|
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.
Reader Comments (213)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
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
Witch
Points: 921
expectogirl says:
Robin Williams as Hagrid!?! Are you kidding? Robbie Coltrane IS Hagrid and Robin Williams is Mork, he could no way have taken on that role! Robin is funny but just not Hagrid. Wow thank goodness for us JK is a tough cookie! Hope we see a theme park someday though-how fun!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
It would be really cool if there a ride from Harry Potter! But I doubt that its true.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:29 PM EST
Squib
Points: 180
hermioneismytwin says:
Exciting, but I'm not sure about this. Harry Potter books are special, and I don't know how it would feel to be at a themepark for HP. Kinda odd. Also, I'm very happy JK Rowling is so hard to negotiate with. Its her book, so why not let her have the final say? She knows what she wants, and thats how I would be too. I'm so glad how the HP movies turned out. Way to Go JK Rowling!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 690
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
I don't think that Warner Brothers will sale the rights to anybody, and specially to Disney. I'm not against of Disney, but I like warner better, if this is true i think disney will ruin all the amazing job that they have done.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:49 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1083
ILoveGeorge says:
Yay! a Harry Potter theme park would be awesome!!!
-Laura
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 10:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
gubbyfish says:
A Harry Potter ride would be cool, but I think an entire Harry Potter theme park would be much better. Think it will ever happen? I'd sure go.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:01 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
I dunno about the idea though. But 2 of my greatest passions in one area. TRUSt ME i'll be there!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1237
HeadmistressMcGonagall says:
**SQUEALING***
oh my freaking goodness...that would be amazing. I'd make a special trip down there to ride it. Hope it's not a roller coaster, cause I don't ride those...but for HP, I think I'll make an exception!
HeadmistressMcGonagall
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1661
shivon says:
I will so be there. I got to say thought that I find Disney park really lame. I went to Disney World, went on one ride,a nd went back to the hotel. Boring. Hopefully, if all goes well the HP park wold be better.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:51 PM EST
Mrs. Roonil Wazlib
Points: 2492
weasleyskeepingme says:
Wow, a Harry Potter theme park... now that would be freakishly awesome!!! I would have to express some hesitation because Disney ruins everything.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 12:43 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1556
King's Cross Station. says:
isney is just trying to get money otu of Harry Potter, just like the woman who wanted to make a Harry Potter Opera, never do it JK!!!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 1:06 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
It whould only be natural to associate Disney with Harry Potter. They both have children as their main theme and a new ride at Disney whould not be bad either. I'm also glad J.K. Rowling had the final say in casting. That is, if she would have allowed an American I think Robin Williams whould have been to comical. He whould not fit the role as well as Robbie Coltrane doe's.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 2:00 AM EST
Witch
Points: 869
kat_snowyowl says:
DON'T LET DISNEY TAKE ANYTHING FROM HARRY POTTER! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It would be a disaster. Stay independent (other than WB), Jo!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 2:49 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
I have always thought that Pinewood should have a Harry Potter theme park where the film sets can be a permanent feature for fans to walk round in between films.
A roller coaster ride round Gringotts vaults would be cool.
Has anyone else got ideas for other rides?
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:18 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2138
Happy Pancakes says:
I can't imagine anyone else as Hagrid except Robbie Coltrane.. I hope they make a ride for Harry Potter and hopefully the book is released on July 7 next year!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:32 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2945
Ariana Dumbledore says:
I know that this is probably jsut a rumour, but if it was true, that would be so cool!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:34 AM EST
Witch
Points: 828
Elphaba_Thropp says:
If that's true it would be wicked. they could do so much with it
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:39 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 401
Beruthiel says:
Well, it would be realy cool to stay in a Hogwarts castle and walk throu Hogsmade, but I'm not sure if that will happen.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:45 AM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
That is very cool. It would be great if they made a Harry Potter ride. I am so glad they didn't cast Robin Williams as Hagrid. I don't think he would have done a good job at all.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 7:06 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1922
emma_wannabe says:
that's so cool. i'll always love disney no matter how old i get. :)
-iSaBeL
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 7:18 AM EST
Slugmeister
Points: 3731
Prawg says:
That is interesting. I'm not sure if I like the connection, though. Harry Potter is commercialized enough for my taste. I mean, I love the occasional Disney movie (the animated ones), but I don't see why they should meddle with Harry. I like the part about JK being a hard nail, though ;) Yay for her!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 7:25 AM EST
Student
Points: 228
Jlgrigsby says:
I hope thye make that a ride. It would be super fun to go on.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 8:22 AM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2874
Chogiiiirl says:
It would be cool for a HP themed ride in Disney. Maybe we could ride "brooms" or something like that. We'll just have to wait and see if this is true.
Robin Williams as Hagrid? That would have been awful! I'm glad that Coltraine was selected for the part. He is perfect!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 9:31 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
That would be really wonderful to have Harry Potter rides and themes at Disney. That would just be a helpful way to always keep Harry Potter on our hearts.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 11:46 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
shadowquill says:
I'm only shocked that J.K. Rowling approved of the idea of a theme park ride and not the idea of an opera. Sure, at first thought an opera sounds quirky and not right for the series, but as a music lover I believe if the right composer shouldered the challenge it could be excellent. Anyways, back to the topic of a themed ride: I'd enjoy it, sure. I'd probably wish to visit Disney World again soon, but quite frankly, I find that idea less attractive than having a Harry Potter opera. Sure, kids will love it, but its only Disney trying to make as much cash as possible. Harry Potter is such an art at this point, it deserves more respect than something like...say...well, I shouldn't give an example lest I offend someone, but certain popular series were written solely for profit. I believe Harry Potter is of a different calibur than your average trend, and it shouldn't become like a song on the radio you've heard too many times. Its a delicacy. ;) Savor it,obsess over it (which I do. all the time), but don't commercialize it.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 2:24 PM EST
Back to top of page