Empire magazine has a new interview with Harry Potter producer David Heyman on the decision to make two films out of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this new article, David Heyman describes the thought process behind the decision to split, debating on whether to make a “four and a half hour film,” or the possibility of both as “two and a half hours long” and much more. He also declines to say where the split in the book will come as “don’t have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven’t got a draft to know if that works yet.”
On the matter of splitting and length of the films he says quote: ” We just thought how are we going to approach this? Is this going to be a four and a half hour film? That’s probably what it would have been. Would our audience really embrace that? In some way, I think they might. But I think the younger ones would have drifted. There’s always been difficulty making sure that the ones that are two hours, two and a half hours long – making sure that those are the right length. I think by having two films that are two and a half hours – although we’re not sure of the length – then it will be a richer experience. One of the challenges that faces us, which we’ve been discussing, is how to give each film its own identity. We want them to feel like one film, but they’ve got to be self-contained too. We feel now that we’ve got a really good angle on that. But we haven’t got a script yet on either part, so I don’t want to say too much.”
Empire: So these films will be the same length as the ones that came before? We won’t see two films that clock in under two hours?
David Heyman: No. The idea is to get everything people want in there. I’m sure there’ll be parts that don’t make it, which we won’t know until the script is written. But that is the idea.
Empire: What do you think is the natural separation point in the books? Where can you end the first film in a satisfying way?
David Heyman: It depends what feeling you want [to end on]. I don’t want to answer that just yet because we don’t have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven’t got a draft to know if that works yet.”
In addition there are comments on the discussion with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling on the decision to split the book, how the cast members (especially Dan Radcliffe) would handle the filming, and says again they will begin filming both movies at the same time, starting next February. Finally of note are some of the scenes David Heyman is looking forward to in the movies, as he says:
“Well, the final battle, but there’s so much. I love the character stuff. I love the resolution of Dumbledore and Snape. I love the multiple Harries at the beginning. I love the scene of Hermione trapped at the Malfoys’. I love Harry and Hermione in the forest. I think there’s so much, it’s such a rich fabric. What we’ve done now, which I think is really exciting, is that we’ve found thematic centres for each of the films. That gives the film heart. I think it’s pretty great that David Yates has crystalised it and…it’s early days still, so I’m not going to say too much. But I’m just thrilled that David Yates decided to come back, because he’s really found a new spirit for the sixth film and as we talk about seven, it’s very different as well. I think it’s going to be good.”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One will be released Holiday (November) of 2010, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two due May (early summer timeframe) 2011.
“But I’m just thrilled that David Yates decided to come back, because he’s really found a new spirit for the sixth film and as we talk about seven, it’s very different as well. I think it’s going to be good.”
I don’t care what all those naysayers say (did that make sence?). I am in awe of David Heyman. He very clearly loves the books and the caracters.
I think we are in for a bloody amazing final film. With David Yates signing on almost the second he gets asked. All the others in aswell.
And then about 2.5 hours for each film!
I’m so happy! so many wonderful news in such short period of time. I love D. Heyman! and I’m so glad that he told us about all these scenes that he liked, I hope all of them will make it! :D
Professor Potter, I think they did it to “The Golden compass” because it was a “holiday” movie, and the real end would’ve been too depressing, but if you remember they did show a bit of the ending in the trailer.
Ah, how nice. That’ll line their pockets for a little longer then.
They are purely doing this for money. They keep going on and on about how you can’t cut certain things and little details from the last book but is everyone forgetting the fact that all the little bits haven’t been led up to in the previous films so will mean nothing. I mean there’s been no Mundungus, no locket…I could go on.
What are they so determined needs to be uncut that will be as effective when so much has been cut before? I’d love to know.
I think the impact won’t be as great, I can’t see where a cut will fit.
I honestly don’t understand why they think they need two films when so much has been cut before and won’t or can’t be included because of that (or it won’t make sense).
The only way I can see it needing more time and a cut is if Kloves is thinking of adding his own stuff again groan.
I’m not happy, but then that’s not new with the film franchise so I don’t know why I’m surprised. They could have just made the film a decent length (3-3.5 hours) and had everything that connects with the previous films.
People say the fans need to disconnect the books and the films and I agree, so why when we’ve ‘tolerated’ (not me personally, I’ve been gutted by it) them removing so much from the books previously are we now so adamant to support them separating the last book when a lot of it won’t even make sense to non-readers anyway cos plot details or characters have been cut in other films?
Unless Kloves and the producers are planning on trying to make amends and put cut things back in then I don’t see the point.
Sorry
I figure they will be putting those important plot points back in somehow. We have to remember that until now they didn’t know for sure what was needed for the end. They would have had hints by JKR but nothing definite. Of course they want to make money. Studios are not charities, but it doesn’t matter! We get more HP which is what people have wanted all along and now we choose to complain? Well I’m not complaining. I am ecstatic and have been excited ever since I heard. This is a great thing. 2 more than 2 hour movies!!! Wooooohooooo! :)
@ Peeved – Do yourself a favor then, if you’re so “gutted” about the entire series of films, stop going to see them. If you think so many things about the last installment are going to disappoint you and they are only doing this to make more money – stop giving them yours.
I think this is going to be a really nice ending to the series. I have to agree with a lot of people on this particular post in saying that Mr. Heyman really has a deep understanding and compassion for these films. There is nothing greater than having a producer who truly believes in the film being produced – trust me it makes a huge difference. I’ve worked on projects where the producer doesn’t really believe in the script and because of that didn’t really push for the best of the best. I feel that because Heyman is so drawn to the series and loves it so dearly that this will be a wonderful ending for both novel and film fans a like.
Nurlomum – That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. Although JKR let the filmakers know what absolutely couldn’t be changed or left out, there are lots of areas that got short shrift. Not really their fault under the circumstances.
So, my hope is that the additional time will give the filmakers the opportunity to shore up those areas. Two particular areas that might benefit are the House Elves and Neville.
So so so excited for the movies!!
Ive also been thinking about the split, and although this seems unlikely to me, I think a great split would be in the middle of the Xenophilius visit when he says “are you referring to the sign of the deathly hallows?” I think it is very suspenseful and would be quite exciting- it would also split it into 2 relatively different films.
“What we’ve done now, which I think is really exciting, is that we’ve found thematic centres for each of the films.”
So I wonder what the thematic center is that they’ve found for the first film? (We pretty much know what the second film’s thematic center will be). The obvious guess for the thematic center of the first film would be the locket horcrux (ending after the Silver Doe).
If we knew what the thematic center for the first film was, we could guess where they’re going to make the split.
@ Peeved – Stop giving your money to them then if they are so upsetting. It’s as simple as that.
@ Nurlomum – That’s what I was thinking. I think they are going to find a way to put back in everything that was left out in the past that had importance. They didn’t know what was important before, so it hard to tell what could be cut since they still didn’t know the end of the story. JKR gave them hints, but it still was vague. I think the additional time will help them make the ‘corrections’ they need to make, and do DH justice.
“But I’m just thrilled that David Yates decided to come back, because he’s really found a new spirit for the sixth film and as we talk about seven, it’s very different as well. I think it’s going to be good.”
I am glad he came back as well.