A bit more on the decision to change the release date of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” from November of this year to July 17th, 2009 is now online. The Canadian Press has a new article on the timing of the move and the large feature on the film in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly. The article cites a rep for WB saying the studio had “mulling the date change for three or four weeks,” but “it really didn’t kind of get on the front-burner until sometime within the last seven days,” Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. head of distribution, said Sunday.
Entertainment Weekly’s “deadline must have been earlier than the decision, than when we started to get serious about making the decision,” Fellman said. The online version of the feature which we told you about here and here contains an update about the release date change as well as the following as noted on the magazine’s Hollywood Insider blog: “EW and Warner Bros. share a parent company, but they clearly do not share, you know, important … information.”
The blog goes on to joke that the date change will leave Entertainment Weekly “readers in possession of a ‘Dewey Beats Truman’ collectible.” It also notes that British film magazine Empire features Harry Potter on its current cover, though that issue is not strictly a fall preview, touching on big 2009 releases, as well.”
Gophrtbroke, I get the magazine every Friday and they have information in the magazine that has happened that week-(usually stuff from Monday or sometimes Tuesday. I wonder when they do go to print.) So yes the article was most likely prepared more than a few weeks ago but it may have been able to be pulled-if not I don’t think that EW would not have made a comment like thanks for informing us-especially if they have been throwing around this idea at WB for a few weeks.
I don’t understand WB. Yesterday I went to the cinema to watch the Dark Knight (a GREAT movie) in Barcelona (Spain). They put the HBP trailer (in Spanish) saying “November”! I want to know if the rest of the world have seen this trailer in cinemas this Saturday or if it’s only here in Spain…
By the way, I wouldn’t boycott the Dark Knight since is one of the best movies of the decade. I’m shure WB WON’T change the date again because they would seem a fool.
I just find it really strange – why did they decide so late? I mean, they’re losing money by doing this, since they put up all the trailers all over the world in theaters and stuff. So why? If it’s just the success of The Dark Knight or whatever, they could’ve decided this earlier, when ‘damage’ hadn’t been done yet. So- Why exactly?? It’s not like WB is a young company that’s still trying to learn how to do their job and stuff. Seven days? I find it very strange.
I’m not just asking ‘why’ cos I’m disappointed, I’m wondering ‘why’ because I’m really puzzled. Don’t these guys know their job? Why make that decision so way too late?
Well of course we’re not gonna make a difference if we all take that attitude. I am going to send many many many letters, howlers, and am boycotting WB. This doesn’t mean I’m gonna throw out the HP stuff I already have, Confederate Lady. Sheesh. People have to take a stand against injustice. And crushing millions of people’s hopes of finally seeing HBP in November is an injustice!!! And I will wait one extra week to see HBP. Hey, if I can wait 11 months, what’s one flimsy week?
I have no belief that the date is going to change by writing letters or online petitions, however I do have certain disgust for what is a movement for nothing more than a desire to protect stock holders. Warner Brothers can do what they want with my letters, but they will receive them. They can ignore all the petitions, but I will sign them. And if there is an issue of flipping a coin over a movie even partly produced by them, I dont like their chances. I will do what needs to be done in order to settle my head over this because these people are playing the game wrong. It is not my fault you can not negotiate quickly and fairly with writers. It is not my fault that whatever movie you had slated to be your tent peg has gone done the tubes. What other studio was so ineptly run that they are pushing back one of the most anticipated films 8 months, only after releasing teaser trailers and having publicity articles released? I will play the game right. I will spend a short amount of time getting my disgust out and with what I keep, I will find other things to do than to watch your media.
I don’t believe the idea that they are delaying the film because they need extra time to make it, I think it is a straight commercial decision because they didn’t fancy being so close to the Bond film, and thought the July slot would attract a bigger audience, and be their flagship film of the year.
My reaction to the news is that, after we have had a chance to express our opinions, we should simply forget about the movie for 8 months until April, and move onto other things such as Harry, A History, and Beedle the Bard.
Ugh… people, just take deep breath, would you? WB didnt do this because they are evil or because they hate their fans. they certainly do NOT hate the fans. They’re doing this BECAUSE harry potter is such a juggernaut. They can depend on it making money, and they need something to make money next year. I’ve seen their posted release schedule for 2009 (boxofficemojo.com) and the ONLY thing they have scheduled for the whole summer is Terminator: Resurrection (or whatever it’s called), which is scheduled for May. thats it (and I’m sure T:R will not be a huge money maker). So, in order to move some of the profits to 2009, they move HP. It happens all the time.
Some of the reactions I’ve been reading are really quite frightening and over the top. I know it’s disappointing, but it’s not the end of the world.
Howlers will not work, angry letters will not work, mass burnings of merchandise in the streets and lynch mobs assaulting WB headquarters will not work (although it might get our point across nicely). The only way to hurt a company of WB’s size is in the pocket. Threats to boycott HBP won’t work because, obviously, no-one is ever going to follow through with them so everything else must go. Everything. All cartoons, all books, all films, all merchandise everything owned and distributed by warner brothers international must be avoided like the plague. Knock a dent in their sales and they’ll roll over and do anything we want. It worked for Nestle.
UGH! I cant believe that there are people advocating and suggesting pirating the movies so WB wont make money!! What is wrong with this picture!? You are cutting your nose off despite your face. Do you really think that if HBP doesnt make any money that they’re going to be all that crazy about making DH???
Piracy is illegal. it is stealing. Tell me, if you were pissed that your neighbor cut his lawn too early in the morning, would you steal his lawnmower? I’d like to see Leaky remove the post that includes a link to an illegal piracy site.
I hate this….it’s total greed and they don’t care about the fans this proves it, of course I’ll see the movie when it comes out, but I seriously want to boycott all of their other movies! AHHHH
i think this is completely stupid. how can they say one thing set one date then change it just because they are worried on making higher rates!!! when i know by alot of my friends who were waiting for November to get here. there has always been two movies skip a year then two more.. but this right here throws it totally off.. it’s not right at all.. WB are worried with making the most money.. well what about the fans they are so making dissappointed not to mention mad… it’s crazy and they will one day regret or look back and think/wish they would of never changed the date….
Harry wound his hand tightly into the mane of the nearest thestral, placed a foot on a stump nearby, and scrambled clumsily onto the horse's silken back. It did not object, but twisted its head around, fangs bared, and attempted to continue its eager lick
Gophrtbroke, I get the magazine every Friday and they have information in the magazine that has happened that week-(usually stuff from Monday or sometimes Tuesday. I wonder when they do go to print.) So yes the article was most likely prepared more than a few weeks ago but it may have been able to be pulled-if not I don’t think that EW would not have made a comment like thanks for informing us-especially if they have been throwing around this idea at WB for a few weeks.