'Harry Potter' cancels 3D conversion

(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

One month before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 hits theaters, Warner Bros. Pictures decided it would not release the film in 3D, since the conversion from 2D could not be completed in time for the opening on November 19.

In a statement, the studio said: "Despite everyone's best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey."

The controversial 2D-to-3D conversion process is painstaking and slow when done properly and with the deadline looming, the conversion would have been rushed and risk poor quality.

There will be time for a 3D conversion for the final installment in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, to be converted to 3D for release on July 15, 2011.

The director David Yates is in agreement with the decision. According to the Harry Potter fansite, www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, many fans agree: "I'm REALLY GLAD that WB decided to not release it in 3D rather than a crappy post conversion and ruin the good name of HP." Some fans expressed disappointment.

The last two Potter movies did contain select sequences in 3D. There is no word yet if this will be repeated.

RC