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.
Good luck trying to pacify us… not going to happen unless the date is changed back!
We fãs need to organize…. isolated boycots won’t do anygood. If we could organize and all do something… that would be awesome, and they wouldn’t try this on us again!
Oh! And leaky…. the site is slow as ever. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to post this comment! I know th flow of people accessing the site must’ve grown with yesterday’s news…. but still, isn’t there a way to make the site lighter?
I don’t know if any of my comments here were posted successfully. I closed my browser after waiting more than 20 minutes for a response from Leaky’s server.
Am I the only one having this problem??? This is really starting to get on my last nerve.
I don’t see why we don’t all boyott the ACTUAL movie? I know we’re all dying to see it, but we are the most loyal fans probably out there. Let’s just all agree not to see the movie when it is released and see what WB does then? All of those midnight showings with no one there to see them… I think that’d hurt WB where it counts
I love that: “I’ve seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November.” So why the eff aren’t you?
The entire Harry Potter franchise is money in the bank, do they honestly think that waiting an extra year so that they can put it into a few more IMAX theatres will really net them any more money? HBP will be gold for them no matter when it comes out.
To add insult to injury, Horn admitted that the number one grossing film in the franchise is still the Philosopher’s Stone. When was that one released Mr. Horn? Oh that’s right, NOVEMBER freakin’ 16th 2001!!!!! Since it managed to gross over $90 million in the US that weekend I’d say that Thanksgiving releases do ok for themselves. snark!!!
Horn’s statement about ‘pacifing fans’ is just a slap in the face. I realize that it’s a great honour for the almighty Hollywood producers to condescend to pat the heads of the unwashed masses known as their audience, but really Mr. Horn, you’ve just pissed off one of the biggest fan bases in the world. Good job! Of course you’re not going to hurt the movie. YOU have nothing to do with the film itself. You are the cheque book. With decision skills like that it amazes me that you’ve reached your current position. The only thing you’re trying to pacify now is the damage to your reputation.
What I’d really like to know is: What does Ms. Rowling think of this catastrophic blunder? She’s the only one that seems to keep her head on her shoulders when it comes to the franchise so if she can give me one good reason why they should push it back I MIGHT be appeased.
As for Mr. Horn, I’m a regular movie go-er. In fact I saw 86 films in theatres last year alone. And WB has just lost all my business. Congrats!
i think this is such a slap in the face! Already someone on this site thinks it’s because HBP is so bad they’ve delaid it. I don’t agree, but thats the message sent. It’s a slap in the face to all involved in the making of the film. It’s a slap in the face for the UK. it’s considered an honour to get a royal premire. It’s a slap in the face to all the media and buisnesses whose christmas marketeting must be in disaray. WBs have a new kid on the block, all gets swept aside for the caped crusader. even the highest grossing francise of all time. a slap in the face to the fans and to Jo. Why leave it so late in the day! They’ve known about the writers strike and it’s fall out since feb.
The fans have to take action…that’s the only way we’re going to get results.
People need to sign one of the petitions floating around or write letters to WB.
We could honestly pull this off if we all put in effort. With Leaky’s influence on the fan-base, they should totally advocate these actions to help make a difference!
DAMN WB!!!! ohhhhhhhhhh im not gonan go watch it now, ok i prbly will but i cnt believe they pushed it back! ahhhhhhh the piece of s__’s!!!! so annoyed
Boycotts, petitions and letters won’t do anything. There should be organized protests. Ask yourself what do you want the message to be. Petitions take to long to process, that is why they waited so late to drop this news. They have probably been talking about it for months. Boycotts are notoriously ineffective unless it is a complete Dixie Chick thing. Also boycotting the movie in July does not get it released in November.
My goal is to get this movie released in November. I want protests at major Warner Brothers events and places. People in Florida protest outside Universal Studios where HP world is going up. People in California protest at WB studios. People in other places protest at a SIX FLAGS, dress up as HP characters and protest at the “DARK KNIGHT”, and other big WB Movies. Make your voice heard.
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ULTIMATE GOAL, CHANGE THEIR THINKING AND GET HBP RELEASED IN NOVEMBER.
I was so excited about the release date and now I am just so saddened by the corporate greed of WB.
I don’t know why on earth Mr Horn thought a single person would swallow that, but pretending that the concerns of their fans (ha – Harry Potter fans) is even on their longlist of concerns is going to provoke outrage when they’ve already stated that the move is purely about money.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve been sitting on this decision since before the teaser trailer came out. It’s rather convenient that just after its release on MSN, after getting people talking about the film, they switch the date. Smells like a publicity stunt to me.
Fact is, ordinary cinema-goers don’t give a flying feline when the film is released. All WB’s really succeeded in doing is angering (ahem – enraging) millions of HP fans. I’d love it if they all boycotted the film in the first couple of weeks of release – oh to be able to write the headlines in that scenario!
It’s ridiculous to even mention the writer’s strike – poor attempt to find a scapegoat. I’m glad no one’s buying that.
As for this sudden release of photos, they might be making things worse. ‘Here’s more snippets from the film you won’t be seeing for another eleven months!’ It’s a shame for those counting down as well. It was less than 100 days, now suddenly it’s a year again.
And it’s kind of shocking to cancel the Royal Performance when, frankly, they were honoured to have been picked at all.
"How did you get away?" asked Harry in amazement...[br]"Couple of Stunners, a Disarming Charm, Neville brought off a really nice little Impediment Jinx," said Ron airily... "But Ginny was best, she got Malfoy -- Bat Bogey Hex -- it was superb, his whole f
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