Happy Birthday, Sean Biggerstaff!
Please join me today in wishing actor Sean Biggerstaff, who portrayed Gryffindor Quidditch Captain Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter films, a happy birthday. Today Sean is celebrating his 25th birthday.Also, during the slew of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" film news this past week, actor Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley) celebrated his 19th birthday on March 13th. Happy belated birthday, Harry!
Cheers to Sean and Harry!
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"Half-Blood Prince" To Screen in IMAX, Finale in 3D
We have some more great movie news this morning, as it has now been confirmed that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be shown in IMAX, released the same day as the film opens on November 21, 2008. Also of note to fans is word that sections of the film such as the dramatic events at Hogwarts and the finale of the movie will be shown in 3D, just as parts of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" were shown in IMAX 3D.
Thanks to Coming Soon.net for the heads up!
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Half-Blood Prince Location Filming Video and Interview with Tom Felton, Rupert Grint and Dan Radcliffe
There is new video online tonight from last month's filming for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at Gloucester Cathedral in England. Cable channel E! broadcast a new interview with actors Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), and Dan Radcliffe (Harry Potter) that included new footage of scenes featuring Harry and Ron walking through the corridors between classes, where Ron says "I don't want to take potions." In the interview Tom Felton gives positive news to fans who are anxious about key elements remaining in the movie, as he says that after reading the book and comparing it to the script, he really can't tell where there has been an obvious cut. We also hear more from Rupert and Dan in this new interview, which you can watch here via youtube.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" continues production in England, and will be released November 21, 2008. Thanks much to Raadhikah and theDailySnitcher!
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David Heyman Talks Splitting Deathly Hallows, Both Films Possibly Two and a Half Hours Long
Empire magazine has a new interview with Harry Potter producer David Heyman on the decision to make two films out of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this new article, David Heyman describes the thought process behind the decision to split, debating on whether to make a "four and a half hour film," or the possibility of both as "two and a half hours long" and much more. He also declines to say where the split in the book will come as "don't have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven't got a draft to know if that works yet."
On the matter of splitting and length of the films he says quote: " We just thought how are we going to approach this? Is this going to be a four and a half hour film? That's probably what it would have been. Would our audience really embrace that? In some way, I think they might. But I think the younger ones would have drifted. There's always been difficulty making sure that the ones that are two hours, two and a half hours long – making sure that those are the right length. I think by having two films that are two and a half hours – although we're not sure of the length – then it will be a richer experience. One of the challenges that faces us, which we've been discussing, is how to give each film its own identity. We want them to feel like one film, but they've got to be self-contained too. We feel now that we've got a really good angle on that. But we haven't got a script yet on either part, so I don't want to say too much."Empire: So these films will be the same length as the ones that came before? We won't see two films that clock in under two hours? David Heyman: No. The idea is to get everything people want in there. I'm sure there'll be parts that don't make it, which we won't know until the script is written. But that is the idea.
Empire: What do you think is the natural separation point in the books? Where can you end the first film in a satisfying way? David Heyman: It depends what feeling you want [to end on]. I don't want to answer that just yet because we don't have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven't got a draft to know if that works yet."
In addition there are comments on the discussion with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling on the decision to split the book, how the cast members (especially Dan Radcliffe) would handle the filming, and says again they will begin filming both movies at the same time, starting next February. Finally of note are some of the scenes David Heyman is looking forward to in the movies, as he says:
"Well, the final battle, but there's so much. I love the character stuff. I love the resolution of Dumbledore and Snape. I love the multiple Harries at the beginning. I love the scene of Hermione trapped at the Malfoys'. I love Harry and Hermione in the forest. I think there's so much, it's such a rich fabric. What we've done now, which I think is really exciting, is that we've found thematic centres for each of the films. That gives the film heart. I think it's pretty great that David Yates has crystalised it and…it's early days still, so I'm not going to say too much. But I'm just thrilled that David Yates decided to come back, because he's really found a new spirit for the sixth film and as we talk about seven, it's very different as well. I think it's going to be good."
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One will be released Holiday (November) of 2010, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two due May (early summer timeframe) 2011.Thanks Sarah and Davey!
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Official WB Press Release on Two Part Movie of "Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows"
Warner Brothers has now issued their formal press release on making Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in two films. Following on what we reported yesterday, Warner Brothers confirm again that David Yates will direct both films, marking the first time any one director will helm more than two releases in the Harry Potter film franchise, with Steve Kloves to continue on as screenwriter and David Heyman and David Barron to produce. Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Brothers said "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."
Additional quotage from the release is as follows: "This is a very special moment for us, as it is the final episode in the great journey that J.K. Rowling undertook more than a decade ago," said Alan Horn, President and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It has been a journey for all of us at Warner Bros. as well, and we are confident that our filmmakers will finish our series of films as a fitting complement to Jo's completion of Harry's story on the page.""Over ten years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films. The Deathly Hallows is so rich, the story so dense and there is so much that is resolved that after discussing it with Jo, we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice" said David Heyman. "I am thrilled that David Yates is returning to direct 'The Deathly Hallows.' He is both inspired and inspiring and is a passionate fan of the remarkable world and characters Jo has created. I know he will lead our incomparable cast and crew—most of whom have been with us since the very beginning—in bringing the series to the unforgettable conclusion it deserves."
Director David Yates remarked, "I've had great pleasure working with a tremendous cast and crew thus far, on both 'the Order of the Phoenix' and 'the Half-Blood Prince.' It's a wonderful world to work in and be part of and to create within, and I consider it a great privilege to continue to bring Jo's extraordinary world to the screen, and to be the director to complete this epic and exhilarating journey."
As reported previously, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part one and Two will be filmed at the same time, beginning production in February of 2009, with "Deathly Hallows: Part One" to be released in movie theaters November of 2010, and Part Two due May 2011.
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Matt Lewis Talks Neville and "Deathly Hallows"
Actor Matthew Lewis appeared at Collectormania in Manchester England over the weekend, where he discussed his role at Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies. Snitchseeker.com reports that along with his brother Anthony (Torchwood), Matt made several comments about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He was asked about filming the dramatic scene at the end of the book involving Neville, Nagini and the sword, and Matt apparently said "Oh yeah. It'll be really cool but I'm going to have to have lots of training. We did with Order of the Phoenix and using the wands but this one is going to be much more extensive." (His brother joked in response ""There'd have to be for anyone to trust him with a sword.")
Of interest in the report as well is that Matt apparently said that Deathly Hallows would be made in two movies. This follows on many of the rumors we've heard previously, and we heard last month, the producers of the film said this possibility is being explored, but is STILL NOT CONFIRMED. Again, as exciting as all this is, the producers of the Harry Potter films, David Barron and David Heyman, have said filming on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" would begin next February, and an announcement confirming the director and the film would be forthcoming in the near future. Stay tuned, we will update with more when we can.
Thanks much to Laurie and Snitchseeker!
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THE END
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