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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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Head Girl
Points: 442
dalishka says:
Disney and harry???.... I dont think that is a good thing ... i mean I love Disney but harry potter and disney are two very different things... As for Robin williams as Hagrid.... He is a good actor but I dont imagine him as hagrid... Good that JK has a great mind and control over those things... She should direct the movies as well.. They will be sooo much better...
Posted Oct 19, 2006 at 11:46 PM EST
Beautiful Disaster
Points: 7056
NarcissaBlackMalfoy says:
Oh Merlin. Uh... i would say no for this one. No offence to Disney or anything but they make very "kiddish" shows. And yeah... it would be funny though to make HP cartoon series. :P
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 12:11 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1786
sis <3 says:
Oh I'm glad they wont make a HP theme park!
I remember all the ugly merchandise they maked after the first film, and I'm so glad that died out after the first 2 films!
-Christina
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 7:50 AM EST
The Fifth Marauder
Points: 2771
Curious Werewolf says:
sexxybeb your comment really made me laugh!
This is terrible news. Knowing Disney, they'll probably make Harry and Hermione the main characters of the ride, and have Ron's head stuck on the train or something. They always ruin stories (Esp. Hunchback of Notre Dame). Ugh, they BETTER be canon.
Hahaha, Ron's head stuck on a train is a funny yet somewhat disturbing image!
I love theme parks but have unfortunately never been to any of the Disney ones :( They are good, from what I have heard and seen of them, but as people are saying, it would be terrible if they messed this one up, if it goes ahead. And I bet it will end up in the USA...why can one Disney park be in the UK?? There are soooo many fields without anything/farmland there, build a Harry Potter theme park there!
I have a great idea for a Whomping Wilow ride, this is a ride from a UK theme park, Thorpe Park, called Samurai:
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 10:04 AM EST
Haldir's Horcrux
Points: 6269
Corvis says:
I think a theme park would be a lot of fun if it were about HP, but I think it would be even better if JK oversaw it herself. I can't picture Robin Williams as Hagrid, and I like him. I'm glad she's so adamant about her work.
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 10:38 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
That would be interesting if they were partners. I guess we shall see. Harry Potter and Disney don't seem to go together.
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 11:48 AM EST
Squib
Points: 178
*~*Ginny*~* says:
I think it would be cool but i wonder if its more of a bad idea???
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 3:42 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3090
BlackKatL says:
I think JKR will make the best choice..... Although I agree that Disney and HP don't really seem to mix....
On the other hand.....Dosen't WB have to do with 6 flags??? Maybe it would be better a 6 Flags Harry Potter.....
I heard some where once of a proyect more museum like..... a 7 story Hogwarts with things from each movie and books one per story....... First Floor - HP and the SS.....
Something like that.
I hope we do get a "Harry Potter Land" soon. I just really would like it to be the best and realistic they can get!
No little kiddie things!!!
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 9:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 754
Griselda Marchbanks says:
It'd be so cool to have a Harry Potter theme park and could these reporters stop coming up with bogus release dates for book seven. I'm sure Jo will tell us...one day.
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 10:03 PM EST
Student
Points: 235
accio_gorgeous_girl says:
Come on! What were they thinking!
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 12:34 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Aww. I would've loved Harry Potter to be partners with Disney... Oh well...
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 1:11 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked cool!That would be great,a THEAM PARK,dedicated to Harry Potter.Amazing,I will surely go there.
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 2:41 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
Im still against Disney getting a part of the Harry-Potter universe.
But ive been thinking: In such a theme-park i would be cool if you in the entrence of the park you get sortet into the different houses of Hogwarts.
The sorting hat making you into Slytherin, Gryffendor, Huffelpuff or Rawenclaw.
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 9:40 AM EST
Student
Points: 241
*Sirius* says:
oooo! i think thatd be fun if they did make a harry potter theme park! although i agree with some people that HP and Disney dont really go together.... but the idea does sound cool to me...=]
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 3:39 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 82
Hufflepuff is Love. says:
I would love to have go to a Harry Potter theme park.
It would be soo awesome. =]
Posted Oct 22, 2006 at 9:52 PM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
This is not New, Disney has been since book two, trying to make a Harry Potter theme park for the longest and are waiting for the last book (7) to do it.
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 7:38 AM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Yeahh, I wouldn't trust that either without any direct quote from Jo herself. I mean, come on, a theme park ride sounds cool, but she wouldn't just agree like that - we'd ALL hear about the idea first. Good thing they didn't cast Robin - that probably would have been so weird.
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 8:22 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
I think it would be really cool to have a harry potter theme park… perhaps just not one under Disney control. They could have replica of Hogwarts and you get to ride the Hogwarts express etc.
Also, Robin Williams as hagrid??? Who’s idea was that! Thank God JKR has more sense than that!
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 1:13 PM EST
Prince Charming
Points: 8429
Knight and Shining Armor says:
I bet it will be a pretty fun ride to go on. It is funny Warner Bro's own the rights to the movies but yet disney gets the ride rights!
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 1:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
That would be cool and weird and a whole bunch of things at the same time...
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 8:52 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
I would definiely be the first to queue up for Harry Potter: The Ride!! Haha! We love Robbie Coltrane!! He is a great Hagrid!
~MP~
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 3:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Hermison says:
I am really glad robin williams did not get the part, it would be completely different Robie coltrane is the best Hagrid in the world!!.I think that an amusent park would be great but under the control of JKR because she knows the magic.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 2:01 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Heh, so much for an actual HP theme park. I couldn't really imagine what they might come up with anyways.
Wow I certainly could not picture Robin Williams as Hagrid. It was a good choice with Robbie Coltrane.
Posted Oct 24, 2006 at 4:13 PM EST
Hogwarts Founder
Points: 3481
Godric Gryffindor says:
Disney & Harry Potter? Somehow they don't fit together, but it will be awsome nevertheless!
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 12:07 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Well its a rumour and looks like its not true with the update but...
If there was a theme park on Harry potter id bet as usual theyd plonk it in america *sighs* I think if there was one she should force them to have it in england or scotland were it would belong. Just WRONG to have HP theme park in america *cringes* Get it in the UK for a change.
And Robin williams in HP? uuugh! no wonder she refused! uuuugh! keep the cast british all the way.
Posted Oct 25, 2006 at 2:44 PM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
This is an unlikely news. Warner bros and Disnay are not affiliated and suddenly Disney wants to have a "HARRY POTTER" related in its parks? it is like putting oil over water. unlikely to merge.
Posted Oct 27, 2006 at 6:07 AM EST
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