MyLeaky Login

Join the largest Harry Potter Social Network on the Web! | FAQ

In the News

WB Prez' Statement to Fans: Move 'Never Intended to Upset our Harry Potter Fans'

HBP Film
Posted by: Melissa
August 20, 2008, 12:13 AM

Alan Horn, the president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros., has issued another statement about the move of the Half-Blood Prince movie to July 2009; in this statement he addresses the fans directly (as far as we know, this statement has only been sent to fan sites) and says that the decision to move the film was “not taken lightly” and “never intended to upset Harry Potter fans.” He also says, “We know you have built this series into what it is.”

The full text is below:

‘Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” to Summer 2009. Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films. Over the past 10 years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability. The decision to move “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans. We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support. If I may offer a silver lining: there would have been a two-year gap between “Half-Blood Prince” and the much-anticipated first part of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” which opens in November 2010. So although we have to wait a little longer for “Half-Blood Prince,” the wait from that film until “Deathly Hallows” will be less than 18 months. I am sorry to have disappointed you now, but if you hold on a little longer, I believe it will be worth the wait.’

Previous Article | Next Article Browse all Recent HBP Film News

377 Comments

Amanda!!!!

Well i love harry potter and always will! even if they changed the whole story line and messed it all up i would still love harry potter the novels! what jk rowling has created is far more amazing then any movie can ever try and become! yes i guess we will all have too wait and even though i was very devastated too hear the news! just like i was when i herd them splitting deathly hallows! i now come too realize that we have put are trust in wb and all the harry potter film directors for the past five movies that now is when they need it the most!! so i guess i’ll go and read my harry potter novels again and again! beacause jk rowling never intended too make the books into a multi billion dollar franchise which is why i love her !!

Posted by Amanda!!!! on August 20, 2008, 12:40 AM report to moderator
Nick S

I also agree that people should calm down, I’m not angry at all. The move was made, and now we should move on. I’ve heard people says they’ll protest the film, but that would only hurt the following movies. If the studios profits take a dive, then subsequent film budgets will correspond. They’re not going to change it back, because the studio shook the film industry enough with this decision.

Posted by Nick S on August 20, 2008, 12:41 AM report to moderator
M

He seems to have no problem glossing over the fact that this means a two-year wait between Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince now. They’re already breaking up the seventh book into two movies – is the WB really hurting so badly for money that they need to squeeze those extra few millions from the fans by screwing us over like this as well?

Horn seems to care about one thing only: how much money flows into his bank account. These last two moves by the WB, which are purely for monetary gain no matter what line of bull they try to feed us, prove it.

Posted by M on August 20, 2008, 12:41 AM report to moderator
HighlandDaisy

Ummmmmmmm, anyone else hesitant to believe this guy when he says this release date is Nov 2010 for HPDH? What happens if Breaking Dawn or Subtle Knife or someother movie is coming out that could compete? I am still heartbroken.

Posted by HighlandDaisy on August 20, 2008, 12:42 AM report to moderator
cecilia

Why doesn’t this man just shut up and go away? He’s making it worse. We all know all he cares about is the $$ he and WB can earn – nothing more, nothing less. These statements are intended to pacify, but they are totally unnecessary. I, along with many, many others, will be staging our own silent protest at their greed. See the movie in the second week of release and do not repeat view. That way we see our beloved film but WB do not profit more than necessary.

Alan Horn, you do not care about the fans, the films, the books or even Jo Rowling. You run a business, now please go back to counting your millions because these statements simply make you look utterly ridiculous.

Posted by cecilia on August 20, 2008, 12:43 AM report to moderator
Charles

I’m still pissed off and the thing that all Harry Potter fans need right now is a movie, since it has been over a year since the last book and we all need that little feeling that we get when we first read a book in the series for the first time. At least the Beetle the Bard book comes out in December and that’s something to look forward to.

Posted by Charles on August 20, 2008, 12:44 AM report to moderator
Robbie Doyle

Another possible silver lining, there might be a Deathly Hallows Part One or Part Two or a combo movie trailer on HBP now. Since filming starts in Jan. or Feb.

Posted by Robbie Doyle on August 20, 2008, 12:44 AM report to moderator
Laura

I have no faith that HBP will be good.

Posted by Laura on August 20, 2008, 12:46 AM report to moderator
Nicole

okayy this guy is like such a (to quote Ron weasley) git! like come on! we dont care! we could waited for deathly hallows! i mean they announced a date and everything was just falling in…i thikn he should have to add some sort of extra clip from deathly hallows at the end of half blood prince or somehting else…come on evn a december relaese would be fine! ubt this! and then twilight takes its spot! id say there was some sort of foul play going on if WB also owned th eTwilight but unfortunately i can’t. but i will say, “LONG LIVE POTTER!” these are times when the fandom needs eachother th emost!

Posted by Nicole on August 20, 2008, 12:49 AM report to moderator
erika

I’m not mad i think it will be better for the movies in the end.

Posted by erika on August 20, 2008, 12:50 AM report to moderator
Holly

This guy is seriously so full of it. this decision was made solely for the movie to make more money. the movie’s still going to be done in time so what else would the point be if not for them to see the opportunity to make more money? There is literally NO REASON for them to move it. They’re not taking more time to make it perfect or anything. i can’t stand this guy, personally. And what is this bologna about the consolation of there being a shorter time waiting for deathly hallows? we were all aware of when that was going to come out and it doesn’t make it better that they’ll be closer together. The most frustrating part is the fact that I’ve been so disappointed with the past two movies and now it looks as if i’m going to have to wait longer just to get hurt again. They respect the integrity of the books? they make stuff up for the movies that’s no even in the books that’s unnecessary and then they say that they take stuff out because of length! what is this. i friggin hate the WB.

Posted by Holly on August 20, 2008, 12:52 AM report to moderator
gopherbroke

So… now instead of having a 2-year gap in between HBP and DH1… we have a 2-year gap in between OOTP and HBP. Either way, it’s lame.

Posted by gopherbroke on August 20, 2008, 12:52 AM report to moderator
Audrey

Hmm didn’t they say moving the HBP film wouldn’t affect the release dates of the DH films? Well it did ‘Cuz DH1 was supposed to come out in late 2009.

Posted by Audrey on August 20, 2008, 12:56 AM report to moderator
Thomas  Valdez

I think what he meant to type was: “Dear Money, You’re going to see this movie REGARDLESS, because you’re stupid. With contempt, Alan”

Posted by Thomas Valdez on August 20, 2008, 12:57 AM report to moderator
Professor L

‘anyone else hesitant to believe this guy when he says this release date is Nov 2010 for HPDH

You took the words out of my mouth! Why should we believe him about any release date now?

Posted by Professor L on August 20, 2008, 12:58 AM report to moderator
You must be logged in to MyLeaky to comment. Please click here to log in.
Why is Leaky YELLOW? Because Hufflepuff WON the House Cup! LeakyCon Live Album! The best wizard rock from LeakyCon on a two-disc set! Introducing MyLeaky! Your Harry Potter Social Network
PotterCast Interviews Jo Rowling! Click here to Listen! The Books Everything...Half-Blood Prince...and the rest of the HP Films
Learn to knit your own 'Weasley Sweater'. Learn to brew your own 'Butterbeer'. Find out how at Leaky Crafts!

Guess That Book

...Hermione and Ginny started requesting their favorite noses.[br]"Do that one like a pig snout, Tonks..."[br]Tonks obliged, and Harry, looking up, had the fleeting impression that a female Dudley was grinning at him from across the table.

Cast spells and chat with your friends at the Chamber of Chat!

Scribbulus Essay Project

Issue 26 - Nov. 2009

Scribbulus is THE place for Leaky Cauldron readers to submit their essays and opinion pieces!
See more over at Scribbulus!

Introducing MyLeaky! Your Harry Potter Social Network Hosted by Idologic Inc.