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
How to you sign that petition. I can't find the sign button anywhere.
NONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO!!!!!!!
I don't mind the setback so much as the reason. They are doing this purely for more money. They can't possibly need any more time for post production. Warner Brothers know that whenever they release this, it will make enough money to cover all its costs as well as a substantial profit. I mean, it's Harry Potter! They've probably already made enough money to feed thousands of people for a year, and still have a profit. How can they possibly want MORE?! What do they need more money FOR?! I'm seriously considering not paying to see the movie if they stick to this later release date.
Whatever WB's motives are (perceived ability to rake in more money with a summer HP release, and promote the DVD release of Dark Knight around Thanksgiving instead to rake in yet more money), and no matter how angry we all are at this decision (understatement -- my husband was quite entertained by the profanity that escaped my mouth), the fact is that most of us will still go and watch HBP when it is released in theaters next year (including me -- despite my misgivings about David Yates ;-) ). The one thing we can do to stick it to WB is NOT TO GO SEE THIS MOVIE DURING OPENING WEEKEND -- this is when theaters have to give the largest percentage of their ticket sales to the movie studios. This percentage decreases every week. The longer you wait to see a movie, the more money the theaters get to keep, the less money goes back to the studios. Having said that, I'm sure by the time July 17th, 2009 rolls around, everyone's going to be as excited as ever and forget all about this. Unless... we make a pledge not to see it during opening weekend, write it down on a piece of paper and hang it next to your toilet so you'd be reminded of it every day.
this is probably the stupidest decision wb ever made...well i guess it's good that they openly say its about the MOOLAH! i REALLY hope the real reason is that they don't wanna compete with twilight, since all the females and a few males are gonna go watch it! i'm not saying twilight is better than HP..HP is infinitely better and I'd rather watch HBP...
WTF?! I'm going to burn WB Studios just to watch it burn, then I'm going to take a picture of it with an incinerated Jeff Robinov. x.x
The sad thing is, from a buisness perspective, it makes sense. It's not about making MORE money, it's about making the money at the right TIME. WB (and other companies) always rely on HP or other big movies to "save" them and pick up major profits. However, with the Dark Knight's insane success, it's stupid (from a buisness perspective) for them to release HBP this year. They don't need it in November. But next summer, with few blockbusters because of the writer's strike delyaing 2009 films, they're gonna need it. So, financially, it makes sense for them to put it out then. I'm still hugely pissed though.
i think this is the most comments i've seen since the time around the DH release. you all make me so proud *sniff* oh, yeah and wb is the grinch.
im not sure if anyone will read this, it's so far down, but on the teaser trailers, it still says November 21, even on the official site (delete spaces) www.harrypotter.co.uk so.... and they already set the release dates.... im not sure.
Petitions. Pshhwww . . . They never do any good. Just a left over hippie/60's feel good thing. If we want to really get WB's attention, stick 'em where it will hurt. Try this 1) write to the people in charge of Islands of Adventure and let them know that the trip you and your family had planned or coming to the new harry Potter Theme park will have to be moved back a year. Because the by then your sure to get the maximum effect from the park. I'm sure they won't mind if the park has low attendance for the first year or two. Their investors are sure to be thrilled that the anticipated crowds will eventually be coming. Banks, lenders and investors are always so understanding about waiting longer ot recoup their money. Tell them you're going to Disney World in 2010 instead. That'll make them squirm. 2) The FIlm is going to be finished, There are going to be digital copies of it. So some bright hacker go get it for us and release it in a dozen places on the web for us too watch on the original November date. It won't be as much fun as seeing it in IMAX but hey, it will greatly take the wind out of WB's "brilliant" marketing strategy to have to advertise a film that everyone has already seen. Just the threat of this will cause WB executives many a sleepless night worrying about keeping the film secure for 11 months. 3) DO NOT buy any WB stock and sell off what you have. Let the stocks dip a little and the Executives will start howling like Prof. Lupin under the full moon. 4) Most impoirtant of all, (and we can all do this) Since WB had ruined our Chritstmas; Let's ruin theirs! Voe now not to see one warner brothers film between November and January. (If you really want to be tough you can say until July 17th 2009) DOn't let your family or friends and co-workers go either. Boy coot WB Movies for the Holidays. Again, even the threat of this could make WB see the light of day. By All means flood the inboxes at wb TODAY 2)
I KNOW that the whole movie biz is about money, and I can almost ignore that when I see great film, but for WB to come out so blatantly and say,
i am seriously going to cry about this. this is the worst thing to ever happen. WB is the devil. i am SO MAD!
This is ridiculous! I'm so angry right now. I'm sure WB knows how many fans they pissed off, they just don't care. As long as they get their precious money, the fans don't matter. I feel so screwed over.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! This is soooooo bad!!!!!!! :(.... Oh well, there is only one good thing about this delay, atleast HBP won't be released during the darn twilight!
OMFG!!!!!!!! How the hell could they do something like this?! We've been looking forward to this for such a long time and now Warner Brothers change it just to make more money. They are such selfish jerks!! But we all know that Warner Brothers is gonna be so pissed when the entire movie is leaked before its released in theaters.
I am all for a boycott of opening weekend. I think this sucks! I'm sorry the writers went on strike because studios didn't want to cut them into DVD $, I'm sorry "The Dark Knight" made a zillion dollars this summer, but you just pissed off a whole $140 million dollar opening wknd worth of people. Calling won't do a thing, I'm with Eritheia and I say we stand together and BOYCOTT OPENING WEEKEND! They want to make us wait a whole year now, well we can wait a year and one week then!! TELL EVERYONE, DO NOT SEE HBP on JULY 17!!! Go see it on after that wednesday! This is ridiculous and so not fair to the fans of this series! WB doesn't care about us at all so let's show them how much power we can carry!!!
i havent seen one person yet who is happy about this change. All the fans are against it and i think we all know that there are a lotttt of harry potter fans. Hopefully warner bros will see how idiotic they are being and change the date back to november.
I am not going to boycott HARRY POTTER but I am not going to see any other WB movie until The half blood prince is out....
this is lke the wrst news ever 9 MONTHS?? r u seriouse at this arte where gonna have the deathly hsllows teaser with the prince...............woul dnt that go down in history . . . SIGNE . . http://www.petitionspot .com/petitions/harrypotte r6/
i hate wb
I swear to god, i hate these people ... im so pissed so fudge pissed
It's silly to say none of us are going to watch the film when it's released. But what we can do is not go to watch it on the opening weekend. I feel like watching it 2 weeks after its release. That would hurt their egos. I also like the idea of paying for another movie but sneaking into another screen to watch HBP.
THIS IS SOOOOOOOOOO WRONG. WB TEASES US WITH A TRAILER...GETS ALL OUR HOPES UP & THEN DELAYS THE FILMS OPENING SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY...YET THEY SAY THEY WANT TO PRODUCE A GREAT FILM FOR THE FANS...WELL, IT'S OBVIOUS THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THE FANS TO DO THIS TO US & ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS TO MAKE MORE MONEY. IT EVEN STATES THAT THE SUMMER IS A BETTER TIME TO RELEASE A MOVIE BECAUSE IT'S MORE PROFITABLE. ARE THEY DUMB!!! THIS IS THE 6TH MOVIE. IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S THE 1ST & THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW IT WILL GO OVER. IF YOU ARE A FAN OF HARRY POTTER YOU WILL GO NO MATTER WHAT. THIS REALLY STINKS...I AM SO PISSED & IF I DIDN'T LOVE HARRY POTTER SO MUCH I WOULDN'T EVEN GO NEXT YEAR. I HATE WB!!! MAYBE THEY WILL RECONSIDER, BUT THEY ARE TOO GREEDY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD MAKE THE FANS HAPPY. THEY JUST THINK ABOUT MONEY.
I Dont know if even one signel person would read this cause it so far back but whatever. the offical teaser is out it was in trailersOFFICIALY with the rong date for like 2 weeks, warner brothers just reasently posted the list of dtaes when the movie would be comeing around almost all of wich arre november 21 and 22 so on. so i dunno whats true or not im hopeing its just a hoax. you know t gte a big story, to make headline news, advertising, idunnp they might just say ahhah jk and day now but i am so pissed i cant even say so PRAY FOR THE BEST PEOPLE! SIGN SIGN SIGN http://www.petiti onspot.com/petitions/harr ypotter6/
I can not believe you would push back the new Harry Potter movie. November is the perfect time to release this film. Harry Potter is not a hot summer movie. I have marked my calendar for this show in November and planned to attend with my entire family. I think now if it is released in July I will just stay home so as not to add to your box office numbers. What a ridiculous reason to punish your fans. -Cori
Stupidness. I don't care if WB thinks this will help the movie. I know one thing is for sure. People have been waiting since last year to see another HP movie, now they have to wait another year. You can't just give us a release date then take it away just like that. Well, you can but people will be pissed and forget about the movie!
NOOOOOO! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! WHY? i was SO pumped for nov. 21!!!!!! thanks a lot WB for being such complete IDIOTS.
well. 335 days till the movie. sh*t!just as it got under 100!!!!!!!!!WB can go to hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those c*ck suckers !!!!!
Gahh. That sucks a little..But I suppose it's something to look forward to and also it means there's less of a gap between HBP and DH movies :]
This sucks!!! I guess I'll be able to see it at midnight now though, because I won't have school. Maybe this is why it took so long for us to get a trailer!
BOYCOTT OPENING WEEKEND!!!!!!!!
I just don't see it as good buisness practice to psst off 20 million people. WB execs must have gone to a different business school. Probably the same one the boys that came up with NEW COKE went to.
I AM GOING TO SHOOT SOMEONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! I OFFICIALLY AM SOOOOO MAD RIGHT NOW AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THEY MOVED IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! THEY ARE SO STUPID JUST BECAUSE OF THE STUPID IMAX THEATRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE WARNER BROS.'S IDEAS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR IT!!! THEY NEVER DID A GOOD JOB WITH THE MOVIES ANYWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ONLY SMALL BRIGHTSIDE IS THAT I CAN SEE 12 MIDNIGHT ON THE FIRST SHOWING!!!!!!!! I HATE WARNER BROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am furious.....i've never been so angry in my life....i friggin' hate warner right now...................... ............UGH!!!!!!!!!! !
Warner Bros. Pictures have showed their true face. Of course DH was split in two to make more money. I could live with that, it will make for two great films. I doubt pushing back HBP will really make more money. Does anyone at Warner Bros. know that the last book of the series was coming out within weeks of OOTP and that Harry Potter mania was at a fever pitch? I know they say it will not push back DH but how will the actors, producers and director film DH and promote the HBP at the same time?
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)
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!! WB SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMESELVES FOR PLAYING WITH FANS' EMOTIONS JUST TO MAKE AN EXTRA MILLION !!!!
Does anyone think this has something to do with the Twilight movie?
WTF. So they delay it 8 friggin' months? What are they gonna do in the meantine? Sit there and scratch their a$$es? Now they will have to promote it for that much longer so the whole movie will probably be out in pictures/screenshots anyway, if not bootlegged before then... kinda funny though, first we hear that Yates has said something like "filming and editing is complete and we will be getting test audiences to view it very soon"...fast forward about a week "HBP has been delayed until July 17 2009" lmao..did the movie suck or somethin? This better be a simultaneous worldwide release at least.... man what are they doing...making HBP part 2? lol. BTW i agree with those saying to boycott it. Everyone sign this http://www.petitionspot.c om/petitions/harrypotter6 /
why do they move it back cant they move it forword im am pissed of
wtf this is crap
I am completely distraught over the news. It was not necessary for Warner Bros. to delay the Half-Blood Prince because no matter what release date the Harry Potter films are set to, fans will always be willing to watch these movies. The Harry Potter franchise is tremendously successful and will continue to earn money but the so called "strategy" should have also focused on how this would affect the fandom. After all, we are the people who give the franchise the success it has been receiving over the years.
I am absolutley digusted ... me and my mum share a birthday and that was our birthday treat from my little brother!!! PISSED OFF all of us are and its not even like the film isnt finished they just want to bet other peoples films when they can be released SAD!!! They know that even though we are pissed off now we'll still go to see it later coz we love it that much but its cruel and absolutley stupid and if i wasnt so addicted i would say boycot it but i know i wont grrrrrr i hate warner brothers for this especially seen as theyve already teased us with the trailer and loads of pictures ... WARNER BROTHERS YOU SUCK!!!! Rant Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok people, the movie isn't going to suck so stop saying that's the reason they pushed it back. Hear me. THEY ARE DONE WITH THE FRICKING MOVIE AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO SIT ON IT FOR ALMOST AN ENTIRE YEAR WHILE WE WAIT!!!!!
I can't believe we have to wait ANOTHER year!!! It was only 3 months away & now we have to wait soooo much longer!!! NOOOO this is so not fair!!!
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HEY HP FANS DON'T ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS TO WB ON THIS SITE! THEY AREN'T GOING TO READ THEM HERE! GO TO WARNER BROS WEBSITE AND HIT THE FEEDBACK BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE PAGE! TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK WHERE THEY WILL SEE IT!
if we go and boycott the movie then WB will be like "ohay, they dont want the Harry Potter movie. lets pull it out of the theaters.. or cancel it!"
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