Harry Potter

[neo123]

Sorry - had to delete this ... Bootsy DOES have a point here and since I didn't read the full article and I can't find the mag - I am not arguing it!

[This message has been edited by neo123 (edited 11-16-2001).]

[Bootsy Whoosh]

Personally I think an American kid would probably mess with the flow of the movie. You don't want them all speaking in their little British accents and then have an American kid in there sticking out like a sore thumb. Unless they could find a kid that could master a British accent, and seeing as how some adult actors can't even do it well, I highly doubt a kid could have.

I think that's a really stupid reason to not do a movie too. Talk about being selfish! JK Rowlings was just protecting her creative vision. I think Speilberg was the selfish one here.

[Bootsy Whoosh]

I also have a question....where are you getting your info? Given that Harry Potter is one of the most successful children's book series ever, and given that all studios care about is the bottom line, I find it difficult to believe 4 studios would pass up all that cash just because they are so closed minded about the casting.

Also, Industrial Light and Magic did some of the special effects in the film, which is the special effects team Speilberg almost always uses. So I doubt it would be much different. And I heard Speilberg turned it down because he didn't think it was "difficult" enough, and he prefers to be challenged. But if his real reason was over the British kids, then he needs to get a life. I doubt the casting director tells him how to do his job, he shouldn't be allowed to tell them how to do theirs!

[This message has been edited by Bootsy Whoosh (edited 11-16-2001).]

[neo123]

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh:
Personally I think an American kid would probably mess with the flow of the movie. You don't want them all speaking in their little British accents and then have an American kid in there sticking out like a sore thumb. Unless they could find a kid that could master a British accent, and seeing as how some adult actors can't even do it well, I highly doubt a kid could have.

I think that's a really stupid reason to not do a movie too. Talk about being selfish! JK Rowlings was just protecting her creative vision. I think Speilberg was the selfish one here.

While your point is well taken. I think it's BS to say they couldn't find an American kid to speak with a brit accent. I mean - I have seen it done before.
As for Speilburg, I think it's great what he did. I mean - afterall - THEY CALLED HIM!! It's understandable that he as an American director would not want to associate with what they wanted, so he walked off. And I don't think he would care for any opinions due to his record speaking for itself. Not just yours, but my opinion he wouldn't care for either. I still think he is one of Hollywood's best. He definatly has the hollywood power for (4) major studios to turn down the loan of thier equipment for the making of this movie.



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[Bootsy Whoosh]

I never said Speilberg had to care about my opinion.

But I for one have lost respect for him. I think his head has grown too big.

This series was written by a woman from the UK, she should have final say, if anyone. It is her creative vision. If he is that anal, fine, I wouldn't even want him to be directing it then. I think the movie will fare just fine without Speilberg.

[Kitt]

Allow me to moderate for a moment, if I may. Neo says this then Bootsy refutes with that and then Neo and so on....But! One question didn't get answered. Where did neo get this information?

[LaverneShirley]

Okay, what's wrong with the British?!?! I mean, do you think people in Britain get all uptight when they see a movie with ONLY American actors? Probably not.

By the way, I watched a thing about the Harry Potter movie on ET, and they showed Chris Columbus, the director, saying "I was adamant about casting only British actors." Straight from the director's mouth. I've never heard anything about J.K. Rowling wanting only British actors. It might be sure, it might not be. If it is true, well, she's not the only one, because the director of the movie agrees.

[Curtis3331]

I haven't read any of the books, but it looks like a pretty cool movie, I might just watch it. The kid who plays Harry Potter looks kinda like John Lennon with those glasses he wears.

[Kay Scarpetta]

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh:
Unless they could find a kid that could master a British accent, and seeing as how some adult actors can't even do it well, I highly doubt a kid could have.

I could have played Hermione http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif I wouldn't have to master an accent. I HAVE one http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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[lesliem14]

I was reading a article in the Wall Street Journal last Friday and Warner's Brothers bought the rights to Harry Potter dirt cheap after the first printing in Great Britain. The first book had never been released here yet and they saw how it was perceived in Britain and they grabbed the rights before Disney could. The whole article dealt with Disney's bombs of the past couple years and how they will be the big losers this year once Harry Potter is released.

I have seen several of my favorite books turned into movies and come away hugely disappointed because the parties involved chose to ignore the basic plot of the book. I commend Rowlings for keeping such a tight hold over her stories and for refusing to hire American kids. The story would have been lost with anyone else but British speakers.

[lesliem14]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LaverneShirley:
[B]Okay, what's wrong with the British?!?! I mean, do you think people in Britain get all uptight when they see a movie with ONLY American actors? Probably not.
[B] [QUOTE]

Let me see, it's written by a British author featuring British kids. I believe that gives them reason enough to cast all British kids in the movie. Think of the great American novels turned into movies. Personally, I can't imagine a British actor playing Tom Joad in The Grapes Wrath or Gatsby in the The Great Gatsby. That's as wrong as having American kids in Harry Potter.

[Cokies]

American kids in Harry Potter. That's about just as funny as setting Gone with the Wind in London.
That's not staying true to the book, now is it? No.
I respect J.K. Rowling immensely, and like Bootsy said, she wants to protect her vision. Why put her down for that? She's the person who's selling over 100 million copies of her book here all over the world. Not Steven Speilberg.(No matter how much I respect that guy, he's a bit big-headed sometimes).

[Cokies]

Sorry, not finished.
J.K. Rowling did indeed want an all-British cast. Still though, as my point above says, why put her down for that?
Personally, I wouldn't want an American in the movie. ESPECIALLY in the role of a major character. No, no.
Just think, Haley Joel Osment as Harry. Ugh.

Well, I'm off. To go see the movie!

[neo123]

Originally posted by kittflynn:
Where did neo get this information?


It was in Entertainment Weekly.


------------------
"Reality is merely an illusion...howbeit a very persistant one!"
Albert Einstien

"You can get more accomplished with a kind word and a gun, than a kind word alone." Al Cappone.

Hey ALF fans visit
my ALF site (http://www.alf-online.net/).

[neo123]

Originally posted by Cokies:
American kids in Harry Potter. That's about just as funny as setting Gone with the Wind in London.
That's not staying true to the book, now is it? No.


Point WELL spoken!! Guess I didn't see it from that perspective!! But I still think Speilburg kicks major bootay!! Can't wait for Band Of Brothers on DVD!!



[This message has been edited by neo123 (edited 11-16-2001).]

[Graveyard]

I often read the boards, but I rarely post (as you can see by how many posts I have vs. the time I've been registered). Anyway I just wanted to say that I think it was really appropriate to have an all British cast and I commend J.K.R. for sticking to her guns. I think she and Spielberg just had a difference in opinion. But personally I'm really glad that the movie is live action and not computer animated like Spielberg wanted.

Besides, Harry Potter is a British book, set in Britain and written by a British author. Let's not take that from them. I mean not everything good needs to come from America, or be Americanized (Even John Lennon moved here to the U.S.). I think they should have their cake and eat it too! This is the biggest thing to come out of Britain since the Beatles after all.

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