'Harry Potter' movie shortened to avoid 'Grindhouse' failure

Photo by Warner Bros

HOLLYWOOD - Harry Potter moviemakers are trimming the next installment of the fantasy franchise, fearful it's too long and will turn moviegoers off.

Following the failure of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s double-bill Grindhouse, which is more than three hours long, studio bosses at Warner Bros. have ordered director David Yates to cut the running time of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Star Daniel Radcliffe insists the cuts are a positive thing, and fans will still be happy with the finished film.

He says, "People should be able to let that go. You can still read the book and the film is chock-full of stuff. The fans will be pleased."