Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Yates |
| Written by | Novel: J.K. Rowling Screenplay: Steve Kloves |
| Produced by | David Heyman David Barron |
| Starring | Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint Emma Watson |
| Distributed by | Warner Brothers |
Release dates | 21 November, 2008 (scheduled) |
| Country |  United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be the sixth film in the Harry Potter films series, based on the novel by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Production is in planning stages. David Yates, the director of the fifth film, will return as director for this film.[1] David Heyman, the film's producer, along with David Barron,[2] has said that Steve Kloves, though not writing the fifth movie, will return as screenwriter for this film.[3] Casting for some returning actors has taken place: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, who have portrayed Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, respectively, for the first five films, will all return for this installment as well as the seventh.[2] The film is scheduled for a US and UK release on 21 November 2008.[4]
Synopsis
Harry Potter enters his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lord Voldemort and his "Death Eaters" openly wreak chaos throughout Britain. Following public outcry over Cornelius Fudge's mishandling of the Voldemort situation, he is sacked, and is succeeded by Rufus Scrimgeour as the new Minister for Magic. As a result, Arthur Weasley receives a promotion following the set-up of several new offices. The new windfall greatly improves the family's financial situation.
At his home in Spinner's End, Severus Snape receives a visit from Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa and her sister, Bellatrix Lestrange. Narcissa swears Snape to an Unbreakable Vow, ensuring he will protect Draco and, should her son fail, complete his mission for the Dark Lord.
As school begins, Snape is announced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. With unwitting help from Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore has persuaded retired teacher, Horace Slughorn, to resume his old Potions position.
Because Slughorn only requires students to have a minimum "E" grade ("Exceeds Expectations") in O.W.L. exams for N.E.W.T. Potion classes, Harry and Ron are now able to sign up. Slughorn lends Harry an old textbook marked as the property of "The Half-Blood Prince." The talented former owner's handwritten notes help Harry excel in the class, gaining a reputation worthy of Hermione. As a reward, Slughorn gives him a small vial of Felix Felicis, a good luck potion.
Suspecting Malfoy may be a Death Eater, Harry confides his suspicions to Dumbledore, who appears unconcerned, as do Ron and Hermione. Later it is revealed that Dumbledore entrusted Snape to investigate.
Just when Ron and Hermione seem on the verge of a relationship, Ron begins dating Lavender Brown — although it is mostly to spite Hermione, who, Ron learned, kissed Viktor Krum. Ron and Hermione continually bicker until Ron is accidentally poisoned. Hermione is so distraught that she and Ron end their feud, and Ron soon breaks up with Lavender.
Dumbledore begins giving Harry private lessons using his Pensieve to view collected memories about Voldemort's past. A memory belonging to Slughorn is partially missing. Aided by the Felix Felicis potion, Harry retrieves the missing portion from him. Dumbledore speculates that Voldemort split his soul into seven parts, storing six pieces in Horcruxes to grant himself immortality, while leaving the seventh in his body. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed (Tom Riddle's diary by HarryTemplate:HP2 and Marvolo Gaunt's ring by Dumbledore).
After this time, Harry and Ginny Weasley begin a relationship.
As Harry and Dumbledore leave to find another Horcrux (Salazar Slytherin's locket), Harry leaves the rest of his Felix Felicis to Ron, Hermione and Ginny, for he suspects that Draco Malfoy is up to something again. Giving them swift instructions to patrol the corridors, Harry disapparates with Dumbledore to a secret, hidden cave. Upon retrieving the Horcrux, Dumbledore is seriously weakened. Returning to the castle, they find Lord Voldemort's Dark Mark hovering over Hogwarts. They are ambushed by Draco Malfoy atop the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore paralyzes Harry, who is hidden under his Invisibility Cloak, just before Draco disarms him. Draco reveals that he helped the Death Eaters enter Hogwarts, although Dumbledore discerns that the obviously frightened boy was coerced into aiding Voldemort's followers.
Death Eaters appear and urge Draco to fulfil his mission—killing Dumbledore—but Draco hesitates. Snape arrives; Dumbledore pleads with Snape, though it is unclear exactly what he is pleading for. Snape, at the end of the plea, kills Dumbledore with the Avada Kedavra killing curse. The force of the spell hurls Dumbledore's body over the tower wall. Upon Dumbledore's death, Harry is freed from the spell Dumbledore placed on him. The Death Eaters flee, and Harry pursues Snape, who identifies himself as the Half-Blood Prince in a short-lived duel before escaping with Malfoy.
Harry recovers the locket from Dumbledore's body only to discover it is a fake. Inside is a note from someone with the initials "R.A.B.". The real Horcrux has been stolen and will be destroyed with the hope that when Voldemort meets his match he "will be mortal once more."
The school year ends abruptly with Dumbledore's funeral. Professor McGonagall is appointed Hogwarts' interim headmistress, although the school may remain closed. Regardless, Harry decides to leave Hogwarts to search for the remaining Horcruxes. Hermione and Ron vow to accompany him, while Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort. The book ends with Harry's heart lifting at the thought that there will be one last golden day with his friends — at Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding — before he has to face the task that lies ahead.
Production
Search for a director
Before David Yates was officially chosen to helm the film,[1] many others had been offered the job, and previous directors had expressed an interest in returning.[4] Director of the first and second Potter films Chris Columbus said he would return as director if, and only if, the actors he originally cast as the trio (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson) were not replaced for this film.[5] Subsequent reports confirmed these three actors' returns, though Columbus made no comment before Yates was chosen.[2] Alfonso Cuarón, the director of the third film, Prisoner of Azkaban, has said he "would love to have the opportunity" to return.[6] Goblet of Fire director Mike Newell declined a spot to direct the fifth film, and there were no reports that he was approached for this film.[7]
Terry Gilliam was Rowling's personal choice to direct Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. However, when asked whether he would consider directing a later film, Gilliam said, "Warner Bros. had their chance the first time around, and they blew it."[8] Matthew Vaughn and James McTeigue had reportedly been approached as well.[9] M. Night Shyamalan was also asked at one point, but has since declined the position,[9] and said that he would like to try his own hand at writing an adaptation of a book before attempting to take on Harry Potter.[10] Access Hollywood reported that Michael Hoffman was in talks to direct,[11] though the rumor was confuted within a few days.[12]
On 13 November, WB announced that nobody was in negotiations to direct.[13] It had been repeatedly reported that around Christmas 2006, Warner Bros. would make a decision regarding the director,[9][11] but not until May 2007 was Yates announced as the director. Yates is the second director, after Columbus, to direct more than one film in the series.
Filming
Filming is scheduled to start in September 2007.[14] Some sources have rumored that filming may move from the UK, where all of the previous five films have been shot. This is North Scotland reported filming will take place in New Zealand, due to the "more agreeable economy and climate" and lack of Scottish funding.[15] The Sunday Business Post in Ireland has noted that the film's producers and WB executives have been scouting there, specifically Leinster and Munster because they "believe they have now exhausted possible locations in Britain." They are "particularly keen on Ireland, as the landscape is similar to Britain and will appear similar to the settings of the previous films."[16] It is also confirmed that the crew are now scouting around Cape Wrath in Scotland for the cave scene.
Set design
As of February 2007, Stuart Craig has been designing sets for the film, including the astronomy tower where the climax of the film takes place.[17]
Cast
Confirmed
The following actors have stated they will return for this film.
| Role | Actor/ Actress | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter | Daniel Radcliffe | Warner Bros. officially announced on 23 March 2007; Radcliffe will return for this film as well as the seventh. | [2] |
| Ron Weasley | Rupert Grint | Warner Bros. officially announced on 23 March 2007; Grint will return for this film as well as the seventh. | [2] |
| Hermione Granger | Emma Watson | Warner Bros. officially announced on 23 March 2007; Watson will return for this film as well as the seventh. | [2] |
| Uknown (cameo) | Sanjaya Malakar | On June 8, 2007, it was announced through CNN that he would appear in the film.| [18][19] | |
| Draco Malfoy | Tom Felton | Has a "penciled-in contract", though not "set in stone." Claims he will do the seventh film if he can. | [20] |
Expressed interest in returning
The following list of actors have stated publicly that they have some interest in returning. However, there have been no announcements from the producers or the studio whether their character will be written in to the screenplay or if the actor will return.
Additionally, Robbie Coltrane, the actor who plays Rubeus Hagrid, has said that J. K. Rowling has told him certain details about Hagrid's fate which she has not otherwise revealed.[29]
Previous roles
The following lists actors who have, in a previous film, filled a role that recurs in the novel. No information on their return in Half-Blood Prince has been confirmed, however. Characters may be recast or removed from the screenplay adaptation.
Characters to be cast
- Caractacus Burke
- Mrs. Cole
- Fenrir Greyback
- Members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team
- Marvolo Gaunt
- Merope Gaunt
- Morfin Gaunt
- Hokey (voice)
- Kreacher (voice) (whose voice actor for Order of the Phoenix is still undetermined)[30]
- Narcissa Malfoy
- Cormac McLaggen
- Prime Minister of England
- Bob Ogden
- Tom Riddle Sr.
- Tom Riddle (child)
- Rufus Scrimgeour
- Horace Slughorn
- Hepzibah Smith
- Wilkie Twycross
- Romilda Vane
- Bill Weasley
- Blaise Zabini
Casting news
There have been recent auditions taking place in England, though reports would not state which role the audition was for. The role is believed to be that of a young Tom Riddle, though no specific age was revealed. The actor who auditioned for the role reportedly went to school with screenwriter Steve Kloves, making him about 47.[31] In Chamber of Secrets, sixteen year-old Tom was played by Christian Coulson.
Recent rumours have suggested that Naomi Watts has been cast as Draco Malfoy's mother, Narcissa Malfoy.[32]
Bill Nighy has expressed interest in appearing in this film. Friends with director David Yates, he "joked with him that maybe now I wouldn't be the only actor in England who hadn't been in Harry Potter." However, there has been no report from Warner Bros. or Yates that Nighy will be seriously considered for a role.[33]
References
- ^ a b Spelling, Ian (2007-05-03). "Yates Confirmed For Potter VI". Sci Fi Wire. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e f "Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson to Reprise Roles in the Final Two Installments of Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter Film Franchise". Warner Bros. 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ Fienberg, Daniel (2004-11-16). "Screenwriter will sit out one 'Potter'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
- ^ a b "Confirmed: HBP movie release date". MuggleNet. 2006-08-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Movie 5: The Search for a Director". Veritaserum. Retrieved 2006-05-04.
- ^ "Alfonso Cuaron To Return To Harry Potter?". JewReview.net. 2006-11-18. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Daly, Steve (2007-04-06). "'Phoenix' Rising". Entertainment Weekly. p. 28. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Carroll, Larry (2006-10-16). "Terry Gilliam On Depp, 'Potter' And The Film He Panhandled To Promote". MTV. Retrieved 2006-10-16.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Rumours: HBP director; OOTP trailer, duration, scene info". Harry Potter Fan Zone. 2006-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Douglas, Edward (2006-07-10). "A Good Night for Harry Potter?". Coming Soon.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Franklin, Garth (2006-11-02). "Hoffman Directs Sixth "Harry Potter"?". Dark Horizons. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "WB: Hoffman Not Half-Blood Prince Director". The Leaky Cauldron. 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
- ^ "Yates not set to direct Movie 6". MuggleNet. 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2006-11-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Dan signed on for last two films". MuggleNet. 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
- ^ "No Scottish Funding Sends Film Production Overseas". This is North Scotland. 2006-09-08. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Harry Potter scenes set to be shot in Ireland". The Sunday Business Post. 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Smith, Sean (2007-02-17). "Now, Watch Very Carefully". Newsweek. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ [[Sanjaya Malakar
- ^ cnn.com
- ^ "Video interview with Tom Felton". 2006 World Junior Carp Championship. 2006-8-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Interview with Christian Coulson about "COS and HBP"". BBC Newsround. 2006-02-23. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "NR chats to GOF's Patil twins". BBC Newsround. 2005-11-17. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Soon I'll be known for playing blind mutes". The Telegraph. 2006-06-28. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Transcript of Q&A chat with Matthew Lewis". MuggleNet. 2005-08-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "NR chats to GOF's Clemence Poesy". BBC Newsround. 2005-11-17. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "New Chris Rankin interview". MuggleNet. 2007-05-08. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2006-06-30). "Maggie will bewitch us on stage". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Roberts, Genevive (2006-04-05). "Love on instinct; David Thewlis, co-star of the new Sharon Stone movie, tells Genevive Roberts how his relationship with Anna Friel restored his passion for acting". The Independent. p. 40.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Edwards, Fiona (2005-12-09). "Hagrid absent from 'Potter' 5?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Adler, Shawn (2006-10-06). "Elf's Absence From Next 'Harry Potter' Flick Opens Up Plot Questions". MTV. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
- ^ "Icelandic actor auditions for Harry Potter". Iceland Review. 2007-04-17. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Weinberg, Scott (2007-05-07). "Naomi Watts to Be Nasty in "Harry Potter 6"?". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ O'Sullivan, Michael (2007-05-25). "Underneath It All, He's Still Bill Nighy". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
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