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
for me, 10th grade hasn't even started, and when HBP comes out 10th grade will be over!!!!!! I HATE WB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND David Heyman said its just a bit longer. 8 Months isn't a BIT longer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
There are no words to describe my absolute disapointment with WB-Not to mention that of my kids who have been looking forward to this movie since it was announced. A year may not seem like much to the big headed jerks at WB but when you are talking about children it's a lifetime. My youngest literally cried tonite when I had to tell him that the countdown was now wrong and it wouldn't be until next year. That was the first thing he would look at upon waking, Obviously money is more of a concern than doing what is promised. Way to go WB. Lets teach our kids more morals like that. God I'm PISSED!!!!
This was my one crutch to sustain my panic about going to college this year. I can't even begin to describe how much this Harry Potter abandonment sucks. Well... at least the time between HBP and DH1 won't be as long... I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE this, though. I thought it was some cruel joke when I got the message on facebook.
i absolutely agree.. this is a huge disapointment to all fans and i still dont quite understand the reasoning behind it.. but i think some fans should give other fans time to react because not everyone understands how much harry potter means to all of us... its places like mugglenet that allow fans to get together without worrying about what others (not hp fans) might think.
UGH. This totally sucks. I was excited b/c with the [old] release of HBP and the release of Beedle the Bard it would feel like ye olde times. It would be HP mania all over again. APPARENTLY NOT. D:
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)
By all means, vent! Enjoy it though, because once you're done, the release date will still be July next year. I'm sorry that some of us can handle it better than all of you can, but as I say, complain and enjoy the moment. Maybe avoid the hyperbole though? Burn the film stock? Boycott the release? Hoping WB executives die? Riiiight.
Esodes08 I hear you! HBP was something I was looking forward to as a known in my life which is a big unknown this semester because I'm starting college too! I was relying on it being this semester!
i can't believe they waited so long to push it back. yeah i know we are all still going to go see it but i think wb are hurting themselves in the long run. they have a lot of very angry people to deal with. i can't believe they would do this. it is so sad :(
v_v....I officially declare this the worst thing to happen this year, on top of everything else that happened in my personal life as well. It's now too obvious to ignore the fact that the HP franchise is nothing more than cash cow and scr*w the people that made it possible to make Harry Potter what it is now and will always be a classic. Way to go, Warner. Maybe Disney wouldn't have been so bad after all. *angry pant* K, rant over i thnx.
I'm way disappointed... and WOW! THERE ARE SO MANY COMMENTS!! Woot its quite obvious that Mugglenet fans, I mean Harry Potter fans arent please and that they want something done about it. I was really hyped up about it being in November :(
Someone on IMDb pointed something out and I found it quite interesting. It's entirely possible that part of the reasoning behind the push was the quality of the film. WB recently made huge amounts of money off TDK in July, and it was an amazing film. If HBP is shaping up to be a really great film, they'll want to maximize profit by going with the summer release as well. OotP made a lot and it was a summer release, too. It's a bit naive to expect WB to think only of pleasing fans when they've got the possibility of making massive amounts of money off this pushback. It's a smart move on their part, money-wise. People will still see it even if it's a few months late, they know that. I guess I just see their reasoning so well that I'm not that upset about it. Honestly, I'd wait 5 years for this movie if I had to. All I care about is the quality.
LET'S NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT IT UNTIL WE TRY TO CHANGE IT BACK! EMAIL WB AFFILIATES AT http://www.warnerbros.com /?page=privacy-policy/#/p age=company-info/press_ro om/contact/ .. DON'T JUST YELL AT THEM BUT DO A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL!!!
http://www.warnerbros.com /main/help/customer_servi ce.html Go to this link and let WB know as a customer of their products about your dissatisfaction with their decision. Please keep it respectful and tell them what your thoughts are and why this decision is unfair to fans worldwide.
What is up with the second choice in the new poll on this site? HELLO PEOPLE! WB is not postponing the release so that it will be better quality! They are doing this so that they will MAKE MORE MONEY! Incase you didn't know the WB said that they would have been perfectly capable of releasing the movie in November! This is about their business! So in conclusion, anyone who selected the middle choice in the poll clearly is NOT informed.
The QUALITY will be the same. They're not changing it. They're finished with it. It's just going to sit there. I HATE WB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I cannot believe they did this. I cannot believe it. I can't believe it. What a way to alienate the fanbase. There will be so many leaked versions of the movie it's not even funny. I was so looking forward to this coming so soon. Now I am just saddened and disappointed. I barely want to see it anymore. This sucks.
*rips out hair* I HATE WB!!! *cries* I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'VE DONE THIS TO US!!!!!!!!!! WHY??
I was seriously as the rest of you counting down the days. I did a double take when I read this. Checked my calender..Is it April 1st? Nope! This is a joke. I'm with the rest of you..I am really P.O.'d. They can't give us one day then take it away from us. I mean they can..but how can they. Tell me that less people will go see this movie if released in November than July. There probably would be less to see in Nov. causing more people to see it then. Give me a break..it's all about money. I almost wish I could boycott..but um...I really want to see it! : )
Delay?! What, so they can make more trailers to compensate?! Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
For the most part, people are just using this space to vent and then eventually move on. I agree there's a lot of over exaggerating going on, but this is the internet. Not many people talk on the internet the same way they would online. I would think anyone could understand that, but, I suppose not. I'm far from hysterical about the matter. I'm perfectly capable of coping, thanks.
I wonder if there is a comment limit per article. If so they are going to have to re-post this article so we can all keep commenting. Too bad this is the most depressing post ever. I don't think I want to see it twice on the same page.
F**k YOU WARNER BROTHERS! F**K YOU!
I think I'm the only fan not losing my mind over this. Call me crazy, but I'm kind of happy about the news. I'm dreading the end of the movies, because then there won't be anything to anticipate but an encyclopedia without a release date in sight. I want to savour it all while I can. I like the idea of have a few more months to anticipate. I'm definitely in the minority here, but... I guess I've just fallen in love with this fandom to the point where I'd wait years if it means having something to look forward to at the end of the day.
ok so which email address do we send complaints to? im thinking i'll just address how thus delay will be a detriment because people are already getting over harry potter since the books are over, you want to maintain the hype not further decrease 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)
so i understand why people are upset and YEAH i'm kinda mad too. of course i'll wait for HP but I was just anticipating the release of november. i mean it was only 3 months away. they must have had a good reason to change the date, but it seems to me like they want to attract more audiences. more people watching = MORE MONEY. i guess thats the main thing thats bugging me. maybe there will be some kind of compromise?
If you want to express your feelings to WB about this news go to their website and hit the feedback button in the bottom right of the screen.
I know this will go overlooked. But do you think that WB execs are scared of getting overshadowed by the 'Twilight' coming out in December? Either way, it sucks. WB is out for the cash, which they're going to get either way.
It's all just about the money isn't it :'(
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! WHATS WRONG WITH YOU???? THIS IS BAD!!!!!! ummm.... 943rd??
maybe WB is afraid of Twilight. but realistically, twilight fans are just a portion of HP fans. i still think HP would have been victorious (and i actually run a twilight website) if there was a LEGITIMATE reason for delaying then i wouldve been ok, but it really does just seem about the money.
http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s V.V
WB are a bunch of cash whores and can't wait to exploit people when they can. So, WB, if you're releasing the movie in July 09, why release the trailer? Why lead people on? Why continue to release photos from the movie? I have a strong belief that WB thinks Twilight will whip there arse in the fall.....
I still can't believe it!!!! Two whole FREAKING YEARS between movies 5 and 6!!!!!!!!! This is completely NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I think I understand now. Poor W.B, they must be struggling to pay the bills or something, what with the lack of success of their last H.P movies and only making it to the guiness world records with all of them. Why else would they do this to their repretation and thousands of loyal fans? I wonder is J.K Rowlings ok with this.
I want to kill myself
Here's the thing. JK didn't give us a release date for a Potter book and then say, 'Oh, sorry, it's not ready yet, you'll have to wait a solid 8 months for the actual release'. WB is weak, and I HOPE JK has some influence in the outcome, but it's doubtful. WB, Heyman, Yates are all weak!
AGH! No way! Now we have to wait 337 days instead of 98! Sigh... I honestly have to say that this really stinks. I mean, really, Sorceror's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Goblet of Fire all had November releases and they did perfectly fine. Come on! This depressed me... sigh.
Omg I don't think I can wait 337 days. That is asking way too much of the potter fandom as a whole. Omg I wish I hadn't seen that number.
just finished a REALLY long letter to WB and I made it educated and everything lol hope they reconsider keep boycotting, petitioning, doing whatever it takes to stick it to the man!
Sad I was looking forward to HBP in November. As for WB they are NOT out to please anyone but their own bottom line, just like all corporations are. Very little was released about HBP while it was being filmed, perhaps it is awful, & WB is going to use the extra time to reshoot some material. Then have some time to edit the movie. My hope is that it will be a great movie, and follow the book more than OOTP did. The sad part is that WB had an opportunity to make movie history with the Harry Potter series, but they have Not done the great books justice. I only hope the remaining movies will be great, but I have my doubts.
I would just like to say that WB EFFING BLOWS.
Good to hear you're coping Susan14, and I never said don't complain. I just feel like shaking my head at the people making outlandish comments that its some conspiracy against the fans, when its just a simple business decision. The press release does a good job of explaining the decision, I guess most commenters just read the title and leapt into the comments. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less, but really, some of the stuff people are saying is pretty nuts :P But hey, go for it, if it makes you feel better rage a bit, hopefully it will stop someone from going up a churchtower with a rifle...
THIS IS SOME BULL****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! I CANT BELIEVE THEY THIS TO US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! IHAD MY HOPES UP AND I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT! GOSH IM PISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH FFS! LIKE THE HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE IS EVER IN DANGER OF NOT MAKING A PROFIT. 11 MONTHS!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
If the movie is good (I'm sure it is), then they shouldn't worry about "the summer season being an ideal window for a family tent pole release". COME ON!!! Everything is about money, AND IT WILL SELL NO MATTER WHEN YOU REALEASE IT. Now I remember something about cinemas having a bad time, due to home HD-related tech and other reasons. You think HBP will save them?? No, methinks. Besides didn't you see this one coming a long time ago? And NOW you remember WGA strike? All Potter's fans have been waiting for this movie since months, now you came with this big announce? What a dissapointment! Please WB, you are acting like children, and you are trying to explain a support someone's decision using any excuse available. Get serious and real, WB, just a few movies can compete with HP franchise, and those did not suffer WGA strike, so don't you worry about competition.
WTF man?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? ok, if theyre already done with post prodeuction, why the hell can't they get it out? i get reshoots are part of it, but i thought i read some where that they were done with reshoots, so thats not an excuse. dude. the new Baz Lurhman's new film Austraila staring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman comes out the week before HBP was supposed to be released in november, and Baz is still doing reshoots NOW, i mean like as in nicole kidman was on set with her baby yesterday kind of now, and they were filming for like a boat load longer than HPB, and i get its not as much CGI as the potter films, but Baz does alot of blue screen and soundstage, PLUS location stuff that he combines seamlessly, and to that stuff well takes some work. seriously, its retarded.
I HATE WARNER BROTHERS!!!! I'M SO FREAKIN' PISSSSED! AFTER ALL OF THE PUBLICITY AND ALL OF THE STUFF THAT MADE ME LOOK FORWARD TO THE FILM, NOW THIS????!!!! THIS WILL NOT BE A VERY GOOD MOVE SINCE MOST FANS WILL BE BOMBED AND THE EXCITEMENT AND HYPE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME NEXT YEAR... WHAT THE fudge!!!! I'M REALLY PISSED................... ...... GGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
OMG. The HBP Counter makes me SAD. And WB makes me MAD. I HATE YOU WB. I. HATE. YOU. YOU STUPID MOTHEREFFERS.
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