17/03/2008

In a strategy akin to the Kill Bill films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final Potter book, will be released in two parts. Producer David Heyman finds it is difficult to accommodate the book’s 608 pages into a single film, saying, “You cannot remove elements of this book.”

The news is bound to translate into doubled box office for the lucrative franchise that has already grossed over £2.2bn for Warner Bros, making it the biggest franchise in history, beating Star Wars and James Bond. Fans of the books will be happy, as past Potter films have had to leave out parts of books due to length reasons.

Star Daniel Radcliffe said, “There have been compartmentalised subplots in the other books that have made them easier to cut - although those cuts were still to the horror of some fans. The seventh book doesn’t really have any subplots. It is one driving, pounding story from the word go.”

Warner Bros president Jeff Robinov, said that the split release was “the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice”.

David Yates, who will direct the final two films said, “I consider it a great privilege to continue to bring Jo’s (J.K. Rowling) extraordinary world to the screen, and to be the director to complete this epic and exhilarating journey.”

Warner Bros Entertainment Chief Operating Operator Alan Horn said, “This way, we have an extra hour and a half, at least, to celebrate what this franchise has been and do justice to all the words and ideas that Jo has put in the amazing story. This is the end of the story too. We want to celebrate it. We want to give a full meal.”

The first part of the film is due in November 2010, with part two scheduled for May 2011.