WB Defends Potter Move

Much has been made of Warner Bros. decision to push the latest Harry Potter film’s release date into summer of next. While studio chief Alan Horn maintains that the move was made to counterbalance the effect the writer’s strike will have on next summer’s release schedule, Muggles world-over are still infuriated by the move. They want their Harry and they want him now. Poor Mr. Horn then, has been flooded with hate mail and pleas to reconsider, but it appears as though the man’s mind is made up. Here’s what he had to say in response to all of the backlash.

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.

Well goshdarnit he just maybe the sweetest studio head of all time!