Warner Bros. Names 'Harry Potter' Global Franchise Development Team
Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, will lead the team.
LONDON – Warner Bros. Entertainment on Wednesday said that it has created the Harry Potter Global Franchise Development (HPGFD) team, based in both London and Burbank.
The news follows last year's announcement that the studio had formed an expanded creative partnership with J.K. Rowling.
The team will be led by Josh Berger, president and managing director, Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland and Spain, who now adds the title of president of the new team to his current role.
It's rumoured that the films will start production on January so by that reckoning we should get a director and cast announcement very soon. I personally hope they also confirm some of the other people working on the movie I want to know if Stuart Craig is back.
David Yates in talks to helm the first installment in J.K. Rowling's new Harry Potter-themed series
No deal has been made but insiders confirm both sides are in negotiations.
Warner Bros. announced the Harry Potter-themed project last September with J.K. Rowling, author of the hit franchise, making her screenwriting debut.
Set in New York roughly seven decades before Harry Potter’s saga starts, “Fantastic Beasts” is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and follows the adventures of its author, Newt Scamander.
“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world,” Rowling has said of the trilogy.
A production schedule for “Beasts” has yet to be worked out as Yates is currently filming the “Tarzan” reboot until November, but insiders confirm the director has agreed to return.
“Fantastic Beasts” will hit theaters Nov. 18, 2016.
According to sources, the studio had always wanted to approach a person who was familiar with the “Harry Potter” landscape, having also gone out to Alfonso Cuaron, who helmed “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
Director of the last four films in the franchise, Yates’ involvement was a no brainer for WB. The move draws comparisons to other directors like Peter Jackson returning for “The Hobbit” and Sam Mendes on “James Bond,” who at first insisted they were done with a certain franchise but ultimately came back to a piece of material they comfortable tackling again.
The eight “Harry Potter” movies -– which began in 2001 and concluded in 2011 –- grossed more than $7 billion worldwide for Warner Bros., making it the highest grossing film franchise of all time.
The studio has already said “Fantastic Beasts” would be developed across the studio’s digital, consumer-products and gaming units, including links to Pottermore.com, Rowling’s digital online experience built around the Potter books.
And imagine what it will be with Yates and Rowling working together. If Yates managed to bring gold from Kloves's scripts, filled with dumb ideas, pseudofanfictions, and other stuff, working with the source itself it will be amazing.
I hate the vision of Magic World of Yates. He make all so modern and magicless. Befor say the trylogi sucks I prefer to see the films. But I want someone else. I think confrim is near!
I hate the vision of Magic World of Yates. He make all so modern and magicless. Befor say the trylogi sucks I prefer to see the films. But I want someone else. I think confrim is near!
I think the source material called for this more than anything though.
I'm with those not excited about Yates coming back. I think the movies are heavily invested in creatures and beasts that Yates has not touch or shown a competence to in the 4 films that he did. There were plenty of opportunities to show some creature feature in the movies even the Creatures DVD section on the ultimate editions featured beasts that were in the first 4 films and not that many, maybe the thestrals, in the latter 4. Maybe doing the Tarzan movie would help, but I don't know the synopsis of this reimagination of theirs and whether it'll stand against the current high special effects movies that has come out in the past years...
"They love to hate, and I don’t care; let them hate. They’re still going to see the movie!"
Yates is a good director but I can't forgive him for Half Blood Prince, and Part 2 of DeathlyHallows verges on the sufficiency. Despite this, I have good hopes for the first film od Beasts. But that's it. We want new faces please WB!!!!!
I am wondering whether it was David Yates' choice to put some Jazz-esque music in HBP there are a few tracks that definitely could fit into the 1920's mainly Wizard Wheezes and Slug party. If it was David's choice maybe he could fit the aesthetic of the 1920's well.
I would like this film to have both a new and familiar feeling to them at the same time. If there is one thing I would like them to keep in the film it would be the Warner Bros. cloud logo at the start as that was very iconic. I do expect them to get rid of Hedwigs theme though.
I am interested to see the costume work I don't think it will differ much from the Harry Potter films in the aspect as some of the clothing seemed to fit the 1920's era at times, a lot of Narcissa's outfits seemed to be inspired by 1920-40's fashion.
I am interested to see the costume work I don't think it will differ much from the Harry Potter films in the aspect as some of the clothing seemed to fit the 1920's era at times, a lot of Narcissa's outfits seemed to be inspired by 1920-40's fashion.
Yes, and in a way, I don't see fashion in the Wizarding World as something that is constantly changing. Proof is that they still wear very unpractical robes. I think J.K. Rowling had an entry on this on Pottermore?
Same. I think that they'll want some continuity with having certain crew members besides Yates. t least, it won't be as divisive as Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, since it's a new trilogy with a new story, and not a book based one.
"They love to hate, and I don’t care; let them hate. They’re still going to see the movie!"
Yates is a good director but I can't forgive him for Half Blood Prince, and Part 2 of DeathlyHallows verges on the sufficiency. Despite this, I have good hopes for the first film od Beasts. But that's it. We want new faces please WB!!!!!
This is what had me so disheartened when I heard the news of Yates. At the time, when I was young and oblivious I was in full fan mode "YESSS FANTASTIC MOVIES YAAAAS". Well, now that I'm older and wiser I sit back and I have to skip many parts of most of the films besides POA and OOTP. HBP Literally serves no purpose in terms of storytelling besides the final twenty minutes. I'll keep all these opinions to myself and If you love them all that's fine. This isn't a post to attack any soul, it's mainly for me to vent about the possibilities of the future.
This isn't all of Yates' fault however. There are the producers. David "lets cut this scene because it looks like its out of Saw" Heyman. More than likely David Barron - which as far as in interviews he comes off as a basic minded person along for the ride. The only thing that has me pumped is that Jo is writing this. I hope it ends up appealing to the masses and creates a new era of storytelling without a castle and trio. She has so many artistic liberties and freedoms that I do have faith in the writing because she has a complete hold on her creations. Granted this is her first time writing a script as well but I'm more than positive it will go well. I have faith in her. It's just the direction I'm worried about...and if they get talentless hacks like Nicholas Hooper (seriously. I never looked at his IMDB until today and how the fuck did he get handed the rights to HP?! "oh I've shot a few nature documentaries. I'm perfect" Give his tracks ten more years and they will be dated, not timeless like the works of Williams or Desplat) or the ever popular Mark Day. Let's not even go there.
I hope...I genuinely hope Yates cant hand over whoever he's worked with before again onto one of the biggest Book/Film/Etc properties in human existence. This is my point. Looking back on all of the films, there was such a potential for the highest of quality. I feel like we got that with parts of films 1,3, & 7.5. The rest I am not so kind on any longer. GOF and HBP are the worst in my eyes. I cannot even watch most of the films anymore...I don't know gang. Maybe I just lost touch with being a fan, maybe I grew up, maybe I just don't care any longer. The 1-7.5 series doesn't make me happy any longer. I've shouted out enough of my boisterous opinions on the matter. I just hope as the announcements for cast and crew start coming out we start seeing something fresh. Keep Stuart Craig, Desplat, and a couple of others. However if we get Hooper, Mark Day, etc then I will begin to get very worried. This is a new series so it should feel fresh yet a taste of the familiar. Please Yates don't fuck this up. lol
I have been thinking about David Yates a lot coming on to this project and I harkened back to the initial press release from JK Rowling, she talks about the Laws and Customs of the hidden magical society, David Yates could be a perfect choice for this because his movies were the more politically focused of the franchise with the Ministries customs being introduced and politics being more explored partially in OOTP and DH1.
Yates is a safe choice. He is a competent director. Most of the problems with the latter films were related to the scripts. Sometimes Rowling made it difficult for the filmmakers too. For instance the story in HBP feels better suited for a book than a film, so I wouldn't blame Yates too much for the supposedly aimless storytelling in the film until the last act when the book had the exact same story structure. However I must say I like HBP. It's not the best story of the lot, but it's good fun to watch and the last 30 minutes or so are excellent. Visually it has a unique style of its own, which is lacking in many blockbusters. In that regard it was a step up from OOTP; although I liked Yates' use of symmetry in that film and the newspapers montages to give the film a particular visual style, I felt the movie utilized too many cinematic cliches. They were effective enough, but when you watch it over and over they lose their impact and just feels trite compared to more original filmmaking.
Comments
Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, will lead the team.
LONDON – Warner Bros. Entertainment on Wednesday said that it has created the Harry Potter Global Franchise Development (HPGFD) team, based in both London and Burbank.
The news follows last year's announcement that the studio had formed an expanded creative partnership with J.K. Rowling.
The team will be led by Josh Berger, president and managing director, Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland and Spain, who now adds the title of president of the new team to his current role.
WB is not done with HP yet.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-harry-potter-722231?utm_source=twitter
No deal has been made but insiders confirm both sides are in negotiations.
Warner Bros. announced the Harry Potter-themed project last September with J.K. Rowling, author of the hit franchise, making her screenwriting debut.
Set in New York roughly seven decades before Harry Potter’s saga starts, “Fantastic Beasts” is based on the Hogwarts textbook of the same name and follows the adventures of its author, Newt Scamander.
“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world,” Rowling has said of the trilogy.
A production schedule for “Beasts” has yet to be worked out as Yates is currently filming the “Tarzan” reboot until November, but insiders confirm the director has agreed to return.
“Fantastic Beasts” will hit theaters Nov. 18, 2016.
According to sources, the studio had always wanted to approach a person who was familiar with the “Harry Potter” landscape, having also gone out to Alfonso Cuaron, who helmed “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
Director of the last four films in the franchise, Yates’ involvement was a no brainer for WB. The move draws comparisons to other directors like Peter Jackson returning for “The Hobbit” and Sam Mendes on “James Bond,” who at first insisted they were done with a certain franchise but ultimately came back to a piece of material they comfortable tackling again.
The eight “Harry Potter” movies -– which began in 2001 and concluded in 2011 –- grossed more than $7 billion worldwide for Warner Bros., making it the highest grossing film franchise of all time.
The studio has already said “Fantastic Beasts” would be developed across the studio’s digital, consumer-products and gaming units, including links to Pottermore.com, Rowling’s digital online experience built around the Potter books.
WB had no comment on this story.
http://variety.com/2014/film/news/harry-potter-director-to-return-for-fantastic-beasts-spinoff-exclusive-1201286193/
Lord Stafford.
ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN CHOO CHOO
meh.
little less excited now...
GO AWAY ITS FULL FUCKING STEAM AHEAD
(Well, maybe not all, but... :P )
Mysterious thing time.
Mysterious thing time.
I would like this film to have both a new and familiar feeling to them at the same time. If there is one thing I would like them to keep in the film it would be the Warner Bros. cloud logo at the start as that was very iconic. I do expect them to get rid of Hedwigs theme though.
I am interested to see the costume work I don't think it will differ much from the Harry Potter films in the aspect as some of the clothing seemed to fit the 1920's era at times, a lot of Narcissa's outfits seemed to be inspired by 1920-40's fashion.
This is what had me so disheartened when I heard the news of Yates. At the time, when I was young and oblivious I was in full fan mode "YESSS FANTASTIC MOVIES YAAAAS". Well, now that I'm older and wiser I sit back and I have to skip many parts of most of the films besides POA and OOTP. HBP Literally serves no purpose in terms of storytelling besides the final twenty minutes. I'll keep all these opinions to myself and If you love them all that's fine. This isn't a post to attack any soul, it's mainly for me to vent about the possibilities of the future.
This isn't all of Yates' fault however. There are the producers. David "lets cut this scene because it looks like its out of Saw" Heyman. More than likely David Barron - which as far as in interviews he comes off as a basic minded person along for the ride. The only thing that has me pumped is that Jo is writing this. I hope it ends up appealing to the masses and creates a new era of storytelling without a castle and trio. She has so many artistic liberties and freedoms that I do have faith in the writing because she has a complete hold on her creations. Granted this is her first time writing a script as well but I'm more than positive it will go well. I have faith in her. It's just the direction I'm worried about...and if they get talentless hacks like Nicholas Hooper (seriously. I never looked at his IMDB until today and how the fuck did he get handed the rights to HP?! "oh I've shot a few nature documentaries. I'm perfect" Give his tracks ten more years and they will be dated, not timeless like the works of Williams or Desplat) or the ever popular Mark Day. Let's not even go there.
I hope...I genuinely hope Yates cant hand over whoever he's worked with before again onto one of the biggest Book/Film/Etc properties in human existence. This is my point. Looking back on all of the films, there was such a potential for the highest of quality. I feel like we got that with parts of films 1,3, & 7.5. The rest I am not so kind on any longer. GOF and HBP are the worst in my eyes. I cannot even watch most of the films anymore...I don't know gang. Maybe I just lost touch with being a fan, maybe I grew up, maybe I just don't care any longer. The 1-7.5 series doesn't make me happy any longer. I've shouted out enough of my boisterous opinions on the matter. I just hope as the announcements for cast and crew start coming out we start seeing something fresh. Keep Stuart Craig, Desplat, and a couple of others. However if we get Hooper, Mark Day, etc then I will begin to get very worried. This is a new series so it should feel fresh yet a taste of the familiar. Please Yates don't fuck this up. lol
Should it be light like the first two or darker like the last few Potter movies or sometching in between like POA?
Lord Stafford.