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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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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
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
Why do they have to cut Ron & Quidditch? It gives Ron something to do. It proves maybe he's more than a dopey sidekick!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:08 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
I hope he doesn't screw up he ministry! =I
~Drish~
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:12 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1008
PhoenixThestral says:
Well, I just hope that Quidditch will not be cut on the sixth film as it is in this one. Anyway, I really do hope that Ron will be put more on the spotlight. I'm seriously getting tired of them just focusing on Hermione, it is purely anoying; and no wonder some people think that she and Harry are to be a couple instead of Ron.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:15 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
DanielzWifey says:
Wow. i really wanted the ron-quiddich part to be in the movie. im really bummed out that they cut it. i dont think ill ever get over it.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:15 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1881
DarkPhoenixRising says:
I love all of the "build up" stuff before a new HP movie or book. It's half of the fun...
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:59 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Mystique says:
I guess ron playing quidditch didn't seem all that relevant to the plot, and let's be honest - it isn't relevant at all! Of course i HATE that anything has to be left out, but really, i can understand why they did it.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1264
-Alf- says:
Very interesting to hear the screenwriter be very fond of everyone working on the movie. It's also great to hear that Yates and Goldenberg are going to try to include every scene they can for the movie. Hopefully, we'll see deleted scenes when the DVD comes out.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3656
Anastasia Popovick says:
Bummer about loosing the Quidditch. I do love Quidditch so much. I would be a game I'd play if I could...*snif,snif* But I understand the difficulties of having to shave away story parts to make it all fit into a movie. Not a job I would ever want to have. I'm too much of a softy! I'd want to leave it all.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:55 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 395
Harry Potter Book Worm says:
It's a pitty they have to cut a lot of the book out of the movie. It would be a very long movie if they had every part of the book in it. It's also a pitty that they have to cut out Ron joining the Quidditch team. Quidditch is one of the best part of the movies. I still can't wait till the movie comes out.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:03 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
I forgot that there was a new screenwriter for OOTP.
I trust him.
its good to finally hear from him since the movie is only a few months away.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:18 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 63
aggie_b-ball says:
Why? oh why cant ron have his quidditch scenes! It's one of my favorite parts of the book! and I hope they show alot of scenes of the pain umbridge caused harry
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:27 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1152
fire_cookie says:
That was cool of him to say that stuff about all of the hundreds of other people who work on the movie...they really arnt heard about much.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 768
Kimberley Black says:
There's no way the movie will be as good as the book, sorry, it's just impossible!
Love HP!!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1370
hellothere says:
I can't imagine having to cut things from the books. It would drive me mad. I feel like every tiny detail is important, which essentially it is. The locket that no one can open for instance is only mentioned in passing, but is talked about over and over again by fans. I can understand why some things have to but cut, but I don't understand why they add some things. The Sirius and Harry at the train station is especially baffling for me. What's the purpose of that?
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 746
SheylaLove says:
Okay tell me if I'm interpreting this wrong.
The way I read it, it seems as thought the cut all of Ron's Quidditch stuff OUT!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry but that’s just not right!
Yes, I gripe about every, single, movie cutting stuff, but this is just AWEFUL!!!
Oh my gosh, I'm disappointed already!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:12 PM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
It is a shame that they had to cut out Ron playing Quidditch. To me that was an important part of the book. I am sure the movie will still be good though.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
It seems like it's going to be a really good movie. I would have loved to have Quidditch but there's not going to be any.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2469
Fat Lady Sings says:
I like the "Weasley Is Our King" bit. Harry misses the game, and so do we.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1588
ravenbeaut says:
I was really disappointed when I heard that the Weasley is Our King angle wouldn't be in the movie -- I really wanted to see Ron come into his own and stop just sorta being in the background, making quips and funny faces. Hopefully this screenwriter will be able to translate things as well as Steve Knoves(sp?) did....
I just thought about something -- this means no song! I wanted to see Draco and his goons sing the song!... That would have been hilarious. Sigh.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:11 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1079
Laura_Malfoy says:
I cant wait to see it but i always feel like too much is left out or my favorite part is misrepresented!!
I know they cant adapt everyone's imagination but i wish they could try and stay with the original theme!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:16 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
Mclay19 says:
People, Goldenberg has rationally explained the reason for cutting the Quidditch-Ron subplot -- even when I was reading the book, I knew that bit wouldn't end up in the movie. Even though it does give some well-needed characterization for Ron, it doesn't exactly mean the end of the world. I'm bummed that it isn't in the movie, but its omission does allow for more book scenes to be included in the movie (the Weasleys' escape and chaos they cause is my favorite part of the novel and I'm happy it's being kept in the film).
I'd rather have a good movie adaptation of OOTP rather than a slavish, overly faithful movie. It seems like Goldenberg has struck a good balance between very faithful to the novel and knowing where to cut stuff. I'd really like him back on for "Deathly Hallows", having Kloves back for "Half-Blood Prince" and possibly the final film depresses me.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 504
Livian Silver says:
Shame about cutting out Quidditch as its one of my favourite things in the books.
But you can't keep everything from the book when you make a movie. I just hope they have some sort of reference to it in the background somewhere for all of us to find.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:32 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1559
King's Cross Station. says:
It sounds awesome! I saw the part which says "On cutting Quidditch and Ron from the movie:" I was like "They cut Ron?"
Felix
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 595
master_HP_Mugwump says:
Wow! That's a great interview. He goes into such detail about the movies, and the characters, and the script. You can really tell that he loves his job.
Posted Apr 11, 2007 at 1:24 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
No Quidditch... Awww man. Quidditch has always been an exciting part of the HP movies. NOw it has vanished. Hope that the other parts will make up to that!
~MP~
Posted Apr 11, 2007 at 3:01 AM EST
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