Rumour: OotP Filming in Czech Republic?

Mar 22, 2005

Posted by: SueTLC

OotP Film

The Express newspaper today has a new article about the possibility of filming for Order of the Phoenix taking place in the Czech Republic. According to the paper, this move away from filming in Scotland and using Czech Republic locales instead, is a result of several factors, one being the continued inclement weather which forced the cancellation of filming scenes in Glencoe, Scotland.

“Warner Bros insiders have revealed that sets like Hagrid’s House and Hogwarts School gatehouse in Glencoe will now be left unused after the cancellation of filming last week because of snow cost the company £300,000.

A tented village for the stars was dismantled just seven hours after it was put up and helicopters costing £3,000 an hour were brought in to take away portable loos and props off the hillside at Glenfinnan in the Highlands. “

Specifically in regards to making Phoenix, the article claims that “Movie insiders say the main scenes for will be shot in Eastern Europe.” Others reasons being listed for a potential move to film elsewhere other than on location in Scotland, have to do with tax incentives, and the apparent lack of them in Scotland. Also, the cost of the delays in filming big budget films such as the Potter movies can be prohibitive. Says an unnamed source:

“Look at the Glenfinnan scene, it’s costing a fortune to delay this filming.You expect this in movies but its always better if you can save money elsewhere to make up for losses.

We have already worked in Prague on other films and we see no reason why Harry Potter might not go there as well. I know the UK has lost out to 90 films mainly because they have been made elsewhere or scrapped.

“Everyone is worried in the film industry, jobs are going left, right and centre. We don’t want Potter to go that way but these films are getting more expensive to make. The director can film basic landscapes in Scotland and use computer animation to make a scene filmed in the Czech Republic.”

A Warner Brothers spokesperson is quoted as saying “I have not heard anything about leaving Scotland. But any discussion relating to the fifth film needs to go through the United States office not the UK one.”

Please note: This is very much a rumour and nothing is finalised yet. The article is not online, but you can read it in its entirety below.
SCOTS LOSE IF POTTER CHIEFS CASH IN ON CZECH DEAL

EXCLUSIVE By Ken Adams

THE filming of the Harry Potter movies looks likely to be switched to the Czech Republic because of Britain’s bad weather, the infamous Scottish midge -and cost.

Warner Bros insiders have revealed that sets like Hagrid’s House nd Hogwarts School gatehouse in Glencoe will now be left unused after the cancellation of filming last week because of snow cost the company £300,000.

A tented village for the stars was dismantled just seven hours
after it was put up and helicopters costing £3,000 an hour were brought in to take away portable loos and props off the hillside at Glenfinnan in the Highlands.

Now Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire-the fourth movie-will only have small scenes filmed at Glenfinnan.

And the fifth movie, Order of the Phoenix, due to be filmed next
year, is likely to use computer wizardry – with backdrops filmed in Scotland having actors superimposed.

Movie insiders say the main scenes will be shot in Eastern Europe. Last week Rupert Grint, who plays Potter’s pal Ron Weasley, was told not to travel for a loch scene using 100 children as extras playing wizards due to snow in England.

A Warner Bros source on location in Scotland said: “We are all worried the fifth film might not even be made in Scotland. The tax incentives are not in place here and with delays such as we’ve had things get expensive.

“Look at the Glenfinnan scene, it’s costing a fortune to delay this filming.You expect this in movies but its always better if you can save money elsewhere to make up for losses.

“We have already worked in Prague on other films and we see no
reason why Harry Potter might not go there as well. I know the UK has lost out to 90 films mainly because they have been made elsewhere or scrapped.

“Everyone is worried in the film industry, jobs are going left,right and centre. We don’t want Potter to go that way but these films are getting more expensive to make. The director can film basic landscapes in Scotland and use computer animation to make a scene filmed in the Czech Republic.” The government-supported film agency Scottish Screen admits Scotland is losing out.

A spokeswoman said: “The tax incentives are not there, more films are
gong overseas. The film companies pay for everything but the Government must do more.”Scotland has just lost out on the Lassie Come Home film which was written for this country – its incredible.”

The Invernessbased Scottish Highland and Islands Film Commission said it was “disgusted” at Scotland missing out, adding “It’s all about money and film companies can save up to 40 per cent overseas even though our film crews are the best.

“The second film unit making Potter’s Goblet Of Fire is on a far
smaller scale than last year for Prisoner Of Azkaban. We had 450 people making Prisoner but only 150 for Goblet Of Fire and no set went up.”

A Warner Bros spokesman in London said: “I have not heard anything about leaving Scotland. But any discussion relating to the fifth film needs to go through the United States office not the UK one.”





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.