Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron have given a new interview with the Daily Telegraph, where they discuss the film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In regards to the earlier rumors of splitting the final book into two films, David Barron again confirms this is a possibility, saying this is still under discussion and states:
"The only negative of splitting the book into two films, says Barron, "is that people could possibly perceive it as being one last chance at cashing in. But the real positive, if we were to do that, would be that we wouldn't have quite the battle we always have of 'How do you compress all that book into just over two hours of screen time?' It would be brilliant not to have to cut anything. But at the same time, we have to think it through properly. We'd have to be very certain that there were two proper, stand-alone films that could be generated from the source material."
David Heyman continues on to note that filming for "Deathly Hallows" will not start until a year from now, saying "We won't start filming 'til February next year. So it hasn't really gone bananas yet. We've got thoughts, and I'm sure something will be announced in the not-too-distant future."
As to who will take on the pivotal role as director for the final movie, both producers say a few directors are still under consideration, and announcements about this and the status of the film will be made shortly. David Heyman emphasises "A couple of people have expressed interest, people have gotten a few calls and a few emails, but it's still a year away."
Meanwhile production continues through May on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which is due in theaters November 21, 2008.
Even if they did it in one 3 hour movie I think there would still be a lot of cuts. I would rather have two 2-2/12 hour movies with all the details than one 3 hour movie with lots of cuts. But hey if they can get it into one movie and it make sense without cutting out all the good important parts then im all for it. I just want the details to be there. I was a little disppointed with OOTP because they took a lot out. I just hope they do justice to the last one.
Oh and GinaC… I never read the Lord of the Rings books I just seen the movies, so I don’t know how the books end. But that is just the way the movies seemed to me. I must agree that I would hate to have to wait for the second part but I am sure we would have to. But if it would make the movie better then I would be willing to wait for it. I would rather it be done the right way or not at all. I don’t really care if they do one movie or two, I just want it to be good with all the details.
Well they could alternatively make a LONGER film. I would not mind to sit 5 or 6 hours in the DH movie. Anyway I like to see more time, as the other ones are far to short for me.
Why can`t they make the same like LOR, special editions with an other hour or more each movie ?
I personally think splitting the movie would be brillant. It’s still SEVEN movies, but you can’t expect them to release a 6 hour movie. The movie flat out cannot be done justice without splitting it up.
I really hope they do make it two! That would be amazing :)
A compromise might be a 3 hour movie with a brief intermission for folks to go the bathroom. :) My favorite part of the book is Harry/Hermione in Godrick’s Hollow on Christmas eve, and I am so afraid that will be chopped up or cut out altogether in a single movie.
I think it’s a brilliant idea,and the perfect way to end the series. It’s the last book and it would really be nice to see the whole thing on screen with no cuts or edits, specially when some scenes are your favourite,but they get cut because they don’t seem that important to the plot…
I don’t like the idea of two movies at all. In my opinion, WB’s motivation is entirely commercial. They didn’t have a problem with killing major chunks of JKR’s storyline in the past. Why now? Yes, there is a lot going on in DH, but there was also a lot of material in GOF and OOTP that never made it to the screen. Again, I think this is all about $$.
Why not just make DH into a single film, maybe 4 hours long, with an intermission?
i think they should skip the movies and go to dvd and make it at least 6 hours long.they can go over 21/2 hours long they did it with dances with wolves.and other movies make it with 3 discs 2 with movie and 1 what ever
I am one of those that has been vehemently against the idea of 2 movies (for any of the books). 7 books should equal 7 movies. The book is one book, so it should be one movie. I don’t think that you could feasibly split it and have two decent movies. If Lord of the Rings can have 3+ hour movies and still remain true to the essence of the book, than I don’t think HP will have any problem. Also, and I know I’m not the only one that feels this way, but money is tight for me and my family as it is right now and as of now, I don’t expect that situation to change, and they’re going to expect us to shell out TWICE the money for what should be ONE film? What about larger families? I have neighbors who love Harry Potter that have 8 children living at home, with ticket prices on the rise…. I don’t know. To me it has just always been my opinion that splitting any of the books into two films is not a good idea. There’s stuff that can be cut without affecting the core of the story (a lot of the camping can be condesed, for example).
I am vehemently in favour of two films. The Lord of The Rings was really ( in Tolkien’s eyes) one long tale but he had to publish the book in three parts. Peter Jackson then did a brilliant job with three long films and then three even longer extended DVDs.
This is the path for Deathly Hallows -TWO films -yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m conflicted by the whole splitting it into two films. As a fan, I certainly want to see much of DH on the big screen, but, having two films would be a bit frustrating as a cinema-goer. I be like “Is that it?!? I want more!!” after the first part finished. I be wanting to see the rest of the film. Also how long would we have to wait to see the second part? I hope it wouldn’t be too long.
Now I haven’t read alot of what some have said, so please bare with me.
If I had something to do with this last movie, I would make it a 4 hour and 30 minutes movie with a 25 minute intermission at about 2 hours and 15 minutes. That way it can give viewers during the intermission to absorb what they saw in the first half of the movie, and to prepare for the last half of the HP movie ride so to speak. As a LOTR fan, I remember the day that Return of the King came out. The movie was 3 hours plus and I sat through it all, crying in spots along with the rest of the packed theater. When the movie was over, we all clapped, cheered and collectively cried, cause we knew it was…it was like a friend that was leaving never to return. When we all got up to leave the theater, it truly felt very somber and bittersweet. I know when Deathly Hallows comes around, it will be the same way. I very much like the fact that Peter Jackson and New Line decided to put in the whole kitchen sink as it were with Return of the King, including the multiple endings, just as it was in the book. I think as a fan of Professor Tolkien and of JK Rowling, the Harry Potter series deserve no less.
As far as the movie studio and theaters go, they can make the release of the Deathly Hallows two-parter an event, much the way it was done with ROTK…maybe show the last 4 movies (from Goblet of Fire – the return of Voldie to Deathly Hallows) back to back. That would be good moneywise for the theaters, cause of concessions (their bread and butter). I’m sure it would be a sellout. They could even have a flat fee for tickets…say $30 for the whole day ticket wise. That’s a great price to see 4 movies back to back. They could even presell the tickets in advance, and have the event on two screens depending on the size of the theater. I think my idea would be a win-win for everyone—the movie studio, the theaters and most of all the fans of the movies and the books.
I absolutely agree with R.D and Muddtallica.Why comlicate things with two movies?It’s much easier to make one good,3-hour long movie?Not to mention that Titanic,the highest grossing film EVER,with 11 oscars,is much more than 3 hours long(194 min. to be precise).
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Even if they did it in one 3 hour movie I think there would still be a lot of cuts. I would rather have two 2-2/12 hour movies with all the details than one 3 hour movie with lots of cuts. But hey if they can get it into one movie and it make sense without cutting out all the good important parts then im all for it. I just want the details to be there. I was a little disppointed with OOTP because they took a lot out. I just hope they do justice to the last one.
Oh and GinaC… I never read the Lord of the Rings books I just seen the movies, so I don’t know how the books end. But that is just the way the movies seemed to me. I must agree that I would hate to have to wait for the second part but I am sure we would have to. But if it would make the movie better then I would be willing to wait for it. I would rather it be done the right way or not at all. I don’t really care if they do one movie or two, I just want it to be good with all the details.