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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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Squib
Points: 164
sleeky21 says:
Im glad robin williams didnt get the job as hagrid cos robbie cotrane is just too perfect...i wish they would hurry up with a release date for book 7 grr
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 872
Mizz*Pinky*Panther says:
That is soo cool. A theme park would just be great =)
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:50 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
sounds very scary.
I have absolutelly no respect for Disney, they do make good Cartoons, but most times they seem only to be about money.
Disney are very ruthless in their business-methods.
I think all this sounds like a very bad idea.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:54 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1085
Tao says:
I hope it happens. A new reason to go back to Disney World/Land. :)
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 11:55 AM EST
Wino Forever
Points: 8174
true half-blood prince says:
I wonder what kind of a ride they would make. I thought they stopped basing rides on movie characters since there is no real link to the actual people accept them getting paid for the rights. Oh well.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:01 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
Ooh.......Interesting news! I`ve heard about this before but that it might just come true..........that would be cool!
I`d want to go on it anyway if it ever comes out! :)
*Jamie*
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:02 PM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10073
American Harry Potter says:
I would love to ride a Harry Potter ride! Go Disney!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:03 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 346
Order_Member_#1 says:
I would love to go if there was a harry potter theme park.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:06 PM EST
Points: 217
jonas18 says:
How cool would it be if there was a harry potter ride at disney world! haha that would be awesome
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:07 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2231
Harry's Detour says:
Wow...I had never heard that WB wanted Robin Williams for Hagrid (I think that would have been AWFUL, by the way). now that I think about, an HP ride would be interesting but I don't know that JK would really go for that. Interesting
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:12 PM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5256
juliebug04 says:
That would certainly be cool!
I love amusement parks, and even though I have never been to any of the Disney parks, it would be fun!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 203
Lynn15 says:
I don't want a Harry Potter theme park or something,that would be disgusting.They're desperate to milk naive people of money,untill eventually the whole thing grow old.
I HATE IT!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:18 PM EST
rockstar
Points: 2857
Harry_J Potter says:
Sounds a lot like just a rumor.. Especally since the say the release date is 7/7/07.... I don't really beleive it.. I don't know how I feel about it either.. Seems a little strange to me. I don't know...
And ew, by the way! Robin Williams?? No. Thank goodness for Robbie Coltrane.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2665
<3 Neville <3 says:
NO! And no!
Disney will ruin Harry Potter! They will they will make stupid shows about it and they will make to where everyone loves it then it will fade out within a snap!
JK!!! DONT DO IT!
Disney will ruin your masterpeice!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:19 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
Im curious to know if this article is telling truth of folly...well we will just have to wait and see if JKR adresses it. I do hope something good is a brewing though!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:23 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5264
Weesa says:
While an HP theme park sounds like a good idea I don't think she should let Disney do it. They would completely mes it up. There has to be someone else to do it that would make it as magical as the books.
I'm so glad Robin Williams didn't get the role of Hagrid. I think he's funny but Robbie Coltrane is Hagrid.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:33 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4040
Dan's no.1 fan 4ever says:
O.M.G WOWW! That would be soo amazing!!..I really hope it does turn out to be true! I've always thought it'd be a great idea. I really hope it is in England.
One thing I don't understand though, HP is attached to Warner Bros. who are massive rivals to Disney... It'd be like Warner Bros. deciding to build a ride based on "the Lion King", which is clearly Disney.
Ah, well...I'm not complaining! I just really hope it happens.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:36 PM EST
Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12529
WickeDraco says:
*laughs* You know what's funny? I can actually imagine Robbie Williams as Hagrid.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:41 PM EST
Half-Blood Princess
Points: 2875
Katie Bloom says:
Cool!!
It woulkd be great a Harrry POtter park, JK and Disney"" What a good combination...
I had no idea that Robie Williams was gonna playu the role of Hagrid....
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1867
Silver_Lining says:
I didn't know Robin Williams was going to play Hagrid! I can actually imagine that, but now that we've had Robbie Coltrane i definitely like him.
I wish they'd give us a release date :[ meh.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
This is a rather interesting proposition. Disney is wanting to create a theme park ride that has nothing to do with Disney. I wonder why this is? That really doesn't sound like disney. Unless they are not going to put the ride in the Disney theme park.
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 12:52 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2913
Pema says:
That's just scary! I'm relieved though. I thought that Disney wanted to produce the next HP movies. NO WAY!
Harry Potter: The Ride? Sounds like another cheezy Disney creation...
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Comedy Princess
Points: 3398
Ginevra M. Weasley says:
I think that Potter and Dianey is the best combinatioon on earth!!!:..Disney theme parks are great...and eventhough harry has nothing to do with Disney, it would be great to have an HP theme Park created by Disnwey!!!:..and I will go for sure!!!
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:16 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
ladybythebay says:
I think they should turn part of Leavesden Studios into a museum after the films are done with. This would certainly help that community with tourist revenue.
Also, where would this theme park be?
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:16 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 701
cmenges says:
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.
Too true. Intent and what happens are COMPLEATLY difrent. I do think Robin Williams would have made an INTERESTING Hagrid. NOT a good one but intersting. (I am a MAJOR Robin Williams fan so I do know what I am typing about. Robbie was more how I viewed Hagrid as I read the books.) (See I read in 3D movie style.)
Posted Oct 16, 2006 at 1:16 PM EST
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
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