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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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Bellatrix's daughter
Points: 2679
suiseiseki<3 says:
Wow, Robin Williams as Hagrid? That would be fun to see. I don't say that Robbie Cotrane isn't good - he's great - but I adore Robin William's roles, he would make good Hegrid too...
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 987
crazywitch says:
That would of been awful if Robin Williams had been cast as Hagrid, he wouldn't of done the part justice at all (he is a good actor though but not for these films) and all the characters/actors are English anyway. That date would be good for the book release - we'll have to wait and see.
I'm not sure about a Harry Potter theme park or ride?!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:23 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 429
Maggie_ says:
That would be amazing if she did agree to make an HP themepark, i would def visit disney again! And I'm glad Robin Williams didn't get the role of Hagrid he is just awful to this rule, besides Robbie Coltrade is perfect as Hagrid!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:23 PM EST
Student
Points: 251
Emily Rocks says:
I want to visit thhe theme park when it gets finished.By the way its a cool idea!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Witch
Points: 859
hwhitesi says:
Hagrid = Robbie. Robbie = Hagrid. Robin Williams is good and all but don't think it would of fit.
As for the theme park I have mixed feelings. I am sure it would get manipulated in one way or another to fit all those people out there who will complain about the "magic". Hense loosing some of it's magic. But at the same time maybe I should have more faith and it might be interesting.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:28 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1181
ImmortalSoul says:
That would be so cool!!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:32 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1251
padfoot'sgirl says:
I am so glad she had final say over the actors being cast. As much as I like Robin Williams, I don't think he would have made a good hagrid. Robbie Coltrane makes a much better hagrid than I could have ever imagined!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
That would be nice if they did make a theme park ride for harry potter fans! It would be very interesting and i would love to go on it, depending on what the ride was like (if they ever make it!)!
But, if this is true and this goes ahead, what would the ride be like?!
Oh well, it's a nice thought, but, becuase we haven't got it, i wouldn't miss it if this was a false rumour!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 164
SCE2AUX says:
I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea of Disney doing Harry Potter, but I'm not terrified either. The fact that Michael Eisner is no longer there gives me some optimism.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:42 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9047
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
This would be great if true. This has been raised before, and then there was nothing. I would say that any future ride will depend on the outcome of book 7. If it is negative, the idea will simply die.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 663
harry's_girl_4ever says:
I think that the harry potter characters at disney is a cool idea. And i am super happy that Robin Williams did not get the part of hagrid...I think Robie Coltrane is perfect for the part. Robin Williams would've totally ruined Hagrid...
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:46 PM EST
Points: 217
skates says:
Wow! that's awesome! I think it would be REALLY COOL to have a hp ride; although if it does ever happen I hope Disney doesn't do anything weird, if you know what I mean.... Oh man, I am so glad Robbie got the part of Hagrid, Jk definetely knew what she was doing, as usual! Come on! when are they going to give us a release date for book seven?!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:51 PM EST
The Usual Suspect
Points: 3423
Orchid says:
Good for JK, she needs to make sure that she protects her characters. They are her creation and she should have the last say.
As to the release date for book 7, I doubt if they would release is so close to the premier of movie 5, but it would be great!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:54 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
I seriously doubt that there will be a theme park ride based on HP. It would be cool but I doubt it.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1266
AsiaLovesHP says:
I don´t like that idea at all. Such a corny idea..No, no, no
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:56 PM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
I'm glad Robbin Williams didn't get the role of Hagrid- Robbie Coltrane is the best!
A HP ride would be extremely cool though.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
That would be weird because it isn't really disney!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
Jo was right to protect her characters from "names". I think that's part of what makes the movies work so well is that all the actors are unnamed enough to where we can lose ourselves in the character they play. Everytime I see Robin Williams, all I see is Robin Williams. No offense to him, he's brilliant.
I agree with a lot of you. While a theme park ride would be awesome, if Disney gets a hold of Harry, I'd be afraid for his soul. Disney is the Devil.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:01 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1823
zues says:
Well if the theme park dose hapen, it's just more money in the bank for J.K. Rowling.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
*SkyHighandFallen says:
Oh. Dear. Sweet. Jesus. Its ragnarok. The apocolypse. End of the world as we know it.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:09 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 419
Madeline Belle says:
woa that would have been wierd; Williams as Hagrid instead of Coltrane..... hmmmm. Im not to sure how i feel about disney and harry potter, i always thought of hp kind of above disney. hmm wonder what they have planned. cannot wait for last book...
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 936
Lilium says:
Interesting, I don't know what I think about that... let's see what happens!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
Hmmm, I am going to wait until this one is confirmed. I can definitely imagine that one day there might be a Harry Potter theme park but this all just seems a bit off.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:36 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
bubblegum says:
Jk and disney my 2 most favorite people ever hooking up thats great news. Could you imagine a cartoon of all th hp films. That would be wicked. *DREAMS*
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
1USHPFN says:
How great that would be! This is very exciting even if it takes a decade it will be fabulous. I don't Blame Ms. Rowling for being such a tough negotiator. She has worked hard to create a wonderful imaginative world and has some things that she feels are crutial to stay true to her intent, as these are her characters.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 930
lemonlime says:
Nothing against Robin Williams (I actually like many of his movies) but he is just NOT how I imagine Hagrid. Robbie Coltrane does a great job!
Also, I'm afraid that, as great an idea as a Harry Potter ride sounds, Disney may make it too cheesy. Of course, I'll still keep up on the info. It could be great!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 2:47 PM EST
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