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Terry Gilliam: Warner Bros. "blew it" 
OCTOBER 16, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Various
While on a press junket for his new movie Tideland, director Terry Gilliam
answered questions as to why he hasn't directed a Harry Potter movie or if he will in the future.
When asked if he would direct any of the movies, he said:
No. It's a factory job, is what it is. I don't like that. It's a big operation the way they run it now, and it's so heavily controlled by the studio, considering the kind of work i want to do. But it doesn't stop people on the web fantasizing about me doing the last one.
According to Mr. Gilliam Prisoner was the best in the series so far:
MTV: What would your Potter have been like?
Gilliam: Alfonso Cuaron's [Prisoner of Azkaban] is really good, but the first two I thought were just shite. They missed the whole point of it; they missed the magic of it ... Alfonso did something much closer to what I would've done.
Thanks to Tim and TLC for the links.
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Auror
Points: 2945
Ariana Dumbledore says:
It's sad to think that he won't do the film just because of WB.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 804
Elphaba_Thropp says:
I agree that Cuaron turned the series around in a fantastic way but my fave is Goblet. The graveyard scenes couldn't have been done better.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:41 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 399
Beruthiel says:
Well, he realy is a bit full of himself. The first and second HP weren't that bad. In fact they were the closest to the books. I realy liked PoA, but it was too short, so many things missed that would have been important. Cuaron could have put much more in it, I think. Well, I hope Gilliam woun't direct one of the last films.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 3:53 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
Ok, Gilliam is right on some points.
He would not have fitted as a director anyway - to weird a filmmaker he is.
Though it would be cool if a ex-python made a harry potter film.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 4:29 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2312
krisie says:
The first movie is my favourite out all the movies so far. It is because of the first movie that I started reading the books. The first two movies were magical, infact GOF lacked magic.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 7:24 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
emma_wannabe says:
ouch. harsh much?
the first two were the most beautifully directed for me. but i also liked PoA because it was really different, new and edgy. i liked GoF too because it was so thrilling and exciting. i like all movies for different reasons. they arent all alike and consistent. they're all unique.
he shouldn't have been that harsh in criticizing. but oh well.
-iSaBeL
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 7:32 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2502
School Governor says:
If he wants to go and do his own thing and his own interpretations of books, then that's fine. I am glad he will not be directing films 6 or 7.
J K Rowling's work is perfection! Directors should not mess about with it!!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 8:08 AM EST
Student
Points: 228
Jlgrigsby says:
Well, somebody has a potty mouth. I thought all the movies were good so far!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 8:33 AM EST
Old Chortlebones
Points: 2588
Newt Scamander says:
For all who are wondering who in the world this loony man is, he is one-sixth of the comedy troupe Monty Python. <: He mostly drew cartoons, but those who have seen Holy Grail will recognize him as Patsy (Arthur's "horse"), the old man at the bridge ("What...is your favorite color?"), and other minor characters. He was also the only American of the bunch. <:
I can't say whether I agree or disagree with him on the movies, because I don't like any of them to begin with. I don't have any problems with the production team or cast; I just don't like movies at all, especially when there are wonderful books you can read as an alternative. ::Chuckles::
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1969
brenpotterfans says:
Well I'm quite glad he is not directing any of the movies. I liked POA movie the least. I really enjoyed the first 2 films they stuck with the books really well. The fourth movie was done really well too. I hope Alfonso Cuaron doesn't get a hold of the next 2 films either.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 11:52 AM EST
Squib
Points: 166
Erikson Witch says:
um... shite? I don't think so...if anything, they are the closest to the books of all the movies thus far. I think that they captured the magic (in every sense) of the books. About his opinion of the Potter films, I say to Mr. Gilliam: WHATever.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 12:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 890
Lion says:
I'm disappointed that Gillium has decided to say these things, especially the things about the first two movies. Chris Columbus is an excellent director and not just the Harry Potter movies. I loved Young Sherlock Holmes and the first Home Alone movie.
Though it would be cool to have Gillium as an HP director, his style is just so far out there, that I don't believe that he'd be able to do a better job than Columbus or Cuaron for that matter.
As far as POA being the best... I don't think so, in my humble opinion. There was too much Mexican flavor (no offense to anyone) and not enough British flavor to the movie. I think Gillium said POA is the best only because the movie is far more darker than the first two, which is just Gillium's style.... dark and eerie.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 12:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
azponydriver says:
Welp, I'm very glad then that Mr. Gilliam hasn't managed to get his hands on the movies yet. Here's hoping he doesn't. I thought the first two movies were much closer to the books and that starting with the Azkaban movie became more and more just a series of special effects shots and "Directors' Vision". Last thing I want is yet another director paying homages to himself and his previous films in place of book canon.
But, as Jo says, that's why books are better.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 12:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1749
Hermione5 says:
Alfonso did something much closer to what I would've done.------> if that is true, then I truly hope he won't get a chance ever, because what Cuaron did was ****........
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 2:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Therin Ennui says:
Good for him. I may explode if he were to direct one, so it's good he has no plan to do so.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 2:26 PM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 3841
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
Well Terry Gilliam is pretty frank isn't he? I still like the Harry Potter movies, even though I am not always happy how they deviate from the books.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 4:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1585
Truska says:
What?!! How dare he say that about the first two. How dare he. Okay the third one was the best but HELLO...how can he say that. Well no way can he direct it now after saying that.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 5:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 649
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
Wow thanks, that feels good and makes me proud of Cuaron becuase I'm a Mexican too. I admire Cuaron, but like I said before, POA is not my favorite, it is not attched to the book what so ever.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 6:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2147
Cho's Sister says:
Hey, if he is going to make a HP movie like PoA, I say go for it. It's not like they can screw up the movies any more than they have already. I say make JKR write the script for the movies. That way they will be screen friendly and fit the story too!
My dream is when I have enough money, I will make a Harry Potter mini series on TV, one 1 1/2 hour episode per chapter. That way every small detail will get in and everyone who is too lazy to read the books will be able to see how wonderful the books are!
Have you ever seen the new movie Pride and Prejudice? The mini series that is 7 hours long is 10 times better. There is more room to put the soul of the story into it. That's why I want to do that with Harry Potter.
As for the Gilliam guy, I agree with him when he kinda said he likes PoA the best. Totally ignoring the lack of story and good crying scenes, it was exactly the way I imagined it when I read the book. YaY!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 8:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1567
Polgara7 says:
I disagree with Gilliam. Except for the fact that he wouldn't make a good fit fo the Harry Potter movies. The first two were closer to the story and more geared for younger viewers, as Harry was still young.
I thought POA was a good movie, but strayed too far from the book. So I won't even mention GOF, which I didn't even like.
But Gilliam is just not a good choice for any Potter movie.
Cho' s Sister, I like your idea about the series. That would be a great way to bring in many of the stories that are left out of the movies.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 8:46 PM EST
Points: 3207
IRockedDanLastNight says:
Oh my gosh! He is a little prick! I think the 1st 2 were the best! I don't know what he is talking about! Erg! He makes me quite mad!!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 10:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 566
lupinsgal24 says:
He's a nut case but I have to agree with him.. The first 2 movies were not very inspired. I did love PoA and GoF.
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 10:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 649
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
I totally agree with Cho's sister about the series. There is a lot of people who knows about Harry only becuase of the movies, igonring all the details behind the book. Imaging how amazing would be to be able to see all those details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Oct 17, 2006 at 11:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Wow. It's too bad he won't be directing one. Even though I'm not familiar with his other projects, I think he might have been good for the job. I'd have to disagree with his views on the first two Harry Potter movies- those two were the absolute best!(besides GoF) The first two were just the starting movies. What comes after is up to the director and writer.
Posted Oct 18, 2006 at 12:09 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
That's really slack how he critisized Chris's Potters. I happened to very much like the first two. It was the third one i didn't really like as much so he has no right to say it was shite.
Posted Oct 18, 2006 at 2:28 AM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3251
MadamDumbledore says:
But it doesn't stop people on the web fantasizing about me doing the last one.
Oh peleeeeeze!
Posted Oct 18, 2006 at 4:20 AM EST
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