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OCTOBER 16, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Jim Hill Media via Wizard News
An interesting piece of news has appeared online this morning pointing out that JK Rowling has signed a letter of intent, giving Disney the right to begin preliminary development of a theme park-related project featuring the Harry Potter characters.
According to the article
:
And given Ms. Rowling's reputation for being one tough negotiator (Case in point: When Warner Bros. was getting ready to produce the very first "Harry Potter" film, the studio insisted that at least one actor in the cast be a "name." To be specific, Warners wanted Robin Williams for the role of Hagrid. But J.K. absolutely refused to allow the studio to cast this Academy-award winning comedian as Hogwart's big-hearted gamekeeper. And given that one of the terms of the sale of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie rights was that the author had final approval over the film's cast ... Well, that's how Robbie Coltrane wound up filling Hagrid's over-sized boots) ... Just because Disney now has a letter of intent with J.K. Rowling doesn't mean that you should plan on queuing up for Harry Potter: The Ride anytime soon.
The article also goes on to mention that the release of the last book is scheduled for July 7, 2007 -- which as of this moment is just a wish date for fans, as no word on a publication date has been released by reliable sources.
A few years ago, the same publication touched upon the same story whereby they indicated that AOL Time Warner actually owned the rights to the characters.
Now while this article may whet the appetite of those theme park loving fans, please note that no word has been released from Rowling's camp and we may yet read about this in the 'rumor' section of her site, but if we hear anything we will let you know.
UPDATE: As pointed out above as to the validity of this information, JK Rowling's representatives have denied that there is any 'signed letter of intent' between Rowling and Disney.
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Prefect
Points: 377
Michelle&Felicis:) says:
That would be awesome but some people are right, Disney ruins storys sometimes! If it's going to happen, I hope they do it well...!!
Thanks
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:18 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Ah, that's terrible! I wanted it to be a ride!
~Drish~
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
Angelina blu Johnson says:
HELL YEA!!! A Harry Potter Ride??? I am soooooooo there! I would save up a grand JUST to go to Disney world and go on that one ride! I cant wait!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:41 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 368
Prince of Slytherin says:
Well dats cool i guess, i mean think about it mickey mouse and harry potter on the same show.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 708
Star Simmons says:
Wow. A HP ride would be cool. I might go to Disney just for that (and PotC). Haha! I'm glad Robin Williams didn't get to be Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane is perfect for the part. I hope they're tight about the release date of the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:52 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3639
Hecate3fold says:
I've given so much thought to a Harry Potter theme park, it's all mapped out in my head. How wonderful it would be. If I had the money I would surely invest in backing a whole Potter World. It would be an instant success. Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:03 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 319
EmmaWatsonSF says:
Whoa now that's a big coincedince. A while ago, David Spade on the Showbiz show was joking that by the time HP was over, there would be a theme-park ride... wow he just may have been right. o.O
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I know that Disney is in negotiation with Rowling and WB concerning a Harry Potter themed attraction, and I follow any news through Disney very closely.
However, Disney has not released any info on it other than they are negotiating. So while I do so love the thought of Harry Potter at my favorite theme park, I am not holding my breath. I don't think it will happen until well after book 7 has been published and made into a film, because WB ain't gonna give up nothing to do with HP until they have milked it dry.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4080
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
A Harry Potter related Theme park...that sounds really cool. I'd go to it!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
nejicanspin says:
What a crazy partnership. I never thought that would ever happen!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:17 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
That woudld be so cool! Even though Disney is a jumbo corperation! I would totally go to the park!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 525
Draco'z Devil says:
So is harry potter just a ride or a whole theme park??
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:29 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 421
Pochacca says:
Oh I love Disney! I hope JKR and Disney do something together. That would be great! I can't wait for the final book! This is so exciting!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2313
loopy looney says:
a Harry Potter theme park zone. That would be AWESOME!!! and as for the 7/7/07 release date, lets hope its true!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1841
Remmy4193 says:
Hmm a Harry Potter theme park for Disney. Now that would be interesting.
Disney has already done that sort of thing with other movie hits...I wonder how well this one will turn out if they decide to actually do it.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
That would be so cool I hope they do it.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
I_heart_Malfoy says:
Harry potter the disney ride...hmmm...i'd buy a ticket to that theme park! :)
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 8:54 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
bruja-blanca says:
Ho my...that is so cool.....I really really think that is cool
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:03 PM EST
Princess of Fantasy
Points: 2538
magiclover13 says:
I think that is...how should I put it...interesting?!? Hmm... :D
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 797
magically delicious says:
I feel conflicted here--I would love to go to a Harry Potter theme park but at the same time I think it would be pathetically overhyping the series. Can such a thing be done tastefully?
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:15 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1147
fire_cookie says:
Umm yuck, that sounds horrible to me. Its like making Harry Potter into some cheesy cartoon. Don't like the idea at all...but I guess for some people it might be cool.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:22 PM EST
Squib
Points: 154
Full-Blooded Slytherin says:
Well, that's pretty cool. I'm glad Robin Williams didn't play Hagrid, he really doesn't fit the part. He wouldn't have been as good.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
A Harry Potter ride would be cool, and I dont blame JKR for being tough on people she makes contracts with.
I live Robin Williams, he is a fantastic actor, but he wouldn't have been right for Hagrid. JKR could see this and stood her ground. This is why we have such a high quality and true to the books ( as much as time will allow) movies.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:33 PM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Wow...JK was like that for the first movie???WOW!UMm i think that Robin Williams would be good for the role of Hagrid..Not that the Hagrid we have now is bad,just that William is a great actor...
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 953
im freeeeeeeeee says:
I dont know how I feel about this. It would be cool and I always say that they should but I dont know it would be kind of wierd. Im soo glad that JKR is really hard to negotiate I would hate if Robin Williams was Hagrid. He doesn't fit the part. Even though they say it is just a roumer I hope HP 7 comes out on 7.7.07!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 9:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 701
Kelly Ann Snape says:
Oh this is so cool. A year ago I had this very same idea that disney should do a Harry Potter theme park. My roommate thought that I was nuts. Well I think I should have majored in business instead of history
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:04 PM EST
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