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katiebell · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2007, 08:05 PM

An interview with Michael Goldenberg, the Order of the Phoenix scriptwriter, has been doing the rounds on the internet. He was reported to have made various scathing remarks about the fifth Potter film. Comments about J.K.Rowling's involvement with the franchise were also made. However, it has been confirmed by WB that the quotes attributed to both writers were entirely fabricated; indeed, the interview isn't even on record.

The following is what Goldenberg was falsely accused of saying;

Quote:

He and J.K. Rowling have never officially met beyond e-mailing each other during the first month he spent outlining the screenplay.

He will not be involved in any way with the last two films.

He feels that in terms of plot elements, characters, locations and dialogue, OOTP will be the most lenient in keeping true to the source material; he reasons that because the book was so dense, it was amazingly difficult to try and find the structure of a two-and-a-half hour movie without having to combine character roles and places in order to maintain a sense of narrative drive.

He personally nicknamed the third draft of the screenplay Harry Scissorhands" because he went through the 168 pages and excised any scene that did not directly involve Harry and/or Voldemort.

He candidly predicted that this would probably be the least favorite of the films because most of the fun, non-Harry material was left out.

J.K. Rowling was not happy with some of the omissions that were made that may "come back to haunt the next film adaptations."

He revealed that Rowling, in an e-mail, seriously suggested that after she finished Book 7 she should probably take reign as co-screenwriter and/or become a serious player in the screenwriting process.

He mentioned that in late 2004 he took the liberty to write a new scene between Harry and Snape that eerily predicted events in both Half-Blood Prince and, according to Rowling's notes, Book 7; so much so that he felt it be best to leave it out of the final shooting script.

Source: The Leaky Cauldron

Yuna00124 · 04-09-2007, 08:08 PM

interesting.... i hope it wont be a least favorite.

Shy_Marauder · 04-09-2007, 08:16 PM

And this is why all interest in the 5th movie has been drained from me... because it's been hacked to pieces.

OdiSSe · 04-09-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

He revealed that Rowling, in an e-mail, seriously suggested that after she finished Book 7 she should probably take reign as co-screenwriter and/or become a serious player in the screenwriting process

.

That would be really nice. Especially for HBP. There would be no diversions from the books, I beleive.

**starlightangel** · 04-09-2007, 08:23 PM

I don't blame her. The other screenplays wrecked the books beautifully.

**SeerCassandraTrelawney** · 04-09-2007, 08:35 PM

Oh Please... we'll all go see it, no matter how hacked it is.
To me they are seperate: there are the movies and the books... seperate, see?

futuremrsmalfoy · 04-09-2007, 08:39 PM

we all love it anyways!!

Nattie · 04-09-2007, 08:53 PM

I'm sure he's done as good a job as anyone could do with that time restraint, it was always going to be a challenge. And to be truthful, I have always favoured the books far more than the films. At least we won't be too disappointed with Book 7 being only days away after seeing the film.

lemondrop13 · 04-09-2007, 09:13 PM

Something about the way this gentleman put out this information really bothers me. Almost like he wanted his 15 minutes of fame... I really hope JKR does sign on to co-screenwrite the next movies because I know I was disappointed by them leaving out certain scenes that I felt were important to the backstory of GOF and what now seems to be OOTP. While I do regard the books and movies as separate entities, I also think about the fact that there would be no movies without the books and completely changing character roles and omitting characters (like my poor Dobby

) makes me question how much I will enjoy the upcoming OOTP. (Although, of course I'll be there at midnight the night it is released lol.)

MalfoyzBeloved · 04-09-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

He revealed that Rowling, in an e-mail, seriously suggested that after she finished Book 7 she should probably take reign as co-screenwriter and/or become a serious player in the screenwriting process

That's a good idea, hopefuly she signs to do so. The 4th movie left out so much because they didn't have her. At least this way she'll make sure certain things should stay in so HBP won't be hacked like this one is starting to become

Edit: UGH! That was evil... it could've been a movie-changing thing it that was real... gah, those idiots just had to make it up. But whatever, as long as the movie works out it's fine

Hermionespell · 04-09-2007, 09:22 PM

Sounds interesting. I really do hope that it's not my least favorite film...but I doubt that'll be possible seeing as PoA was horrible (from a plot standard)... I really don't like the movies that much at all, actually, since they don't go along with the books very well.

Quote:

He revealed that Rowling, in an e-mail, seriously suggested that after she finished Book 7 she should probably take reign as co-screenwriter and/or become a serious player in the screenwriting process.

Yay! That sounds wonderful! I'm glad because she really should have a tighter reign on the script, scenes, and such seeing as she is the author of these marvelous novels!

I try not to work myself up too much over the films, which won't be too much of a problem this year since DH is coming out as well, because I hate to be disappointed. And yes, I realize that it is very difficult to cram all the plot into a 2.5-3 hour movie....but, then look at the LotR movies...those turned out wonderfully!

I don't know, the HP movies are just not my favorites. But, the books are..no doubt about that!

Lissydove · 04-09-2007, 09:32 PM

Mugglenet has since taken down this interview, as representatives from Warner Bros. have reported that the comments attributed to Michael Goldenberg and J.K. Rowling are FALSE!

BrightestWitch · 04-09-2007, 09:50 PM

Ugh..false comments rear their ugly head again.

-slaps them- Good to know its a fake. -luffs Lissy- <3

WillowGray · 04-09-2007, 09:52 PM

It would be pretty neat to have Jo to co-write the scripts. I think thay would keep so much more of the Harry Potter charm...

dancerbookl · 04-09-2007, 09:58 PM

they took it off? that must mean that it really is bad!
But if Jo did write the screen-play that would be cool

narglesRnifty · 04-09-2007, 10:01 PM

So glad this report was false.

slythringurl04 · 04-09-2007, 10:13 PM

Haa..why would you fabricate a story about that?

EmmaRiddle · 04-09-2007, 10:18 PM

The entire interview was made up. I've edited the article to reflect this.

Quote:

Haa..why would you fabricate a story about that?

To tarnish the reputation of WB and their relationship with J.K.Rowling and the Harry Potter production team. It's extremely vindictive. It's also libel, so I hope they seriously consider taking some legal action, if the culprit is caught.