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
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
Wow.. I am lost for words! I was SO looking foreward to it coming out!! I'm dyin' over here with the wait!! =( Oh well, I guess there is nothing you could do... Hmm.. what bothers me is that the OOTP was the biggest money-maker of the HP films on its release in the summer because of the Deathly Hallows book that came out at the same time (what was it a week inbetween?!) and not because of it simply being released in July..just my two cents
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
JK's COMNG OUT WITH ANOTHER BOOK HARRYPOTTER AND THE DEATH OF WARNER BROTHER STUDIOS!!!! COURTESY OF LUAN KRYEZIU
I'm going to be honest and just say that this is a bit on the ridiculous side. They still have three months until the release date, and that's alot of time to get things done in post-production. I mean, how big is their budget? They've already got tons of people laboring over the movie; don't tell me they need more time. It's really a money issue for WB. I'm not trying to say that they are money-loving hogs who disregard anything and everything else - just that they think a July release for Half-Blood Prince will be more beneficial to them. And maybe it will; Twilight's release date is uncomfortably close to HBP's, and they've already watched as one of the books knocked the last Harry Potter book off the top spot on the best-seller list. They don't want that to happen with their film. They want the top stop for as long as they can get it. And there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it's just rude to the millions of fans who are dying to see the movie. It doesn't make much sense to me, when I think it all through. Having such a big release gap between two movies with no new books coming out - I'm not going to lie, that's going to hurt the franchise. I've seen it happen with others. If the wait is too long, the hype will fizzle, not grow. I think November was a perfect place for Half-Blood Prince; the Harry Potter name is still seen and heard frequently in the media, as Rowling has been busy with the prequel and the Tales of Beedle the Bard, as well as the Sorcerer's Stone 10th Anniversary edition. I don't if Harry Potter is going to be putting out anything new in the gap between the would-have-been release date and the new one. Also, why would they just release all this about the game if they'd planned on moving the date back so far? And now on a personal note, this really bugs me, because I just read the books and watched the movies a month and a half ago, after ten years of ignoring it (mostly due to my mother, who believes it to be...evil). It w...
harry potter wudnt conflict with twilight if it had come out in november, they are a month apart im sure thats not why they changed it
Has everyone signed up at the petition? Don't forget to do it! http://www.petitionspot.c om/petitions/harrypotter6 Let them feel our anger. HARRY POTTER AND THE DOWNFALL OF LORD WARNER
Wow I'm having incredibly profane thoughts right now. I read the news and became a little hysterical as I shouted the news through my house. Haha. Then I fricking started to cry. This is SO RIDICULOUS!!!! How could they do this to the fans! I hope EVERYONE BOYCOTTS THE REST OF THEIR GODFORSAKEN MOVIES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T DESERVE AN AUDIENCE!!!!!!!!!! I doubt they'll listen to a petition b/c its all business to them but everyone should sign it anyone to show them how fudging ticked the fan base is.
oh god...wel this sux all I can say is STUPID WRITERS STIKE! ughhh well that only postones it for like another year..not that bad * sobbs uncontrolably WHYY! ple ase mugglenet change the countdown it depresses me everytime I look at it now :( only 98 days..hmpf try 365 days?! >.< not a good decision they'll regret that one
Last I checked Michael Eisner wasn't the new CEO of WB, but this is on a Disney level of cold-heartedness.
NOOO! I can't wait almost another YEAR! :( I was looking forward to seeing it over Thanksgiving. I hope during all this extra time they make the movie even better!
FACEBOOK GROUP TO PUT PRESURE ON WB I have created a Group to complain about the delay on movie 6, please join in to show WB that we the fans are very very angry for the delay of the movie GROUP : We the fans want Harry Potter 6 in November 2008!!!! Please join and invite other fans, we need to move fast, WB needs to understand that we are not gonna take this sitting down!!!
pardon my swearing but im fudge pissed off right now. this is bull shhh!!! thanks warner brothers....thanks for nothing....
this wouldn't have been so upsetting if they just postponed it by a month or a couple weeks, maybe even a few months. but ELEVEN MONTHS?!?!? THAT'S LIKE A WHOLE NOTHER YEAR! THAT'S JUST RIDICULOUS! i understand they have their reasons, but REALLY. i mean, COME ON. ELEVEN months? that's not a little change, that's a HUGE change. this movie better be AWESOME.
I would care but these movies are usually crap. Why should WB make decisions based on HP fans? No matter how bad they make these things people will pay money to go and see them.
my life acutally just ended. i'm going to cry. SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE fudge, WB?!?!?!? thank god for equus...but i think it will make me even more angry. i can't even see straight right now.
the thing i don't get is.. they've already completed filming haven't they? so. they're just editing now but.... what does this have to do with the "readiness of the script" ?? it's already finished! what, are they going to make them all reshoot everything? i highly doubt they'd spend that much money. ARGHHHH. this is so stupid. :(
Let me get this straight....WB has the movie rights to the most sold fictional book in history and they think it is a good idea to, JUMP THE SHARK! with it?? with the most exciting volumns still not filmed. If this was not so stupid, it would be funny. Good luck WB, We will be laughing in the end! Because the future of this decison is so easy for anyone to see. Creating hype and building excitement? No, more like throwing a bucket of ice water on a fire just as it is really starting to get warmed up. Good luck with this, you will need it.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS TOTAL BULLCRAP! I AM SO COMPLETLY AND ENTIRELY PISSED OFF! UGH! I'M GOING TO BREAK SOMETHING! GGGAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! I'M GOING TO RIP WB'S THROAT OUT!
I cant believe they would do this to their fans...8 month extra is a very long delay for such an anticipated movie...i have no doubt that this move will allow higher box office returns but it will also cause i higher expectancy for a great movie...now, any harry potter movie is great for die-hard fans, but is it really worth it? I am very dissappointed that the studio is allowing the producers to delay it....
alsjfjflkjdsaflkwjflkdsaj flkdsajfdsfkdskfdsmdokjfk lxzgf djlktrsalk dslkjf lkd n I'm overreaction and i dont give a s*%& SCREW WB
you have got to be kidding me. how are they expecting to make money with this agan? psst off all the true fans, get them bad mouthing the WB, yeah that'll get them more money, i'm sure. *sarcasm*
does this have something to do with Twilight? could they be pushing the release date back b/c Twilight is due to come out just two weeks later? i'm a HUGE fan of both books, and could see why they would do that. but to push back the date till July??? no no. wait until Christmas or new year, but not July!
Harry Potter Fans! Please don't be lazy and write your feelings to warner bros at susan.fleishman@w a r n e r b r o s . com desiree.finnegan@w a r n e r b r o s . com jayne.trotman@w a r n e r b r o s . com Please correct them before you sent !
Hmm... Filming has completed... Could the push back be due to the other films WB has in production that were halted because of the strike? Just a thought...
They better use this 11 months to make HPB the best Harry Potter movie yet...
Yes I agree with the boycott! I wont watch the movie if it comes out in July because all our hopes were up to see the film in less than 100 days! If youre a true Harry Potter Fan.. Write WB and BOYCOTT!!!
Yes I agree with the boycott! I wont watch the movie if it comes out in July because all our hopes were up to see the film in less than 100 days! If youre a true Harry Potter Fan.. Write WB and BOYCOTT!!!
If there was a worthy cause for World War 3, I would say this is it! darn YOU WARNER BROS!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR
i'm reduced to tears at this momment. im utterly disgusted. THE FANS WILL WIN WARNER BROS!!!! god, i feel like strangling someone.
This is Bull, but I think it is one either about the Mighty Dollar or two moving it closer to the realise of HP 7 and it's two parts, think about it 2009, 2010 and then 2011. Which still it's all about money if they make all the realises in the summer. Sad to see WB so petty, if it is all true. :(
NOOOOOOOOOO, No way, NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR!!!!!!!! That's not bloody FAIR!!
NOOOOOOOOOO, No way, NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR!!!!!!!! That's not bloody FAIR!!
mmm, i dont know if boycott will works but all I want is WATCH THE FREAKING MOVIE. Why wb why !!! TT
So obviously these WB execs want money. Delaying the film is not going to make a difference, the same people are going to go see it regardless. WELL I SAY.. BOYCOTT THIS MOVIE NOW! they want money?? We won't give it to them! I'll netflix it.
Join this Facebook Group!! Boycott the WB!! Bring Half-Blood Prince back to November! http://www.facebook.com/g roup.php?gid=48223856240 (remove spaces in URL)
WTF!!!!!!!!!! They are gonna wait a whole year to release it. I'm not convinced of there reasoning. If it's done, why don't they release it??? They know us fans want it. What are they gonna do bout the ones of us that actually cause major backlash?! How can they? :( *sob*
What in the @%$#????? How are they going to relased a trailer.. A TRAILER... then postpone the movie for ELEVEN MONTHS FROM NOW?!?! I think WB is full of bollocks and tripe... there is absolutely no reason that movie can't come out in November, they are COMPLETELY RUINING the timing of the films we have come to know and count on! What a slap in the face to all of us fans that have made this franchise the top grossing movie franchise in history... what an insult!
I bet that the movie's not even going to be all that great, because as we wait, our expectations for the movie will grow, and grow and grow. And when we get the movie in July, we'll wonder what the WB was doing for eight months. Negative review will follow negative review until the WB realizes that they've helped diminish the fandom in which they tried to prolong so they can cash in on it for as long as possible. I'm going to try my best to not see any WB movie until Half-Blood Prince, and again I'll try my best not to go see it opening weekend. Most movies base their success off of its opening weekend, so if I can belittle the WB in any way shape or form right now, I will. Because my original plan with duct tape, a lighter, and their contract to the rights of the HP films probably will probably fall through...
WTF. this isn't real. this is a joke. noo. -sob-
I know this has probably been said many times, but theres no way im reading 600+ comments. Anyways, I think this is one of the reasons the teaser was released later than usual. Warner Bros. probably planned on moving it to next July all along so they realeased the trailer when they did. I guess the upside is that its a shorter span between the last two, well three movies.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME????????????? And I was getting all ready for it--getting my costume made, working around my schedule so I can go to the midnight release. And what are they supposed to do for 11 MONTHS???? We've seen the teaser trailer, we know they've got most of the stuff done. Are they gonna hold the video game, the soundtrack, the merchandise--EVERYTHING?? ? Me thinks they're getting pressure and think that the Twilight movie will take away all of their business. *waits for a huge Twilight vrs. HP argument to start*
but i mean, think about it....if HBP is anything like OotP, then i won't go and spend my money to see it in the theaters anyway. in my opinion, that was the worst adaption to film ever. BRING BACK CHRIS !!!!
Bloody morons!!! I can't belive they're doing this. Now i have to wait almost a year to see the film instead of a few painfuly long months. They're just mean!
Hi guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SIGN THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!!! http://www.petitionspot.c om/petitions/harrypotter6 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
Three and a half hours later and I still want to kill someone
gaaaaaaaaaah! fdgkjdfgkljdfklgjdklfjg. frick frick frick!
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