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
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOO!!! I CAN'T BLELIVE IT.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOO!!! I CAN'T BLELIVE IT.
This is ridiculous. I'm so beyond angry.
i have been crying on and off for the past couple hours. I honestly cannot believe this. I have had a horrible year and this was the only thing I had been looking forward too. Harry Potter is the only thing that makes me happy. I'm sooo disappointed. Join my facebook group against this! http://www.faceboo k.com/group.php?gid=48223 856240#/group.php?gid=469 69471152 remove spaces!
NNNNOOOOOOOOOO WWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAYYYYY YYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I HATE WB!!! GGGGRRRRR..... THIS IS TORTURE!!!!
I like the rest of you am extreamly pissed. This is the stupidest thing they could do. I mean really, July?!?!?!? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
FU*********************** ************************* ********K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warner Brothers is going to get SO MANY angry phone calls and emails from fans (I'm talking hundreds and hundreds) that they will realize they have made the stupidest mistake since. .. EVER! They've NEVER messed up THIS BADLY! This is going to lose them TONS of money, can't they see that?! Whoever is in charge of marketing and this decision should be thrown into a pit of angry, hungry and crabby BLAST ENDED SKREWTS!!
Join this Facebook Group!! Boycott the WB!! Bring Half-Blood Prince back to November! http://www.facebo ok.com/group.php?gid=4822 3856240 (remove spaces in URL)
This is ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! I agree, something doesn't seem right. We have to wait forever to get a trailer, now they want to push the movie back even further!! I'm sooooooo ticked off!!!!!
I just saw this a few minutes ago and I am completely shocked!!! Of course, I don't know why this should surprise me. It's not exactly like WB has been treating the fans like they actually value their opinions! Something just doesn't fit though. I think there is more to this story than what they are letting on. It wouldn't be the first time they have kept us in the dark. I agree with pretty much everyone else here! I AM SOOO UPSET by this. I was really looking forward to seeing this in November. It's hard to believe that now we have to wait almost a year! Come on WB!!! Why do you keep doing this to us?!?!?! We now officially HATE you WB!!!!!
I HATE WARNER BROTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CURSES!
That's absolutely ridiculous!! I actually stopped to think if it wasn't April 1st today. It's quite possibly the most absurd thing I've ever heard. First they split DH so we have to wait months to get the full movie and now they're pushing back HBP for a really weak reason. People will see it no matter what time of year it comes out! And if it's really as good as they say, they will have no problem getting lots of people to come and see it!
IM SO ANGRY STILL
Make sure to check out an OFFICIAL PETITION on Facebook. There's a new Facebook group called "HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE SHOULD BE RELEASED ON 11-21-08" This is one of the ways we can all cooperate and make Warner Brothers know that we are not okay with their decision. SO MAKE SURE TO JOIN THAT FACEBOOK GROUP!!!!! Here's the webpage where you'll be able to find it: http://www.facebook. com/group.php?gid=3478819 5154
THEY'RE MESSING WITH US, THEIR AUDIANCE!!!!!!! TIME TO PULL BACK
I'm still pretty angry about this. I guess that now... we wait. Now we wait (haha, quote from POA movie). UGH. !.
I went to borders and was talking on the phone about this to my friend and this girl I pass stops and says "What? No, you're wrong." And I tell her it's not, it's really going to be July. Again she's like "No, you go to mugglenet right? They joke alot" so I told her to check out the official site on her phone. She did a minute later, and then bursted out crying (and she was 15)! Her friend with her didn't know what to do :P So thanks, WB for making this chick (and I'm sure many more) cry.....
I 'll bet this has something to do with the theme park. I would bet that they are ahead of schedule on the park. These people don't mess around when it comes to making money. They are up to something. this is a very big risk. I am sure they expected this outrage. This decision was discussed alot before they made it. But I wonder if they discussed it with ms Rowling. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$
I tried to read all 759 comment on this topic, but it is all too much for me and my ill body right now. I just don't feel so good!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS BIG BIT OF BAD NEWS!!! IF it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be sick right now, hit, hit, hit!!!
ok....i am soo not ok with this...not only are they ruining the year by postponing the movie which they promised us was in november...but they dont even pretend to be doing it for legitiment reasons....they literally want to make extra money and exploit us! I am livid. I am definitely writing an angry complaint letter and hope you all do to. fudge warner brothers
Here is another place you can shout at the idiots, at least I did. I hope they read what I wrote. http://www.warnerbros.com /main/help/customer_servi ce.html
Hmm piracy IS sounding better and better.........wow I agree with a previous post I read. WB should be thinking about the effect this will have on normal fans and not the fanatic fan base. Their hype will go down big time I bet. OH AND IM SICK OF SEEING PEOPLE SAY THAT THIS IS OK B/C THE GAP BETWEEN MOVIE 6 AND MOVIE 7 IS SMALLER. CANT ANYONE SEE THERE IS STILL THE SAME TIME GAP ONLY IT IS NOW???? NOW THE GAP BETWEEN MOVIE 5 AND MOVIE 6 IS FRICKING HUGE!!!!!!!! There we go...... that is my rant.
"I confest myself.... _Dissapointed_!" ~Lord Voldemort (My apologies to anyone else who has used this line before me. Too many posts to read through! :) )
Sign the Petition: http://www.p etitiononline.com/hbpfrel a/petition.html
When my boyfriend told me this I thought he was playing a sick joke. Apparently not though so I feel in the mood to raise hell with the people who did this. What are they thinking? Are they even thinking? I swear they must have monkeys working there!!! Are they out of their ever loving minds?
OMG this HAS to be a joke. Far out - why do they have to do this? I thought it was bad enough Australians had to wait til December for it to be released but now it looks like we wont even see it til like August next year. This is so stupid - why dont they release it at the end of the year - what else will kids be watching on their christmas holidays? I dunno about everyone else but in Australia families are more likely to take their kids to the movies in DECEMBER not July. And that goes for most other people as well. Big Mistake Warner Bros. HUGE.
unbelieveable.
I believe it is a huge mistake to release hbp in July. We only had 3 months until it was released and now this gets dropped on us. WB is being real foolish in my opinion. I was so pumped to watch it in November, especially since it was my favorite book in the series but if they choose to keep it for July then I for one will not see it in theaters. WB may very well lose many fans (me included if they do this.) How can they just release the awesome trailer and then say "Oh well now everyone has to wait 11 months to see it." Thanks for the slap in the face WB. I think everyone should sign the petition. http://www.petitionspot.c om/petitions/harrypotter6
Dear David Yates, Do us all a favor jump off a bridge Love, HP FANS
Guys it's happening, the year will go by like crazy and it'll be here before we know it. WB has their reasons (even though their not very good). We're gunna have to accept it. I'm just as unhappy as the next person, but these things happen. I cried for about an hour, but I got over it...
Does anyone really think it's a money thing (don't compete with Dark Knight/Twilight/WB made their 'quota' this year or something) or do you think when Yates showed the film to them, it didn't go over well? If it's that.... I'd completely understand (well no, not completely, but I'd be more sympathetic). If it's just for the money..... >:^0
I just started a MySpace group boycotting WB (since the Facebook front is covered)... http://groups.myspace.com / boycott wb. Take out the spaces of course...
They're just worried that Twilight is going to smash it. Suck it up, Warner Bros. Harry Potter has a huge fan-base, you'll get your money's worth. At this rate, Harry Potter is going to be fifty by the time they shoot the seventh movies. He'll need a body double to do most of his scenes in order to avoid a broke hip...
Everyone the reason why this happening is because of the sucess of the dark knight. WB is filthy rich and it made them greedy. I really thinking about just not watching the movie when it comes out. Ivwant to wait for the dvd instead to teach them a lesson. If you want to boycott the movie we should do it and teach them a lesson!!!
~~~~CALL AND COMPLAIN!!!!~~~~~~ US: 818-954-1919 International 020 7984 5222
I posted on this a couple hours ago...but don't forget, guys, http://www .petitionspot.com/petitio ns/harry potter6 ; Remove spaces & sign!
REBELLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
WB is a buisness, theres no reason to think they would act like anything different. Especially looking at the terrible effort theyve put into these movies.
I just can't believe that WB would compromise the true fans feelings to make money. I guess I was in denial that because they produced the Harry Potter films they had to be amazing people...but apparently they are just like every other greedy movie-making industry. I mean I could understand if the studio would take a huge hit by releasing the movie in november rather than july, but despite when they release it you know they are going to make hundreds of millions of dollars, and far more than any other movies. I for one would still see the movie at least 5 times in theatres regardless of when it was released...its just a shame...in the meantime there had better be about 30 trailers and a lot more photo releases.
Make sure to check out an OFFICIAL PETITION on Facebook. There's a new Facebook group called "HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE SHOULD BE RELEASED ON 11-21-08" This is one of the ways we can all cooperate and make Warner Brothers know that we are not okay with their decision. SO MAKE SURE TO JOIN THAT FACEBOOK GROUP!!!!! Here's the webpage where you'll be able to find it: http://www.facebook. com/group.php?gid=3478819 5154 Please take out the spaces! If we all join, there might be some way to make this change!
We wait months for a pathetic teaser trailer and we're within reaching distance of seeing the film and now we've got to wait nearly another year. I'm sorry to break it to you, but WB, we all think you're a lot of money grabbing wankas. You've let all HP fans down in a BIG way. I hope they realise this and submit some sort apology to the people who have fed them millions over the years. I wonder who made this ridiculous decision. I'd be very suprised if David Heymen, David Yates and the like had much to do with it. I really do think it's the money grabbing head honchos of WB. From a Fed-up HP Fan.
it has nuttin to do with twilight people hp is WAY more established than twilight hp has too many devoted fans for it to be worried they are just doing it for the whole summer block buster thing not because they are scared about twilight. anyways i know ill just pay for another movie then go watch it that way i know they aren't profiting from me
Some said maybe they did not like the cut of the movie when they screened. Well If that is true then just tell us that instead of this crap about the writters strike. I would feel better if they said we saw a screening of it and thought we could make it better with more time instead of lying to us about doing what is bst for the fans or some other garbage like that. WB this is not cool!!!!!!!! I still say it is about the $$$$$ I said it when they said they were going to split DH and I will say it again they are milking this cash cow for all it is worth before it ends. They even say in th press release about the other HP moives that came out in July made the most money. So stop lying to us and say we want to make more money so you fans will have to just wait.
I hate 2008! I was going to see Half Blood Prince for my birthday!! All I hope is that this extra time will be used to improve the movie instead of the lame excuse of making more money. Even with 11 months left, I will be there opening night, but WB should know that there are some hardcore people out there who will refuse to go becuase of this. I am disgusted.
this kind of sucks. it was done because of money, which i don't understand because it's going to make money anyway regardless of when it opens... either that or they are having major production problems but they don't want to specify what they are..
What about the game? What about the premiere screening ticket holders? ~~~~CALL AND COMPLAIN!!!!~~~~~~ US: 818-954-1919 International 020 7984 5222
wow already 700-something comments.... it was almost here and now... and so close to by bday too :/ i wonder if WB thought twilight or bolt or that new james bond movie or madagascar or high skool musical (ew) coming out so near there it was too much competiton...they pretty much just want the money now dont they?
I want the WB's announcement to be put on the wall of shame, for aparent reasons. They're going to end up loosing a lot of money.
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