David Heyman Talks Harry Potter Split

I can't help but think that just as we Harry Potter fans run out of things to talk about, the frenzy begins again. What will happen when that seventh movie comes out? Life is going to become so dreary with no "I hope they include that part where ..." to discuss!

Harry Potter producer David Heyman has given an interview to Empire discussing that controversial Book 7 split. He gives a very good reason for why they are aiming to keep the film short -- Harry's young fans. "Is this going to be a four and a half hour film? That's probably what it would have been. Would our audience really embrace that? In some way, I think they might. But I think the younger ones would have drifted. There's always been difficulty making sure that the ones that are two hours, two and a half hours long – making sure that those are the right length. I think by having two films that are two and a half hours – although we're not sure of the length – then it will be a richer experience." Young kids did sit through Lord of the Rings quite spellbound though, so I am skeptical that it couldn't be done, but it is a valid point. You don't want to numb their poor eyes or butts.
They haven't yet begun tackling the script, however, so Heyman cannot say where the break between the two films will be. "It depends what feeling you want [to end on]. I don't want to answer that just yet because we don't have the first script. We do have a point roughly where we want to end, but we haven't got a draft to know if that works yet." I need to re-read the book (it's all blurred in a haze of sleep deprivation and tears) so I can't think of a single place to break it. Maybe when Harry hides with Bill and Fleur? Hmmm.

They are also seeking to give each film its own identity, something I hope they don't really obsess over too much. I think all fans want this to feel like a single, uninterrupted piece, like it hasn't been a year since we were last in the theatre. One of the only problems I had with Lord of the Rings was that the films started to reflect popular opinion in the editing process.

I think the most encouraging part of Heyman's interview is the focus he and director David Yates (who, in the midst of this news, was confirmed as the Deathly Hallows director) are putting on the characters. They aren't looking to simply add in every moment of action and CGI trickery. When asked what he was looking forward to putting onscreen the most, it is the quieter moments of Deathly Hallows that Hayman is enthusiastic about. "I love the character stuff. I love the resolution of Dumbledore and Snape. I love the multiple Harries at the beginning. I love the scene of Hermione trapped at the Malfoys'. I love Harry and Hermione in the forest. I think there's so much, it's such a rich fabric. What we've done now, which I think is really exciting, is that we've found thematic centres for each of the films. That gives the film heart."