Warner Brothers "Apologizes" for the Harry Potter Move

Though Harry Potter fans have expressed deep feelings against the move of the sixth film, Warner Brothers wants you fans to know that they ruv yoo! Alan Horn, of Warner Brothers, has sent this (hysterical) apology to the fans. In it he lets them know that they're taking great care with the movie, but doesn't explain how moving it does that. Next he tries to sugar coat it by telling fans that the wait between the sixth and seventh film will be much shorter. Cute. Here's his message:

Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" to Summer 2009.

Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films. Over the past 10 years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability.

The decision to move "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans. We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

If I may offer a silver lining: there would have been a two-year gap between "Half-Blood Prince" and the much-anticipated first part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which opens in November 2010.
So although we have to wait a little longer for "Half-Blood Prince," the wait from that film until "Deathly Hallows" will be less than 18 months. I am sorry to have disappointed you now, but if you hold on a little longer, I believe it will be worth the wait.

Alan Horn
President, Chief Operating Officer
Warner Bros.

I'm not nearly as outraged as many Harry Potter fans, but reading this I feel like an infant being talked down by a war veteran grandfather explaining why its better to have a banana than a cookie. The message offers no comfort. Horn steers away from the fact that this decision was based on money (even though we all know) and gives us a "Christmas will come earlier" argument by pointing out the time span between the next two movies. Thank you. I can do math on my own.

Poll Results - Of The "Distant" Solo-Hero, Marvel Movies in the Works, Which Are You Most Excited For?

Though "Iron Man" was no match for "The Dark Knight," it seems the majority of the people who visit this blog (which is not many) would rather have him over any other Marvel character. The prospect of an "Iron Man 2" gets people more excited than any other Marvel flick, including "Spider-Man." Has the web-slinging hero been dethroned as the Marvel favorite?







"Iron Man 2" - 13 Votes - 56%

"Hulk 2" - 0 Votes - 0%

"Spider-Man 4/5" - 3 Votes - 13%

"Venom" - 2 Votes - 8%

"Thor" - 1 Vote - 4%

"Captain America" - 2 Votes - 8%

"Ant Man" - 2 Votes - 8%

I find it funny that "Ant Man" is getting more love than the poor Hulk. I also find it curious that "Venom" was voted over a "Hulk" sequel. Really? Venom? The Spider-Man sequels came in a not-so-victorious second and the others just pale in comparison to the love for Iron Man. Don't worry, the time is coming. An "Iron Man 2" will be in theaters faster than you think.

Voltron: Defending a Universe Near You

I remember last summer when the "Cloverfield" trailer debuted and people thought one of the things that the fleeing pedestrians yelled was, "It's a lion, it's huge!" This of course meant that it was a Voltron movie and nothing but a Voltron movie because how could anyone mishear what the pedestrians were saying? Surely no one thought the man was yelling, "It's alive, it's huge!" That would just be silly.
Well, January arrived and there was no Voltron in sight. Shame, no?

It did get me thinking though, after "Transformers" a Voltron movie couldn't be too far behind. Could it? My suspicions are confirmed. 20th Century Fox, in conjunction with Relativity Media, is setting up a moderate budget, big-screen adaptation of the anime series, "Voltron: Defender of the Universe." A story where five pilots control giant, robotic lions that form into the powerful Voltron in order to defend Earth from the evil King Zarkon. (Damn, 80s cartoons rock, no?)

The script is written by Justin Marks who has won praise over other scripts that are currently in production, such as "Supermax" the prison breakout, Green Arrow project, and an upcoming Street Fighter flick.

No word on when we can expect Voltron. It's said to be done in a cost-effective "300"-esque style. I can see a 2010 release not being out of the question.

Harry Potter Moved From November to July

Uh-oh. This is sure to set the Harry Potter fandom on fire. It seems that Warner Brothers has opted to move the sixth film from November of this fall, to July of next year. And we were so close... I thought changing the December date for "Star Trek" earlier this year was kinda mean, but at least the first release date wasn't as close as Harry Potter is.

With just three months away from its previous release date, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" has been moved due to Warner Brothers finding the summer as a bigger box office draw and to fill in gaps that the writer's strike left in its wake. The film will now be released July 17, 2009.

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me because the Harry Potter movies have always been a big draw at the box office in November. My take? Sounds like someone might be worried that James Bond will steal some box office receipts. Both had a November release, and I was quite excited about a hefty month of movies, but it appears we'll be settling for "Quantum of Solace."

As for the Potter fans... What can I say my friends? That blows.

"Gatchaman" Photos

Over a year ago it was reported that Image studios was creating a CG animated "Gatchaman" and "Astro Boy" movie. "Gatchaman" is a Japanese animated series based on a super hero task force. (Not quite like Power Rangers.) As the film draws closer to its release more photos are being put out. Below are three new screenshots from the upcoming "Gatchaman" film. Click to enlarge:





They're nothing extravagant, but it does look like a lot of work has been put in to this movie since last year. "Gatchaman" is awaiting release early 2009.

Maximum Ride Finds a Movie Scribe

Looks like Sony/Columbia Pictures is finally moving forward with the "Maximum Ride" film. Screenwriter Don Payne has been hired to write the movie adaptation of the best selling book series. His writing credits include the unimpressive "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend."

As reported before, Avi Arad, producer of many Marvel super hero films, will produce with book series writer James Patterson taking over as Executive Producer.

Avi Arad and Don Payne? Sounds like a big hit or miss right now. I was not impressed with "Rise of the Silver Surfer" in the least bit and I attribute the writing to most of that. Hopefully this guy gets his act together and decides to pull a rabbit out of his hat. "Maximum Ride," as I've stated before, is my favorite book series. (With the exception of the last book...) I truly hope it is treated with care by whatever director gets the script.

Still no shooting or release date. I doubt there will be one until the script is finished.

TRAILER - Winged Creatures

This film caught my attention recently. I wasn't too interested in it at first and then I saw the cast. The film stars Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale, Guy Pearce, Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Hudson and Guy Pearce. Did I mention Guy Pearce, man of men, is in this movie?

The story, which includes Guy Pearce, follows a group of individuals that survive a diner shooting. They slowly find that their lives have been changed and find their own means to recover from the traumatic event.

Yes, in typical fashion, this does sound like another indie flick hoping to get several nods at the Oscars-- But Guy Pearce is in it.

Seriously it does look quite good. I'd keep an out for this one:


The film was released at the LA Film Festival this past June. It is rumored for a limited release later this year.

Revealed Plot Information for Transformers 2 - Megatron Lives

Like it's a big surprise. According to CHUD Megatron will be resurrected by the Autobots in "Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen," to get information on a new villain who goes by the name of Fallen. (Egad, the title of the movie!) Further reports suggest that Megatron will not be an alien jet in the upcoming sequel.

I know what you're thinking. A gun. I doubt Bay would allow Megatron to become a giant hand gun like he did in the original series after spouting about how silly it is. Frankly, he is correct in this case. However, in later, truer incarnations of Megatron, his alternate form was a tank. I've alway found that very appropriate for Megatron and it should keep some fans from crying out because, lets face, a tank is basically a giant gun on wheels. One can hope.

No one knows what Megatron's alternate form will be, but, so far, it seems he will not return as Galvatron. I think this is a horrible misfire on Bay's part. Megatron's demise in the first movie was a fantastic set up for Galvatron, but right now it doesn't look like we'll be getting that Megatron upgrade.

In any case, the sequel to one of last years worst and most overrated movies is well in to production. For those excited, high-five someone while jumping in the air. Please? It makes me laugh.

Will Wolverine Appear in "The Avengers"?

Comic Con is over and the news is slowing down rapidly, but that doesn't mean a few tidbits leak hear and there. MTV asked Hugh Jackman, who wasn't scheduled to appear at Comic Con, but came anyway, if he was interested in "The Avengers" movie Marvel has slated for a 2011 release. His answer:

"Any movie with Robert Downey Jr. I want to be in. I’m open to it. I love playing this guy [Wolverine]. The great thing about Wolverine is he’s still a fun character. He’s a tortured soul but he’s always got a quip. He’s always got a line. He’s like Dirty Harry and Mad Max. These aren’t nice guys but they get the job done. He marches to the beat of his own drummer. That’s why I love playing him.”

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine with Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and Edward Norton's Hulk? Wow. Such a line up doesn't even need Captain America and Thor, but we all know we'll be getting them anyway. This is of course under rumor-control, but I'd like to see Jackman in "The Avengers." If Marvel was paying attention, I'd grab Jackman while he's still interested.

Hulk Round 2?

Though the box office reciepts weren't stellar and the movie isn't the greatest of the superhero franchise, "The Incredible Hulk" was a really fun gem that gave audiences a glimps at the real Hulk and the potential for a thought provoking franchise. It looks like Marvel sees this potential and will not let the Hulk go down without a fight.

Surprisingly,Kevin Feige, an executive at Marvel Studios, announced that the plan was to continue the series with Edward Norton. How about the source material from Marvel comics? Feige had a very interesting response for that:

"We still need to give the creative people room to stretch their legs. It's a hard balancing act. 'Planet Hulk' and 'World War Hulk' didn't have a lot to do with the movie, but it generated interest in the property."

"Planet Hulk?" "World War Hulk?" Now that doesn't mean it's going to happen, and I honestly have little faith that it would, but the prospect of the maybe is quite exciting.

The big question is, will Norton want to return? He was denied a writing credit, even though most of the first movie was rewritten by him, and he desperately fought for a cut of the film that didn't make it in theaters. (But we'll probably see it on DVD.) Those are some big things Marvel will have to reconcile with. Frankly, I think they should just let Norton direct the sequel.