Aug 20, 2008 by Courtney O.

Warner Bros.' Alan Horn Addresses Harry Potter Fans

If you read this story, then you might be one of the many fans whose frustrations and criticism compelled Warner Bros. president Alan Horn to issue a statement to respond to fans, regarding the delay of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince's release until next July.

Warner Bros. president Alan Horn has released the following statement:

Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to Summer 2009.

Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films. Over the past 10 years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability.

The decision to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans. We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

If I may offer a silver lining: there would have been a two-year gap between Half-Blood Prince and the much-anticipated first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which opens in November 2010.

So although we have to wait a little longer for Half-Blood Prince, the wait from that film until Deathly Hallows will be less than 18 months. I am sorry to have disappointed you now, but if you hold on a little longer, I believe it will be worth the wait.
Alan Horn
President, Chief Operating Officer
Warner Bros.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released July 15th, 2009 and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Dave Legeno, Elarica Gallacher, Jim Broadbent, Geraldine Somerville, Bonnie Wright, Julie Walters. The film is directed by David Yates.



Sources: Warner Bros. Pictures

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Comments (84)

  1. tammysetterquist

    LIKELY REASON(S) FOR DELAY ... PICK ONE OR ALL :)

    #1 Mindless, insatiable executive greed
    #2 Adding flourishes to &/or fixing any possible weaknesses in the upcoming film(s) that would have prohibited being awarded public notoriety for effort(s)..ergo, Oscar, the elusive golden snitch
    #3...most likely... attempting continuity with characters (appearance of actual actors), etc. for HP HBP & HP DH
    Very likely, filming has been in tandem (and will continue to be)
    So, for instance, if someone has long hair/ black eye , intensive makeup... or perhaps extensive interrelated CGI prep for sequences (especially all of the vision/ dream sequences required) in either movie/both...the rough footage for both can be shot simultaneously which saves the studio inve$tment capital...further increasing their precious margin of profit$$$... Thereby, less going back and editing to make sure Rupert's haircut looks exactly the same or that Emma's oh-so-specific look of disdain is congruous.
    more of #3 or #4.....
    the actors are getting "up there" in age and Weak B@st@rd/ Whiny B!tch studios wouldn't want to have a handful of antiquities playing school chums / young adults. Ever-changing maturity/appearance and also acting style/influences in various projects that various HP actors are attempting is readily apparent- AND other than the actors who were established before HP... alternative film projects which are commonly regarded as insignificant or even failing(!), reason being (of course) other movies falling incredibly short of the enduring fame HP has endowed each actor with (certainly will be cult classics for all time) ... even the worst HP film outscripts and outshines most of the "award winners"
    PLus at this point, WB would not want to risk losing commitment to any HP project (ending up casting a new batch which woul;d be a tragic flop and utterly LAME)
    AND THE REAL REASON #5..WB is strategically pacing themselves...
    especially with so much riding on the 18mo. apart / Irish-Twin conclusion(s) of the film series ...coordinated with the elaborate Universal Studios HP theme park build... which will open in conjunction with Deathly Hallows in 2010!!! www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

    PS. HBP will open on my exact birthday (let me say that I am in my 30s..fair 'nough?)...so I am trying to be thrilled...
    and not too p*ssed. laugh.

    I need breakfast. Anyone for frootloops? yummmah.

    5 years agoby @tammysetterquistFlag

  2. MovieCritic6767

    ITs all about the money, its not about caring that we wait 2 years between movies, they made enough for 2008 with The Dark Knight now they wanna secure 2009's quota with Harry Potter 6, so quit being dicks and move it to january release

    5 years agoby @moviecritic6767Flag

  3. bookgirl101

    it still makes me mad but atleast it will be close the 1st part of the 6th book's movie

    5 years agoby @bookgirl101Flag

  4. harrypotterfan123

    it still makes me sad

    5 years agoby @harrypotterfan123Flag

  5. Drewski37

    i bet he as a 15 year old daughter who's into the gothic trend and read the twilight series and whined to him "I'd wanna see twilight turned into a movie daddy NOW!" so he delayed harry potter for now so his darling daughter can see her movie....

    5 years agoby @drewski37Flag

  6. habodabi

    Can anybody fit over 800 pages of a brilliant book into a 2 hour film while keeping the essence of all prior books intact? The Harry Potter series was wonderful but leave it all in the hands of a giant machine like Warner and what do you get?

    By the way, Warner... call me

    5 years agoby @habodabiFlag

  7. CBF

    They pushed it back to capitalize on the summer extravaganza that is next year. You have Half-Blood Prince lined up with these great films: Star Trek, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, and who knows what else (I just keep tabs on the latter 3).

    Chances are they will continue early pre-production on Deathly Hallows before HBP is out in May. I have not read the books, but I thought that Order of the Phoenix was good. I know there's a lot of info in that movie, sure, but it built up until the fight at the end with The Order and the DeathEaters. I can't wait to see how much of that wizardry battle stuff is in HBP. So far Goblet is my favorite though.

    5 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag

  8. slysnide

    They probably compared "The Goblet Of Fire"'s Box Office intake with that of "Order Of The Phoenix" and found that the latter made more money as being a summer movie, and decided to push it back for that reason...(more like just cuz nothing happenned in that book so the fans thought it'd be the closest adaptation, therefore thinking it to be the best, but it wasn't. It was the worst.)

    Also, the success of "The Dark Knight" projected for Warner Brothers that they didn't need another hit on their hands until summer 2012, and therefore decided that it wouldn't matter when they released it, so why not go along with the same Friday as TDK for the money. Seeing as the unexpected cash gain of TDK meant that they didn't have to think too strategically. And sure, it sounds contradictory for 2 reasons: 1) they don't need a hit for 4yrs, and 2) they'd go for the money anyway. Plus, I never saw "Transformers" and thought it looked bad, so I think that "Half-Blood Prince" will do better. After all, it's second to #5 in lack of events that CAN'T be cut out of the film, so it should work out.

    OR, it's just like Yogurt's philospohy on sequels when he said: "Spaceballs 2: The Search For More Money."

    5 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  9. spideykea

    Maybe sober's right.After the huge success of TDK, they decide to delay it around the week TDK come out to make more money.I do know GOF almost made $300 mil. in the US, and that came out in November.But yet again, OOTP made a little more money than GOF and that came out in July.I thought they would continued with the pattern they had going(If you didn't notice).

    5 years agoby @spideykeaFlag

  10. tamika3274

    This sucks. what makes them think that they will get more business in the summer than in Nov. Do they realize the same people are off during this time and there's always the weekends. Transformers 2 is gonna be major compettion for this movie. he is the dumbest executive I have ever seen. Not once did he give a reason other than money. Do they not realize they could have did major money because there isnt that many exciting movies coming out. He's a dumba..!!!

    5 years agoby @tamika3274Flag

  11. JR

    so much anger.

    5 years agoby @supbitchFlag

  12. slysnide

    Notice how he didn't give a reasos as to WHY the date was pushed back to Friday July 17th 2009.

    5 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  13. Angelcakes

    I can assure you that the kids had nothing to do with sending letters to Alan Horn, only the adults Im a 26yr.old, black female, grad student and a die hard fan of the books. When I heard of the delay, I was a bit disturbed for a split sec. So Im sure most of the letters came from the adult fan base..especially to be able to reach Warner Bros.President. I mean really who's going to put much thought into doing that, not kids.

    5 years agoby @angelcakesFlag

  14. magikablue

    If Alan Horn took the time to look at just how many potter fans have commented on his inane apology not just on this site but others across the net, he'd realize how much of dick he's been by opening his mouth, I love the H.P books and have always felt that they have been hacked to bits just to line the pockets of W.B, I hate their excuses that the movies would be too long if the included everything, and yet how many of us sat through all 3 LOTR movies in the cinema and then went out and bought the extended versions on DVD I know I did. This apology will not placate go boil yer head horn

    5 years agoby @magikablueFlag

  15. juliefurnas

    This is a perfect example of spoiled American people. Everyone should be ashamed of themselves, especially the parents who let their children whine over something like this. Kids in American and Great Britain are lucky to have the opportunity to read, see movies and enjoy things that they love. What about kids and adults who are less fortunate, who only wish they could see a Harry Potter movie. Those who live in poverty, abuse or confined to a hospital room.
    Before you rant - learn something valid about show "business" and what it takes to get these types of movies into the theaters. Did you ever doubt for a moment that the ART of this film would EVER let you down, no matter when it was released? Now, c'mon people - appreciate what you have, not what you don't. Stop your whining and go read a book to a kid, Warner Bros. doesn't need your money, trust me.

    5 years agoby @juliefurnasFlag

  16. hatewb

    What a load of crap! "Not taken lightly", they already came out and said they moved the movie to make more money. Hey, we understand it is a business and that the fans come LAST! Even though it is us who makes themm all this money in the first place.

    And I think they will NOT make more money next Summer. There are so many big Summer movies next year, there is no real big competiton this holiday season. Potter was going to be THE event film of the Summer. It would have been #1 for weeks. WB seems to think Half-Blood will be another Dark Knight.

    Plus we are STILL waiting 2 years for Deathly Hallows. Now we are waiting 2 years for Half-Blood. You know, maybe next Summer I'll buy a ticket for another movie and just sneak into Potter. That way the greedy, un-caring WB won't get MY money.

    5 years agoby @hatewbFlag

  17. ihatesnape24

    Although I must admitt I was majorly looking forward to the release of HP & THE HBP I also consider myself a truer Potter Fan than the rest of you. I am going to attmept to explain myself in the sheer hope that you will agree with me in the end.

    Rowling has done her task. She has presented a series of literature so intense that it has created a mass euphoria of its own. With the turn of the last page of Deathy Hollows I not only felt complete and full of answers, but sad and confused. What do I do now? The answer was simple: bask in the glory of the movies.

    Yes, it is dissapointing to have to wait another year. However it is also reasurring and I almost hope that Deathy Hollows gets pushed back as well. That leaves us that much farther away from the end...

    5 years agoby @ihatesnape24Flag

  18. Devilishpnoy04

    Well I believe that you people in the studios should not be announcing any release dates unless you are positively sure that that date is absolute. Besides, who ever told you that we wanted you to consider the this two year gap between both HP Half-Blood Prince and HP Deathly Hollows?

    I think the only reason why the production made changes is because they don't want to lose profit due to an arising movie coming out this fall. I need not to say more, you know what I'm talking about! OK fine "Twilight". They don't want people getting divided and torn between both films. Making HP vulnerable of not making record breaking sells. That's the only reason. Not because they don't want you to wait for two years for the next installment of HP. They don't care about us! Because if they did, they would give the first Hundred bloggers to this statements Premiere tickets when HP Half-Blood Prince comes out in the summer!

    5 years agoby @devilishpnoy04Flag

  19. caitlynrose

    ***I am not a super Harry Potter fan or anything, but my friend is like obsessed. And she was so excited when she found out it was coming out on her birthday. SHe wanted to take a couple friends to the premiere for her birthday. And now she is really pissed off because it is coming out in July.

    Personally, I think that this bullsh*t. The only true reason they are postponing it is so that they can make more money. HELLO- they were gonna make a fortune anyway! I am not sure that this "silver lining" really is silver. I would have been fine waiting two years for the next installment because I would have been satisfied with watching the sixth movie in November.

    I have also read somewhere that one of the actors said the they had finished it and it looked amazing. Question- If it is finished Mr. Alan Horn, than why don't you release the sixth movie when it is supposed to come out and get off your high horse and get to work on the seventh movie. That way everyone will be happy and maybe, just maybe , the seventh movie could come out like at least two months early. Because all you have done, by moving the release date, is create a small army of angry fans ready to boycott Warner Brothers movie until the sixth movie is released.

    *** That was a copy of the letter I sent Mr. Horn

    I believe that we should all boycott Warner Brothers movies until the sixth movie comes out.
    We should also not go on the first day.
    I think that this will show Mr. Horn that he has truly disapointed thousands of fans around the world.

    5 years agoby @caitlynroseFlag

  20. golf4ever27

    This decision doesn't make any sense. I understand that the summer is the biggest time for movies, but next summer will have Transformers 2, which will compete hard with this movie. There will be other big movies also, which will take away from people going two or more times to see it. They will want to see the other movies that are coming out. November, albeit a slower time, will have much less competition and will bring people to see the movie multiple times as there won't be much else to see. This was not only a poor decision for the fans, I think it will be a poor decision for the company as well. I, for one, will not see this movie in the theater. I will wait until it comes out on DVD. And I hope others will do the same, although I don't expect many to.

    5 years agoby @golf4ever27Flag

  21. pastor_fischer

    Another example of corporate newspeak. Mr. Horn,only one response to your statement. (expletive deleted) It began with "bull" and ended with "it."

    5 years agoby @pastor-fischerFlag

  22. 1nonlyjustice

    No matter what movie it is, all they see is $$$$$, Yes I am a fan of HP, and no I dont base my life around it, but when ppl say that ignorant things about ppl that happen to enjoy a movie series...I have one question for all of you. At one time or another YOU have been the same way about a certian movie series....no matter what it is. SO WHY HARP ON THOSE WHO DO THE SAME ABOUT A DIFFERENT MOVIE.
    It is you who needs a life, if you dont like the movie then keep your thoughts to yourself, or didnt you mothers not teach you "if you dont have anything nice to say, then dont say anything at all!"

    5 years agoby @1nonlyjusticeFlag

  23. soberstill

    They just want it to make as much as money as "The Dark Knight" which was released on a summer. If they really were hell bent on doing that by daring to disappoint the fans, they should have killed off one of the movie's stars to generate so great a buzz that will translate to box office gold. Fuming mad.

    5 years agoby @soberstillFlag

  24. JR

    boycott twilight.

    5 years agoby @supbitchFlag

  25. jwm2059

    My kids are the ones that think its unfair. There idea is to boycott Warner Bros movies until the Harry Potter Movie comes out. Until then no Warner Bros movies. They are emailing there friends, its a good idea.

    5 years agoby @jwm2059Flag

  26. JR

    speaking like a true anti hater..lol

    5 years agoby @supbitchFlag

  27. wedgiemaster

    If Warner Bros really wanted to make money off of you dipsh*ts, they would just release a steaming load of crap, named it "Harry Potter Wipes His Ass", release it next week or whenever, and you idiots would STILL line up like the morons you are to see it. It's just a f*cking movie! Dumbledore dies - he's also gay, end of story.

    Do yourselves a favor. Before the movie opens next June, GET LAID!!!!

    5 years agoby @wedgiemasterFlag

  28. wolfwoman

    grrrr..
    so much for waiting for november to come quickly..
    im definitely not going to watch on the first day..or week!
    you guys can do the same.
    hope NO ONE watch on its first day..hmpf

    5 years agoby @wolfwomanFlag

  29. wikkidgothbabe

    So now there will be a two year gap between *Order of the Phoenix* and *Half Blood Prince*?
    i don't really see any silver lining there, personally.

    5 years agoby @wikkidgothbabeFlag

  30. JR

    another angry fanboy

    5 years agoby @supbitchFlag

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