Most of Your Favorite Scenes Will Appear in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, But Not An Important Death

While there were some substantive changes to the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Harry and Hermione danced, OMG! -- producer David Heyman promises that fans shouldn't expect many variations from the source novel during the big finale on July 15. Except for those marauding desks, of course. And one key character death.

Speaking with Katey Rich from CinemaBlend at CinemaCon last week, Heyman confirmed (some spoilers ahead) that part two of The Deathly Hallows will include the Severus Snape flashback in the Pensieve and Dumbledore's chat with Harry at King's Cross. Great! Unfortunately, the moment during the Battle of Hogwarts when Minerva McGonagall leads a bunch of enchanted school desks into battle against the Death Eaters didn't make the final cut.

I liked the desks too, but if you think about it, in a film which has grown up, that's kind of juvenile. It's like Peter Pettigrew strangling himself [which happened in the seventh book but was cut from the film]. It's great in the book, but really hard on film. Those things don't translate as well when the films are growing up.

Fair point -- especially since the desks would look a little Fantasia on the big screen -- but since Heyman brought up Pettigrew's non-death in part one of The Deathly Hallows, let's discuss that misstep.

In an accompanying video interview with Rich on CinemaBlend, both Heyman and producer David Barron claim that Pettigrew didn't choke himself to death because of tonal concerns. "It's comical," said Barron. "It works well in print but when you imagine someone choking themselves to death with a silver hand, it very easily takes on a comic [tone]." Echoed Heyman: "It's a bit like something from Austin Powers [...] We just felt like it was something that wasn't going to add to the drama."

Except for the fact that it would have. The death of Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter books is both tragic and triumphant. His treachery led to the death of Harry's parents and the return of Voldemort -- the dude needed a comeuppance but bad. That he gets one after finally showing mercy to Harry and Ron is a real kick-in-the-pants moment -- and if played correctly, not one that would make for many laughs.

Too bad film audiences will never get to see it; according to the producers, Pettigrew doesn't appear in the final installment of Harry Potter.

· Exclusive: Harry Potter Producer Explains In Detail Which Changes To Expect In The Final Film [CinemaBlend]