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.
Well…..good. I’m glad they’re talking this way, about giving the characters a proper send-off :-( and letting the emotional elements “breathe”.
I do believe (non-cynic that I am, I guess) that they truly are interested in doing justice to the story, to Jo’s universe, and that this wasn’t solely a $$$ decision.
I just hope a two-part DH doesn’t make all the other movies feel slapdash and rushed!
As long as each film isn’t 90 minutes long, I’m good with the decision. If BOTH films add up to be LOTR: RotK length only (3 hours 20 minutes), I know it will be a cop out. Can’t wait to see how it turns out though.
This is wonderful! There is so much in the 7th book that it is nice to hear other people recognizing this. Good for Ms. Rowling, Harry Potter and many many fans! Whoohoo.
I’m thrilled that we are getting two movies. It says to me that they are going to try to include every important scene. (YEA!) I think Kloves can do a great job because I do not blame him for superpinkgirlpower Hermione in PoA ... that I blame on Curion. You could easily tell that he was enamored of Emma. Having said that, Hermione plays a HUGE part in DH. Without her those two boys would have been totally lost. We are so lucky that we have so much to look forward to. :)
I’m pleased to see that at least someone involved in the film takes the story seriously. At last! Now I hope I’ll live long enough to see the last installment, and also to purchase the Blu-Ray boxed set of the complete series.
“I think Kloves can do a great job because I do not blame him for superpinkgirlpower Hermione in PoA … that I blame on Curion.”
The problem with that theory is that the “super-powering” of Hemione started before PoA. Remember her getting most of Ron’s important lines (and one of Dumbledore’s, for cryin’ out loud) in CoS?
I think they should have split the 5th movie (The Order of the Phoenix). There was soooo much that needed to be in the movie. For it being the the second longest book, it was the shortest movie yet. That isn’t right. EXCELLENT movie, but needed to be longer.
This is great, but it’s a bit late, don’t you think? Personally I feel that book 4,5,6 and 7 should be made into 2 movies each. There was so mch cut out from GoF, and even more from OotP!! I am sure HBP can be made beautifully into 2 films.
It seems like they’re making the last one into 2 films not for the fans (too little too late) but instead as a last way to make an extra buck.
Steve Kloves is awesome. Wish he was around when GoF was being made, he might have created a 2 movie/book trend and I am sure all potter fans would have loved the extra HP hours without the cuts of St. Mungo’s etc.
Prior to DH, GOF was my favorite book of the series…I wish they had made GOF into a 2 part movie….I don’t believe the current one does the book justice. SIGH.
i think it’s cool that they will split Deathly Hallows…..i would also agree with some that Order of the Phoenix should have been split…..so much of the book was left out of the movie….but would have made for an even more spectacular movie
this is so great! but i really would be feeling better if kloves stops making hermione, like, power puff, power ranger, super hero hard-as-a rock girl. i hope they have crying scenes for ALL of them, real scenes, esp. Malfoy manor, the most emotional for Ron (or the locket) because if he does that comic I’m-scared face like in CoS, i would be extremely dissappointed. real emotions PLEASE! : )
Yes, it will be a long wait, but it takes time to make a good movie.
I say split it right after Malfoy Manner… it would be a cliff-hanger at the point where Harry and Dobby Disapparate out of the dungeon, with Part 2 opening as they Apparate at Shell Cottage.
I would split it after “the life & lies of AD” when Harry is wandless, one friend down and hopeless…it is nearly the half of the book, and right after that answers start to pop up.
Yahoo!!! All I can think of to say is YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with you all, we true Harry Potter fans deserve this! I can’t wait! And just wait and see the wait in between the Lord of the Rings trilogy wasn’t bad at all it’ll fly by in no time! Plus we have HBP to look forward too! Again I say a very hearfelt
YAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Well…..good. I’m glad they’re talking this way, about giving the characters a proper send-off :-( and letting the emotional elements “breathe”.
I do believe (non-cynic that I am, I guess) that they truly are interested in doing justice to the story, to Jo’s universe, and that this wasn’t solely a $$$ decision.
I just hope a two-part DH doesn’t make all the other movies feel slapdash and rushed!