David Yates talks HRH final scene, J.K. Rowling in new interview
Potter director David Yates recently spoke with Manila Bulletin about his experience making four of the HP movies, about Dan, Rupert and Emma's final scene together, J.K. Rowling, and his future plans. Here are some excerpts (he gives a bit of a spoiler about the end of Deathly Hallows Part 2):
You came into the series at sort of that middle point. When did you realize the magnitude of the fan base. And what did you think about it? It was probably a phase in the cycle around about this stage when you do your interviews and you meet the press and walk up the red carpet. Obviously, you notice the fact that it’s globally popular, but it’s just when the fans come from Mexico or Argentina and camp out all night, you realize what it means to them. And it’s a huge responsibility, actually. Also, there are massive expectations on every movie, and in a curious way, you do your very best with the film. And I’m very proud of this film.
On the last day with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, when they were on set together and filmed their final scene, what was that like? We shot the scene on the viaduct, outside Hogwarts, and it was really peaceful. It was a really sunny day. It was all backlit. And it’s a very tender scene where they sort of reflect on everything that’s happened, all the battles and everything, and they hold hands, and the camera falls away. It’s a really tender, lovely scene. I said to them, ‘Look, guys, this is the last scene we’re all going to do with you three together in front of the camera. So, it’s not just the last scene of these three characters in the movie, this is your last scene in this series of films. That’s what today is about.’ And it infused it with a kind of emotion which was really moving actually.
Did you ever talk to Jo Rowling about adapting these books and the choices you made, particularly in terms of its contemporary feel? We never had a big conversation about that because it was very present in the book. She read the script and she was totally cool about the way we’d adapted it. She was always just very enthusiastic about the whole first script, generally. But she’s been really helpful and we had a good chat about a couple of scenes in Part 2. I asked her, ‘What were you thinking when you wrote these scenes?’ And she was really helpful.
Jo was a producer on this film, so how was that? How was her expanded role on it? You know, it hasn’t really changed from the other movies, honestly. She’s just always our biggest supporter. And always very graceful and kind and I think, because she’s been there throughout, it was time her name was up there. She wants to be up there with us; it’s a real privilege.
Do you have another movie brewing after all this? I’ve got so many scripts coming in, I can’t tell you. In fact, I told them to stop sending them. [Laughs] Because I haven’t read any of them. They’re just all piled up. But I’m so ambitious, I can’t tell you. It’s a strange thing about Harry Potter because I don’t feel any sense of ownership, in a way. I don’t feel territorial about it. I feel it’s a bit of a national treasure that I’m curating. For everything I can enter, I try and do my very best. And I’m very proud of the work I’ve done. But post-Potter, my career sort of starts again really. And I won’t feel like I’ve made four of the biggest films in the world. I’ll feel like, ‘Well, that’s it. I’ve done Potter now.’ And I’ll have all these beautiful scripts and I can begin in a way. That’s my plan. And I’m going to do big things and tiny little things. And they won’t have wizards in them.
No wizards? No wizards. You can read the whole interview
here. Thanks to Snitchseeker for the tip.
Mar
04
We all know that Butterbeer is a staple part of the diet of any witch or wizard in Harry Potter’s world, and those lucky enough to have visited the Wizarding World theme park in Orlando will most probably have tasted the official, JK Rowling approved Butterbeer on sale there.
Well, today the twitter account for the WB Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter and actor Warwick Davis (Flitwick and Griphook) announced that for the first time, fans in the UK will be able to have the pleasure of drinking the apparently amazingly delicious beverage, if they make the trip to the Tour near London.
This is very exciting news for me personally, as I’m not able to make it all the way over to Orlando, but I have tickets for the Studio Tour this summer and have been wanting to try the legendary Butterbeer for many years now!
Make sure you grab your tickets now for the incredible new attraction, as they are selling out fast. Head over to wbstudiotour.co.uk.
Mar
03
More rumors have surfaced today regarding the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. According to Inside the Magic, the South Florida Water Management District released a new filing that was made for ‘Project 722′. This included a demolition of a single attraction with several components, which would be a reconstruction of the now-closed Jaws ride at Universal Orlando Florida.
The pictures below show what could be the new designs for Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. They include five new buildings, with the largest one being possibly slated for Gringotts with an indoor ride. Nothing has been confirmed (or denied) by Warner Bros., but as new developments become available we will let you know.
Mar
02
Courtesy of Snitchseeker, the Internet giant Amazon just released yesterday the first promo for the Harry Potter Definitive DVD and Blu-Ray movie set, which they are entitling Wizards Collection. The movie set has not yet been confirmed by Warner Bros nor has the released date been announced. Amazon has listed the retail value as $499.99 but you can save 30% and only spend $349.99 if you purchase from Amazon.
Amazon’s affiliate in Canada listed the total contents of the Wizards Collection. It will include 31 discs, with 18 movie and 13 special features. Below is a list of the included discs and the promo photos and video as well.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Theatrical Version and Extended Cut
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Theatrical Version and Extended Cut
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 1 2D/3D Versions
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2 2D/3D Versions
Get the whole story »
We all know that Butterbeer is a staple part of the diet of any witch or wizard in Harry Potter’s world, and those lucky enough to have visited the Wizarding World theme park in Orlando will most probably have tasted the official, JK Rowling approved Butterbeer on sale there.
