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MARCH 13, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Business Wire
Warner Bros. officially announced
this morning that the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie will be released in two parts and will be directed by David Yates.
In making the announcement, Warner Bros. Pictures president Jeff Robinov stated:
It has been an honor for our studio to be entrusted with bringing J.K. Rowling’s extraordinary book series to the screen, and we have always felt a great responsibility to be true to her vision. In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts. We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates.
Part one of the movie will open in November 2010, with part two to be released in quick succession during the summer of 2011.
UPDATE: Screenwriter Steve Kloves adds that the split in the final movie is being done for all the right reasons:
Years ago, we briefly - and seriously - considered doing Goblet of Fire as two films. So this concept is not altogether new. As for Deathly Hallows, I intuited - almost from the first moments I began reading it and certainly once I’d finished - that to realize the story in a single film was going to be a tall order. Others in 'the group' felt similarly. So the idea of two films began to get kicked around as early as late summer of 2007. We didn’t take it lightly. But ultimately everyone felt that despite the challenges it would present, it was the most sound creative decision. I’m sure some will think we’re crazy. My wife looked at me cross-eyed when I first mentioned it. But I’m really excited about it because it should allow us to stretch a bit with the characters and give them the proper send-off. The story is highly emotional and those moments deserve time to breathe. And, personally, I feel we owe it to Jo - in order to preserve the integrity of the work — and the fans - for their loyalty all these years - to give them the best and most complete experience possible. I’d love to do it in three parts!
Thanks to the SnitchSeeker for the link.
UPDATE II: Daniel Radcliffe also gives his thoughts on todays official announcement. Thanks to Magical Menagerie for the news.
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1544
the_girl_who_lived89 says:
I wonder how long each film will be, i hope more than 2 hours!
I think it's great that they want to be as faithful as possible to JK's orignal piece and to us fans. Thanks WB. :)
Posted Mar 14, 2008 at 6:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 995
Puddy says:
I'm really glad David Yates is directing! He really captures the essence of the book (no offense to Cuaron and Newell), and doesn't just go for the exciting action sequences. Caracters are SO important to the plot, and I loved how they were foregrounded in Film 5 -- in films 2 & 3 plot events were chosen over character development, which took away the essence of the book.
Im not sure how I feel abotu 2 films, but I am happy that the producers are doing justice to the length of the book -- pulling a Peter Jackson and giving it full attention rather than half-doing it.
Posted Mar 14, 2008 at 7:40 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3465
HufflepuffActress says:
Well I for one and glad they are going to make Deathly Hallows into two films.
For all of you complaining that six months is not in quick succession think about how long each HP films stays in the theaters. Being immensely popular at the very least they films will be at the theaters for months. Then there are second run or “dollar theaters” where movies do after they leave theaters. Normally the shows would stay in those theaters for at least a month as well if not longer. So the film will not be out of the theaters very long before part two is released.
I wonder were they will make they will stop part one?
Posted Mar 14, 2008 at 7:52 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3647
Anastasia Popovick says:
Two movies? I just want to see them... I do not care if they are in one or two films!
Posted Mar 14, 2008 at 9:29 PM EST
Hogwarts Valedictorian
Points: 2807
Lily*R/Hr says:
NONONONO Why??? Come on. Of course I want to stretch Harry out as long as I can, but DH isn't even as long as GoF or OotP or HBP. Why are they willing to sacrifice vital or at least engaging subplots, characters, and events in those, but not DH? Well, I guess what's done is done, and on the positive side, now they have no excuse not to stick absolutely as faithfully to the original text as possible.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 3:14 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3465
HufflepuffActress says:
Lily*R/Hr Actually DH has 759 pages is longer than GOF (734) and HBP(652). OOTP is however longer than DH but my copy is lowned out at the moment so I can not give you the exact number of pages. My page numbers come from the American Versions of the books.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 4:26 AM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8448
Paper Cut says:
And for those of you who are complaing about spending money, yall need to stop being cheap skates and be greatful they are sending the series off in the proper manner or would you rather have DH be a crappy and choppy two hour film?
I wasn't so much being a cheap skate as thinking hmm, that extra £10 could give a child in Africa fresh water/antibiotics/an education.
Still mainly mad about the huge gap in between.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 5:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 485
ladybythebay says:
This is sad news. Yates gets to direct the rest.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 11:29 AM EST
Student
Points: 233
Artep says:
Good news for the fans, finally they will do justice to the book and include lots more details.
Bad new for the fans, now they have to pay for two movies and possibly 2 dvds.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 2:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1333
humes says:
It's an interesting way to close out the movie series. And given that WB is involved, it's also quite a moneymaker.
That means a lot is riding for Yates on movie six... if he screws up...
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 2:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
Sahara says:
As Ron Weasley would say "That is Bloody Brilliant". It will be a real treat having an extra movie in the series. Though I am not too sure how I feel about the delay in the release times. It just means we have to wait that much longer to see the finale on the big screen. Lets be honest we are talking another 2 - 3 year wait. I think that some of the less devote fans will end up moving on. This really is just too long of a wait. The bright side of this means I'll be able to share these movies with my son who is now only 4. It will be great introducing him to the Harry Potter Legacy.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 3:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 196
Postal For Potter says:
They are only doing this to make even more money out of it which I think is pathetic. On the other hand, I hope this means that this movie will actually be more like the book since they have a lot more time alotted for it. That's why I don't really like the movies, they're just too different. I'm definately more of a fan of the books than the movies.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 4:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
GeeMessy says:
That makes sense. Great news to hear!
I would be very mad if they rushed this movie like they did Goblet and Order.
The book is very important
Cannot wait!
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM EST
Points: 115
Shamara says:
I wish the release dates were closer but
YAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:) I am SO excited. Great news. Now THAT is how to depict a classic.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 8:28 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
This news is just positively wonderful. By deciding to do two films of the Deathly Hallows, Warner Brothers will deliver an epic and spectacular conclusion to the franchise, one that will delight all audiences and satisfy the demands (or hopefully most of them) of purists.
I certainly can't wait to see more information come out about the upcoming movies.
Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
OH NO! I don't like that at all!
Couldn't they just make it 3 hours, or 4?
And I'm sorry but I don't think David Yates is the best choice.......
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 1:30 AM EST
Hogwarts Valedictorian
Points: 2807
Lily*R/Hr says:
Wow, thanks, HufflepuffActress. Obviously I was not paying attention in the slightest when I wrote that. I was trying to make two points at once, and distractions combined with lack of sleep clearly led to some pretty poor editing : ) What I meant to say first was just that OotP was longest and therefore should have been a candidate for the two part plan along with GoF and DH. My second point was that HBP, which is comparable in length to both GoF and DH, is also "packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters," as are all of the books, so why save this curve ball for the last installment? I know, my keen sense of the obvious is working overtime : )
309, 341, 419, 734, 870, 652, 759. Right? Sure. I've read them enough times; I should really know this more confidently...
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 1:59 AM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3070
Tikihaha says:
The story is highly emotional and those moments deserve time to breathe. And, personally, I feel we owe it to Jo - in order to preserve the integrity of the work — and the fans - for their loyalty all these years - to give them the best and most complete experience possible. I’d love to do it in three parts!
Well, I suppose that at least he's doing it for the right reasons, rather than for commercial reasons. I agree that splitting it into 2 parts makes sense in terms of the breadth of the story and what needs to be in the movie.
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 2:30 AM EST
Witch
Points: 958
Ron+Hermione says:
Woo can't wait for them both!... and i wonder how they are going to portray the 13 years later....
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 5:47 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 874
Silly Dragon says:
Of course, this will mean a unique opportunity to cash up, and we may guess that Deathly Hallows will break records in terms of budget and box-office. It might even mean an entry in the Guinness book. Regardless of pecuniary considerations-Warner Bros. has never be known to be predominantly concerned with literature-I feel uncertain about the cut. I'd have to read the book over to get a clearer idea of its structure, but I think a cut-although not indicated anywhere by J.K.-can be relevant. The core issue of the question is, of course, where the cut will be done, and how the transition will be made. A set of two 3-hour-long films could certainly do justice to the book, long as it does not serve as a pretext for soundless additions. The moment of the cut has to be chosen with great care, for an irrelevant interruption would cause the failure of the whole idea, an even more disastrous result than the mawkish episodes directed by Columbus. If the two parts are balanced, and with a smooth transition (which, after all, would be obtained simply by following JKR's storyline), then Deathly Hallows could prove the most successful of all 7 episodes. I'll be waiting for more information on this decision. One last note: the soundtrack will have to be William's work, or they might as well dispense with it.
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 6:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
Part one of the movie will open in November 2010, with part two to be released in quick succession during the summer of 2011.
Wow that's a long time to wait. But I think it is a good thing. There is so much to include in the final film just as there was in the final book. I believe Yates will do an awesome job!
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 12:13 PM EST
Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...stalling in order to complete the 8th & 9th installments. Very Clever....
Posted Mar 16, 2008 at 7:34 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Fantastic, I was hopeful when the news leaked out last year that DH may be in two parts. Kloves is right, this will be the best way to finish the series of books, and it is even more good news that Yates will be directing again. He did a fantastic job with OOTP. I wonder if both parts of DH will be in 3D?
Posted Mar 17, 2008 at 9:29 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
I don't know if it was added after the original article was posted, but I'm happy to read Dan's reaction to the two part news. He sounds totally on board, which makes me VERY happy. Another person posted a worry about the actors not wanting to come back for the last film, but I feel confident that if Dan's already signed on then all the others will, too. I just couldn't imagine a final movie without the original trio. So, my original reaction stands, I'm EXTREMELY happy with the news that the film will be given to us in two parts. I do agree with some others though that I hope WB will hold off on the DVD until they can release it as one--I don't really want to have to buy two separate DVDs; of course, WB knows us hardcore fans will, if we're forced to *sigh*
Posted Mar 17, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
cckeimig says:
Well, it makes sense, I guess, as there is a LOT of information to get out. But I really hope they don't include the Epilogue!!!!!
Posted Mar 17, 2008 at 4:38 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1159
princess165 says:
I'm excited for this possibility; I hope it works. The cynical part of me thinks its a ploy to get twice as much money out of the final book. However, the fan part of me is psyched and hopes this means the storyline will be better portrayed then in previous movies. Plus, I think Yates did a great job with the fifth movie, so Im happy that he is directing.
Posted Mar 18, 2008 at 2:42 AM EST
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