Latest Harry Potter Director: Michael Who?

by Christopher Campbell Nov 3rd 2006 // 3:00PM

Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Family Films, Harry Potter, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

After all the rumors of the sixth Harry Potter film being directed by someone with track record, or even a returning Chris Columbus, SlashFilm is reporting that Michael Hoffman is in final talks to become the director of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. For who that don't know him by name (which is probably the majority of you out there), he is the guy who directed Kevin Kline in The Emperor's Club and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also made some other films that weren't that interesting, at least the imaginative sort of way that is needed for the Potter series.

This is some pretty disappointing news. I don't care if Hoffman is a former Rhodes Scholar or that he's directed Shakespeare (with Calista Flockhart, mind you) -- he just doesn't seem appropriate. Let's recap the rumored contenders to see what might have been better, shall we? In March, Alfonso Cuaron said he could be interested in doing another Potter. In May, there was an idea that Terry Gilliam might get the gig. In July, there was mention of M. Night Shyamalan, which would be interesting to see, but horrible to accept. I even heard somewhere that Columbus might be back. As for the current IMDb listing, David Yates is credited to stick around after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The thing is, it might not matter too much who the director of #6 is since some of the original players may be gone by the time someone is hired. And who could blame them when Warners is pulling out names like Michael Hoffman? I imagine being one of the Potter kids is like having a new stepfather every other year. And the latest one is into faeries.

57 Comments

Tags: daniel radcliffe, DanielRadcliffe, harry potter and the half-blood prince, HarryPotterAndTheHalf-bloodPrince, j.k. rowling, J.k.Rowling, michael hoffman, MichaelHoffman, midsummer night's dream, MidsummerNight'sDream, the emperor's club, TheEmperor'sClub

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

11-03-2006 @ 3:29PM

Scott Weinberg said...

Been a fan of Hoffman's ever since he helmed SOAPDISH.

Funny flick.

11-03-2006 @ 3:44PM

Jo.Co. said...

Okay, so Hoffman may be a mediocre choice. But what has David Yates done? Anybody? According to IMDb, Order of the Phoenix is his second feature film.

11-04-2006 @ 6:16AM

TI said...

Who the heck is Michel Hoffman? Who ever he is he doesn't sound capable of directing HBP!!!!!!!!

11-04-2006 @ 8:06AM

Pat said...

Sorry folks, but I have been somewhat disappointed since Chris Columbus left the director's chair. I really wish he would take the chair, he tells a better and more stand alone story. My children think the same way.

11-04-2006 @ 8:28AM

Rollando said...

So what if it is Hoffman? Give the guy a chance. He just may surprise you.

I do not know much about the movie business. It seems to me that if it has taken this long to sign up a director, perhaps there is something wrong going on. Other directors too busy? Low salary? Who are the people in the crew he will be working with? Will he be satisfied with the current crew? Will he be making changes there? Etc.

Anyway, whatever happens I doing for everyone in concern that this movie be another smashing hit!

11-04-2006 @ 8:40AM

wayne said...

i wish chris colombus would just come back im sure people can agree

11-04-2006 @ 8:41AM

darren said...

let save all the director bashing untill after the the movie is released,and see how it goes this will make or break the director he has some big shoes to fill "THEN THE PEOPLE WILL SPEAK"

11-04-2006 @ 8:51AM

Margie said...

The previous films have stayed true to form with the books. I feek the author has a little say in the feel of the final product. I say give the guy a chance; we can always bash him later.

11-04-2006 @ 8:56AM

James said...

I do not think that Chris Columbus would be a good candidate for Half-Blood Prince. Columbus's directing style was perfect for Sorcerer's Stone and near perfect for Secrets, but the Potter books get darker as the kids get older, and the movies need someone who can reflect that. Personally, I'd like to see Mike Newell return.

11-04-2006 @ 8:58AM

Regan Ann said...

If they're bringing in someone new, the quality of the film had better be at or above the standard. I am very well-read, but have a weakness for the Harry Potter series, and would hate to be disappointed by a sub-par film. As they say, "If it ain't broke, dont' fix it". I hope the original charachters stay around, too, it just wouldn't be the same.

11-04-2006 @ 9:02AM

Sharon Walker said...

Give the new person a shot at shaking things up a bit. Who knows, this may be the best one yet. Remember, taking a shot on an unknown children's author who wrote six inch thick novels for kids who normally hate to read....was a long shot too.
Someone obviously believes in this person or they could never have gotten their hands on this movie....cause it's kind of a big deal.

11-04-2006 @ 9:16AM

shelby said...

chris columbus was the best harry potter director! all of the others directors RUINED the movie by changing what happened the book!! come back chris!!!!!

11-04-2006 @ 9:25AM

Sandra J said...

Christopher Columbus's Harry Potter movies were the best I have ever seen. The rest of the Potters have been mediocre; all the magic was gone. Why did they try to make them into ordinary teen movies?

11-04-2006 @ 9:26AM

Tina said...

personally, i think that Columbus should come back and direct the next one, he's already had experience with the actors and knows the stuff already.

11-04-2006 @ 9:30AM

joan watson said...

I think that the original director who had been doing Harry Potter all along should be in charge of doing all the Harry Potter films. He would be the only one who knows it best and I have enjoyed all the Harry Potter films that have been directed by this director. I believe Chris Columbus. He is a great director. Do not ruin a good thing when you have it and having a great director with all the other Harry Potter films under his belt should be kept as that.

11-04-2006 @ 9:34AM

Ken Hill said...

Alfoso Cuaron? You've gotta be kidding, as Potter movies go, 3 was the worst! I would much rather see a new director than him! I wasn't real pleased with 4 either, it would have been interesting to see Dudley get the Ton-Tongue Toffy!

11-04-2006 @ 9:41AM

Raeglow said...

Chris Columbus sucked at being the director. The first movies were nothing compared to PoA and GoF.
OotP is the best book in the bunch, I'm sooo excited about the movie. Hopefully after that, the next movie will have any kind of good director that will know this isn't just a kids movie anymore, people are dying, the world is in trouble. Big sacrifices are going to be made.

I think HP and Voldemort are going to kill each other in the end, which is fine with me, it seems fitting. Stephen King has recently made a plea with JK Rowling not to kill him off.. which seems odd to me.
Once you've gone through so much, it's hard to go back, like Frodo was at the end of LOTRs.

I also think JK Rowling is crazy for not doing prequels, saying people are thinking of Star Wars too much. There's nothing more I would rather read than James adventures with his crew. I can't imagine anyone having better adventures than him and Sirius.
I'm done.

11-04-2006 @ 9:45AM

Sophie said...

I TOTALLY AGREE!!! Although I love every Harry Potter Movie, HP and the Chamber of Secrets is my FAVORITE. After that the movies did become more "teen" movie-esque, and although I still am a huge Potter fan, love to watch the first two over and over to experience the magical fantasy of those first movies. When they pull the baby Mandrakes from their pots is a perfect example of the fantastic aura of fantasy created in those movies. I really was bummed when Hermione wore courdoroy pants in the third movie. BUT, I did love the way she looked at the ball in Goblet of Fire. I could go on and on. Oh well. Diversity is the spice of life.

11-04-2006 @ 10:10AM

tammy said...

wow..whatever is best but i dont want horrible directors ruining the harry potter series of movies. i'm serious. hey, i hav advice, why don't you guys let directors have "pratice movies". make a few short clips and let them direct. see how it goes and whoever does it the best, well, let them direct HBP..

11-04-2006 @ 10:32AM

Terry said...

Is it true that someone will be leaving? Or is it just a rumor at this time. It will not be the same if anyone leaves. And for Harry being killed off. For him to go through all he has just to be killed off. That would not be good. I would not read and more of the books if she does. And I would ask that no one eles does either. And just can't think why she would do that.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments