I am starting to really wonder if this idea that HP is unobtainable is an urban legend. Some people have mentioned that J.K. Rowling herself put the brakes on a HP pinball machine. It still really wonder how true these rumors are.

I wonder if it is more of a financial thing. Maybe whomever really owns the rights to something like a pinball machine for HP is making it cost prohibitive.

Either way, if they crack this nut, this very well could be the next MM of pinball. The theme will sell itself....and if it is done correctly, it could very well be epic. Talk about a theme that will cross generations. Crossing fingers.

So the following was pulled from this article...thanks for the link btw

http://pavlovpinball.com/pinball-licencing-101-how-much-why-and-harry-potter/

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So what about the great Harry Potter question? That would seem to be an ideal licence for almost any pinball company, but rumour has it that the author will never allow a Harry Potter pinball machine. Is that the case?

“J.K. Rowling doesn’t want a pinball machine at the moment. The category is not one she wants to happen,” says Sharpe.

But there’s possible good news for Potter fans.”I am first in line for the licence, and I am waiting for when the timing is right,” he says. “When it is I will see if a particular manufacturer will step up – or I might like to do it myself.”

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I really wonder what the latest is on this. To say J.K. Rowling doesn't want a machine at this moment seems silly at best. There is something else in play here.

And what about the "I am first in line"? Did Sharpe cut a verbal deal already? This seems like there is already a long-term strategy in play here. I am really wondering if the "timing" has to do with the promotion of the next series of movies that are starting to come out. Wonder if this is more strategic than we think? I am focusing on the word "timing". To me that is not coincidence. It is more of a foreshadow.

Maybe I am trying to read between the lines more than anything. I would love JJP to get Harry Potter. I think they are in the best position to make the best machines at this point.

To me Assassin's Creed will run into trouble with the "home friendly" challenge. The polar opposite of this is Wizard of Oz. I think it is funny how the wives are getting involved more with some of these purchases from a mainly all male buyer pool. Guessing the cost of the pinball machine is driving some of that. It simply isn't a couple thousand dollar investment anymore.

It is funny. I am passionate about this topic because I want pinball to grow into the next generation. That is why I love the HP theme. Are there other themes I personally may like a little better, yes. But HP will cross a lot of generations and maybe even hook in some non-pinball players. We need this to sustain the hobby.

Agreed that Monty Python could be a good option. Basically it would be a sequel to MM. Lots of potential there.

I have trouble seeing Three Stooges. The callouts alone could get really annoying very quickly. Plus I am thinking there is a generation and a half that doesn't even know how to spell Three Stooges.

Harry Potter for sure. By far the best choice for location as well as the home. Best choice for sustainability with pinball. Someone needs to crack that licensing nut. If I was Jack, I would be on a plane to England to work J.K. Rowling over. There has to be a way to make that work.

HP Gross sales for the last of 8 movies grossed about $10 Billion. That is the money from just the movies.

imdb is showing $44 Million for Three Stooges.

The original Blade Runner grossed $34 Million. Although I think that was poor marketing because I loved the movie.

The problem is that the majority of the films people are proposing are for Boomers (maybe some X-r's). That market is dying off by the millions each year. Need to rope in the next generation. That is why someone has to catch the whale, HP.