There is more news today on the decision to make two movies out of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Screenwriter Steve Kloves has given a new interview to the Baltimore Sun, where he discusses the decision to split the book into two films, and says they had been considering to do this originally for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . In an email to the paper Steve Kloves says “Years ago,” he writes, “we briefly — and seriously — considered doing Goblet of Fire as two films. So this concept is not altogether new.”
Steve Kloves, who is the screenwriter for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and will pen the scripts for both of the “Deathly Hallows” movies, continued on to explain that early after the release of book seven they started thinking of splitting the seventh Harry Potter book for two films. Quotage is as follows: “As for Deathly Hallows, I intuited — almost from the first moments I began reading it and certainly once I’d finished — that to realize the story in a single film was going to be a tall order. Others in ‘the group’ felt similarly. So the idea of two films began to get kicked around as early as late summer of 2007. We didn’t take it lightly. But ultimately everyone felt that despite the challenges it would present, it was the most sound creative decision. I’m sure some will think we’re crazy. My wife looked at me cross-eyed when I first mentioned it. But I’m really excited about it because it should allow us to stretch a bit with the characters and give them the proper send-off. The story is highly emotional and those moments deserve time to breathe. And, personally, I feel we owe it to Jo — in order to preserve the integrity of the work — and the fans — for their loyalty all these years — to give them the best and most complete experience possible. I’d love to do it in three parts!” And for good measure, Kloves adds that working with Order of the Phoenix director David Yates on the currently filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “was a brilliant experience, so this should be a treat!”
As we’ve reported here and here, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be made as two films. Starring Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson and under the direction of David Yates, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One will be released in theaters “holiday” 2010, with Part Two due May or Summer of 2011. The sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is currently in production in England, with a release date set for November 21, 2008.
Kloves is right, they do owe it to Jo to split Deathly Hallows up into 2 movies and do the author and the story justice, not to mention give us fans a treat. This is capital news. Well done!
Even though comments have been posted through out the day about how thrilled everyone is that Warner Bros. has decided to do Deathly Hallows in two parts, I am even happier to hear this news from the mouth of the screenwriter. :) The statement, “I’d love to do it in three parts!” is also reassuring because I think he will truly fight to keep nearly everything from the book . . . and I’m not as worried now about there just being 2 shorter films rather than 2 full-length (min. 2 hour) movies that will contain the emotional and physical elements which are so important to the final book.
Overall, I’d say it’s a good day to be a Harry Potter fan . . .
I would really love it if they do two titles, instead of deathly hallows part 1 and 2.
if they split the movie up at say the lovegood’s house, call the first part the deathly hallows, and the second part after one of the two other titles jk rowling considered, Harry Potter and the Elder Wand.
I think they have treated all the films with respect and they have put their hearts into each one. It just so happens DH isn’t a book that can fit into one 3 hour film like the others could. DH has to be longer than that because they cant cut anything out. everything is important to the overall story. So that’s why they’re doing two-parts with DH and not with the 6 previous books. I think they have done an awesome job with the films so far and I’m 110% sure HBP is going to just as good as the others were too.
I never read the LOTR books and I don’t plan on it, but I’m sure that every little detail from the books wasn’t in the movies. But anyways, someone suggested that part one of DH should end when Voldemort gets the Elder Wand out Dumbledore’s tomb and I thought that was a good idea. It’s a really suspenseful moment because at that point in the story the audience and harry think Harry has basically no chance of beating Voldemort now.
When I read Deathly Hallows I thought it would be extremely difficult to make the movie version. The intense action sequences, the heart-wrenching death scenes, the quiet moments of reflection, etc. are numerous and essential. If they cut these scenes it would diminish the film. I am so happy they are making two movies. They will have time to create a spectacular finish to our beloved Potter world.
I think it’s a good idea to make book 7 into two movies so you get more of the book instead of skipping over so much but if they don’t hurry up the main stars are going to be using canes and walkers to get around. It’s taking much too long to get movie 6 out, it should have been done last year.
the movie wouldnt work if the split was at voldemort getting the elder wand.
guys, you need notice that the elder wand being taken from dumbledore’s crypt happens practically right at the end of the book a chapter or so before the battle for hogwarts. it would literally mean the battle for hotwarts would have to be 2 and a half hours long. guys, not going to happen. you can not do all the vitally important things up to that point when voldemort gets the elder wand in 2 and a half hours. no, thats a horrible place to cut it offf. that would be like cutting the 1st half at the moment voldemort dies, then havivng the second part be the epilogue only.
Dang, I wish they split 4. That would’ve been better, I think. OH well, at least one of the films would be split. Although, I’d rather have an intermisson than separate films.
I love Steve Kloves. I’m sorry but he has proven himself totally capable of handling the HP series (given the massive restrictions placed on the films by the money hungry idiots at WB). I’m so glad he’s going to be finishing off the series.
First! I am thrilled that the movie will be extended to two parts. It shows that they are finally listening to fans and can not possibly let the plot of Deathly Hallows become skewed or chopped up. It’s an insult to do so to Jo’s brilliant book….and frankly our patience and loyalty over the years as fans.
wow!! big news!! I dont know how i feel about it. But at least they wont leave a lot of details out!!