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JUNE 8, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: News Tip
The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie scheduled for release in conventional theaters on July 15 won't be shown in IMAX
theaters until July 29, a full two weeks after it's general release date.
News came to HPANA yesterday and it was confirmed today by Richard Gelfond, IMAX chief executive, that at least one IMAX theater in New York and another in Los Angeles are scheduled to play the movie starting on July 14, while dates for international theaters are still being negotiated.
Thanks to Jeff from TVWatchOnline for the original tip.
UPDATE: Shares of IMAX fell 32 cents, or 4.2 percent, after this news hit:
"Historically, movies that are released onto Imax screens weeks after the movie is released onto traditional screens do not generate as much Imax box office compared to when movies are released simultaneously onto Imax screens," wrote analyst Eric Wold of Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.
UPDATE II: Dan Fellman, the president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros., has confirmed this for HPANA. Thanks to Terrance at our official podcast Hogwarts Radio for the intrepid reporting.
UPDATE III: This summer's Harry Potter fan conference, Azkatraz 2009, has posted an update on their plans for a special IMAX screening of the film that was to take place in San Fransisco during the event.
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Head, Dept of Mysteries
Points: 3027
beowulf says:
If this is true, it will be very interesting to see what the ticket sales trends look like for both opening weekend and IMAX-opening weekend. I would expect a small boost that could help keep it in a No. 1 position for a few extra weeks.
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 2:08 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 335
HarryPotter731 says:
That's an interesting decision and I wonder how it will play out. My birthday's on July 31st so perhaps I will go see it imax then. I definitely won't be waiting that long to see the movie though.
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 2:12 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
SoccerChick22 says:
I definitely wanna go see it in IMAX, don't care how much, I'm going!! Sucks that it's in July 29 though...
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 2:21 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 399
Lucky397 says:
Ruin my birthday plans why don't you!!
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 2:36 PM EST
Squib
Points: 117
prada_theone says:
What about international dates?
C'mon people, hurry and make a decision. I've always (since PoA) watched the movies in IMAX. I hope they don't change anything for Mexico and Latin America.
Still, I will watch it on both formats hahahah
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 3:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 670
draconifors says:
What is IMAX? does it matter if it isnt in IMAX? will it go on to the same date 15th? im confused !
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 4:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 910
BlueFlame says:
Actually I think its silly that the shares fell. I bet IMAX will make generally the same amount of money because after 2 weeks, people will still want to see it again, and seeing it in IMAX is not only getting to see the movie another time, its getting to see it with something new about it, which is a bonus.
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 5:44 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 50
Expecto Patronum1 says:
I knew that would happened !!!!!! Classic. am not surprised why their shares dropped.
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 6:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1670
DumbledoresArmy says:
IMAX is an American Based Company that does documentaries and screens certain movies with high quality, some documentaries and movies are put into 3-D through IMAX, and the sound is a whole lot better. When a movie is done in an IMAX theatre it is done in better quality and sound.
.MissMalfoy stalk
I wonder what will happen, but a lot of movies are recently going to IMAX so it might just be a time thing or big demand for movies to go into IMAX theaters.
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 6:20 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27761
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Well that stinks...haha. I wasnt going to see IMAX anyways but that is sad.....and serves them right for not watching to change the contract, haha. :p
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 6:46 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Oh my gosh, again? What is wrong with this movie that they're changing the date! I've already bought my tickets!
~Drish~
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 6:54 PM EST
Obliviator
(Moderator)
Points: 8468
Prof. Dish says:
Wow, delaying the movie by months and STILL can't release it on time on IMAX? That seems a little ridiculous...
I'll still see it, of course, but I guess I will be seeing it at our local theater first!
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 7:27 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 67
Poly Wonka says:
Darn it! I was looking forward to it. At least the HBP game is after that!
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 7:51 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
EURGH. I was gonna watch it on IMAX FIRST!!
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 9:24 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3674
Hecate3fold says:
Now there is something to wait for. For those of you who are still thinking of putting off going to see HBP to make a point to WB, waiting for it to come out on IMAX will kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
It will let WB know that the fans still have control when it comes to seeing the movies and boost IMAX stocks in the process. That is if there is an IMAX theater near to where you will go to see it. Otherwise, just waiting at least ONE week before going to see HBP will still get the point across to WB that they made a bad decision when they delayed the opening just to make more money as a summer "Block Buster".
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Jun 8, 2009 at 10:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 690
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
Great, more delays, as if it wasn't enough to make us wait for half year.
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 12:36 AM EST
Points: 217
Theo Murpse says:
This is VERY shrewd. This way, every fan will see the film in theaters opening weekend. Then the ones who wanted to see it in Imax will see it a second time.
If the Imax and regular releases were simultaneous, some fans would see it in regular theaters and some would see it in Imax.
This way, WB is practically guaranteeing that a nontrivial number of fans will see it multiple times, and during specific weekends (opening weekend and Imax's opening weekend).
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 3:42 AM EST
Student
Points: 289
angelmercysavior says:
What is the difference? Why don't they just pick a date for the movie. I don't even know what IMAX is anyway. Afterwhile, they may starting backing up the date for DH. So we may as well just sit here and what for DVD release date...I may not even go this time, I am so tired of waiting for these movie dates....I am SO ready to scream!!!
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 9:04 AM EST
Squib
Points: 117
prada_theone says:
21 fst century and still there's people who doesn't know what IMAX is...
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
That is really very sad. I will likely see the film multipe times, but I was hoping for IMAX on opening day. Glad the regular version has not been delayed.
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 9:54 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1054
dracolady says:
Hmm, I wonder whether this decision will help to generate more box-office sales for them, as they expect...
But then again, as if we didn't have to wait long enough for the release of the actual film... I just saw the trailer in the cinema, and now, I really can't wait!
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 11:49 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
Andros&Aiden says:
If there was an IMAX theater within a hundred miles of here, I'd care. But there isn't, so I don't. But it would be SO cool....
IMAX, for those who don't know, is a theater with a MUCH larger screen: 50 feet high by 70 feet wide or so is standard, some are as much as twice that... wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, and curved, rather than flat. The audience seating is at a much steeper angle, giving you a far better view, pretty much filling your frame of vision. They also use much larger film (70mm vs 35mm) and have a massive, 22-speaker sound system. The total effect is that you are IN the movie, not just watching it at the front of the theater, and you get much more of a sense of motion---so much that some people get motion sickness watching it!
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Twilight princess midna says:
That sucks for other people. I don't think they do any IMAX cinemas in the area i'm in. I hope not. I really want to see it on the 13th of july.
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 66
CLSlytherin says:
Yes this is because of stupid transformers. I just got off the phone with regal movies and the manager said it got pushed back due to the fact Transformers will be in the Imax, and she also said if transformers does well...there will be no midnight release for harry potter! I am so infuriated! I hope that movie does terrible. So many people would go see Harry Potter in Imax over transformers any day especially because of how long we have been waiting!
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 9:43 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5169
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
WB why in the name..of strawberry..are you delaying..HP 6 in Imax for many people..GOSH..for Peat Sake(cant spell)..just let it go with that same date..Yeah i dont go see it in IMAX, but for everyone that does now they have to go and wait 2 weeks later..WHY??? ..and im not going ot go see Transformes..really IM NOT..even though i want to, but im not..cuze if that move does good..i dodnt want to think about it..im already waiting and waiting and waiting..and I WANT TO SEE HP 6 AT MIDNIGHT..IM GETTING MAD AGAIN....*sigh*..WHY WB? WHY???????????????? ..
Posted Jun 9, 2009 at 11:03 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
July 29th? Hhmmm....I would love to see it on an IMAX screen but the nearest one for me is over two hours away. I'm going to see it at our local theatre when it comes out on the 17th.
Posted Jun 10, 2009 at 12:48 AM EST
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