Harry Potter 7 to be split into two parts

Recent reliable sources have revealed the stirring news that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final installment of the blockbuster franchise, might be split into two parts. The move has been forced by the inability of the directors to fit the long story into a single movie.

Although Rowling has written just seven books but the viewers will be treated to an extra treat because of another movie (extra treat for Warner Bros. as well in terms of box-office collections).

The decision has been precipitated because of the fact that there is so much to be fit in the movie that it might be better to split the project into two movies. There is a grand battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort that needs to be shown nicely.

And to add credibility to this latest news, JK Rowling has commented on her website, "It is simply impossible to incorporate every storyline into a film under four hours long."

I would make a take on this issue in probably the next post.

Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks-The Galactic Battle

A decade ago no one was close to Disney in the field of animation movies.

Then, along came an evangelist businessman, who was ousted from his own domain. But he happened to be a very smart leader. Steve Jobs was his name (if you haven't already guessed). He bought a bunch of maverick computer animators working in a pigeon-hole of George Lucas and made the company Pixar.

The next thing that happened was like reminiscient of the King of the Jungle thrown out of the jungle itself. Disney was on a run. Pixar created films like Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monster Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. These were 3-D generated and changed the rules of the game. Originally tied with Disney, Pixar soon became independent and flashed a beacon for change.

Then, Disney spilled the beans again. Michael Eisner (Disney CEO) failed to keep ties with Jefferey Katzenberg, who was probably the most important guy in Disney at the time and pretty much responsible for the successful tie between Disney and Pixar. Katzenberg left Disney.

And guess what?

He joined hands with none other than Steven Speilberg to incorporate Dreamworks. This was another 3-D animation company. And Katzenberg's business acumen started to make a serious threat to Pixar that was the undisputed leader in this field at that time. The Galactic Battle ensued.

On one side, Disney tried to regain its top seat by trying to usher into the relatively new field by growing its portfolio. Pixar continued to make good animation films using John Lasseter's storytelling abilities. But Dreamworks has certainly made the most of this opportunity. Initially, it created Antz but then, it found a great idea in The Shrek. The movie has been so successful that it has been ranked as the best animation movie ever created. And in the process, they found a franchise too. Shrek 2 and Shrek 3 rolled out and became huge successes. Recently, BeeMovie (Dreamworks) stole the show and they have Shrek 4 in assembly line as well.

Now, which studio has the greatest chance of winning in this intense battle?

Disney is a giant. But it's moving. Using its muscle, Disney is following a two-pronged strategy. On one side, it is creating blockbuster mainstream movies like the Pirates of the Carribean franchise and National Treasure while on the other side, it is developing the technology to beat the frontrunners in the field of 3-D animation.

Dreamworks has a similar strategy in place. Steven Spielberg is continuously churning out hit movies and on the other hand, Jeffrey Katzenberg is keeping the 3-D animation department in place.

Now, Pixar is in danger. The earnings have dried up a little and things are not looking as bright but you can't rule out Pixar. There is just one reason to it. Yep, that's Steve Jobs. He may still pull out something when he's not busy revolutionizing other industries. He can change the rules of the game again.

It would be interesting to see the battle unfold in the years to come and surely, the viewers would be treated to some special movies in this cosmic process.

Jackson for Potter 7

Now, since the rumours have subsided a little, I can return to the topic I was pursuing a few days ago. If you remember it was about Peter Jackson and his phenomenal directorial abilities. Click here to view that blogpost.

Now, it is quite phenomenal to see the heavyweight directors of Hollywood, whose names are popping up for the massive project of directing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Christopher Nolan and Guillermo Del Toro are the possible candidates for taking on this venture. The reason that is quite evident for considering them is their ability to make dark and tense movies like Batman Begins and Hellboy, respectively.

But I feel this is the wrong way to go about the job. With due respect to Mr Nolan and Mr Del Toro, I would like to point out that these two directors make movies comprising of dark-cinematography rather than actual dark movies. Their movies revolve around intensely dark night scenes and caves and dark lanes of a sleeping city. Now that’s good for Batman Begins and Hellboy but I don’t see such a direction style benefiting Harry Potter.

Harry Potter is a highly character-centric story where everything is focused on the central character i.e. Harry Potter. The spectacle of the wizarding world is there but it simply aids the characters rather than overshadow them. Harry Potter means intricate storyline, complex plot and a great friction among the characters as they clash in a battle of good vs evil.

Now, to show all that, you need a person who makes story the King. For me that’s Peter Jackson. He’s the guy who transformed such a lengthy novel (Lord of the Rings) into a stunning trilogy that would remain in the hall of fame for a long time. In Lord of the Rings trilogy, no matter how grand the spectacle is, the focus never moves away from the central characters. And that is the magic of Peter Jackson.

The other argument that goes in his favour is hidden in the book itself. JK Rowling wrote a book (Deathly Hallows) that has lots of similarities to Lord of the Rings. There are a lot of camping scenes and wanderings through the dark extent of the wizarding world. It’s not focused on a place (like Hogwarts) and comprises a global feel where Harry is forced to travel far and wide to destroy Lord Voldemort’s horcruxes. Now that’s a big hint in itself. Rowling wants her film to be like Lord of the Rings. So, who better to direct it than Peter Jackson?

I am not sure whether he (Jackson) would even be considered for the job because the Warner Bros. guys have a strange way of making such decisions. They probably don’t think like the viewers. But nevertheless, let’s hope for the best.

Rumour Has It!!!

Rumours are hot and running wild about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And what's more important to the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world than the director of Harry Potter 7?

A new rumour has sprang up. Probably, just probably, it might be that Christopher Nolan is going to direct Harry Potter 7.

Now, Christopher Nolan is an acclaimed director riding high on the enormous success of the brilliant movie Batman Begins (2005). Now, he's pretty much finished the work on The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins, which is going to release this summer.

That would be a great assignment for him post-The Dark Night and certainly, he's a crafty director. Born on 30 July 1970 in London, UK, he's come through leaps and bounds. He literally began making films at the age of seven from his father's 8 mm camera.

Now, he can surely make Harry Potter 7 into a dark spooky movie that it deserves to be. But the question still remains the same. Is it really so necessary to make Harry Potter 7 into a dark movie? The problem with guys like Nolan and Del Toro is that they use a certain extent of dark cinematography to create that appeal of darkness. But I feel, it's the script that inspires darkness and thrill to any movie.

Surely, however, the Warner Bros. people would know better. However, this discussion is not over. I had earlier mentioned about Peter Jackson being the right director for Harry Potter 7 and I won't let that argument pass. Click Here for an access to that blogpost. And I surely would come back with a vengeance with my point on this matter.

Del Toro can direct Harry Potter 7

It may be a rumour. And it may be truth as well. Guillermo del Toro may be the director of the much awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now that would be some achievement for the 43 year old Mexican Film Director.

Del Toro was born on October 9, 1964. He got involved in film-making when he was about eight years old. He formed his first feature in 1986.

Now, the question is what makes his appointment a possible thing. Probably, it's his inherent capability to make dark movies so effectively. He’s notably known for two movies Hellboy (2004) and Blade2 (2002) which belong to pretty dark sort of cinema. Now, Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows seems to naturally need such a director that can show the fear and horror of the storyline.

However, Alfonso Cuaron’s experiment in this matter was also not the most successful one. His idea of darkness certainly didn’t appeal much to the viewers. The story is dark enough and its correct portrayal will certainly be enough to appeal to Harry Potter fans.

Del Toro, however, has shown some interest in the project. Incidentally, he actually turned down the offer to direct Prisoner of Azkaban for Hellboy. Now, he seems quite inclined to drop Hellboy’s sequel for Deathly Hallows. After all, Harry Potter is sure to ring cash registers like hell as compared to Hellboy.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Poster

This is the Half-Blood Prince Poster for the movie promotion.

The tagline says 'I'm safe with you Harry.'

And below is the release date, which is not yet complete (11/2008)

The poster shows the entrance to the cave which houses the fake horcrux of Lord Voldemort

Who Should Direct Harry Potter 7?

Whether you like it or not, Harry Potter franchise is drawing to an end. It started in 2001 and after a long journey, we are through with five installments. Half-Blood Prince would be in theatres by November, 2008 and sometime in 2010, Deathly Hallows would be ringing box-office registers.

Harry Potter films have been directed by 4 different directors.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone-Christopher Columbus

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets-Christopher Columbus

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-Alfonso Cuaron

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire-Mike Newell

Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix-David Yates

Half Blood Prince is in the hands of David Yates himself and so, he would probably be riding high with delight at the moment. But the important question is-who should direct Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

Being probably the best book of the series, Deathly Hallows deserves something special. It has a classic epic sense to it. The best director, I feel, would be Peter Jackson. He's the master of such movies. He's a master of fitting finales. What he did for Lord of the Rings is a testimony to this fact? He can transform the entire appeal of the series with just one movie.

Warner Bros. should request him for this and try and get him on board at least for the final installment. In the future blogs I would enquire into why he can make that movie special?