Hear hear! Or should I say ‘ear ‘ear. Sure it sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. And hey, isn’t it great that we have good things to look forward to for longer? Thank you, Melissa!
I’m a lurker. A Potter fan from Oz. Your last blog changed that. Great post, Melissa. That’s very balanced analysis of the situation. That’s why you are the Leaky leader. That’s why I like Leaky’s Pottercast more than MuggleNet’s, a lot. Because, you, Sue, John and Frak are not just funny but wise as well. Love, Ozguy
Very well said, Melissa. I agree with all your points and I respect your stance on this a lot. Personally, I was a bit disappointed at first, but it really isn’t the end of the world. We had a 1.5 year wait and a 2 year wait between Phoenix and Hallows 1. I really don’t see what difference it makes which of those waits comes first.
This is why I respect Leaky in general and Melissa especially. Excellent reporting and analysis as always.
Hi Melissa! It was such a relief to listen to PotterCast and discover that I wasn’t the only fan not filled with anger and hatred toward WB. I am disappointed – absolutely – but excited in a weird way, because it just means that the Potter fun will be spaced more evenly over the next year, with your book, Beedle the Bard, LeakyCon, (all of which I’m looking forward to more than the movie), and then HBP.
The people I interact with on Leaky are so upset by the move; they’re all joining the protest groups, sending Howlers, and participating in boycotts. These are people I’ve become friends with and care about, so I’ve been feeling guilty for not being willing to join them in this – I’ve felt like such a bad fan. So, as I said, it was such a relief to learn that one of the fans whom I respect the most feels similarly to me.
Thank you so much for this blog post. It expresses my thoughts on the matter, but much more eloquently than I’ve been able to. I’m definitely going to recommend it to some of my angry friends. Perhaps it will help them to – as you request at the end of the post – relax! ;)
Very well said indeed, Melissa! Thanks for yet another job well done! Personally, besides “Beetle the Bard” I’m really looking forward to YOUR book. So, there really isn’t the Potter wasteland out there that so many seem to view in the coming months. YAY!
Whoops…make that “Beedle.” (Haven’t had enough coffee yet this AM).
Nice post Melissa. I don’t blame people for being really hurt by this, especially young people who haven’t been disapointed like this in the past by those in power situations. I, however, do sort of feel like an unhappy Slug Club member, but I’ve had enough disapointment and run-ins with the bureaucracy in my short adult life to know things like this happens. Like I’ve said a few times, even though I don’t think petitions and boycotts of the film are necessary or even wise, I don’t plan on rushing out to see very many WB movies before the HBP release. Granted, I really hadn’t planned on it anyway. This just gives me an excuse to save my money, which I desperately need to do anyway. Only Body of Lies and Watchmen looked interesting, and as a fan of the graphic novel, I can’t imagine Watchmen will be able to live up to the hype. So I guess saving a few bucks here and there between now and next summer can be my way of “sticking it to the man,” but mostly it’s so I can afford to keep putting gas in my car.
I admire your level-headedness, though I didn’t expect any less from you. I have to say, I was really, really annoyed when I heard about it. I still am. I decided to join the boycotts in spirit—basically, since I have a four-month old, I’m not going to any movies any time soon, so I tell myself that I’m boycotting them in protest but really, I just don’t go to movies! The one good thing is that there’s less of a wait until DH, I do agree. And even though I’m afraid my interest may wane in the next year, there are other movies coming out next summer that I’m already excited for, so I think my interest will last.
Well said Melissa! I was shocked at first, then upset, then sad, but in the end it is okay. I think it was just horrible to see the number of days jump back up on the countdown, when it was so close. But it really does work out for the best. I will be getting the entire set on books on tape for Christmas/birthday so I will have plenty of time to hear those before the release in July. Also, I’m going to take the release date off from work so I can go to a midnight release instead of having to work like I would have this year. So, after my initial disappointment and anger, this is actually going to work out even better! And you’re right! We have plenty to look forward too. Beedle of the Bard is totally exciting as well as the full length trailer, which will, hopefully, be attached to a GOOD movie! And there is always Pottercast to fill my HP void! I missed you guys!!!!
Bravo, Melissa. I very much agree.
Although I must admit that the thought of thousands of red envelopes pouring into WB’s mail slot makes for an amusing image.
erroneous comma on a poster? You wouldn’t be refering to iMax’s ‘enhancement’ of Emma Watson’s picture from the last movie would you?
This is the first time I’ve decided to make a post on this site so please bear with me. I share your sentiments that some of the fandom has gone completely over the top in relation to the delay and that there is no way that WB are going to change their mind and move back to a November opening.
The reason for this over the top reaction has been caused by WB themselves however.
I believe that most of the fandom would have been pacified if they had said that they needed more time to complete the film or that they wanted to add an extra scene or something even if it had been a lie.
The very fact that they have said that the film is on time and could be in the cinemas by November and the only reason its being moved to the Summer is to help their 2009 turnover is what is pissing everybody off. It would also have helped if the decision had been made earlier in post production. Yes we should accept business is business, but greed is not always good.
I’m not sure it is a wise business move either. I am a trained economist and I run a small limited company. The Western Economies are facing recessions in the coming months. The situation is likely to be worse next summer so there will be less disposable income about than in 2008 leading to less money spent on all leisure activities. Its also better to have cash in the bank than the promise of income in the future. Yes it may have an impact keeping up the share price following 2009’s results but that is about all.
The licensees especially Electronic Arts will be spitting blood. WB’s decision has huge impact on their expected 2008 turnover. Depending on the contracts I can see lawsuits in the offing which may have an impact on future WB profits for years to come. Again due to the economic climate some of the smaller licensees may struggle to survive without income from the sale of Potter related items.
Its a PR disaster for WB also particularly here in the UK. Though the money comes from WB we in the UK feel strongly the films and books are British. The cast is British and its made here in Britain. The fact that the Royal film performance has been cancelled is a big deal. It is a snub in the face of the very people that make the films as the charity that would have benefitted from the premiere represents film makers who require monetary help due to long term illness or old age.
The overall point I am trying to make is that WB’s decision affects more than just the Harry Potter fans and I therefore have no problem if people wish to show their dissatisfaction by boycotting future Warner Bro’s productions as I will be doing (Apart from HPB). This is not because I think it will change anybody’s mind, but it will make me feel that I will have at least stood up to a company that is literally playing with people’s lives and livelihoods, which is more it appears than you are prepared to do.
I completely agree.
I mean it’s weird for them to suddenly delay a movie eight months, and I was disappointed initially, but it’s really not a big deal. I don’t understand why people are so irate about it.
Melissa and “Pedroj” – I agree with both of you and think you, together, touched on nearly every subject I would have commented on. Thanks to you both for saving me the typing!!
But one VERY IMPORTANT subject no one else has touched on is this – WB says we will have less of a wait between HBP and the first half of DH, but DO YOU BELIEVE THEM AFTER THIS? If this is, as it almost certainly is, a purely business move, and none of the fans could sway them now, what on earth will stop them from changing the release dates in the future? I think this is a disasterous precedent to set and I will, personally, continue with my boycott of any WB product, with the clear exception of any HP release.
Well chums, here’s hoping WB only screws up this once. Thanks again for everything, Melissa!
yeah, I was all up in arms initially, but I have to admit I’m reaching this place of …zen. shock and anger are pretty unwieldy emotions especially when potter is involved, but now that I’m calm I’ve realized that the new canon will break up the year perfectly and there’s also a possibility cherrybomb will be out in early 09 and, I mean, a new potter film it is not, but it’s something fun.