The Warner Bros. chairmen have paid half a million dollars to release Radcliffe from his appearance in a Broadway play due to the promotion of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II'.
- March 3, 2011
AceShowbiz - Bosses at Warner Bros. have reportedly paid out half a million dollars to ensure Daniel Radcliffe is free to promote the final "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" movie later this year. The second installment of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is due to open in London in July, but the film's star Radcliffe is signed up to appear in this year's revival of Broadway play "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".
It means the actor might not have been available to fulfill promotion duties for the closing chapter in the wizard franchise - so Warners chiefs have reportedly stitched up a deal to "buy" the Hirschfeld Theater, where the play is staged, for up to five nights to keep Radcliffe free.
A source tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, "This is the final film, so it's a big deal. A grand world premiere is being planned as well as a U.S. premiere and a press tour. They absolutely couldn't do it without their big star. But the theater producers dug their heels in and said they wouldn't release Radcliffe unless Warner bought out the entire theater for the nights they need him. Studio bosses are furious, but they have no choice but to pay up for five nights costing over $500,000."
A spokesman for Radcliffe tells the publication, "Everything is fine, Dan is promoting the film and is happy to do so. With all productions there are scheduling issues but everything has all been worked out. Warner Bros. is very supportive of Dan, and there is no issue."
