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APRIL 10, 2007 at 7:36 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Leaky Cauldron
Michael Goldenberg
, the screenwriter of the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie recently gave an interview in which he discusses meeting JKR, adapting the book to film, Quidditch and more.
Below are some snippets from the interview, which you can read in full here:
It's not just David Yates, and David Heyman, and I, and the actors. It's however many thousand people are working, doing backbreaking labor, and endless nights, and killing themselves to get this prop done, or that set painted, or that special effect finished because they love these movies, and they really care about these movies. And these movies are their legacy. They're damn proud of these movies, as they should be. ... Believe me, we care as much as it's possible to care.
Mr. Goldenberg on cutting down the book for film:
Even though the book is the longest book, as far as the actual amount of narrative material and story, it's not that much different than the other books; there's just a lot more detail and some sub-plots and digressions, but in terms of the main story, it seemed pretty manageable. I mean, the heartbreak is always, "What do you have to lose? What can't you find on the floor?
But David Yates and I worked from the beginning. We both like really dense films which are very generous in the same way books are so generous, and look for every opportunity to get everything we could in there. And where we couldn't, to sort of pay homage to, to have it somewhere in the background or to feel like it could be taking place off-screen. Because we both grew up with those kinds of films where you can watch them again and again and see the details and we're both pretty hard-core geeks, ourselves.
On cutting Quidditch and Ron from the movie:
I know there was some controversy about the Ron-Quidditch sub-plot. I hated to cut anything. But in that case, because it wasn't really central to the story and there's so much else to deal with, we all felt pretty early that was something that might not make the film. But on the same token, the spirit of that story, and Ron growing as a character and Ron facing challenges and coming into his own in the same way that Harry is, we tried to get that into the film in other ways, as much as possible. So, you feel like, if not the details of that story, at least the spirit of it is present in the film. I feel like we've done that.
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1457
Lexii*Chiita says:
Well I'm disappointed like everyone else that there won't be any Quidditch scenes because it's an awsome part of the film to watch. Everyone flying around, passing, hitting, kicking, and scoring, it's a fun part to be missed :(
I also hope that there will be alot of scenes with Ron and Hermione in it, they're such a cute couple and everyone wants to see them together. I'm hoping there will be scenes that are needed to be in there yet the director refuses to put in because GOF was kind of disappointing...yet it was still great...I just hope they don't do the same to OOTP :( but either way the film would be great :D <3
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 12:33 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1029
Magic Dancer K says:
I don't really mind them taking out stuff. But as long as the don't change the premise of the story, like the screen writers for Goblet of Fire did (which was absolutely appaling), I'll be happy.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 12:54 PM EST
Witch
Points: 699
Toph Rox!!! says:
I'm happy to hear that they at try to get everything from the book to the movie. Some filmmakers seem like they don't even care about the novels that they are making a film from.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 1:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
That sucks there should be quidditch for ron.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 1:45 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5162
Weesa says:
I'm glad he got the chance to set things straight. His answers to Melissa's questions made me feel better about the things they had to cut.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 1:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2316
loopy looney says:
Reading this makes me feel a lot better, it seems like they know what they are doing, and they love their jobs.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 1:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
Ohhh Man!! Why Quidditch! I was looking forward on ron being all upset about himself when He didnt do so good....and then Hermione conforting him! Ahh...Oh well....I guess.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 2:09 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1085
Tao says:
I am, obviously, very disappointed about the quidditch. I think a small quidditch scene would not have taken away from anything considering they actually film a kiss that's never in the book! And the fact that it is the shortest movie so far.
I have to say though, that if Ron is given the oppertunity to shine that he says exists, I will be happy about that. Quidditch is Ron's subplot to become a fuller, grown up character, so if he kept that subplot in other ways, while I'll miss his shinning moments and of course feel for Rupert wanting to play quidditch, I will be happy with the good treatment of Ron in which Kloves failed to always give.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 2:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
Well, he seems passionate about getting it right. Unfortunately there's just not a long enough movie to fit everything in.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 2:30 PM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
it is kinda sad about the quidditch but to be honest..GOF had loads pf cuts of course this will. Though it seems t look better than GOF even though I loved it!! :)
Accio July 13th!! :)
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 3:06 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 420
Raccoon_Patronus says:
I don't mind not having Ron being the Keeper. It wasn't too important. There are more important things like death, and the D.A.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 3:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 640
Melian Potter says:
I like this kind of interview.
Sounds like these guys are really very respectful of the story, and that they have worked hard to give us a good movie.
Can´t wait to watch it!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 3:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1485
_sapphire_ says:
Wasn't this posted yesterday? Anywho, I really wanted to hear Weasley is Our King, but... oh well. I hope they make a reference to it, at the least.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:13 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 472
hedwig86 says:
Well i'm disappointed that they had to cut quidditch and the plot with Ron but I guess I understand. It's such a big book its hard to fit everything into a movie. But I can't wait!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
I still wish that they would put Ron in... too bad, I guess. I hope it will be a great movie; I've never really thought the prior movies were that stupendous. Of course, they are good, but I've always loved the books better. Perhaps this movie will change my mind(?).
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1945
Carrie Weasley says:
Well, he sounds like he really cares about the movies at least. I'm glad he thought about cutting Ron and Quidditch before doing it. Hopefully there are other significant things happening for Ron in this movie...
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:32 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
I just wish they could have one little scence with like people wearing weasley is our king badges... or at lest if they just have people during the film wearing them.. haha
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
I do so hope that this guy is right and that they adequately portray all that this book is and does. It is such a transition between the innocence and their coming into their own.
I am however, still hacked that they took the longets book and cut it to the shortest movie!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 865
Linakekei says:
So, does anyone know when the actual Trailer is coming out...not the teaser??
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
I understand what he was saying about the thousands of people working on that movie; they don't get enough acknowledgement! I'm taking some tech. theatre classes, and it might take like a whole day just to make a twig look real, and odds are that no one will notice it! It's really hard. It's too bad that they can't fit in everything. I wonder what Ron will be doing then. I also wonder if he'll play Quidditch next year. I don't blame them for wanting to sort of pay homage for scenes they omit and want do the book justice; I don't think that makes them hard-core geeks, although I continually admit to being a geek!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
So, as I see, they cut one of the best part for R/Hr shippers, when Hermione kisses Ron to wish him good luck for his match. I hate to say that there will be no quidditch!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 4:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I'm glad we finally have a factual interview. I know that the book has to be cut down to fit into a proper movie timeslot, but I really wish they had left in Ron, Quidditch and "Weasley Is Our King". That would have been wonderful. I mostly hope they keep the scene in at the end when Harry trashes Dumbledore's office and has everything explained to him.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 5:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Too bad Ron and Quittich aren't in the film. I really wanted to see and hear "Weasly is our king". I hope that the movie will come out as good as these interviews say it's going to be.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 5:47 PM EST
Mrs. Roonil Wazlib
Points: 2492
weasleyskeepingme says:
I. am. outraged. Ron being on the Quidditch team is pivotal to his development as a character. I think that cuts like these contribute to the fact that the trio is continually diminished as unit. The movies completely underestimate their power as a group and eradicate the importantance of Ron and Hermione to Harry.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 6:17 PM EST
Gryffindor's Captain
Points: 15176
DarkVamp says:
why did they cut the quidditch parts? I mean, I always loved those parts, with all the action and stuff in them, they were awesome. I think that they should've kept them in the film.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 6:20 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 411
Ghost of the Opera says:
I'm sure somebody has already said this somewhere, but how can Michael Goldenberg say that Ron playing Quidditch is not that big of a part in the movie? He helps Gryffindor win the Cup the next year! Though it's not vital to the main story of Harry having to defeat Voldemort, JO doesn't write anything without a reason. If she wrote that Ron was to be a Keeper for the team, it must have a major part in the last book other than just a filler or to make the hero's best friend look good, don't you think? Or am I just overreacting?
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 6:23 PM EST
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