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 want to be comment 1000! im so proud of everyone, we clearly all stand united in our disgust at WB. I understand but dont approve of their logic and money making scheme. Its SO unfair to us loya devoted fans. I actually almost cried. A whole year. Shame on you wb.
THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT 2 YEARS!!!!! THAT IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY UNEXCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! IT'S THE WRITER'S FAULT THEY WENT ON STRIKE NOT OURS, DON'T MAKE US WAIT!!!! NOW THERE'S 2 HARRY POTTER MOVIES COMING OUT IN 1 YEAR THAT'S NOT RIGHT!! THERE'S HARDLEY ANYTIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXT 1!!!!!!!!! WATCH THEM DO THIS TO US AGIAN!!! I BET U THEY WILL!!
If somehow I die before HBP comes out and its after nov. some big wig from the WB will be haunted until their death!!!
Oh yes, I agree some of the comments are over the top. They were like this when the Today show didn't have Jim Dale read off an excerpt from HBP (the 'not released yet' book at the time) and instead read an excerpt from OotP, even though they claimed he would read from the NEW book. I was upset too, not to an extreme, but irked. It was a marketing ploy, much like WB's decision. Threats, petitions, writing to whoever, etc. This is all very typical, and understandable.
I hope WB gets tons of hate mail from HP fans and make them realize what a horrible thing they have done to all hp fans!!! GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!
HEY WARNER BROTHERS!!! Do you know what it means when some one flips you the 'bird'?!?!?! Well this one's for you, you buttholes!!!!
They only pushed it back to make more money. Now it'll be a summer blockbuster and twilight won't be released any where near HBP. I hate WB
Mugglenet staff PLEASE either get rid of the countdown to make us feel better or change it to make it accurate and fuel our rage, I don't care! Just don't leave it like this! It's so agonizing!
Mugglenet staff PLEASE either get rid of the countdown to make us feel better or change it to make it accurate and fuel our rage, I don't care! Just don't leave it like this! It's so agonizing!
i read warners bros reasons and their reason suck big juicy cocktails!!!! and about the countdown...it does break my heart =/
GRRRR im Emailing Warner Bros now and Complaning!!! Everyone do the same thing they might bring it back to November/December if they get enough complaint letters! I Bet that they did this because of stupid twilight :(
I officially HATE WB.
WTF??? Why the heck did they move it!!!! NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT AWHOLE FRIGGIN YEAR!!!! WTF?? Why are they making us wait?? Do they want to make more money? They don't need it, that is so SELFISH!!!! All I can say is this movie had better be good or I am going to HURT SOMEONE!!!
for the last time its not because of twilight. twilight isnt a threat to hp srsly guys have some faith in the franchise
ok to add to what i said before these "people" (if that's what u can call them) actually WANT people sleeping in tents waiting for the movie!! thats part of the reason they moved it!! I HATE u WB thanx to u i can't give my senior year a good send off! THANX I REALLY REALLY REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT!
WTF??? I'm soooo pissed right now that I don't even feel like I'm pissed, but I know I am. Something got f*cked up. Had to be. God, I'm so happy to be a socialist right now...."you really need more than $250,000,000 to live off of?" at least it makes me feel like my hatred for this money-grubbing, selfish company is more motivated.
I can't believe I actually cried when this sunk in. I had absolutely no intention of doing so, it just happened. WTH WB I so did not need this and neither did the rest of us. I would love it if you had to explain it personally to every young fan so that you would have to endure their screams and tears. Fudge to your money and fudge you for being so heartless and disloyal to the fanbase that made you so fudging rich in the first place.
I HATE WB!!!!!! THEY ARE ALL MONEY-HUNGRY A-HOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
this is all about money, i agree, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...... i don't understand.....maybe there is something we can do...if the movie is finished, release it....what competition is there going to be? i don't know anything that's coming out. now they're going to be competing against other blockbuster summer movies. the wb is completely stupid.....and risk the chance of having NO ONE see it when we've been looking forward to it for this long, get a teaser trailer, and then say, 'OOPS NEVER MIND...SIKE!'...........d ear wb, i hate you, thank you for your time
I honestly can not believe that WB would be stupid enough to think that fans will wait 335 days for Half Blood Prince. First off it is absolutely ridiculous. Personally I would boycott the movie while its in theaters and wait until it comes out on DVD and get it from Netflix. Forget WB.
I'm with you MidwestMuggle!!!!!!
There is only one way to get the attention of a studio the size of Warner Bros... and that's to hit them in the pocket book. WE SHOULD BOYCOTT ALL WB MOVIES FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 2009. Then on opening weekend of HBP (when WB is expecting to bring in massive box office sales) we should all hold-off on attending for two or three weeks. (It will make WB's panic a bit.)
Doesn't WB realize that HBP will be going up against the new Terminator movie?
oh lame, I'm going to go play WoW while i wait.
lets call all the readers of mugglenet to set up an official boycott page to scare the wb and go through with it...who is with me?
or u cud pay for another movie and go see harry potter
I'm with you Trck93! I'm not going to wait till after 10th grade to watch this movie
What the hell?! What about the Southern Hemisphere, we have summer at the end of this year. This is absolute bullshit, if they were even PONDERING not releasing the film until sometime next year, why did they give us the first release date??!?!? Words cannot describe how angry I am
still calling for a readers of mugglenet boycott page....
http://www2.warnerbros.co m/web/help/help_feedback. jsp ATTACK!
I think this is ridiculous since the writers guild was in the states not in other parts of the world. Why would this effect the outcome of other movies that are filmed over broad. I really have come to conclusion that a class action lawsuit is needed to in the need to support the fans. As we do have the right as many others...we are those who have made the books millions of dollars and the movies even more money. Or even if that is not sufficient enough then lots of letters to the direct head office in California to Warner Brothers. Its not fair that we have to wait long periods of time for the movies to come out especially since they are planning on creating two movies for the seventh book and putting them out mere years apart. I still think they would claim back all the money while the guild of writers were out on strike and more some. Something needs to be done more then a boycott...they used media we can to..
NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I can't believe this! OMG!!
sounds like a lame excuse to try to rake in more money. that is just ridiculous after they came out saying they weren't trying to make more money by splitting deathly hallows in two, but now this? sounds like there is a hyprocrisy at the wb.
DOES JK EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!! MAYBE SHE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IF WE CANT
i totally agree with u sugarzero
Boycott Warner Brothers. No Star Wars movies! Free the Half-Blood Prince!
WOW....I'm boycotting this. This is just a money scam. It's a HP movie WB. People are going to go see it regardless. It doesn't have to come out in the summer. Bootleg anyone? lol
I'm just sitting here asking myself "What would my favorite character, Hermione, do." Anyone know??
lol Hermione would be all for the boycotting and rebelling. What with the spell casting and the screaming and the apparating -imagines- oooh, thats just another "Battle for the movie" but much more hardcore.
what the fudge?!?!?! this is complete and utter bullshit! i agree with sugarzero, they insist the DH split has NOTHING to do with money, and then they pull a fudge stunt like this???!!! and was that guy trying to be funny when he said the gap between HBP and DH wouldn't be so big? what a load of bull. let's boycott the movie so they realize their mistake, those greedy bastards. i hate pirated movies but for this i'll make an exception. i'm not giving a cent of my money to WB after this.
As. If. I CANNOT believe this. I thought it was a joke when I read the title of the news post. Makes sense why the teaser trailer was so delayed... This is SUCH a dissappointment. It's been delayed more than half a year!
LOL Ziggerr. I know right!!! I'm just trying to brighten things up! I HATE WB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This has got to be a fudge joke!!! There must be something more behind this. WB officially sucks! This puts a huge black blob on the rest of this year!!!!!!!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I AM SOOO SHOCKED RIGHT NOW!!! WTF?!!?!?! WHAT JUST HAPPENED????!!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!! WHAT ARE THEY DOING~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry about all the caps, but this is the craziest Harry Potter news I've ever heard. I mean they've changed dates before but it's only been like a few days, but they just pushed the movie back to 11 FREAKIN' MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
I'm with you sugarzero and Trck93. This is bulls**t.
Guess what im doing now!? Im punching my darn head to wall, maybe i can understand this crazy thing in this way. THEY'RE CRAZY! They have no brain... Gosh!
The mugglecast guys need to do a LIVE SHOW because I seriously need to hear their opinions on this RIGHT NOWW!!!! lol. This is some crazy mess!!!!
Wow. My mouth fell open in horror when I read this. I can't believe WB is doing this after claiming so much to care about the fans. They're doing this solely for their own profit. I'm so angry right now!
WB.. you're pathetic. How could you do this to a fan base such as this? It's just another ploy to fill up their bank accounts. They're trying to push the series so they won't run out of money. There is no reason this film should wait ANOTHER 11 MONTHS. I hope they lose business from this stunt. I'm so pissed. Absolutely horrible.
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)
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