As many of you already know, Warner Brothers announced on August 14, that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will no longer be released during the Fall but rather on July 17, 2009. Here’s a clip from the official press release:

In making the announcement, Mr. Horn stated, “Our reasons for shifting ‘Half-Blood Prince’ to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move ‘Half-Blood Prince’ to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer.”

Many of the fans have revolted already, making petitions and organizing rallies outside of the New York City streets to show Warner Brothers how much the fan-base does not want a 2009 release. Unfortunately, we know that throughout all and all, Warner Brothers will not be changing the release date. Boycotting the film is a good idea, however, I believe I may have thought of a more manipulated way of getting what we want without filling Warner Brothers’ pockets.

Ever been to a movie theater, seen a movie, and then just happen to SLIP into another movie that starts a little bit after? Ever happen to imagine paying to go see “Land of the Lost” and just happening to slip into “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”?

How big of an impact will this make upon Warner Brothers? If we spread the word and it happens nationwide, it could mean a major notice of how much we cared about getting the movie and not filling their pockets. I would also like to know, where is J.K. Rowling in this entire situation? Has she not been made aware of how angry and sad her fan-base is about her own franchise? Has she not had a say in any of this? This, I believe, is disgusting to take from the fans something that we have thrived for for 10 years just to fill in their pockets.

I don’t know about you, but I will NOT have a ticket stub to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Sure, I might just happen to see it. Sure, I might miss the release party and seeing it in IMAX. Sure..but I am ready to make a stand for something I believe in. We, Harry Potter Fans Worldwide, have always made a big impact, whether it be on the media or the radios. We have always made everyone aware of how much we care for the wizarding world. I think it’s time to now show how much we care for such a idiotic move on Warner Brothers part.

Thank you.

So I pay to see a movie, go to HP and take the seat of someone who has also paid to see the movie, causing disruption, agrivation and if enough people do this WB will be annoyed?

Will this not just get odeon, yue, paramount etc get annoyed along with other people who also paid? How will this effect WB?
I can see where you are coming from but maybe if we boycotted it for a week, it wouldn't be the 'smash hit' WB would like and not gross the most ever?


I dunno, I'm undecided. I guess I wait until July, then decide. I will probably support what ever action 'Leaky' decide.

Would be great if 100,000 of us all decided together.

then by all means let us protest!

I don't know about your movie theatres, but most around here are pretty strict with who goes in and out during the movie. We'd have to wait for a bit and miss most of the beginning to get in, which would make me sad.

I agree with boycotting it for possibly the first week and crashing their "box office smash hit." I really want to see the movie still considering it is my favorite book and the trailer was pretty amazing. I don't know how I am going to go about this yet, though I will say your idea was good, but I don't think I am going to take that route.

Boycotting Harry Potter-- sure... but the smart way? I strongly urge all fans not to resort breaking the law to see this movie. Besides, with so much strong feeling on the subject, I am sure many theatres will be prepared. I wouldn't be surprised if for the first month of release, extra ushers would be assigned to the sole duty of making sure people are going into the movies they paid to see.
I myself will not be boycotting-- why punish ourselves more? I intend to make myself feel better about this by seeing Harry in theatres only once (when I have seen all the others at least twice in theatres) and seeing Twilight (now being released November 21st) as many times as my budget and school schedule will allow just to show WB that the Fall is as good as summer as long as the movie is a good one.
Don't give in to Theatre Hopping!

Hey Greg? Ever hear the phrase 'if you haven't anything nice to say, don't say anything at all'? That applies here.
Please mind your internet manners, guys.

You do realize this is MY group right?
Smart one.

I'm glad you said something :-)

Lol, anytime. Last thing I want on here is people telling each other they deserve to die.

Lol just make sure you don't buy a ticket to another WB movie, it'll hurt them twice as much that way.

Kick him out! Who the hell does he think he is? Nasty, nasty piece of work.

I agree with you mostly. It's frustrating because I can't really see a way of hurting the owners without hurting the franchise that I love so much and myself.

I'm surely not going to be seeing any WB movies until HBP is release. If there's a united, coordinated fan effort pf not seeing HBP, then I'll follow through. But I'll make my decision on given time.

As far as Twilight goes, I'll see it once because I like the book. But going into hyper Twilight obsession won't hurt them either. Internationally, Twilight won't even touch HP. I live in Puerto Rico and here Twilight is somewhat of a mystery to people, and we are not even that international. LOL.

I want to get back at the WB, not the actors, even the producers and directors and/or any JKR related work.

What Adam is suggesting is illegal, and should not be done. HOWEVER, I do believe that fans should boycott opening weekend. The real reason that WB moved HBP to July 17th is because Dark Knight had a HUGE opening weekend that same date. WB will make the same amount they would have made in November, just will only get BAD press now about moving it, and no press about their opening weekend.

A lot of people have been saying they'll be boycotting the movie and watching it online when it comes out. It shouldn't take long at all for it to be put up.

That's a good idea. This way, it's making a stand and proving a point: Here they are thinking they're going to make more money by drastically changing the release date. But with so many people not paying to see it, they're going to lose money, whereas if they would have just left it the way it was, they'd have made more money.

If that makes any sense...

I guess what I'm trying to say, is because of this decision they let a potentially high-grossing movie (because we all know it would still make a huge profit regardless of when it is released) lose out on a lot of money - and that would not make them happy.

Way to type in all caps. I also like how you are claiming "True Harry Potter Fans" will ALL be attending the midnight showing. Those of us that don't aren't true fans because we would like to make an impact on their Opening Weekend box office numbers? Seriously. Are we gonna find out what happened before we see it or something, and ruin it for us, lol.

Besides, don't try to claim that someone such as myself isn't a "True Fan" because of this. That would be like me claiming someone such as yourself who was around 4 or 5 during the US release of the first book wasn't a True Fan because you didn't start Harry's journey with him at the same age (11), as some of us have.

There's a difference between being a fan of the literature, and another to be a drone buying into whatever WB wants to put out. If some of us would like to attempt making a difference, don't denounce us for it. Even if it may end up futile in the end.

:P

You realize the movie is DONE? There's no reason to wait, WB is doing it for money, and they flat out already said that. Why act like a sheep and claim that a real fan would sit around and say nothing?

i mean dont get me wrong im just as mad as the next person
i actually cried when i found out, but im just saying im not going to boycott this movie even though im pissed at warner brothers. why should the actors and jk rowling have to pay for greedy warner brothers mistake? they shouldnt. they all deserve better. thats why i will not cheat them. and that why i wlll be there at 12am july 17, 2009 saying thank you to them and also enjoying the book i have loved for over a decade. the end.

and actually jared i was around 10 or 11 when the series began
even though that was completely irrelevant
by the way nice comparison.

I think it's a good idea, but we have to make sure the other movie we buy the ticket to isn't a Warner Brothers movie too since there will be more than just HP out by them that summer.

If you're signing up to this type of Boycott make sure you pledge your allegance to not giving WB a penny of your money (for at least!) one week at Half-Blood Prince - The One Week Boycott :-)

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11400264945

Don't know if anyone has said it yet, but, why don't we all wait to see it after opening weekend. WB will be pissed when it doesn't hit the top that first weekend.

Idk about anyone else, but at my local movie theatre, they check ticket stubs at the exact theatre entrance at big films like this... I saw Dark Knight and Pineapple Express, and they had ushers checking tickets as you entered the theatre to make sure people didn't do exactly what you are trying to suggest.

I think WB has acted appallingly, but there is no possible way THAT will happen. All contracts have been signed, rights acquired, and scripts being written. WB would never consider letting a 2-movie gold mine like Deathly Hallows go unmade. Even with everything going on, Half-Blood Prince WILL be a success-- it's up to us to see how big of a success it will be.

As for movie seven, as long as they adhere to the original release dates, I myself will be quite pleased :-D

...
Are you being serious right now?
Yes, we're like spoiled little children, we misbehave, and we get our toy taken away?
I don't think so.
Point a being that - didn't they move this movie to make more money?
And how much money do they make by not making a seventh movie?
Yes, of course, how couldn't I have thought about THAT ???
I'm sorry you're just ridiculous, and honestly your comment wasn't needed. I don't think WE'RE the idiots in this situation.

at my movie theater for the previouses hp movies we have to stay in a line untill we get there and they ussualy stand at the door sooo wouldnt work.
plus taking peoples seats would not be cool.