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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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Wizard
Points: 834
Mr. Harry James Potter says:
But why no Quidditch I love Quidditch so much.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:51 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2124
kkids says:
What a tremendous task to undertake...trying to pay homage to the essence of the book and respect to the author. The fans will all have differing views as to what should or should not have been left in the final version of the film. I feel confident that the experts of movie making made the best decisions for OOTP.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:55 AM EST
Student
Points: 284
martymcd says:
Is it wrong of me to be glad that there are countless people breaking their backs trying to get the film perfectly accurate? Hmm, I just pray I'm not turning into a sadist who loves the idea of excruciating pain for my own ill-gotten gains. But, all things said, I think I'm even more excited at the prospect of having the subplot structure being shown in behind, and sorry to all those mega-Ron fans out there, if it needed to be cut, it needed to be cut; Rupert Grint will surely be providing lot of comedy and support to our Harry!!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 7:57 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 429
heva 'bev' says:
That is such an amazing job, fans will just have to wait and see wat kept in the final film t see if they agree! its a shame we don't get to see ron's attemt at quidditch, that would have been fun to see!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:06 AM EST
Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12529
WickeDraco says:
I had a feeling that something big would be left out of this movie. It would be physically impossible to add every detail of the book into the movie, I understand. But I hope it doesn't get in the way of anything crucial to the plot of the series.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:08 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 27
HERMIONE Griller says:
im glad Ron will be in the spotlight because he was always jealous of Harry, but Quidditch rocks, and should always stay in the movie.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:08 AM EST
Witch
Points: 861
star chaser says:
Why do they always have to cut Quidditch? There was hardly any in PoA, and now it's been cut in OotP. Does this mean there won't be any Weasley is our king?
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:22 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1012
Enchanting Fairy says:
It seems like they've been trying really hard to make this a great film, so i'm sure it will be.
I just wish they didn't have to cut the quidditch... well i wish they didn't have to cut anything, but i guess they have to!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:27 AM EST
Student
Points: 289
Yokata says:
After reading this interview I must say that I am considerably more optimistic about the quality of the adaptation that Michael Goldenberg has delivered for the the fifth film; it truly sounds as though he has put his heart and soul into translating it into a medium that will appease the fans and serve the story well.
I am also relieved to hear that there was no revealing Snape scene he omitted; I'd be deeply upset if such a rumor were true!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:31 AM EST
Student
Points: 205
Torrellin says:
The thing that bothers me about the movie cutting off Ron's sub-plot is that the all of the movies seem to marginalize Ron, as well as his bond with Harry. I know that the director said he fixed that slight by doing other things, and I hope that ends up being the case.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:31 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 683
Gryffindor's prefect says:
No Quiditch!!! That was the most part I was looking for!! And now I come to hear that there is no quiditch. I'm starting to not like the movie already!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:32 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27559
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Nice nice........interviews are always fun to read....give us more information
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1348
~*Veela Grl *~ says:
I can't believe that they're cutting out Ron and him joining Quidditch, I was really looking forward to seeing that in the film. I mean, what may seem unimportant to them is very important to their fans, and they should want to please their fans. What else are they cutting out, does anyone know?
xoxo*^*amy*^*
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 8:55 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5195
juliebug04 says:
See, to me, I think the Ron/Quidditch thing would have added a lot to the story, but what do I know...I'm just a fan... ;o)
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:15 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
I wonder how many interviews in all he goes through. Probably a ton. I wish he wouldn't cut it down at all. I'd prefer a five hour movie or something, and maybe a separate shortened version.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:41 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2704
LoveMagic says:
Well, I know that this particular book is massive and that there is no possible way of including everything, but I am afraid of what else might have been excluded. Ron's newfound role in Quidditch seems important to me in his development, so I wonder how exactly he is making this maturity appear on screen. Very curious. I am still very excited about the film ,but natually I am a little worried and anxious.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 9:42 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8785
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Nice to here. I do agree about the size comment and most of it being detail. After all, she was describing many new places in that book.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:11 AM EST
Witch
Points: 673
LilyandthePhoenix says:
Well this definitely sounds better than yesterdays 'fake' interview!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:11 AM EST
Witch
Points: 570
frannie says:
That was a great interview. I don't mind that Quidditch has been cut from OOTP. Just as long as they don't cut it out from HBP then I'm happy. I absolutely can't wait for this film to come out. 3 months to go!!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:22 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1400
Chelsea_Weasley says:
Well, I am still upset they cut it. >_<' I want Ron to have a decent amount of screen time. I know it's more of a "Harry" story, but I still want Ron and Hermione to show. I know it will be great still yet!! --- I hope....
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:52 AM EST
Magickal Mead Wench
Points: 2456
SnapesSorceress says:
I would feel a lot more confident about this film if the screenwriter (of all people!) knew proper grammer...Call me picky, but if writing is going to be your profession, know the correct use of the language--especially the use of that pesky possessive.
SnapesSorceress
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 10:53 AM EST
Student
Points: 234
JeffHodapp says:
I have always hated how Hermione gets all the good lines from Ron, Dumbledore and others. She gets to grow and the other characters lose substance. She is neat in the book and too overbearing in the movies.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 327
CAT_WOMAN says:
Wow! I think that it is a lot to have to do, kudos to them all! Now if they would just release a directors edition, with all the cut pieces put back in... who cares if it is 4 hours, i would watch the dvd at home!! I still want Ron tho have his moment in the spotlight ..... prehaps when they release that "dream" dvd that I want!
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:25 AM EST
Witch
Points: 945
Grimmauld Place says:
I am really disappointed that they cut the quidditch parts. I felt like Ron was finally feeling good about himself and feeling important. LIke he had something to contribute. I know they have to cut some stuff but I wish it could ahve been something else.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 11:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 967
Professor Granger says:
I feel better for Ron after reading this. I felt that when they left out Quidditch and Ron's new breakthrough as Keeper that he would sink into the background. But at least it seems that they have captured Ron's changes and hopefully some of his story will shine through.
Posted Apr 10, 2007 at 12:30 PM EST
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
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