Half-Blood Prince delayed until July 17th, 2009
Warner Brothers has just announced that Half-Blood Prince will be delayed. The film will instead be released on July 17th, 2009. From the press release:In making the announcement, Mr. Horn 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.”
Read the full release at the link below.
Press Release:
BURBANK, CA, August 14, 2008 – Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that it has moved back the release date of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” to Summer 2009. The sixth installment of the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets on July 17, 2009. The announcement was made by Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.
In making the announcement, Mr. Horn 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.’”
Commenting on the release date change for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” David Heyman, the producer of all the Harry Potter films, 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.”
David Yates, the director of both “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and who will also helm “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” added, “It has been a joy to work on ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.’ Dan, Rupert and Emma and all our returning young cast continue to blossom, and our new cast members bring fresh color and life to Hogwarts. Even as we put the finishing touches on this latest film, we are already beginning preparations on the final two films—we start filming in February—and I am excited to bring this remarkable series to the exciting and moving conclusion its loyal fans deserve.”
In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” David Yates, who directed last year’s summer blockbuster “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” returns to direct “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” David Heyman and David Barron are the producers, with Lionel Wigram serving as executive producer. Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film also stars Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis and Julie Walters. The cast also features David Bradley, Jessie Cave, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
BURBANK, CA, August 14, 2008 – Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that it has moved back the release date of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” to Summer 2009. The sixth installment of the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets on July 17, 2009. The announcement was made by Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.
In making the announcement, Mr. Horn 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.’”
Commenting on the release date change for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” David Heyman, the producer of all the Harry Potter films, 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.”
David Yates, the director of both “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and who will also helm “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” added, “It has been a joy to work on ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.’ Dan, Rupert and Emma and all our returning young cast continue to blossom, and our new cast members bring fresh color and life to Hogwarts. Even as we put the finishing touches on this latest film, we are already beginning preparations on the final two films—we start filming in February—and I am excited to bring this remarkable series to the exciting and moving conclusion its loyal fans deserve.”
In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” David Yates, who directed last year’s summer blockbuster “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” returns to direct “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” David Heyman and David Barron are the producers, with Lionel Wigram serving as executive producer. Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film also stars Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis and Julie Walters. The cast also features David Bradley, Jessie Cave, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Posted by Andrew on Aug 14th |
1478 Comments
Visitor Comments
well they better put more trailers
THIS IS COMPLETE BS!! NOOO! WHYYY! I really can't LAST that long!! I was SOO excited to have it near my birthday again. THIS IS DEPRESSING!! :[
I agree with jedi_anegram. Let's boycott all WB movies until 17 July 2009! I love this idea. Spread the word!
Harry Potter v. Edward Cullen. Hmmmm who would win? It's completely ridiculous! These two stories are so different, there really isn't a competition. Yet, the big-wigs of the WB MoneyBags marketing has decided they want to get the most out of HBP, regardless what happens to the fans. Nice, real nice WB.
What DOES JK THINK!!!!!! SHE HAD BETTER NOT AGREE, IVE ALREADY DECIDED TO WAIT FOR THE DVD. f------------U wB
WTF? Okay seriously?!?!??!?!?!?!?!? ! OMG! Mugglecast I hope you post like a 2-3 hour discussion on this. NOOOOOO!
I am so mad about this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think they should be able to do that!!! UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHH
WB=RETARDED
I hope WB knows how many dedicated fans they just pissed off. I won't pay a cent. They won't get any of my money. I'll find some other way to see the movie. Screw this.
WHAT!!! ARE THEY CRAZY????/?!!!!! WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS. I SHOULD KNOW WHY THEY WOULD DO THIS BUT I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE READING THE WHOLE ENTIRE ARTICLE WHICH I WILL DO RIGHT AFTER IM DONE TYPING THIS AND THEN POST IT!! IS THIS A JOKE? DO THEY THINK THIS IS FUNNY? I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A JOKE AT FIRST BUT I GUESS ITS NOT AND NOW I AM FURUIOUS! WWWWWHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Y WB? OHHHHHH, IF I WAS ALOWED TO SAY THE MEAN STUFF GOING THROUGH MY HEAD RIGHT NOW I BET YOU A LOT OF MONEY THAT I WOULD!!! I NEED TO GO READ THE ARTICLE. :.p WB, YOU ARE BEING VERY MEAN FOR SOME REASON!! GOODBYE.
You guys going to be even more pissed when you have to wait almost 2 years to get you DH part 1 and 2 on one dvd, since its a story decision only and that the concern was that most people wouldnt sit through a 4 hour movie, I see no reason why we shouldnt get part 1 and 2 on one dvd, except for that one thing WB cares about and that's money, we will get part 1 and 2 seperatley and then when the sales die down, they will release them as 1. Jo is a sell out for even allowing that to happen. Just like she is by letting WB say the reason this move is happening is to make 2 million dollars more then they would have in November.
WOW, I spent my whole day on the computer, to look up hp news. Getting bored, with no new news, I get off, and now I find this out!!! THIS IS JUST BEYOND WRONG, BUT I GUESS YOU CAN'T HAVE THE BAD WITHOUT THE GOOD!!!
IM STILL ANGRY! STUPID W.B.! I agree with you zacharypotter, they are retarded! Mugglecast, this is a HUGE news! You HAVE to talk about this! BTW, notice how NO ONE is post 1st, 2nd and so on?? WE'RE ANGRY POTTER FANS! GIVE US THE darn MOVIE!!
I agree it's probably because of Twilight. But HONESTLY. ELEVEN MONTHS?! All for money? I'm very disappointed in Warner Brothers. They should have known better than to have done this.
ARGH!!!! WTF!!!! i'm soooo pissed. darn studios wanting their darn money. it's gonna make money anyway! man why do they have to do this to us!!!!!
This is very, very sad. I was ready for the movie in Nov, but now we need to wait a little longer, but I am please if the wait is good.
I am so upset right now! I can hardly stand it. Has anyone from mugglenet postee a response to this yet? I have scanned through some ot the posts, but not all 432 of them. If WB wants to take advantage of the "special" weekend, why not push the first installment of DH? this this simply wrong, and will dramatically hurt the entire HP enterprises. Dragging the movies out so far after the final book, is not the smart thing to do. DH will get a huge boost with the opening of the Harry Potter world at Universal Studios! I don't know who is doing their decision making, but this was not done by a genius of economics, or the "arts" How long do they thing the trio or other actors are going to hand around to complete this huge project? Then they will really have nothing on their hands when they start loosing the cast. Replacing Dumbledore squeeked by because of circumstance. But fans will turn on them for taking advantage of our JK and HP loyalties. they never really got it, it was always the books! The movies were a wonder additon and distraction while we waited for the next book! I love the actors, all of them, but that is the truth.
http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=ZBUAPRloBJw ----To make my voice heard.
WHAT THE FRIGGIN HELL!!! I AM SERIOUSLY BAWLING RIGHT NOW! WHAT THE HELL? WHAT THE HELL? WHAT A TERRIBLE IDEA. NOW I KNOW THEY ARE JUST IN THE FRANCHISE TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE! darn YOU WB!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGIVE THIS! LET'S PETITION!
Dear Warner Bros., I thought we were friends... Love, Ti m.
This is the biggest bunch of B.S I've heard right on top of splitting the last book into two movies... All they think of is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=OswV7Qpe3-g Okay, I couldnt help but rant myself. More people should make videos like this! It'll draw more attention to hwo the fandom is feeling.
Ok we may not be able to go without seeing HBP but 11 months is a long time. Think of all the movies that could come out in that amount of time. What if we boycott those movies all made by WB. They would lose more money than they would gain with HBP!
Nobody should BOYCOTT this movie. Lots of people worked real hard on it. What we boycott is the OTHER WB movies that come out until then.
*cries* It was supposed to come out on my birthday- I was gonna see it at midnight. T_T "Post-production on
This just shows the stupidity of the WB. The last book and movie came out over a year ago. Many people think that the Harry Potter phenomenon is already over. They could still catch the tail end of the hype if they released the movie in November. However, if these reports are true, the next movie will come out two years after the last big Harry Potter releases. Can't the WB see that they're digging their own grave?
Falsetaff....are you serious i stop caring about how hard they worked on this movie the moment it was delayed ....
GEEZ! My initial reaction was, "No way. This has to be a joke." At first, I deluded myself into thinking it was April first and mugglenet was making a little joke. Then I snapped back to reality and almost cried. If they had to postpone it, couldn't they have made it around christmas time? My family goes to the movies the day after christmas every year! I mean, think: All the little children are out of school, a lot of people aren't working, it's just as good as summer! UGH! I was looking forward to that! If it weren't for the fact I get to go to Chicago, this would be the worst year of my life! If they'd released the movie when they said they would, it might've been on DVD for my birthday! UGH!!!! I love getting HP stuff for my birthday! I am very, very upset. I mean they FINALLY give us a bloody trailer, then say, "Woops, sorry no movie for almost a year!" ARE THEY TRYING TO KILL US?
THIS IS THE MOST AWFUL THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN!!!! I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE WARNER BROTHERS AT THIS VERY MOMENT IN TIME!! IT IS NOWHERE NEAR ACCEPTABLE THAT THE MOVIE BE RELEASED ALMOST 8 MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE!! ALL OF THE MOVIES HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN NOVEMBER!! IT IS TRADITION, FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!!! I AM COMPLETELY OUTRAGED AND DEMAND THAT WARNER BROTHERS AND THAT GOD-FORSAKEN DAVID YATES MOVE THE MOVIE BACK TO NOVEMBER THIS VERY INSTANT. I SPEAK FOR EVERY SINGLE HARRY POTTER FAN WHEN I SAY THAT THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WE WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!!! WARNER BROTHERS HAD BETTER BE READY FOR A FIGHT, BECAUSE ITS A HECK OF A FIGHT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET!!!!
ok just a little peeved off!......one: who cares about what time of the year the movie comes out?......there will be thousands of people lined up to see this movie even if it's frickin snowing!......and two: if the movie's complete, why not release it?
nah, it must be a joke
If you think Mugglenet or Leaky is going to take a firm stance against this then you guys are blind, they are puppets of WB. They will tell you on the Podcast that although they are disapointed, they see exactly what WB is talking about and think its the right thing. I wouldnt expect to see either site try and pressure WB into changing there mind, after all, both sites have huge HP fandom and instead of trying to get there own site to reach the fans, they use MN and LC as the platform to you, and with trips to the sets on the line, dont expect either site to try and hurt that relationship, they rather compromise with us then them, Wish I was getting paid a grand to work on these sites but no I gotta work hard for my money. No one wants to do the right thing.
I've thought about it, and I vote we boycott other WB movies
noooooooo... I'm going to cry now because I can't believe it. I haven't been this disapointed since youtube banned over-ten-minute videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
really, wb? REALLY? this is dumb.
Excuse me while I reconnect my jaw to the rest of my mouth. Wow. He he he, that's really funny guys, but its not April guys. Did you hear that? IT'S NOT APRIL GUYS! OKAY? JOKE'S OVER NOW, GIVE ME THIS MOVIE IN 98 DAYS, ALRIGHT? OH MY GOD JUST GIVE ME THIS MOVIE IN 98 DAYS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW INFURIATING THIS WOULD BE IF WARNER BROTHERS PULLED SUCH A STUPID STUNT LIKE THIS. Here's a thought; maybe they saw how angry we became after they made us wait six years for the teaser trailer, so they decided to make us wait even longer for the rest of the film. I am ready to burst, and I hope that MuggleCast does a few episodes more so I can rant and moan and bicker and complain about all of this for a while. Oh, no.
I hate WB!! still love you guys hate them!!!
A ridiculous decision based only on financial gain. From a studio who tries to tell us they make their decisions based on fans' and the story's best interests, they have lost all credibility in current and any further reasoning when it comes to the adaptations of these beloved stories.
NOOOOOO!!!!! WHYYY?? Just for money. This is pathetic. And David Yates didn't even mess up. :( I'm so angry!
This is beyond the realms of stupidity. Are they trying to force a riot? They are making loyal fans suffer so they can make their pockets deeper. Oh, the thud you just heard was me falling out of my chair in shock!
oh my freaking.....i signed up for an account just so that i could comment on how friggin outrageous and rediculous this is!!!!! A YEAR????? what is wrong with these people?!?!?!? i just dont understand why on earth they need that much time...i'm sure that whatever is wrong can be fixed in a couple weeks or months...but........ugggg gg. words cannot even express the furry i'm experiencing right about now.
Ughh and my sister's like, "Oh well now you can pay all your attention to Twilight!" My sister loves Twilight and hates Harry Potter, so now she's rubbing it in my face. Thanks a bunch WB. Thanks for being greedy and selfish and stupid. I feel like swearing but I'll contain myself. And we must be setting a record, people. 468 posts? Wow.
If any of you are on facebook, I just found a brand-new group to boycott the WB because of this move. http://www.new.facebook.c om/home.php?ref=logo#/gro up.php?gid=48223856240&re f=mf If the link doesn't work, just look up boycott wb in the groups section. Let's all show our lack of support for the WB's decision!
i say we boycott every WB movie between now and July 17th. This way the WB loses money, realizes the Potter fandom isn't going to take this sitting down, and then we can all watch HBP, making it one of the top movies ever, and letting WB know how much power we do have over their pay checks.
A lot people asked about Jo reaction. I think that they infromed her about such move.If Heyman Knows and Yates know then Jo knows for 100%. After all it's her book. I also I agree whit some people - MuggleNet should do a MuggleCast live about it - I would listen to it:) And about this whole situation - I'm dissapoted. I just.. well, Yates asid something like that : "and I am excited to bring this remarkable series to the exciting and moving conclusion its loyal fans deserve.
When I first saw this, I thought they meant a video game or something, then 2 seconds later I realized they were talking about the movie. I then thought it was a joke put on by Mugglenet, so I went to harrypotter.com, and I realized it was true. I am soooooooooooooooooooo mad right now. They are being very greedy, in a sense. This is just idiotic, but it is beyond our control... or is it?NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OO WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!! I AM IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND HORROR!! THIS IS THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT EVER!! THIS TOTALLY RUINS MY WHOLE YEAR!! WHY, WB????? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!? !?!?!?!
ITS PIE-TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! i hate WB. x223,000,876,223
WTF?!?!?!?!?!? WHY would they ever EVER do this?! I almost cried when i saw this..wwwhhhhhyyyy?!
Lol I wonder when Mugglenet will fix their countdown banner thing. PS Don't get me wrong, I am still upset about the new date but find the banner somewhat funny now. Sorry if this makes you more upset! :(
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