Half-Blood Prince Release Delayed, Warner Bros wants a Summer blockbuster... Options

[Perseus_Evans]

Hmm I have one very small positive to mention.

It could mean that the film will be released in Aus much closer to the UK release date. Just because of where it falls in school holidays etc. It's happened before (I believe it might have been GOF, it was released around the same time). Ah! Blast my shoddy memory.

Leave it to POA to find the Aussie slant... lol

I tend to agree that the "window of opportunity" explanation is pretty weak. Maybe there were cost overruns.

The strangest explanation I have heard is that WB feels maybe the Dollar will fare better against the Euro after the 2008 presidential election, and therefore their US domestic gross will weigh heavier against the International gross if they wait for 2009. It would be incremental, but against a 300 million domestic gross, a few percentage points difference in the currencies could amount to an extra 10 million in revenue...

Crazy? Not completely... Convoluted? Oh yeah!

[baty4potter]

Leave it to POA to find the Aussie slant... lol

I tend to agree that the "window of opportunity" explanation is pretty weak. Maybe there were cost overruns.

The strangest explanation I have heard is that WB feels maybe the Dollar will fare better against the Euro after the 2008 presidential election, and therefore their US domestic gross will weigh heavier against the International gross if they wait for 2009. It would be incremental, but against a 300 million domestic gross, a few percentage points difference in the currencies could amount to an extra 10 million in revenue...

Crazy? Not completely... Convoluted? Oh yeah!

Hey Perseus, I'll go along with that if it's was true. I'm going to England in late Sept 2009, and I need that dollar to do better then it is. It's in the toilet now, I'd like to see it at least climb back up onto the seat.

[MrsGinnyPotter]

ahhhh i hate talking about the economy! haha. but yeah, movie are outrages right now, i think its 8 dollars for a evening and 6.25 for the matine (sp)

[baty4potter]

Dij reported this on the homepage

Warner Bros. has kindly sent us a response to the fans regarding the date change to July 2009 for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The response comes from their President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn. Here is what he had to say:

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.

Alan Horn
President, Chief Operating Officer
Warner Bros.

[Grubbly-Plank]

Dij reported this on the homepage

Warner Bros. has kindly sent us a response to the fans regarding the date change to July 2009 for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The response comes from their President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn. Here is what he had to say:

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.

Alan Horn
President, Chief Operating Officer
Warner Bros.

I still think that it's all pants!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Something just doesn't seem right in what he's saying - they could lose more by delaying the film. What if EA games can't bring their game out because of the delay by WB, they'd be well within their right to sue WB for loss of earnings wouldn't they?? Just a thought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[baty4potter]

I still think that it's all pants!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Something just doesn't seem right in what he's saying - they could lose more by delaying the film. What if EA games can't bring their game out because of the delay by WB, they'd be well within their right to sue WB for loss of earnings wouldn't they?? Just a thought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

I agree with you Grubbly; I actually think it's a bunch of hogwash!!!

[MrsGinnyPotter]

its to far inbetween a book/movie
their saying it is to keep deathly hallows in the series but for me its excluding the last 3 films

[the_prisoner_of_...]

I never even thought about EA games! I'm sure alot of people would have wanted the game for Christmas... and pre-orders don't know if they'd started.

[MrsGinnyPotter]

i deff. wanted mine for christmas, cause if i dont get mine then i have to buy it. and wii games are quiet pricy!

[the_prisoner_of_...]

It also means all the merchandise/games profit will be delayed. Not good for any companies counting on or looking forward to that profit.

[the_prisoner_of_...]

Sorry to double post but it has been a LONG time since the last one.

Anywho, did you see the interview with David Thewlis that's posted on the homepage. His comments on why WB delayed the movie was something like "they made so much on the dark knight". Now...you might say it's a joke but he seemed pretty serious.

[baty4potter]

Sorry to double post but it has been a LONG time since the last one.

Anywho, did you see the interview with David Thewlis that's posted on the homepage. His comments on why WB delayed the movie was something like "they made so much on the dark knight". Now...you might say it's a joke but he seemed pretty serious.

Don't worrying about apologizing at this point. It has been a very long time since someone posted here and actually posted at all.

I watched it and quite frankly I want to know what the devil the success of the Dark Knight should have anything to do with the Potter Film. Ok, so they are spreading the wealth out a bit, but come on, don't they know how to budget money? They actually make me sick.

I can hold out, because at this point we all know how things turn out, but for others it really has affected them. WB = J.E.R.K.S.!!!

[the_prisoner_of_...]

I think it's 100% about money....i guess if they released potter this year too they'd have a massive income this year perhaps not as much next year. If they are a publically listed company could have something to do with that.

[Grubbly-Plank]

I have to say that I agree with both of you - it stinks. It should NEVER have been about money, and yes you would think that they would be more than capable of being able to budget things properly, but you never know maybe WB's really being run by 'muppets'!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[MrsGinnyPotter]

I'm pretty sure the WB is wishing they had the Potter movie to stimulate the economy at this point!
They could have really used the money it was going to bring in. Now since they waited most likly they will lose even more money because the recession in the US is just going to get worse, i have a feeling those big wigs are kicking them self right now!

[the_prisoner_of_...]

Although having HP in the line-up for next year all but ensures profit for them. If they'd put it this year they wouldnt have that garentee for next year and would maybe go a year without a huge success.

[mollyweasley]

Well, I do have to admit that back in November everyone I knew was really tightening up on spending, especially things like films. I do think people are relaxing a bit now, and hopefully by summer will feel some relief.
I hate to have to wait for the movie, but if I were a stock holder in WB, I might be more patient! HAHAHA!

I am really looking forward to HBP!!! Do you think you will cry at the end? I probably will - and embarrass my family!

[baty4potter]

Molly, Molly, Molly!!!! So glad to see you!!!!

I'm patient about the movie; wasn't at first but now piece of cake!

[the_prisoner_of_...]

Hehe I agree. After the initial frustration, I'm actually rather suprised at my own patience!