Warner Bros and the Half-Brained Decision

Logo in the clouds and head way in the clouds...

Ok, let's talk film. Huge news today in Hollywood. Huge, lifestyle changing news. From Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has now been moved to summer. Whoa! I know. That was a Keanu Reeves WHOA! It was slated to be released November 21st, the coveted spot before Thanksgiving. That's a Golden Spot! You think that would be enough. But no. What have I been saying this whole summer? No, The other thing! That's right my educated film fans! Everyone wants to be The Dark Knight. Harry Potter 6 is moved now to July 17th 2009, the same date basically as The Dark Knight this year. These Warner Execs are so out of touch, they think the release date itself is charmed. How hilarious is that?

The Dark Knight, and I am really getting tired of saying this, is a great film. That is why it is making gazillions! If it was a good film or a really good film, it would not make a gazillion. Indiana Jones 4 is not a great film, it wasn't even a really good film, it was just a good film. Iron Man is a really good film. Dark Knight is a great film. If Harry Potter is a good film or a really good film, it still will not make the numbers The Dark Knight did. It needs to be a Great film. And let us not forget that interest in The Dark Knight was propelled because of the very premature death of a very young and gifted actor.

I am going to say this again. Deep down inside the black heart of Warner Execs, they wish they could have the death of one of the actors to help film sales. If you are naive and say, "No, Jeff, that's unthinkable. Execs don't want that!" Well they do. I guarantee it. If, and please God Forbid, something tragic like that did happen, they would have to act mournful. However, again if one of those young and talented actors met a unthinkable (to us) demise, execs would party at the Mansion. I am telling you 100% that is true. They are proving my theory as we speak. They made a more realistic and darker trailer, check. They did a re-edit to tighten it up two months ago, check and now, they moved their date to where the Dark Knight is now! They are dying to be the new Dark Knight. They are not the only ones. All of Hollywood has Dark Knight fever. It's all about the dark realism tent pole. Don't let anyone fool you. So don't think for a minute that deep down inside execs don't wish for a tragic death to propel this film. Think of all the money they will make.

Why do I harp on this? Well because I want you to know how shallow and heartless these people are. I want you to know that the people that run Hollywood, don't care about the audience, more less, than about the film makers themselves. All they care about is the bottom line. Why? Because they have no talent to fall back on like we do.

I also think that Warner Bros wanted to rework the film even more to make it realistic. It's a dual opportunity here. They get to wear the bat suit next summer and they get more time to work on the film. Another actually pretty good reason to do this is to build momentum for the last films. If you release it Dec, the DVD comes out summer 09 and you still have a whole year before the final two films (summer 2010 and 2011). This way you release it summer 09, DVD in November 09, the first of the final films now only six months away (summer 2010). That way you can really build it up and not lose any momentum of interest.

Well however way you cut it, its a bad idea. They are doing exactly what Walden media did with Prince Caspian, they are moving it from a sure thing to a place where they have no business being. Christmas is perfect for a Harry Potter. It was made for that time slot. It a family film. Families go see it. And now they are removing the family element and making something it is not. Its a tragic move. Forcing it to summer will be and mark my words, a big mistake. The funny thing about Hollywood is that they learn from other's success, but they don't learn from other's failure. Warner is making a huge mistake that will cost them millions. They will make the bottom line, but they will miss the family film Holiday experience. It will make slightly less than what they could have made if they just stayed true to themselves and not chased the Batman. Until tomorrow, let's talk film!