a joke!! Anyone!!! I have been waiting sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long for this movie. Stupid writers strick.:(
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:47 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo
I am so mad right now.....gonna hurt someone
I really can't believe that WB did this, this is such garbage
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:49 PM EST
Facotrot Founder
Points: 4772
Aurora_7 says:
Nooooo! This is bullcrap!
They've obviously been planning this for a while, how else do you explain the lack of stills and footage?!
WB, your excuses are lame. I'm not happy.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:50 PM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8451
Paper Cut says:
Oh how STUPID. I mean, fair enough to Warner Brothers, all they care about is getting as much money as possible, which is the way businesses work. But to be honest with you, I think at this stage they're not really attracting many new viewers, only those who have seen the previous films and are fans of the book. No one's going to go and see the 6th film without having seen the rest. They're guaranteeing more publicity and build up to the film, whilst disappointing hundreds of fans.
I for one am mainly annoyed because I'll be in Africa by that time, so won't get to see it til ages after the release date. Thanks WB.
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:51 PM EST
Student
Points: 233
Artep says:
When I saw the headline, I thought this was wrong... July NEXT YEAR???? And the trailer is out all now???????????? I don't understand their logic.....
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:57 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4666
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
I really don't care, I only wanted to see Little Tom and I got to in the trailer, so I can wait. Besides, this means I get to campout for a whole 24 hours again like last year instead of skipping school.
~Drish~
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 5:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1413
awsomearies4potter says:
Heinus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That so sucks! Now what? Th move!ey all but shot themselves in the foot with that
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 6:01 PM EST
Witch
Points: 927
Moggiesmom says:
AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!! Who do we send Howlers to? ^..^
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 6:02 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1268
SiriusBlackComesBack says:
I'm completely bummed...the reason is to reach the widest audience possible? That's ridiculous. As if they don't make a killing with the HP movies as it is....
Posted Aug 14, 2008 at 6:04 PM EST
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