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
I still can't believe this! I expect there will be an emergency mugglecast for this one!
WTF??!! I've been looking forward to this for so long. Now I have to wait 11 months?
I understand that making money is very important to companies, especially Warner Brothers, but have they stopped and thought what the FANS really want? NO. Its very disappointing to hear that its not 98 days anymore...Its going to be a sad thanksgiving.... Warne r Brothers needs to understand that this movie is already making more than enough. Whether they decide on November 21st or July 1st, the fans will continue to support it by watching it over and over again (I am one of them). I have a feeling they want to try and make it up there with the Dark Knight..and it hurts that they are not taking fans into consideration. I have signed that petition, but unfortunately it will not do anything because it does not speak GREED!
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)
I'm depressed. Well I guess I can look foward to The Tales of Beedle of Bard. I HATE WB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder when they are going to change the count down? F**K U WB!!!!
I understand that making money is very important to companies, especially Warner Brothers, but have they stopped and thought what the FANS really want? NO. Its very disappointing to hear that its not 98 days anymore...Its going to be a sad thanksgiving.... Warne r Brothers needs to understand that this movie is already making more than enough. Whether they decide on November 21st or July 1st, the fans will continue to support it by watching it over and over again (I am one of them). I have a feeling they want to try and make it up there with the Dark Knight..and it hurts that they are not taking fans into consideration. I have signed that petition, but unfortunately it will not do anything because it does not speak GREED!
THIS RUINS MY LIFE!!! WHY MUST WB TORTURE US ALLL!!!!!!!!!!!! IVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SINCE LAST YEAR!
And ONCE AGAIN a big company makes a decision, not for the benefit of the general public, but to make more cash. BIG SURPRISE. WAY FOR NOT ONLY TRYING TO BLEND IN WITH THE CROWD, BUT TRYING SO HARD TO BLEND IN, YOU INFURIATE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME, WB. Way. To. Go.
i don't think petitions are going to do anything.... i'm pretty sure WB knew they would be FLOODED with hatemail and petitions.
I'm gonna go play in traffic....
Well WB won three records (Probably what they were aiming for) Record 1: Biggest fan dissapointment Record 2: Longest Delay Record 3: Earliest teaser. I HATE WB!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damnit, capitalism ruins everything.
Please go to warner brothers website and hit the feedback button at the bottom right of the page! Tell them how you feel and how the collective fandom feels right now! It's really satisfying! We need to flood their inboxes! THEY OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE EXPLOITING US! DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT!!!!
P*SS OFF WB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i sent an email to JKR's agent :D "Warner Bros, the movie company that makes the Harry Potter movies has delayed the 6th installment from its November 2008 release to July 2009. We Harry Potter fans are outraged, and so we look up to the writer who started it all! Doesn't JK Rowling have full authorization about this? Like can't she go to Warner Bros and Crucio them? Or at least make them see reason?Please help! The Harry Potter fanbase has been crushed by the monsters at Warner Bros!" i'm just trying to help, i suppose..
Everybody go to warnerbrothers.com and message them and complain! Maybe if they get enough complaints they could move the date back to Novemeber!!!
ok you know what i am freaking pissed at warner brothers right now. first we didn't get a trailer for what... 6 months????!!!! now we find out that they have DELAYED it until JULY???????!!!!!!!!! almost a YEAR from now!!! thats ridiculous!!! they even claim that they are still on track with the movie but they still want to freaking DELAY IT??!?!?!???!? this better not be because twilight is coming out two weeks after it because then i will be beyond pissed a warner brothers!! i'm going on strick against warner brothers....anybody wanna join???
To believe, I used to like WB!!!! I HATE WB!!!!!! JK please help us!!!!!
I like Ziggerr's email to JKR's agent!! "Like can't she go to Warner Bros and Crucio them?" HAHA I wish.
To top it off, I doubt they will make more cash. It will probably make less, because so many people will be bored with the series and not bother, the fan base is now angry and disillusioned, and folks like me will probably not get to see it in theaters at all, because my kids will be out of school and I will have no time to see it (they are too young for Harry Potter movies). To start stoking up the excitement only to delay an opening for no apparent reason is to burst the bubble and let the momentum go. Not a wise move. Whoever made this decision should be fired.
Oh goodness, I can't imagine being much more disappointed. We were forced to wait months longer than we originally anticipated for a teaser trailer and now this!?!?! The only reason that I might be content with for delaying the movie is to prevent such a long hiatus between the sixth and seventh films, since we already know that the first part of the Deathly Hallows is slated for November of 2010. Otherwise, we'd see a two year break between the films, which is longer than we've experienced for the previous films. Still, I won't pretend to be happy about it. Unfortunately, like many of you have said, the petition won't do much as we're talking about such a cash-hungry corporation here. Regardless, I'm signing most of them in an effort to dispell some of my fury. :) Thanks again Warner Brothers. You'll never cease to amaze me...=(
I don't think Jo has any say. They value her opinion about what is in the movies but she signed over movie rights to them. They have really messed this one up, but they know the fan base is strong enough for the movie to still do well...
And could somebody PLEASE take down that old countdown? It breaks my heart every time I look at it now.
Like i said, Watch them delay Deathly Hallows too!!! I HATE WB!!!!
You know what I say.. I say that all of the members of mugglenet and all other harry potter sites and all hp fans get together and we make our own movie. Then we have a convention on November 21st to show our movie.. i bet you our movie would be much more heart felt than any movie the WB produces, they really dont care about the boy who lived!
Well we all know how well David Yates did on the Ootp, so this 11 month wait makes me think he did another bad job so they need to reshot.
I'm going to cry. I feel lightheaded right now.
OK OK OK This is all just a dream, and i'll wake up soon! Yea, thats it, a dream!! Please be a dream!!! I HATE WB! Kool user name grednforge, I need something to make me laugh at these harsh times!
Movie push back reactions coming on the August 16 MuggleCast. Can't wait to hear what they have to say.
You know this makes me so mad I think I am going to go give warner brothers some more 'feedback' on their website about this atrocity!
Well, if they do delay DH at least we will be expecting it and if they don't, it will be a wonderful surprise! I am still so angry about this that I am at a loss for words! Like I said before, I think someone at WB deserves Crucio! Congratulations WB on reaching a new low and infuriating the fans more than ever before! I HATE WB!!!!!I HATE WB!!!!I HATE WB!!!!
Something just seems odd about this whole thing... But either way I don't think I'm going to waste my money to see this movie.
Everyone!! - Send an email to each of these people & express your concern, outrage, sadness!! Do not curse, it diminishes the message. susan.fleishm an@warnerbros.com jayne. trotman@warnerbros.com d esiree.finnegan@warnerbro s.com vanessa@hpfilms.co .uk
WTF!?!?!?! Someone needs to reset the counter. This movie better be 3 hours long and the best one yet!! Guess we should have known something was up with the lack of material released with less than 98 days to go. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WB, I hate you right now, but you better redeem yourself come July 2009! Perhaps WB is afraid that Twilight will knock HP out of the #1 spot since it opens 3 weeks later.
It's been a few hours and i still have not calmed down. I absolutely HATE WB for doing this..the idiots! I mean if they decided this in like January or something that'd be one thing, but 98 days before the stupid movie comes oout?! I hate life..i had plans to go to the midnight and make t-shirts and all that. ANd i was excited..2 midnights in 2 weeks (Harry and Twilight) but now it looks like only one :( I am so po'd.
WB fail @ life. Do they WANT to be killed? But they said they had the movie neer completion though, didn't they? If this is some kind of sick joke.. I'm shooting some puppies. There, I said it. Hmph.
Warner Brothers are greedy, self-concerned fools. This is absolutely ridiculous. They're honestly scared of their competition? Hello, this is Harry Potter we're talking about. I'm guessing they'll lose money- the gap between book seven and film six is too big.
Could it possibly be that the movie came out soo bad that they have to redo it? That wouldnt surprise me.. Yates ruined OOTP.
This is FU**ING BULLSH*T!!!! All WB is doing is trying to make more money...as if they didnt make enough with Dark Knight. And to everyone who is trying to find the silver lining in this by saying that it will be a better movie, it wont be. It is my impression that they are not planning on actually changing the CGIs to make them better or any part of the movie. They said they are putting the finishing touches on the movie (meaning it would have been finished by Nov. 21). They are just letting it sit for an extra 8 months so they can make more money off it. Greedy bas**rds. I really like the idea of boycotting, if they want to psst their fans off so that way they can make more money then fine, but we can psst them off by making sure they dont make any money at all. And furthermore, EW did not know of this change which makes me wonder if the actors or even JK herself was notified of this change before doing it.
Yeah, MuggleNet needs to take down the movie 6 countdown. Or at least fix it for the NEW STUPID release day. UGH.
After I thought this must be a joke, I wondered if it didn't have something to do with the theme park... but that seems to still be in 2010, so who knows why they would make such a horrible decision. Seriously, this is totally stupid and infuriating and rediculous and completely about greed. And the fans know. And from the 800 posts already on here, they are ANGRY! Sure, a lot of us will still go see it, because we have to, it would kill us not to.... But there will be those out there who will figure "Meh... I waited this long, might as well just see it on video or something"... And there will be fans who might not have felt right getting it illegally somehow before (bootlegs or whatnot) who will now have a rationalization for why they should. WB just really shot themselves in the foot I think.
You know we should torture WB as much as they have tortured us!! We should go in strike and not go see the movie. Then WB would lose money and have another strike!
We have been waiting way too long as it is. We already had it in our mind we wounld not be getting any HP during 2009 now you are taking our 2008 and moving it to 2009! What have you got plan for the two after HBP!? We can't live without HP! GIVE HIM BACK TO US NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!:-(
WTF??????????WHY THE HECK DID THEY DO THIS???? ARE THEY SERIOUS???? WB IS SO SCREWED
I am still so mad I don't even know how to put it into words! I guess I'll just go to bed. Maybe I'll dream of new ways to torcher (sp?) the idiots at WB!!!! I HATE WB!!!!
Who wants to bet this unexpected change is because Twilight is coming out 3 weeks afterwards. They don't want that competition. Why else would they change the date after they already have trailers going? It doesn't make any sense....
HalfBloodedPrincess87, I like the way you think. And oh my god right now I'm just so stunned right now. I've already commented on this post like three times, but there are no words to express how well, disappointed I am in WB right now. I just can't fathom how frickin' insensitive they can be.
This is complete b*llsh*t!!!! Its ridiculous!!! I can't even put into words how pissed I am! The only reason why they did this was to make money, and that is a psst poor excuse! I would love to walk into WB grab whoever made this decision and beat them for their greedy stupidity! I hate how money minded everyone is today! JULY 17TH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I swear it should be against the law to change a release date after production is over and it is wrapped! It's false advertisment and we deserve better than this! They shouldn't be able to jerk us around, and expect us to wait! F*ck them!
on the website they said your feedback is very important to us . My Ass i just send a very Angry Feedback everybody do the same
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