Confirmed: Deathly Hallows to Be Split Into Two Films

Posted by Nathan Deen (nathan@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 12, 2008

The cash cow that is Harry Potter just got even bigger. The Los Angeles Times has confirmed that Warner Bros. and the film’s producers will announce on Thursday during a presentation at ShoWest in Las Vegas that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book of the seven part series by J.K. Rowling, will be divided into two films to be produced concurrently.

Producer David Heyman has said that the films will be simply titled Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. Part I will be released in November of 2010 and Part II will follow in May of 2011; sort of what the Matrix franchise did a few years ago.

David Yates, the former British TV director who showed he absolutely has what it takes to handle a popular blockbuster franchise with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will finish out the rest of the series as helmer. Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who has penned all Harry Potter films except for Order of the Phoenix will also write the remaining films.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe (Potter himself) couldn’t be more pleased with this development.

“I think it’s the only way you can do it without cutting out a huge portion of the book,” said Radcliffe on the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due in theaters on Nov. 21

Heyman concurred with this statement and said, “Unlike every other book, you cannot remove scenes from this book. You can remove scenes of Ron playing quidditch from the fifth book and you can remove Hermonie and S.P.E.W. (Socitey for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare) and those subplots…but with the seventh, that can’t be done.”

Although Heyman wasn’t sure about what J.K. Rowling would have to say about the decision, he did get her stamp of approval.

“I went to Jo and she was cool with,” said Heyman, “and that is quite a relief.”

Now that the decision to split The Deathly Hallows into two movies has been made, Heyman said that it raises an important question.

“The question will be, where do you break it?” said Heyman. “And how do you make it not one, but two separate stories? Do you break it with suspense or a moment of resolution? These are the interesting challenges. But each book has presented its challenges.”

The split should come as no surprise since the rumors have been going on for several months now. The Deathly Hallows is one of the longest books in the series and might be the most difficult to film. I agree with the statements made by both Radcliffe and Heyman. I think it’s great that they’re not taking chances to do the final installment injustice by cramming everything into one movie. Plus, you just can’t have enough Potter. It is, in my opinion, the best fantasy series next to the Lord of the Rings to ever be put to celluloid.

I was also pleased to hear that Kloves isn’t planning anymore breaks and is scripting the films, but I’m skeptical about whether or not they should’ve looked for another director. Not that I don’t think Yates can’t handle the reigns, I absolutely do, but I liked it when the franchise was bringing aboard new directors with their own unique visions.

Financially, this was a no-brainer especially since Harry Potter is probably the most successful franchise of the decade, grossing $4.5 billion dollars worldwide thus far. So why not release an eighth film and rake in another $300,000,000? It’s likely to be even more than that.

Sound Off: What do you think about the decision to split The Deathly Hallows into two separate films?

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Jessica Rogers

As a tried and true Harry Potter nerd, I am thrilled that they are splitting them up!! Anything else would have ruined the stories...I just hope that they leave us with a hell of a cliff hanger.

Michelle Graham

I agree, it's a brilliant move and one I was really hoping they'd confirm the rumours about. My only question is where are they going to split it?! They've got to walk back some stuff they left out of earlier books to explain parts of book 7, so I hope they're already doing that in book 6's adaptation and not leaving all the explanation to the final installment.

It's obvious that people who aren't fans (and possibly some who are) are going to see this as nothing more than a cynical attempt to milk extra profits out of an already expansive franchise, but for those who are truly attached to the characters and the stories, it's fantastic news. Bring it on! Also, I need to go back to Florida when Universal opens the Harry Potter section.

brent

this book should have been split in two, until page 360 it had nothing to do with the deathly hallows, the book is essentially 1 book until then, then a different book after it.

kudos, wonderful idea

anybody

"David Yates, the former British TV director who showed he absolutely has what it takes
to handle a popular blockbuster franchise with Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix, will finish out the rest of the series as helmer".

THIS IS WEAK, that is the weakest part about the whole thing, i personally think i messed
up the order of the phoenix, it was one of the longest books but by far the shortest
movie, and in his interviews he said he liked it htat way, but the week thing is he cut out
all the tight stuff from the book. all the tight rooms with crazy stuff in them, but of
course as money goes it is a great idea to cut the last two into 2 dif. movies that way less
stuff gets cut. hopefully after he messes up the next movie they will switch directors. but
until then this is all we have to lok forward too.

veronica

i think it's a good idea cause they cut alot out on the 5th film so i think its a great idea, and i think they should have a new director directing the last film.

Alex

I was thrilled when I learned they would be splitting the last book. There is too much to that book, nothing can afford to gt left out.
I actually re-read the book to try and figure out where they would cut it. I feel it will either be when Ron returns or when they discover the hallows.. but that's just me.

Also, I am extremely excited for the opening of the Harry Potter island at Islands of Adventure and will most likely be driving there the first day. Being the HP nerd that I am.

Gracie

I am very glad that they've decided to split it. I actually heard a rumor that the split would either come after Ron's return and the saving of Harry from the icy pool, or after the trio go to Xeno Lovegood's house..thought i'd let you know that! what do we think?

gabbyz

i am SOOOOOOO excited for the next movie! the half blood prince was amazing!!!

Confirmed: Deathly Hallows to Be Split Into Two Films

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