Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that the screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling‘s final book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be released in two parts.David Yates, who earlier helmed the 2007 summer blockbuster ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix‘ and is currently in production on ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince‘, will direct ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I' and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II'.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II will be adapted by screenwriter Steve Kloves.
Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated:
It has been an honor for our studio to be entrusted with bringing J.K. Rowling's extraordinary book series to the screen, and we have always felt a great responsibility to be true to her vision. In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' and release the film in two parts. We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates.
David Heyman, who first brought the project to Warner Bros. in 1997 said:
The Deathly Hallows' is so rich…we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice. I am thrilled that David Yates is returning to direct ‘The Deathly Hallows.' He is both inspired and inspiring and is a passionate fan of the remarkable world and characters Jo has created. I know he will lead our incomparable cast and crew, most of whom have been with us since the very beginning, in bringing the series to the unforgettable conclusion it deserves.
Director David Yates remarked:
I've had great pleasure working with a tremendous cast and crew thus far, on both ‘the Order of the Phoenix' and ‘the Half-Blood Prince.' It's a wonderful world to work in and be part of and to create within, and I consider it a great privilege to continue to bring Jo's extraordinary world to the screen, and to be the director to complete this epic and exhilarating journey.
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I' will open Holiday 2010, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II to be released in quick succession in Summer 2011.
