Movie boss says sorry for Potter delay

A movie boss at Warner Bros studios has apologised to fans for delaying the much-anticipated release of the next film in the popular series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The film was scheduled to be released in November this year, but Warner Bros rescheduled it to July 17, 2009, an eight-month delay that dismayed many Potter fans.

In a statement released today, Warner Bros CEO Alan Horn apologised to fans for the decision, and said there was a silver lining.

He said: "Many of you have written to me to express your disappointment in our moving Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to Summer 2009.

"Please be assured that we share your love for Harry Potter and would certainly never do anything to hurt any of the films. Over the past 10 years, we have nurtured and protected each film, and the integrity of the books upon which they are based, to the best of our ability.

"The decision to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans. We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

"If I may offer a silver lining: there would have been a two-year gap between Half-Blood Prince and the much-anticipated first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which opens in November 2010."

The film series is based on author JK Rowling's popular Harry Potter series.

- © Fairfax NZ News