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.
Yeah,WB loves its fans because of the MONEY! And don’t forget WB,you can only make money from us when we watch your movies in cinemas! Now your hurt all HP fans,and still telling lies to us, don’t expect us to give you the money you want!
The problem with what they’re saying, is that the decision was made so quickly. A couple weeks ago, they release a trailer saying November, now, without any signals being sent to their partners, they change it. My guess…they’re responding to an emergency. Either test viewings have gotten bad results, or some other project has fallen apart badly and they need HBP to fill the gap.
They’re going to lose a lot more on missing the Christmas sales for merchandise, than they’d get from a Summer release. Something smells here.
Yeah,WB loves its fans because of the MONEY! And don’t forget WB,you can only make money from us when we watch your movies in cinemas! Now your hurt all HP fans,and still telling lies to us, don’t expect us to give you the money you want!
With the economy as it is right now, several movies have been pushed back (Star Trek, The Time Traveler’s Wife, now HBP). ALL companies want to make as much money as possible, that why they’re in BUSINESS. What’s with this attitude that making more money is bad? Wouldn’t you all like to make a little more if you could?
The real concern is this: Potter films have always dominated the box office for whatever year it was in. They have always made hundreds of millions of dollars no matter what time of year they were shown. So why is this film being pushed back? Why does it need less competition?
The film probably isn’t as good as the previous five, so they need more time for the fine-tuning, editing, and marketing. If they’re concerned about money, then we should be concerned about the content and quality of the film. WB has never been concerned about money on the previous films because they always made a killing.
I feel offended that the WB is using Harry Potter as a money-making scheme. Yes, it has made a ton of money before, but that is due to its quality. I say release it in November and keep it out through next summer. I’d see it every month in thanks.
WELL MR. KNOW IT ALL, IF YOU SAW THE MOVIE AND SAID IT COULD BE READY FRO NOVEMBER, THEN WHY THE HELL ISN’T COMING OUT THEN??!!!! OH YEA, I FORGOT ALL OF YOU AT WARNER BROS. ARE BIG FAT LOSERS. DO YOU THINK YOURE ACTUALLY CARING FO RTHE FANS BY DOING THIS NO, YOURE CARING ABOUT YOUR DAMN SELFISH NEED FOR MORE MONEY.
I’m SOOOOOOO glad that Mr. Horn has seen the movie. His whole family probably has, so it won’t affect him or his. What a condescending jerk! Hey, while he’s at it, I have a paper cut that could use some salt rubbed in!
Posted by Cinnamon-Goodness on August 15, 2008, 05:20 PM
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WELL MR. KNOW IT ALL, IF YOU SAW THE MOVIE AND SAID IT COULD BE READY FRO NOVEMBER, THEN WHY THE HELL ISN’T COMING OUT THEN??!!!! OH YEA, I FORGOT ALL OF YOU AT WARNER BROS. ARE BIG FAT LOSERS. DO YOU THINK YOURE ACTUALLY CARING FO RTHE FANS BY DOING THIS NO, YOURE CARING ABOUT YOUR DAMN SELFISH NEED FOR MORE MONEY.
Does anybody know why they chose to split the seventh movie?
The deathly hollows is shorter than the fith and forth book and the order of the phoenix movie was short enough! I have the feeling Warner only wants us to spend our money twice; as it seems that they are very interested in our money and not in what is best for the fans or the quality of the movies. So, I´d really like to know. Thanks!
"Harry -- oh, Harry -- I tried to tell you at b-breakfast, but I c-[i]couldn't[/i] say it in front of Percy -- it was [i]me[/i], Harry -- but I -- s-swear I d-didn't mean to -- R-Riddle made me, he t-took me over -- and -- [i]how[/i] did you kill that --
Yeah,WB loves its fans because of the MONEY! And don’t forget WB,you can only make money from us when we watch your movies in cinemas! Now your hurt all HP fans,and still telling lies to us, don’t expect us to give you the money you want!