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
THAT'S fudge RETARDED! THAT'S HORRIBLE! WHY RELEASE A TEASER TRAILER IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO RELEASE THE MOVIE THIS YEAR?! THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE BEST MOVIE OF THE THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, AND THEY SERIOUSLY THINK THAT IT'LL DO BETTER IN THE SUMMER LIKE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX DID?! I STILL DON'T LIKE THIS! ME AND MY STEPMOTHER & STEPBROTHER HAVE BEEN PLANNING IN ADVANCE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS SO WE CAN SEE THE MOVIE! THIS RUINS EVERYTHING!!! THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE!! I'M GOING [[MORE]] CRAZIER AS I TYPE THIS shhh!! >=[ I'M HATING WARNER BROS RIGHT NOW.
they just released international dates, why would they release that before they changed the date???
Everybody dont go see the movie in 2009 just download the movie im not going to give them my money just because they move the date for money
It is absolutely ridiculous they would pull this stunt... In some desperate attempt to rake in more money, as IF a Harry Potter movie wouldn't go ahead and pull in millions. They're probably trying to match the success The Dark Knight had this summe. Greedy jerks... Way to ruin everyone's November.
I've never been so pissed. I just had one of the biggest mood swings of my life. I go onto youtube and see a new video posted by Andrew. I was ecstatic. I saw the title. And I was crying/screaming like mad.
The decision was made because the writer's strike postponed all WB's big summer movies for 2009, and now they have nothing to bring in the cash for that year. Since THE DARK KNIGHT made a ton of cash, Harry Potter doesn't need to earn as much this year, so they are moving it to next year in order to earn more money.
Join this facebook group! Boycott WB! (remove the spaces) http://www.fa cebook.com/group.php?gid= 48223856240&ref=m
I think all the websites should keep all the countdowns the same to protest. and we need to strike infront of WB pronto.
SERIOUSLY?! WTF. They're just doing this to make more money...they're looking for success like The Dark Knight because that was released in the summer months. Now all the true Harry Potter fans have to wait another YEAR. >:(
darn. :(
This is just pathetic! I will definetely boycott not only HP6 (If I can wait 11 months, why not 12???) but also all Warner movies until then!
THEY HAVE GOT TO BE STINKIN' KIDDING ME...!!! I am NOT a happy camper right now. I am upset times 6.02x10^23. >:(
i'm glad wb cares about the actual films and fans more than cashing in.... way to be a respectable company.
this sucks.... alot.... I hope voldy attacks WB...rrrrrrrrr...........
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!
september to december are the most depresive months of the year and i was so happy because the movie and now is all gone
ok, i can not wait for it in 11 months. i was looking forward to seeing it before twilight came out. plus, they already are done filming. what are they going to do for 7 months? seriously, i think they already decided that it was going to be in july before the teaser came out but just decided to tell us now :(
Does WB even know that they just made half the HP fandom hate them? x_x Its like WB has just turned into the real life Voldemort.
wow. what a stupid move on their part, this movie would have sold extremely well no matter WHEN it comes out.
OMG!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was just starting to get exited about the movie but no!!!!!!!!!!! There doing it for the money!!!!!!!!!!!! MAKING US WAIT BECAUSE THEY darn DID BETTER WITH THE MONEY!!! are you KIDDING ME!??!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! IM SO PISSED! 11 months!!!!!!!!!! YOUR CRAZYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! GREEDY! greedy people i swear!!!!! Make us wait! and your making the 7th one is to parts, its all about the money!!!! thats all they care about. That movie better be good or else imma be so mad... Specially cuz they put YATES as the darn director.... Like common!!!! He didn't even do a good job!
STOP THIS ATROCITY!!!!!!! http://w ww.ipetitions.com/petitio n/HPHBPNov21/
I've my pitchfork and torch. Who's with me?! Okay... I've also got some c4 and plastique.
They said they didn't split the Deathly Hallows film for money reasons, they said it was because they cared about the fans, and they wanted to do the book justice. Well I really don't see much fan-caring occurring right now, so I think its pretty safe to say almost every decision that this insane moneyhungry company will only care about the cash coming out of our pocket to see these movies. I'm so mad I could melt.
fudge WB!
OMG . this is so unfair !!!!!!!!!!! eleven months ? are you serious wb ? who cares if its summer this movie will still be on the top of box office !!!!! WTF !!!????!!!
I cant believe this, this has to be the stupidest thing that they've ever done. 11 months!? Come on!
once November 21 roles around I'll be in bed thinking "I could have been at a Harry Potter premier...but NOOOOOOO!"
what the FECK? that's ridiculous! stupid! app alling! harry potter's fans are too emotional to cope with this and if you don't freaking give us our movie we will die! imagine millions of children dying! do you want that on your consciences?? HUH??/
Its pretty clear that they are moving the release date so its closer to the opening of the new Harry Potter section of Universal Florida. I agree that it the stupidest thing they possibly could have done and it will most likely cost them the more loyal Potter fans but unfortunalty we are not the demographic they are looking to reach.
chellabella, i think youre pretty spot on.
ohmyfrickingod. you have GOT to be kidding me!! these people have NO idea how excited so many fans were, do they?? it's all about the money, [which we've known forever] and that's truly DISGUSTING! We want in November!! Do they HONESTLY think that less people will go to see it? PSH! Screw that! I'm pissed off!!!
I EFFING HATE WARNER BROTHERS!! SCREWING US OVER JUST TO MAKE MORE MONEY!! THEY ARE SO SELFISH!!
I cannot believe this news I was so looking forward to seeing this movie in november. This sounds like a sick joke to me. Warner bros is only after one thing money. I think this is the worst announcement warner bros has ever made. It is all about greed.
That STINKS! We have to wait just under a year now!!??? I was really looking forward to seeing this movie! :(
IF YOU LOOK ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE THEY HAVEN'T EVEN CHANGED THE RELEASE DATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! THE... THE.... MEANIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!
What are they playing at!!!! I don't want to wait 11 months, just because movie time is slow in that time of year!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO UNCOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! And UNFAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!
SCREW THE WHOLE FREAKING WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! Sorry bout that... but... saldjldsajlkdsajfljf;lkds ajf;lkdsajdsflajfjdfjd OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Th is better not be some sort of joke, because I've never felt so... disappointed in my life (almost). If this is true (I'm still in denial.) We have to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. As for mugglecast (if this is true lol) then I think this means LESS weekly episodes, not more. :(
sun of a bltch!!!!!!! what the fvck is this? this is just an obvious move to make more fvcking money. like everyone on the goddmn planet wont go and seee it anytime of year? This is bullshlt!
first the teaser trailer...NOW THIS!!!
And they did just change the date on the official website :(
what. the hell.
Well, that is crappy. At least I have Twilight in December. Crap
im so tempted not to see the movie and downloaded it just to show wb
WTF!?!?!?!?!!? UGHH!!! I HATE THIS!!
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DONT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY RIGHT NOW EXCEPT FOR THAT!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
THIS IS SUCH BULL! PRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTT TTTTT! I almost started crying!!!
THAT IS SO DUMB #$@%@#$@$^&$%^&$%%^(*%^^& @^$!#$ I WAS SOOO EXCITED FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to go into depression mode now!! CURSE YTOU WARNER BROS!!!!!!
... you're kidding me. they're doing this for more money? theyre pushing it 9 or whatever months away for more money. well thanks, warner brothers. that says a lot about you.
Jesus, are you people for real? Have you ever once considered what is going on here? These are movies that are being released by Warner Brothers. They are in the business of making movies and making money out of it, and they are also a part of Time Warner, a massive media conglomerate. The only reason these films are being made is because they saw them as a chance to make money in the first place. If the situation had been such that fantasy didn't seem to be a point of interest, they would never have been made. How much fantasy was there regularly before Lord of the Rings? The films are profitable, so they get made. Now we are seeing fallout from an interesting situation, namely the WGA strike. There is a shortage in available movie content for the next year or so since so many productions ground to a halt. This makes good business sense for WB, since as they have alluded to in the press release, they were lacking a major summer tent pole release for 2009. Now they have one. There is no conspiracy, it was merely a business decision designed to help fill the gap in major releases caused by the WGA strike. All of you harping on that WB only cares about money etc, guess what? You're totally right. Saying that is totally unnecessary, since its totally obvious! And don't even bother saying you will boycott the release, you know as well as I do that you will be there opening day, or shortly thereafter. Fans always talk big, but 11 months is a long time, do you really think you will hold onto that conviction to boycott it till july next year? I think not. (Yes, I'm disappointed also, who wouldn't be... just the masses of QQ'ing in the comments and the throwing around of wild claims and conspiracies was so darn annoying I decided to register and post :P)
Man, This is an outrage!!! Their 'reason' is silly! Why do this to the fans?? Do they honestly think the movie wont make as much at the box office??? I might write them an angry letter! Dear Warner Bros, Harry Potter = License to print money, no matter what time of the year it's released!!! So stop being 'smart executives' and release the movie at December!. Grrr!!! arrrgggh!!! *Gesticulates Frantically* Sincerly, Dissapointed Harry Potter Fan :(
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