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JUNE 18, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Film Journal via The Leaky Cauldron
A new interview
with Harry Potter producer David Heyman has appeared online today. In the article, Mr. Heyman talks about production of the last movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, gives hints as to where they will spilt the movie and the current movie, Half-Blood Prince, which will be released in a few weeks.
On where the seventh movie will be spilt:
...was something we wrestled with. I’m not going to reveal where it is just yet, but there are a couple of places. I initially was not in favor of doing two films. Then I went through the book with Steve Kloves, looking at what you omit, always one of the challenges you make. When Alfonso Cuarón [director of the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban] came onboard, one of the shifts we took was to tell the story distinctively from Harry Potter’s point of view—and things that didn’t relate to Harry were put aside because there just wasn’t enough room.
In the seventh book, Harry is at the center of so much of it that, when we looked at what we would cut, it was impossible. There was almost nothing that we could comfortably cut, so it became a very clear decision that we had to make two films.
Once we made that decision, the challenge is to find out where you cut it. I think we’ve made a really interesting choice. It’s acknowledging that actually this is one book, and there are two parts to the story, and I think it will be really exciting.
Actually, there’s almost enough material in here to make three films, but I think that would have probably tipped it over the edge. The book is a very rich canvas.
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Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2473
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...But, it should not stop there. They should have split all of the movies in the beginning. This way no parts of the book would of been cut off. Also, I agree with David Heyman.
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 8:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1825
Veela_gurl says:
I think the second half may open with Shell Cottage. I thought at one time it may be after the Gringotts break in, but that might make the 1st movie long. I just hope it is not before Shell Cottage.
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 9:01 PM EST
Head
Points: 748
Foosa says:
Interesting to see where the actual break will be. Based on the fact that there is a definite first part and second part to the story I think the split will occur somewhere around the Gringotts and shell cottage chapters. That's where the final adventure sort of starts and it would seem appropriate to stop there.
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 9:09 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Ginny511 says:
I think it was a great idea. Because there really is no way at all that they could make it one movie...unless they like kicked out Harry himself. So i think that it was a great decision on there part. But 3 wouldn't be bad..maybe make the 3rd all of the epiolouge!
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 9:38 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27867
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
I'm really excited to see where they split it! Hopefully its at a good spot!
I think it might be when Ron comes back :)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1677
DumbledoresArmy says:
I think Shell Cottage is the best place to split it. I think they should have split the movies at OOTP or GOF. Thereforee important stuff wouldn't be taken.
I like that they are trying to leave Harry Potter related stuff in the movies more.
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 11:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2861
mad_eye muggle says:
Nice!Its a very wise decision that they made,about splitting DH into two films.It has so much more in there,what with all the characters complexities and the plot's getting broader and broader,plus that fact that all the answers that we are craving for to know will be unvailed and its a very climactic film.Honestly,I haven't had the faintest idea where would they cut the film,but I do hope it will set up a nice tone in the second part of the film.
Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 11:48 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 376
sugarcake says:
"There's almost nothing that could be comfortably cut" I love that, it means these last two movies will be extremely faithful to the book.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 1:04 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 810
916_Prince says:
Great. DH may be the first time since CoS that the movie's length was consistent with the length of the book. Ever since CoS the movies have gotten shorter and shorter when the books they are based on were getting longer and longer. I hope HBP has at least a 2 1/2 hour runtime. I hate when they omit stuff I was hoping to see in the movie.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 2:34 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3827
Hecate3fold says:
I still have my doubts about making two films. I guess only time will tell as to whether it's a thumbs up or down for the decision.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 2:52 AM EST
Witch
Points: 923
FutureWeasley says:
I really hope they don't cut it too early. The earliest place I think should be at least the Silver Doe. But, then again, it's their choice.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 3:14 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4431
Juicybit says:
I know a couple of people who wouldn't say no to three films, haha.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 5:31 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1389
Luna! says:
They should have split ORDER OF THE PHOENIX! It's three times bigger than Deathly Hallows!
And what? "gives hints as to where they will spilt the movie" - [i]"It’s acknowledging that actually this is one book, and there are two parts to the story, and I think it will be really exciting."[i]
How is that a hint?!
???
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 5:46 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3659
Anastasia Popovick says:
Wow! What great thoughts above! I just want to see the movies. I do hope the break is smooth. It will be hard to wait for the next film.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 634
filipipa says:
I understand why they are splitting this book into two movies rather than having done that with OOTP, which had more pages... JKRowling herself has said that OOTP has too much filler chapters, hence the fact why they cut all those filers away when making the movie (I remember I heard many people complaining about many parts of OOTP being cut when the film came out on the cinemas but well, I absolutely loved it, I hadn't see such a truthful adaptation of an Harry Potter book ever since The Chamber of the Secrets, since they kept everything that actually mattered to the main story intact - not to mention that OOTP is my second favorite book of all the harry potter books so when I went to see it I was really critical and still loved it). Now, when it comes to Deathly Hallows... I remember that, the moment I finished reading it I immediately though "Oh my God! There's like NOTHING to cut from the book! There are no fillers AT ALL!", so I’m really glad that they're making two films since the book might be smaller in number of pages but it is much bigger than OOTP (for an example, I only referred it because it is the biggest book in the harry potter saga when it comes to number of pages) in content. Well, anyway, I suspect that they’re going to split the book in the moment when Ron comes to save Harry when he’s trying to get the Gryffindor Sword… It’s a good moment, like when everything in the past is forgiven and a new and stronger hope for the future is born.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 12:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1021
Puddy says:
yeah, I agree with Filipipa. So many people are criticizng the fact that they cut so much out of OotP, but I agree that JKR put in a lot of filler chapters that were just put in to transition Harry from one place to another. OotP was actually my least favourite book, yet my favourite movie. Yes, they cut stuff out, but the only real criticism I have of the movie version of how they handled Sirius' death and explained the prophecy idea.
The 1st and 5th movies were the best, in my opinion, were the best because they are truest to the characters and the 'feel' of the book. Azkaban and GoF weren't true to that feeling at all - while they made entertaining Hollywood movies, they were not "good" at all.
I am therefore very optimistic about the idea that Yates is directing 7 and that it is being split into two movies. As for the split - my vote also goes to Ron's departure or the Doe scene. So excited~!
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 1:41 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2178
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I was all for them splitting Deathly Hallows into two films that way nothing is left out. I wish they had done that with other Harry Potter films, especially GOF. I think they butchered the ending to that movie, when Harry comes out of the maze. The book was so much better. I have no idea where they might possibly split Deathly Hallows and I'll be very interested to find out!
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
That was a lovely interview. I'm really glad to hear that they are already well into the long haul that is the seventh book.
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4666
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Ah rats, I wish they would just TELL us where the split was! ARGH!
~Drish~
Posted Jun 19, 2009 at 5:59 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 429
Maggie_ says:
I'm really excited to see where they split it! It's really important that it'll be in a good spot! Can't wait to see the last movie but I can't believe is coming to an end so fast!
Posted Jun 23, 2009 at 5:34 AM EST