Today the Apple store in SoHo had a cast Q&A session with members of the Harry Potter cast. David Barron, David Heyman, Michael Gambon, Warwick Davis, Robbie Coltrane, Helen McCrory, David Thewlis, Natalia Tena, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Freddie Stroma and the Phelps twins were in attendance. I was at the event on behalf of the website but no flash photography or recording of the event were permitted so to hear all of the answers you will have to wait for Apple to release the vide, which should be later tonight. I did try to take some photos but they didn’t come out. Here is a small preview though.
The cast were asked what their favorite scene was, whether they filmed it or they just enjoyed it. Their answers are as follows (is is not exact wording, I was feverishly writing so I would remember what they said)
Michael Gambon – his scenes in the Great Hall making speeches David Heyman – Less actiony scenes such as Harry flying Buckbeak, Harry and Hermione dancing in DH, and when the Gryffindor boys ate the animal candies David Barron – the “no post on Sundays” scene from SS Robbie Coltrane – Norbert hatching and subsequently catching his beard on fire Warwick Davis – the Tale of the Three Brothers animation as well as his stage dive in GoF Helen McCrory – Harry confronting Voldemort in Part 2 David Thewlis – Aunt Marge being blown up and turning into a werewolf Natalia Tena – the Tale of the Three Brothers animation and flying on broomsticks Bonnie Wright – filming in the Chamber of Secrets because it was a turning point for Ginny and the Epilogue Oliver Phelps – Giving Harry the Mauraders Map and the twins fight in GoF James Phelps – the joke shop scenes in HBP Evanna Lynch – the Weasley wedding because it showed that wizards are normal, the people dancing in the background specifically Freddie Stroma – Quidditch scenes; they just threw balls at him and he had to hit them away which made for some interesting moments; smashing a light, hitting a fan, and hitting a person
I will post the link to the video when it is available for download
In another new interview, this time with MTV, the Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron discuss the epilogue. Some snippets may be read below.
“It’s not long. It’s about two … a couple of minutes,” Barron said. “It’s long enough to tell its story. We like it. We think it works well, and it does leave you feeling a bit [emotional].”
“We’re expressing it through our three principle characters, who obviously have had a terrible time in many respects. Because they have been fighting Voldemort for longer than we can remember, and came close to death, you’ll see the state of the school at the end. It was not an easy battle,” he said. “As countries, as nations do, as cultures do, they recover and they renew and life carries on. It is about renewal.”
[…]
“[The epilogue is] about the cycles of life,” Heyman explained. “It’s about Harry, Ron and Hermione taking their children to King’s Cross station to the very place where the story began, to begin the journey that they began many years ago. It’s really beautiful and really tender.”
[…]
So do Heyman and Barron know what the last scene of the “Harry Potter” franchise is? “Yes, but we’re not going to tell you just yet,” Heyman said with a laugh. “It’s the one where Voldemort comes back!” Barron teased. That sounds like the right time to announce a reboot of the series with Radcliffe starring as Dumbledore.
Collider were able to interview Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron at CinemaCon. The Davids spoke about the length of the final film, 3D and more.
Do you guys ever envision a 3D conversion of the earlier films and also the theatrical re-release of them in 3D?
Heyman: We haven’t’ talked about it but I won’t be surprised if that happens. I don’t know about theatrical but I suspect in 3D that will go on.
What’s the running time of the final film?
Barron: It will be one of the shortest films.
Heyman: It will be the shortest film.
So what does that mean?
Heyman: We don’t know yet, because we’re still editing.
Barron: It’s not a short film, but it will be shorter than the others.
When I spoke to you guys last time, you mentioned that the last film was much more of an action film. Is that still the case?
Heyman: It’s not non-stop action, but it’s a lot of action. But, one the the things that makes Harry Potter so special is it’s not just action, not just magic, it’s characters, humanity and truth.
Barron: And a strong emotional core.
Heyman: And that’s what this film has: a real strong emotional center. So yeah there’s a lot of action, and it’s a really thrilling ride, and it ends with the final confrontation with Voldemort with Harry, but most importantly it’s a film that moves you and it makes you really involved and invested in the characters.
They also posted a description of the Part 2 footage that was shown.
The last bit of footage was from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Producers David Heyman and David Barron took the stage and showed us about 4 minutes of footage. Cutting from what seemed like an extended trailer to random bits from the movie, the stuff they showed today was epic. Since I don’t want to spoil anything for those that haven’t read the books, I’ll just say they showed us some MAJOR stuff from the last 20 minutes of the movie. Besides key moments from the end of the movie, they showed us the escape from Gringots, looking for stuff in the forest, major chase scenes, and a key moment with Harry and some people that Voldermort has killed off. Fans of the books, you know what I’m talking about…
As someone that has read the books more than once, the stuff they showed looked like I’d always imagined it and I absolutely think they’ve hit a massive home run. Fans are going to love the final installment and I think it could be the best film of The franchise
The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the Harry Potter series will be receiving a Hall of Fame Award at this year’s CinemaCon for its “rare and exceptional achievements in the motion picture theater industry.” The award will be presented to David Heyman at the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards on March 31st.
“Since the first film hit theatres in 2001, Harry Potter has created a global phenomenon unlike anything ever seen before.” said Neuhauser in a statement. “Ten years and seven blockbuster films later, (it’s) the most successful film franchise of all time—having entertained and thrilled audiences of all generations around the world.”
A very rough video of Stephen Fry introducing the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema award to the Harry Potter series has appeared online via YouTube. J.K. Rowling, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, David Heyman, David Barron, Mike Newell, David Yates, and Alfonso Cuaron went on stage to accept the award. Hopefully a better quality version will be released, if so I will update this post.
As many of you know, the BAFTA Awards were held today and the Harry Potter series received the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, it was presented by Stephen Fry and there was a montage accompanying them accepting the award. Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, JK Rowling, David Yates, David Heyman, Helena Bonham Carter, Bonnie Wright, Jamie Campbell Bower, Miranda Richardson and director Mike Newell were at the awards ceremony. Hopefully there will be a video of the cast and crew accepting the award online soon. Emma Watson also presented the Rising Star Award. A lot of videos are beginning to appear online so here is the first roundup. You can also watch a video of Rupert here that has embedding disabled.
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