While many Harry Potter fans and movie bloggers hailed Warner Bros.' decision not to convert Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows to 3D, the news came as a blow to exhibitors who have invested heavily in converting theaters to 3D and IMAX and were hoping for a significant boost in revenue after coping with anemic ticket sales for most of the year. Home Media magazine quoted Eric Wold, an analyst with Merriman Curhan Ford, as informing clients "We estimate the lost premium could represent as much as 3 percent of [Regal and Cinemark] box office revenues during [the fourth quarter]." But Ralph Schackart, analyst with William Blair & Co. in Chicago, argued that "it would be worse for ... 3D longer term if Warner rushed a bad Harry Potter 3D movie through the system -- as we think this would have longer-term fundamental problems for the industry." Meanwhile, Internet gossip Perez Hilton wrote "Given the fact that Warner was responsible for releasing the poorly executed 3D Release of Clash of the Titans, we are ecstatic that they learned their lesson and won't make the same mistake twice!" George "El Guapo" Roush on LatinoReview.com thanked Warner Bros., then added, "I don't want to to sit through a 3D version of Harry Potter, having to f**k with the glasses for 2 1/2 hours and look at a darkened picture."

12/10/2010