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.’
Everyone just needs to get over it! I am disappointed too, but to say his comments and apologies mean nothing? Think about it… WB is a business and they need to run their company like a business! It is understandable to move the date back if it will make them more money! They still make amazing movies, and I know everyone will still be there opening day waiting in line just like I will. So until then, lets all just stop complaining!
I believe that more people will go in November. Why? Well, because there is nothing to do in November except have Thanksgiving dinner. In the summer people are working, vacationing, or wasitng away before they have to go back to school. If the Movie was released in November it would give kids, teens, and adults the excuse to go out and have a good time while watching an amazing long awaited movie. Yes I know the reason the WB moved the Release date is just because they think they will get more money, but come on… even if you do make one more million, will it really matter? And I am damn sure that the Harry Potter fans would be more than willing to wait untill November 2010 for Deathly Hallows. But more than likley you will move that release date for that too. As a Harry Potter MOVIE and book fan, I am sorley disappointed and ashamed on you for making the fans wait. You cannot tell us that the release date is in November and then move it to the following July. It is very unprofessional and NOT in the spirit of the Harry Potter series. “You underestimate the fervent fan base of Harry Potter”. Thank You.
jewel: You need a smack on the face with a bag of reality bricks.
WB have proved a huge hypocrisy. They have DH scheduled for November, AND POA, released in Summer, was the lowest grossing film. Does that tell you anything, Fudge?
You hypocrites at WB can keep telling yourselves what you want. The third L will undermine your efforts, by encouraging fans.
Much as we may delude ourselves, the HP film franchise is a business, and must be run as such. I know that WB never anticipated the furor over their sound business decision. For myself, I will patiently wait, as I know the film will be SO WORTH the wait.
Also, big kudos to the PC trio for their level-headed handling of this sad (but quite understandable) news on the latest Pottercast. You acted in a mature and professional fashion. Too bad many of the fans did not.
I agree that we all need to get over it and get on with our lives until July, 2009. The decision has been made and there is nothing more we can do about it so live with it.
I don’t know if I trust the release date for DH1 any more either. But it would be nice if it was the truth.
Gives me more time to re-read the books and study them more
My concern is Nov 2010 for HPDH part 1. If we follow Horn Logic They’ll move it to July 2011, then instead of 6 months till part 2 he’ll move it to July 2012. Money talks and fans suffer as usual.
Kinda sounds like he just wants it all the blow over. He underestimates us. We all know its only about the money for them, and as far as Harry Potter goes, its not about the money its about seeing a great story on film regardless of how much money is profitted from it. Its only about the story for the fans. I guess its nice that he thinks the wait between HBP and DH would to much for us, but by the same token we know when DH is going to be out, so we know what we’re looking at, I guess it doesnt matter that we dont care how long that wait is. You set a date, stick to it. and why is it that the reasons for postponing keep changing?? This statement MEANS NOTHING….it was an UTTER WASTE OF BREATH AND MY TIME!!
Yet another pearl of wisdom from Mr. Horn. This man seems to keep digging his own grave whenever he opens his mouth. Of course moving a big series such as Harry Potter is going to hurt the fans and it is stupid to think otherwise.
I actually found this letter to be demeaning and condescending. It had no sincerity in it whatsoever. And that hogwash about silver lining is pathetic. Likewise, why does he thank us for our enthusiasm and support? On the whole most of the fans have not been enthusiastic and supportive about this move. Pathetic Mr. Horn, completely pathetic…
Uh huh…yeah…sure, you care….about our money. How could he think no one would be upset. No, its not a silver lineing. I say boycott anything from WB until they change it back to November.
What a lot of nonsense ! What you could do is fire the people that told you
to change the date to July.
Why would you tie up a 120 million dollars and not make a penny on it
for 3/4 of a year??? Thought you were in the business to make money
for your investors? Maybe they should fire You Mr. Horn??
Charlotte
hahahahahaha what is he talking about hahaha. This made my day. I can’t stop from laughing at his lies(I believe it is called hipocrtizam or something like that on english). Is he serious???? Does he even care what we think about all that. We knew that DH will be out in 2010 and what did he thought, that we would be grateful about their decission? He is soooooo wrong. I am keep fighting guys.
"...but Miss Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions -- good girl! In fact" -- he flipped her paper over -- "full marks! Where is Miss Hermione Granger?"
Everyone just needs to get over it! I am disappointed too, but to say his comments and apologies mean nothing? Think about it… WB is a business and they need to run their company like a business! It is understandable to move the date back if it will make them more money! They still make amazing movies, and I know everyone will still be there opening day waiting in line just like I will. So until then, lets all just stop complaining!