Warner Brothers has now issued their formal press release on making Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in two films. Following on what we reported yesterday, Warner Brothers confirm again that David Yates will direct both films, marking the first time any one director will helm more than two releases in the Harry Potter film franchise, with Steve Kloves to continue on as screenwriter and David Heyman and David Barron to produce. Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Brothers said “It has been an honor for our studio to be entrusted with bringing J.K. Rowling’s extraordinary book series to the screen, and we have always felt a great responsibility to be true to her vision. In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts. We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates.”
Additional quotage from the release is as follows: “This is a very special moment for us, as it is the final episode in the great journey that J.K. Rowling undertook more than a decade ago,” said Alan Horn, President and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment. “It has been a journey for all of us at Warner Bros. as well, and we are confident that our filmmakers will finish our series of films as a fitting complement to Jo’s completion of Harry’s story on the page.”
“Over ten years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films. The Deathly Hallows is so rich, the story so dense and there is so much that is resolved that after discussing it with Jo, we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice” said David Heyman. “I am thrilled that David Yates is returning to direct ‘The Deathly Hallows.’ He is both inspired and inspiring and is a passionate fan of the remarkable world and characters Jo has created. I know he will lead our incomparable cast and crew—most of whom have been with us since the very beginning—in bringing the series to the unforgettable conclusion it deserves.”
Director David Yates remarked, “I’ve had great pleasure working with a tremendous cast and crew thus far, on both ‘the Order of the Phoenix’ and ‘the Half-Blood Prince.’ It’s a wonderful world to work in and be part of and to create within, and I consider it a great privilege to continue to bring Jo’s extraordinary world to the screen, and to be the director to complete this epic and exhilarating journey.”
As reported previously, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part one and Two will be filmed at the same time, beginning production in February of 2009, with “Deathly Hallows: Part One” to be released in movie theaters November of 2010, and Part Two due May 2011.
They’ll probably still cut out Bill and Fleur in favor of Lupin and Tonks, Cat. It’s still not going to be the book on screen. I mean, you try reading the entire book in 4 hours, you can’t.
Kerrie (oh my god, I can’t believe I’m starting an argument with you again) You are wrong, it isn’t a money scam. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they will mind the extra money, but what they are saying is true. Unlike the other books, DH nearly hasn’t got any subplots, everything is important. They thought about doing GOF in two parts, but in the end they didn’t think it necessary. I they were so hungry for money, they would have already split up that movie.
Well, Luckily Gerard, we got a new cinemaphotographer for HBP. We can’t say the same for Hooper (but I kind of liked the soundtrack on OotP). It would be fantastic to have John Williams back. I mean it’s John Williams for goodness sakes. Can you imagine what music he would make for Harry’s death scene?
Kerrie, getting back to Dobby, I wonder if they will just kill Kreature instead? At least the audience would know who he is. Granted, the book fans will be pretty upset. I still don’t think we would get the same emotion out of it that we would if Dobby had been around for the last couple films.
Good point Redbeard we can never expect the films to be perfectly like the books. But saying that, I’m still annoyed that Bill and Fleur have been cut from HBP. I mean its the 6th movie and we still haven’t seen Bill or Charlie, Ron’s oldest brothers. its ridiculous. Also, how are they going to explain the wedding in DH without them getting engaged in HBP. And also, what about Bill getting attacked by Greyback, that was a huge event for the Weasleys and they aren’t going to include it? Thats madness! lol This is why I don’t like Yates….too much left out.
Does anyone else think its a bit ironic at how the movies are now going to be 8, not 7 as everyone thought/expected and that voldemort tried to make 7 pieces of his soul, but really ended up making 8? I dunno, kinda interesting to me, lol. Perhaps I need to stop re-reading DH…..
From the WB perspective, I think this has a lot more to do with the fact that MGM is going to release “The Hobbit” as two films in 2010/2011 than it has to do with preserving the integrity of Jo’s work! Let’s not lose perspective on this.
From the fan’s perspective, I am thrilled! I have to agree with Debbie’s third option, too. I think that after the destruction of the locket is the perfect place to split the films. It means that the first film will wrap up with a dramatic/heroic moment, but it will also leave the audience with a cliff hanger (3Hc’s down, 4 to go!). Plus, they can reuse the destruction of the locket as the beginning of the final film…going so far as to change the images that come out of the locket to recap the previous film, if they want. Plus, this will keep the Hallows story within one film and not leave a lot of hanging plot points at the end of part 1.
For me this is so great!!! Three more movies to wait for!!! My only worried is David Yate I do not know if he will be great to do final HP. Some fans didn`t like very much HP 5. For me I have to see the HP6 to decide.
In which part do they think will gonna split the movie? I hope it were in the Silver Doe.
I’m not gonna argue with ya Redbeard don’t worry. I just think that if they really wanted to be true to the books all along they would have done OOTP more justice. I’m not bother listing all the things that were missing and inaccurate thats a waste of my time lol.
I’m not gonna argue with ya Redbeard don’t worry. I just think that if they really wanted to be true to the books all along they would have done OOTP more justice. I’m not gonna bother listing all the things that were missing and inaccurate in OOTP thats a waste of my time lol but trust me when i say there was a lot. haha oh well i just hope the next 3 films are better. fingers crossed eh guys?
ooooh YES YES YES im very happy about this. Whether you like Yates or not (I think he had such a difficult task with the amount of material in OOTP to stuff it into one movie anyway) He has the right approach ..it seems..to this franchise. He seems to be so in tune with the emotions and the journey these characters go through…I think they are correct in keeping him on.
just think everyone…more hogwarts…more movies..more harry… more more more more….I want it all! sighhh how long do we have to wait??
While I’m enjoying seeing everyone play screenwriter, I think we’re overlooking the more immediate questions, such as: how long will each part be? 90 minutes? 2 1/2 hours? Somewhere in the middle?
I reckon that each film will be roughly two hours. maybe a few minutes over or under that. I totally agree with John, even though i personally think yates is a crap director I am very excited that we get an extra film. Let the harry potter obsession continue for another few months haha. I’m just really annoyed that Yates is leaving out Bill and Fleur…
Being a HUGE Harry Potter fan, I am excited about seeing the DH two films just to keep the excitment alive a bit longer, but I do believe this is just a money making scam! If there going to start splitting books, they should have started with OOTP! Plus I kinda want when I sit down for the big finale to leave feeling satisfied and not have to wait almost another year for the conclusion (2011, gees). It will be interesting to see HBP and how they edited that down. Just some thoughts!
Percy Weasley, meanwhile, had much to say on the subject of Sirius's escape.[br]"If I manage to get into the Ministry, I'll have a lot of proposals to make about Magical Law Enforcement!" he told the only person who would listen -- his girlfriend, Penelop
They’ll probably still cut out Bill and Fleur in favor of Lupin and Tonks, Cat. It’s still not going to be the book on screen. I mean, you try reading the entire book in 4 hours, you can’t.