'Order of the Phoenix' filming in Italy
UPDATE: BadTaste.it reports that the journalist who wrote the article was contacted by Warner Bros shortly after the story's publication. WB said "the deal was off" because the location had been made public. All negotiations with the local authorities in Balestrino, Ms. Andreetto says, were subject to some sort of "confidentiality clause." We will update you on any changes.
Today we've learned Warner Bros. has been looking into filming scenes or b-roll (additional scenery) for Order of the Phoenix in the Savona area of Italy. An article in Italy's Il secolo XIX paper has a picture of Castello di Balestrino in North-Western Italy, where scenes from the upcoming Order of the Phoenix movie may be filmed as early as this Fall.
This full, detailed article can be found at the link below (or by clicking on the headline of this news story). Thanks to BadTaste.it for the translation, scan, and article!
Today we've learned Warner Bros. has been looking into filming scenes or b-roll (additional scenery) for Order of the Phoenix in the Savona area of Italy. An article in Italy's Il secolo XIX paper has a picture of Castello di Balestrino in North-Western Italy, where scenes from the upcoming Order of the Phoenix movie may be filmed as early as this Fall.
This full, detailed article can be found at the link below (or by clicking on the headline of this news story). Thanks to BadTaste.it for the translation, scan, and article!
Thanks to BadTaste.it for this report and translation for MuggleNet visitors:
Representatives for Warner Bros., the article states, have been visiting a number of small medieval towns around Italy, looking for the perfect location for scenes to be shot for OOTP.
Among the locations that were chosen and were being evaluated was the ancient Castle of Balestrino, a stunning medieval fortress around which a typical Italian village was built in the early Middle Ages. Because the Castle is private property, WB might have to ask for permission to film, not just from the local authorities, but from the owners of the building as well.
Over the last few weeks, the production company has commissioned a survey of the castle, to assess its compatibility with filming requirements. This part of Northern Italy offers breathtaking landscapes: it's a small region enclosed between the Tirreno sea and the Alps. In the area there's also a centuries-old sanctuary to the Virgin Mary, which would certainly make striking background scenery for any movie.
The mayor of Balestrino, Mr. Italo Panizza, confirms the local authorities have been contacted by WB, and that the visit actually took place, but he insists no definite arrangements were made yet, though filming for those scenes is scheduled to begin in October. Mr. Panizza added:
"Naturally, we made it clear we'd be more than happy to help. We are flattered to have been considered for the opportunity to host such a big, world-famous production. And this is why we have halted all renovation and repair work to the ancient buildings across the village: Warner Bros asked us not to touch anything."
Alessandra Bergero, Head of the local Film Commission authority, sounds less enthusiastic:
"WB did come and visit Balestrino; but they went to other towns all over Italy as well. As of now, there is no certainty as to whether they will shoot the movie here in Balestrino".
Thus, we find out Warner Bros has been looking around for the perfect Italian medieval town, to get the right atmosphere for the film. What scenes will they shoot? We can only guess, but, what with the magnificent scenery of the Alps mountain range nearby, could Giants be involved?
Rumours have been circulating over the last few months, suggesting that Order of the Phoenix would be shot on location in the Czech Republic, or - more recently - Turkey, possibly due to the expense of filming in Scotland and the bad Scottish weather that has delayed filming. While this is probably not the case with Italy (blessed with great weather, but possibly more expensive than Turkey): should Italy get the chance to become a part of the Potter world, this would mark the very first time production for a HP movie goes overseas, outside the United Kingdom.
Shooting would commence in October, the Mayor says; that would be after the summer hiatus has ended (the younger actors will have taken their GCSE examinations by then), and just prior to the date principal photography for Movie 5 is scheduled to wrap up (November).
Posted by Andrew on Jun 11th |
76 Comments
Visitor Comments
wow, i wonder which scene?
coolness!
awesome. NOW WHERE IS MUGGLECAST??!
Wow italian fans are so lucky!! I wonder which scene?! third?
AHHHHHHHHHH ITALY! That is awesomeeee!! YAYYYY!
"should Italy get the chance to become a part of the Potter world, this would mark the very first time production for a HP movie goes overseas, outside the United Kingdom." and YES. I think it'll be brilliant no matter what. Italy is so pretty. I wonder which part they'll be filming there
I agree with what the translation said- Could it possibly be Hagrid's flashback to the Giants?
Lucky Italian fans :D
wow, a lot of on-location stuff for this movie!
sweet! they'll have a lot of fun there.
I bet they'll use the interior to create 12 Grimauld Place, the Black's mansion. Or it could also be the set for the Ministry of Magic, who knows! Also, about the previous news, about the chase, I think this "chase" will be when Harry and the gang fly on the thretsals to the Ministry of Magic, because if they do a chase going to 12 Grimauld Place it wouldn't make sense cuz they'd be giving away the location of the OotP headquarters and that would be stupid and changing the story too much.
Why can't I go to Italy?
yay i love italy....i think it will be for the giants because im pretty sure the giants scene is one of the only scenes that takes place outside of the uk? well at least in the books it takes place far away from the usualy hogwarts/dursleys so it would make sense that they would be looking for a spot for the giants in italy...but who knows
Felipe, you could be right that they use the interior for Nr 12 Grimauls Place. But I would not be surpriced they take the artistic liberty and present the Black home as a castle. It was actially my first thought.
Kamion: That is also what I initially thought. If they do make the exterior number 12 Grimmauld Place, I'm sure they will still make it look like it is placed in the middlle of London between two muggle buildings? This movie is exciting though, and at least it will be special and different from the others, of course.
Pretty saweet! Italy? That place is beautiful! But what scenes I wonder are they ganna film there(if they even do). The Hogwarts scenes? Why don't they use the castle they've been using?
I bet they're using the medievil stuff and the building for Grimmaulds Place. And maybe the hills and stuff the giants - I wonder how they will make the giants look.
Bring it to America!?!?!?!
whooooooooooooooot
Uh, that's dumb. HP has nothing to do with Italy...
i agree with susie 14......huh?...
It doesn't matter if it has nothing to do with Italy, as long as it comes out a great movie cause tihs is my favorite book. I don't know why but I thought Ministry of Magic when I seen it. But probably not-might be for the giants. I agree-if they even do film there.
thats pretty cool....i hope the movie turns out well. I cant wait to see it
nicole04h: its my fav too. i also thought MoM when i first saw it but then i thought grimmauld place instead. the MoM should be a shack or store remember..
It's for Hogsmeade village.
Ooooh, so thrilling! That is REALLY interesting . . . I wonder which scene? Oh -- wait -- everyone's wondering THAT!
I wonder what seanes they are going to film there? I guess they can't use UK castles to much because they are so famous that they'll get recognized so they go to other ones that arn't as well known. It looks really beautiful. I wish I lived somewhere where you could just look out your window and see something like that.:)
yeah whrere is mugglecast
Yes!!I so hope they do film this medieval fortresses castle, in Italy!! And use the scenery around it!! Perfect!!! This would be so perfect for the film,especially Grimmauld Place,as someone above said[I agree].It sounded like a castle to me as well,the BLACKS would well live in one, and this place looks great to use for it!! Oh!! This is sounding great to me!!! I think this film is going to surprise alot of people!!In a major good way!
Ahem. It's for Hogmeade village. They won't be shooting the castle. They're just scouting for villages.
thats really cool....i wonder what its for
here's my question.... why italy? I thought most of it was in scotland......
Italy?!? I dont know what theyd be filming up there for. Id think Grimauld place because if theres anything they should cut out of the story , its the giant scene with Hagrid. Hagrid just told the story in the book. They shouldnt actualy show it should they? But that is great
that would be so beautiful.... i wonder why?
lily evans: they use more than i castle for filming Hogwarts- different interior and exterior shots come from different buildings ....besides most of what u see on screen of Hogwarts isnt real
Awesome! I can't wait to find out what scene!
Italy...Nice...
Posted by Lttl_pggy 7 hours ago: Bring it to America!?!?!?!. What is wrong with you? Do you Americans expect everything to be near you? Your so pathetic! For the past year when I have been complaining to you guys about some Americans being stuck up prunes you have never listened to me, but this, THIS! It’s gone too far! Ermmm……. Lttl_pggy obviously wants the Harry Potter movies to be moved to America, I object! America (in their view) are top of the world and expect EVERYTHING to come to them first and to be the first to get anything! Us (Australia) have to get Order of the Phoenix like 2 months after them but when we make a movie, in this example, December Boys, the US just have to get it at the same time as us! It’s so unfair! I hate America, well, I don’t hate the US, it’s just that some of its citizens are a bit full of themselves, and you know that that’s the truth. For ever Australia has been side-shunted by the United States of America and for what? For having a way smaller population? In fact, that’s it isn’t it, America’s population is bigger than ours therefore we are not as important. Now, I myself moved here to Australia 4 years ago, I moved here from London. In that time I love it here, but I have also been listening closely to how badly other countries think that we are not as important as them. My Country (England) made the HP films and the US of A think that they own everything to do with the world of Harry Potter. They have taken over the whole entire Harry Potter industry. It’s okay for them to own the film industry because it’s Warner Bros. but when it comes to Jo’s books, well, lets just say that the US think that they are completely in the zone and own the zone. Now, I’m not saying that they all do. But honestly, as a full citizen from the land where Harry Potter was created, I think I have the right to complain, a lot. I really like America, but again, you can sometimes think that you are one step higher than the world. My comment – It’s good t...
-hat their going to film it in Italy, there are so many wonderful sites there, that look so magical and spectacular, just what the world wants in a Harry Potter. Now, in the US – there aren’t really any magical sceneries and magical sites. Now if you want a pixie, you can find one. The president, located in the White House, HA! This comment is posted by Timothy (TDeSou).
-hat their going to film it in Italy, there are so many wonderful sites there, that look so magical and spectacular, just what the world wants in a Harry Potter. Now, in the US – there aren’t really any magical sceneries and magical sites. Now if you want a pixie, you can find one. The president, located in the White House, HA! This comment is posted by Timothy (TDeSou).
Sorry – scratch that last one.
Sorry – scratch that last one.
sorry!
Maybe just inside the castle? Department Of Mysteries??
Those muggle lovers WB better stick to the book or else!
Timothy,dont you think yor over reacting? Ofcourse Lttl_piggy would want the Hp movies to be moved to the US. It is only natural for people to want it filmed close to where they live. Cool down. With it is appropriate for the movies to be filmed in one place rather than another is a different story.
No Wulburga, I'm not over reacting. I've been looking VERY closely at the amount of 'I-want-the-Hp-Movies-to-be-filmed-in-my-country' and the US seems to have the highest rate. It's just getting ridiculous, seriously annoying.
Come on. That is because the majority of the non-british on this site are from the USA. Of course theyre going to say such things. If they claim that the films would turn out better being filmed in the USA then that is immature. But who wouldn't want such events taking place close to their home?
Tehehe... guess who happens to live in Italy?? ME!!! I'm like 2 hours away, kool kool... can't wait...
I in part being an Australian agree with TDeSou because im fed up with getting release dates 2months later then the US, but i also agree with Walburga that all people wish the movie was being filmed in their country " I know i would love it but im not ready to see a kangaroo go jumping past Harry Potter" coulden't help that joke sorry. Italy i think is Great but so is England and the US ALL have great goverment building which i think is what they will be looking for to film the Ministry of Magic.
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