Half-Blood Prince packed with extras

PHYSICAL: DVD, Blu-ray release will be biggest yet in franchise

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/30/2009

NOV. 30 | PHYSICAL: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will boast the most bonus features of any of the franchise’s earlier films, contends cast and crew, when it streets on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on Dec. 8.

Director David Yates, producer David Heyman and stars Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), James Phelps (Fred Weasley) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) were among those rallying behind the upcoming release from the films’ London set in mid-November.

Previously, Harry Potter filmmakers were reluctant to give away too many of the movies’ behind-the-scenes secrets, fearing it would destroy the series’ key magic themes. But with Blu-ray offering a wealth of creative opportunity, Half-Blood Prince was prepared brimming with extra content.

“This is the richest title we have done,” said Heyman, who has produced all of the Harry Potter films. “For a long time, we decided not to put that much on the DVD. There was a part of me that doesn’t like extras, because I like the mystery of it all. But with the market being the way it is, it’s important to make the title as attractive a proposition as possible.”

For example, new exclusive Blu-ray feature to the series ‘Maximum Movie Mode’ details Phelps’ debut as assistant director on the Half-Blood set in addition to playing his Fred character. Wright also has a dual role in the set design department. Also via Maximum Movie Mode, stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) show off their editing and stunt skills, respectively.

Heyman noted that both two-disc standard DVD and Blu-ray editions hold the documentary J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life, marking the first time the author has spoken in depth about her writing process.

“She doesn’t give many interviews, and then you go to editing with Dan, stunts with Rupert, and also hear them talk about their characters—their likes and dislikes—that’s great,” Heyman said.

Phelps reveals in his Maximum Movie Mode sequence how much he enjoyed being part of the Half-Blood production crew.

“I learned more in my first week doing what I did than in my previous seven years of acting,” Phelps said. “I learned there is a 5:30 in the morning. That’s when you have to be there. It has made me a lot more professional in that there is less monkeying around on the set.”

Half-Blood Prince also will usher in the introduction of a worldwide community screening for Web-enabled Blu-ray players on Dec. 12. Both director Yates and Radcliffe will participate.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, and it’s the same for Dan,” said Yates. “Usually, the only time we get to engage with the fan base is at the premieres, and of course, there are those metal gates. So this will be really good to hear [the fans’] thoughts, hear their views and opinions. It’ll be interesting to see if this becomes commonplace.”

The Harry Potter clan is proud of their DVD/Blu-ray product.

“With Blu-ray, I think it’s great that DVDs are finally coming into their own right now, where you can put on all of this extra content,” said Felton.

Wright added, “With DVD, it’s the only time the fans get to see what it’s like behind closed doors and see what really happens.”

Besides detailing Half-Blood Prince, Yates and others also offered some surprising sneak peeks to the final two theatrical installments of the Harry Potter franchise, slated for 2010 and 2011 release. At certain points, Radcliffe will appear naked.

In one scene, “a horcrux [carrying a piece of Voldemort’s soul] defends itself by producing nightmarish visions, and one shows Hermione and Harry embracing and kissing,” explained Yates. “It’s something intriguing and sensual for Rupert to react to, and Dan will be bare for that.”