While we have new photos from “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and news about “Deathly Hallows” (see below) to occupy our time, reaction to the news that HBP has been pushed back until next July continues to dominate the press. Today, the LA Times has a new article online that notes the furious reaction by Harry Potter fans (“among the most intense devotees in contemporary pop culture”), and points out that “petitions were circulating, rumors were flying and angry screeds were being posted on Internet sites within minutes of the Thursday announcement.” The fact that fans were upset with the announcement of the new release date was not lost on Warner Bros president Alan Horn. The LA Times included this gem that reads as follows. “Horn acknowledged that the studio would have to pacify fans in the months to come: “We would never do anything to hurt one of the movies or the series. We love our fans.”
On a related note, the rescheduling of the film has impacted other events tied in to the previously scheduled release this fall. The BBC reports that indeed the Royal Performance and UK premiere of the film had been canceled.But he was hopeful a Royal premiere would still go ahead this year.
In the same article, WB’s Alan Horn is also cited as saying “I’ve seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November.”
Among all the disappointment, there is a bit of bright news for IMAX who announced that “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince would be screening on the day of release, July 17, 2009. Reps for the company also said that “when “Harry Potter” does open next summer, it will appear in close to 100 of its new digital theaters, as opposed to about 40 estimated to be in operation by November. “It’s a better revenue opportunity for us at that point.” IMAX says that, as announced previously, they will also release HBP which will contain parts of the film in 3-D.
Whoa! This is the first I’ve heard of this! I’m terribly disappointed. This is extremely frustrating news for the entire fan community I feel. Our extreme devotion to all things Harry Potter has made it so the WB can take advantage of us. They know we will see the movie regardless, so are able to make decisions based solely upon their desire for profit. This entire situation has caused me to become completely disenchanted with Warner Brothers
It looks like this is true guys, the date has been changed on the official site. I don’t really know how I feel about this. After that Order of the Phoenix disaster (yes, it was horrible) I just don’t seem to care that much about anything movie-related. But I was sort of excited about seeing Half-Blood Prince on screen, what with the whole Tom Riddle story…
But this is purely strategic from the way it sounds. I mean, this is a major producion company. They have to think about what’s best for them, business-wise. It does show the commercial side to it, but why do you think they bought the rights to the books anyway? To satisfy fans worldwide, to bring their dreams to life? Let’s not ki ourselves. They wouldn’t have looked at Jo twice if they didn’t expect it to be such a huge success…
That’s why the movies shouldn’t be what we look forward to the most. I mean, sure it’s nice and exciting and all, but it’s a whole other world. What we should be thinking about are future books. At leats we have Beedle and the Encyclopedia to look forward to.
Let’s face it, WB treatment of fans has never been good, with half-hearted DVD releases and the ridiculous “teaser to a trailer” they released for the first CoS trailer (we had to go and see Scooby Doo to watch the full thing, remember?)
This really shouldn’t be a surprise. WB is just a money-making organisation who don’t care a bit about the fans, and although Heyman and co. are forced the tow the party line in the press releases, they can’t be happy about this. Wbat an absolute farce.
Funny idea of love you have there mr alan.
I aswell will be boycotting all WB productions until the release of hbp. I am absolutely gutted and disappointed in WB. You have crushed the hp fandom and couldn’t give a dam.
There will be no pacifying, unless the original release date is put back in place. BOYCOTT WB!!! The nerve, that he even thinks we are going to roll over and be oh so happy for these stupid pictures now… forget it. I don’t even want to see this movie any more at ALL, WB has completely ruined this experience for me 100%.
And BTW, Mr. Horn, this is not how you show the fans you love us. Nope, not feeling it. November or nothing!
Ellanalida, we are trying to get a worldwide boycott of everything associated with WB going. That includes all their subsidiary companies and partners like TimeWarner, AOL, New Line, etc., plus all their merchandise. If their profits fall, they will have to listen, money is driving this train so money is what we should keep out of their hands.
Oh you love your fans do you? What a crock! What you love is the money your fans make for you. I am seriously disappointed in WB’s decision making, and no I am not a child amped up about a movie, I am a 30 year old professional… and seriously angry with the thought process behind this.
If you make these decisions at least make them early and stick to them before releasing dates to the fans (and teaser trailers with the release date attached!)
Well done on alienating yourselves from one of the biggest fandoms around.
So… I guess this is really happening. I only have one complant. If you’ve already seen the damn movie and says it’s ‘fabulous’ and that it could be released in November, why in the bloody hell don’t you then? I’m sad to say this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this movie doesn’t make as much as the rest. There’s a lot of pissed off people right now, including me.
I wonder what Jo thinks of all this? I think they should stick with the November release date then do a re-release in just IMAX and 3Dfor July! then we the fans get the best of both worlds and they will profit either way!
So… I guess this is really happening. I only have one complant. If you’ve already seen the damn movie and says it’s ‘fabulous’ and that it could be released in November, why in the bloody hell don’t you then? I’m sad to say this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this movie doesn’t make as much as the rest. There’s a lot of pissed off people right now, including me.
To protest, hit them where it hurts. Send a letter to Warner Bros. informing them you plan to boycott all Warner Brothers films in the theaters and that you will deliberately see a competing film on the opening weekends of Warner Brothers films, as the opening weekend box office race is now all important to studio execs. Upcoming releases from Warner Brothers and its subsidiaries include:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Women
Appaloosa
RocknRolla
Body of Lies
Pride and Glory
Four Christmases
Yes Man
"Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'acceptable' in your O.W.L., or suffer my... displeasure."[br]His gaze lingered this time upon Neville, who gulped.
Whoa! This is the first I’ve heard of this! I’m terribly disappointed. This is extremely frustrating news for the entire fan community I feel. Our extreme devotion to all things Harry Potter has made it so the WB can take advantage of us. They know we will see the movie regardless, so are able to make decisions based solely upon their desire for profit. This entire situation has caused me to become completely disenchanted with Warner Brothers