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MAY 8, 2004 at 4:49 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Fantasy Worlds
Thanks to reader Amy who let us know Chris Columbus (director of the first two Harry Potter films) appears in the August 2004 edition of Fantasy Worlds magazine and reveals he's leaving the Potter world:
In a surprise move of his own, Columbus will set sail for other cinematic pastures now that Azkaban is complete. Though Goblet of Fire is in pre-production, he isn't involved with the project.
"I'm history," he reveals. "I'm gone after this film. This is my swan song. I will not be among the producers on Goblet. I was in England for the first half of Azkaban, and although I went back to San Francisco, I was able to listen to the scoring and check the visual effects every day through the magic of computers. That's how I kept in touch with England. I also had people from my company working there. But everyone at this point -- after four-and-a-half years -- really wants to come home. And I would feel wrong taking a producer credit [on Goblet] because I can't be there."
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Squib
Points: 196
hp_7_23 says:
I agree, he did think to make them, and I appriciate him for that.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 5:07 AM EST
Student
Points: 225
missdmalfoy says:
AW! thats really sad. Bless him! I wish he would have stuck around as a producer or something after all he was the one who started the HP movies anyway...
Posted May 8, 2004 at 5:11 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1158
Moonbake says:
Wow that's a suprise to me. I will miss his style to the potter world
Posted May 8, 2004 at 5:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1525
veta says:
Oh I see, that's okay with me.
He is leaving but it is still fine I think, even though he did direct the first two films and I like them both. But I don't understand why he left? That's doesn't matter with me any more, he left, he left.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 6:21 AM EST
Quidditch Captain
Points: 6166
Alex Seeker says:
It would be rather hypocritical of me to say I am sad to hear this. I never thought that he was the right director for the first two films and I didn't even like Harry Potter when the first one came out. It is sad though that his family were homesick.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 6:28 AM EST
Squib
Points: 144
kardia says:
I wish him all the best for his future projects and all but I'm not really sad he's leaving. more relieved that he won't do OotP. ;)
Posted May 8, 2004 at 6:37 AM EST
Student
Points: 260
little feniks says:
I hope that he will make good movies in the future.
He's a great man.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 7:10 AM EST
Points: 2593
Stella_ says:
Hm, don't know what to say. It's his decision (?), so good for him, I say. It might end up being a good thing; Goblet will perhaps be different from the others in many good ways if the producers are different. It could of course also go the other way, but I choose to stay positive for as long as I possibly can when it comes to HP, hehe.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 8:06 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 472
hermionee says:
Chris was a good director:) MUCH BETTER THAN CURON! Chris has a very unfortunate name..."Chris Columbus" hahahahaha. I love the first Harry Potter and parts of the second were even better. Can't wait for POA...Oh my God.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 8:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 919
Lion says:
Well, that's interesting. I never thought he would walk away from HP. It's was like the movies were his brain child. The only upswing to this is that we don't have to see Elenor Columbus in any more HP movies. She's cute and all that, maybe I just have a problem with nepotism....
Good luck, Chris, on your next adventure. Thank you for the Harry Potter movies!!!!
Posted May 8, 2004 at 8:21 AM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
harry_lav - David Heyman is the one who optioned all seven of the books - so Chris did not really think of the idea for the movie. After David optioned the books, our favorite screen writer (something like Steve Kloves) began creating the script for the project. Then Chris Columbus came aboard and started the wheels turning for casting and all.
I personally believe Cuaron is the best director of these films so far. His vision is more authentic, stays more to the course of the books than Columbus's did. A good example would be the uniforms - Chris has everyone in full regalia most of the time while JKR wrote that muggle clothing was worn under the robes and at mnost other times. We have all had to make a big change in our concepts because of this. Remember all the fuss about not seeing uniforms? And the emotions being seen in the photos. I always wondered why Columbus was not able to make this happen for the cast.
I am sorry to see him go. He was, after all, on the ground floor of this ongoing project. It is good, though, to have new people join the crowd. I wonder who it will be!
Posted May 8, 2004 at 8:30 AM EST
Curse Breaker
(Moderator)
Points: 3786
Galilea says:
Ah! That's too bad. I kind of like all the directors collaborating on the HP projects. Since this is a series it helped each movie blend in with the last.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 8:52 AM EST
Honeydukes Sweetie Pie
(Moderator)
Points: 4719
Keng says:
Well, that's good. I didn't like the guy, really. I mean, he looked like he was nice and everything, but his direction for PS and CoS.... I didn't like it.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:07 AM EST
Points: 141
Amy_345123 says:
Oh well I suppose every one knew he was going. :-P
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:09 AM EST
Pixie Liaison
Points: 11797
carina says:
It's not really sad to me.. I never really liked the first two films and even though I knew he was a producer in POA, I didn't really think of him as part of the movies.. I guess after 4 years it gets really boring working on the same project, and he needs a change.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:21 AM EST
Points: 6760
Zarry Sotter says:
Well, it's sad that he's leaving and all, but if he wants to move on, that's great. It's never good to get stuck in a role, especially in the film business...
So, thanks you Chirs for making the first 2 movies! (Even though I think the 3rd one is going to be better than your first two combined!)
But
I'm glad you're moving forward! (On ward to new "cinematic pastures", Ho!)
And
Good luck Chris, with whatever type of movie it is!
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
He has mad such a big commitment, over 4 years! Uh..Wow.
Best wishes for your future career!
Well, C.C. Live Well and PROSPER! (meanwhile I'll be watching POA).hehe.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 697
kaela987 says:
I think Chris Colombus did a wonderful job while he was working on the Harry Potter projects. I hope his next project is just as good. Hopefully, another good producer will be there to fill the spot now so they can continue making us Harry Potter movies/
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:49 AM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
I didn't think he would leave. He did an admiral job in the first two movies and it was difficult job. I am sure that even without him the movies will be excellent. Its always sad to see someone like a director or actor go but it is a lot less sad then when the old Dumbledore passed. Good luck to him.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 9:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 722
lotusblossom75 says:
Oh well, I can't really say that I'll miss him, but I guess he did have a part in the production of all this. I loved the first two movies but I think I am going to love the 3 one more. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:01 AM EST
Gryffindor Chaser
Points: 3637
Angelina Johnson says:
Awww! That's sad! Well, i wish him the best of luck!
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:05 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1140
dan's girl says:
Oh to bad....he made the first two look so exciting and hopefully the third....but who's gonna take place.......
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:16 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
DarkMagic13 says:
Awww... that's sad. I really liked to know that the man who started Harry Potter was the producer of it now. I'm going to miss his name in the credits.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:17 AM EST
Ravenclaw Ghost
Points: 9469
Pearlescent says:
That's sad that he's leaving for good. But I don't blame him, I would want to be back with my family and friends after 4 years or so.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:34 AM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
As bland as the first two films had been, I had thought that Columbus would remain as producer for all seven Harry Potter films to ensure that the texture of the first two films continued throughout the last five, but I can understand why he would retire from participating in the production of the films, as he must have gone through a lot of stress, feels exhausted, and needs to refresh himself before going onto other projects.
This diminishes his chances of returning as director for the fifth film as well, but I must admit that as a director for children's movies, he would not capture the pangs of adolescense like Cuaron would. I therefore cross my fingers in the hope that Cuaron will return to Potter in the later part of next year to begin pre-production on the fifth film.
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:50 AM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2484
Since the Start says:
Well, it's sad he's leaving... but maybe the movies will take more of a turn to darker like the books are getting and less 'kids' movie' kind of thing, I mean, he's a really good director, but he usually does kids movies doesn't he? So maybe they'll be a little more like the books now...
Posted May 8, 2004 at 10:51 AM EST
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