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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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Student
Points: 254
Kurben rules your world!! says:
Well id love a happy potter ride... it would be soo good..
id go there all the time..and be lykke...wooo dont i just rock...=]=]
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
We absolutely don't know when this book will comes, but I think that everyone want it, and we'll hear a lot of rumors about it... That's a nice idea that park... if it happens!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:18 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
Haggardy says:
I want SOMEONE to make a replica Hogsmeade, with all the shops and such, I'd pratically live there!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
I would have been weird if robin williams was hagrid.. wow.. L0L.. That would be wicked cool if there were and HP theme park!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:24 PM EST
Yoda's love child
Points: 3562
Dementywhatsit says:
A Harry Potter theme park in the U.S. ? I would much rather see something like that in England,where it belongs.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:30 PM EST
Student
Points: 266
TheORIGINALMrs.Snape says:
Um, isn't six flags suppose to have the Harry Potter ride? after all, it is under WB. thats just strange. frankly, i dont really like Disney, but whatever. the idea is still cool.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 509
luna_moon says:
It would be awesome for people like me who crazily love both theme parks and Harry Potter. If they do end up making it, I am MAKING my mother take me!
Toodles!
~Abby
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1255
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Whoa, that'd be interesting. HP and Disney... hm. As for the 7/7/07, fingers crossed!!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:49 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Emma#1fan says:
UMM.. that would me kinda cool if they had a theme park with HP characters. Robin WIllams is so not right for the role of Hagrid anyway
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2078
HermioneLunaGinny says:
Haha, that would be funny and cool, HP roller coaster...*laughs*
I guess I don't really care...but I'm glad JK wanted Robbie Coltrane...He's great as Hagrid!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 613
RonsCrush says:
The idea of Disney Getting anywhere near anything having to do with Harry makes me VERY nervous. They can run their lawyers all over a "letter of intent", and next thing we know..."shuddrs at the thought".
Run JK, RUN!!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 600
The Very Secret Diary says:
This is just a weird story! But a Harry Potter theme park ride would be sweet!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 5:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 724
Hogwarts-Phoenix says:
That would be great to have an HP ride. Wonder what type of ride it would be. So many possibilities.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hpforever138 says:
Oh I hope they make a Harry Potter themed park. That would be sweet.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:01 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4613
marauderette says:
YAY!!!! That would be amazing if they did make a HP ride at disneyland! I would completely go all the time. the only thing better would be a Harry POtter world, an actual theme park.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:14 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1090
Octavian Petronius says:
I've been hearing about something like this for a while. I know there is definitely something going on because when I went to Disney last spring they would randomly start playing HP music.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:19 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
It would undoubtably be interesting to see, but I hate what Disney has done to all these good books/movies in their parks. It makes them seem so childish and I think there's already far too much of that problem with HP.
*The MRS*
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1918
not*so*sweet*strawberry says:
That would be really cool.. can't wait to see if it's true :)
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:35 PM EST
Little Morning Star
Points: 2830
Nellas Telrúnya-Took says:
I hope they do make a HP ride.
But if they do, I hope it's totally awesome, because Disney's rides stink. They don't have anything at all interesting, like 200 foot tall rides with totally vertical drops and loops and stuff. So the HP ride should be like that. That would be cool.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1041
*Peeves12 says:
AWESOME a Harry Potter ride! I would go to Disney again just to go on that!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2346
PHOENIX5625 says:
I can't really see Robin Williams as hagrid. Robbie Coltrane is the best. Well a Harry Potter theme park sound great and a book 7 release for July 7, 2007 can't wait, hopeing for more on that.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:49 PM EST
Student
Points: 297
Hermione_Harry_Luna says:
That's cool!! I think a Harry Potter theme at DisneyLand would be great! I would go!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 6:56 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
if she does go along with this idea i hope its at DisneyWORLD not DisneyLAND. i live in Florida, so it benifits me.
AND HECK YES I WOULD SO RIDE THIS RIDE 2309472307407502752 TIMES!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:00 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1063
Ginny511 says:
Wow i hope this doesn't turn out to be the whole Micheal Jackson thing....oops shouldn't have said that
Well i hope it does happen but with JK's permision of course
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
WitOfHermione says:
A theme park might be pretty cool. Disney is a good company, I mean, who else do you know that can successfully market happiness?
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 7:16 PM EST
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
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