JKR's Involvement in the HP Film Series

[Wimsey]

Originally Posted by MasterOfDeath

Actually Richard Harris stated he was contracted to do "seven" films on Rosie O'Donnell's show back in 2001.

Nobody could have said "7" before Harris died because WB only contracted people for the first 3 films: they were not going to give the go-ahead for more until they saw how they performed. (There was a very real fear that the series wouldn't continue after how precipitously the box office fell after the first film and given how expensive the films were to make.) Given that, there was no way that they'd actually provide any sort of contractual obligations to anybody!

Remember also that the original plan by WB was to replace the kids after the 3rd film because the original actors would be too old at that point to play the parts. (Obviously, they were assuming that Harry was going to be 12 forever.)

Originally Posted by ajna

Why wouldn't he? It was common knowledge there were to be 7 books even if they were not all written.

It was common knowledge to people who knew about Harry Potter. However, the only things that are "common knowledge" about Harry Potter is that he's a 12-year old wizard with a girlfriend named Hermione in a book series written by a Wiccan. Remember, only a fraction of the public any attention to this at all.

[Rookie_Angel]

In the interview I mentioned above, she talked about how she would sometimes hint to the younger actors about something about their characters coming up in the upcoming movies and they would essentially plug their ears and interrupt and shout, "I don't want to know!" Sounds like they were pretty much "No Spoilers!" types like many of the rest of us who wanted to find out with the rest of the world.

[Th3Phoenix89]

OMG I was wondering the same thing yesterday,and here it is,YOUR THREAD

[MasterOfDeath]

Originally Posted by Wimsey

Nobody could have said "7" before Harris died because WB only contracted people for the first 3 films: they were not going to give the go-ahead for more until they saw how they performed. (There was a very real fear that the series wouldn't continue after how precipitously the box office fell after the first film and given how expensive the films were to make.) Given that, there was no way that they'd actually provide any sort of contractual obligations to anybody!

No, in the interview I mentioned, Harris specifically says himself that he was reluctant to take the part because if he signed on for one film, he'd have to do all seven and he said by the time he finished he'd be in his 80's and he only agreed to it because of his granddaughter. Robbie Coltrane was also contracted for several films. It was the trio, Dan, Rupert and Emma who were contracted for two films at the time.

I'd love for you to cite evidence for this apparent "fear" that the films would fail after the release of COS. The box office for all the HP films has been incredible. The fact that the following films made less then PS/SS doesn't say much as SS was a HUGE hit. I think you greatly exaggerate the "drop" in-between PS/SS and COS. It wasn't nearly as troubling as you make it out to be.

Remember also that the original plan by WB was to replace the kids after the 3rd film because the original actors would be too old at that point to play the parts. (Obviously, they were assuming that Harry was going to be 12 forever.)

WB only contracted the kids for the three films but I doubt for that reason. Sure general Joe and Jane might think that about the books but I seriously doubt the WB execs knew so little about the series they were investing in.

It was common knowledge to people who knew about Harry Potter. However, the only things that are "common knowledge" about Harry Potter is that he's a 12-year old wizard with a girlfriend named Hermione in a book series written by a Wiccan. Remember, only a fraction of the public any attention to this at all.

That's very true.

[Peakes]

Anyone else thankful that Spielberg never got his hands on Harry Potter?

Imagine the ending to Deathly Hallows... Voldemort was actually an evil alien, and the story ends with the good aliens returning all those who died back to life, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Spielberg would have been a disaster. IMHO.

[ccollinsmith]

Originally Posted by Peakes

Anyone else thankful that Spielberg never got his hands on Harry Potter?

Imagine the ending to Deathly Hallows... Voldemort was actually an evil alien, and the story ends with the good aliens returning all those who died back to life, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Spielberg would have been a disaster. IMHO.

I'm glad Spielberg dropped out of negotiations. But not because I think he would have turned Voldemort into an evil alien (Spielberg has made what... approximately one movie with evil aliens?). Interestingly, Spielberg gave Ralph Fiennes his breakout role... which also got Fiennes his first Oscar nomination. So it's possible that we may not have had Fiennes as Voldemort if Spielberg had not given him a high-profile (and utterly chilling/repellant) role in Schindler's List.

But back to JKR's involvement... she appears to have had limited involvement in director selection. And Spielberg dropped out of discussions on his own accord.

[ajna]

Originally Posted by Peakes

Anyone else thankful that Spielberg never got his hands on Harry Potter?

Imagine the ending to Deathly Hallows... Voldemort was actually an evil alien, and the story ends with the good aliens returning all those who died back to life, and everyone lives happily ever after.

Spielberg would have been a disaster. IMHO.

Spielberg is very diverse actor. I can't imagine why he would want to change the story into aliens.