In a move that highlights the crucial strategic role played by global day-and-date releases, Warner Bros has pushed back Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince from November 21 to July 17 2009.
The sixth episode in the studio's highly successful children's fantasy franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets and gives the Warner Bros the summer global behemoth it had been looking for next year. Terminator Salvation is scheduled to open on May 22, however Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute overseas.
President and COO Alan Horn said the film 'perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer' and also cited the writers' strike earlier this year as a factor, which 'impacted the readiness of scripts for other films -- changing the competitive landscape for 2009.'
The studio had hoped to release a Justice League film next summer, however the strike meant a script will not be ready in time. Further news on that title is expected when Warner Bros unveils plans about how to exploit its wholly owned DC Comics label.
Warner Bros Motion Picture Group president Jeff Robinov said the change did not affect the production schedule for The Half-Blood Prince or the two-part finale of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
'We know Harry Potter fans are eagerly anticipating seeing the final chapters unfold onscreen,' Robinov said. 'In fact, the good news for them is that the gap will now be shortened between Half-Blood Prince and the first part of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows [which is due to open on November 19 2010.]
The sixth episode in the studio's highly successful children's fantasy franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets and gives the Warner Bros the summer global behemoth it had been looking for next year. Terminator Salvation is scheduled to open on May 22, however Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute overseas.
President and COO Alan Horn said the film 'perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer' and also cited the writers' strike earlier this year as a factor, which 'impacted the readiness of scripts for other films -- changing the competitive landscape for 2009.'
The studio had hoped to release a Justice League film next summer, however the strike meant a script will not be ready in time. Further news on that title is expected when Warner Bros unveils plans about how to exploit its wholly owned DC Comics label.
Warner Bros Motion Picture Group president Jeff Robinov said the change did not affect the production schedule for The Half-Blood Prince or the two-part finale of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
'We know Harry Potter fans are eagerly anticipating seeing the final chapters unfold onscreen,' Robinov said. 'In fact, the good news for them is that the gap will now be shortened between Half-Blood Prince and the first part of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows [which is due to open on November 19 2010.]
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