Completely a marketing strategy decision which is likely to piss off every Harry Potter fan out there, Warner Bros. have made the decision to push back Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from it’s November release date, to July 2009.
It will open day-and-date in domestic and worldwide markets on July 17th.
Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer at the studio said…
“Our reasons for shifting ‘Half-Blood Prince’ to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last ‘Harry Potter’ film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move ‘Half-Blood Prince’ to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer.”
The decision has nothing to do with the quality of the film or any lengthy last minute changes. In fact by all accounts it would seem the film is complete and in the can, post-production sounds like it was completed a while ago.
The release dates of the last two Harry Potter movies (which are Parts I and II of the final book) will not be affected by this move, except that the window between them will now obviously be shorter.
The July 17th slot had been taken by Brad Silberling’s Land of the Lost over at Universal and I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see that movie find a new date, not wanting to go head to head with Potter in the fantasy market.
Soon after the news of the move, Walt Disney Pictures announced they would release their animated movie Bolt on that day in November 21st, five days earlier than previously.
If you ask me, the movie was going to make a gazillion dollars anyway, I can’t see why opening in a packed Summer instead of a little quieter November/Christmassy release would make much difference? Potter to me always feels like a Christmas release rather than a Summer tentpole.
Why not give the fans what they deserve when the movie is already complete?
source – coming soon
8 Comments
I would assume WB is trying to duplicate TDK’s numbers. Put out a sure fire blockbuster in the middle of the summer where there is no competition and watch the money pile high.
I agree, it feels more like a Christmas release. I hated it when it came out in the summer before, it just doesn’t flow right. Seeing as the story is getting darker I think it contrasts the light feel of most summer movies. Plus, if it’s already done and ready to go, to switch the date for that one reason only 3 months before it’s scheduled to release, is ridiculous.
Well, they need more tentpole films for the summer. No JLA or MOS. Just T4.
this is appualutly ludicous why cant WB just let HP come out on its firt relece date it would make milliions anyway so……
ugh…
I guess we should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve known just by the lack of marketing for the film just 4 months away, that they would do something like this….
Now, this actual move on WB just irks me to no end. 4 months away, i could deal with for this next movie. I was actually looking forward. but then they add 7 months to the remaining 4, and that makes 11 months or just shy of a year! Harry potter fan or not, everyone will see that as a major FUCK YOU to anyone who wanted to see the movie already.
and the reasoning behind the date change…is not logical AT ALL!…. Filmings been wrapped up for months, post production is probably NEARLY finished or even DONE already…I would understand the extra 7 months to ya know, reshoot some key scenes, allow polishing for the edits, prepare long-term marketing strategies, and just all around, make the movie the best it can be..if needed! BUT, apparently, the films all done now. Its gonna sit on a shelf ready-made, and nothing is going to be done with it until maybe late May or june.. that just sounds retarted..and we’re supposed to just sit and wait happily for the mega summer opening for harry potter that WB is so hopeful for business for. BULLSHIT. The only change there are, lots of kids can now go to the midnight showing as opposed to in november, they’d have school to keep them from going. AS IF kids didn’t do that already..
i cant believe they actually pulled this one on us..fortunately, i got a few things coming up in the fall that i’ll be looking forward to seeing, but moving harry potter from the november slot was a mistake. Even more bothersome is people suggesting the supposed “alternative” to potter, TWILIGHT. seriously? no thanks…
i cant beleive it another set back to the move unbelivable. i am a major harry potter fan and this sucks! the movie is already completed and ready to come out in cinemas now but it just isnt happening. im so annoyed at WB because there being so FUCKING SLOW. ……………………………….(SNAIL)
this is stupid and so is twilight
they say stupid things!!!!i waited to se harry potter in november and now i have to w8 for 7 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and it’s not a good reason!i think they are stupid!unlike harry potter!
totally agree harry potter has a christmas feel to it and is something to look forward to, the fact that it is ready is stupid they should just release it and stop being so greedy for more money.