The final "Harry Potter"
book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," will be adapted
into two films, Warner Bros. said Wednesday.
Titled "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" and
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the movies are
set to be released in November 2010 and May 2011.
They will be shot back-to-back by David Yates, who is
directing the adaptation of the sixth novel, "Harry Potter and
the Half-Blood Prince," due in theatres November 21. Steve
Kloves, who has written all but one of the "Potter" movies,
also is returning to write the two-parter.
"Hallows," which sold more than 11 million copies in its
first 24 hours of release, is J.K. Rowling's biggest book,
weighing in at 784 pages. Adapting the novel would have
resulted in truncating large swaths of it or making an
extra-long feature in order to fit everything in.
The decision makes financial sense for Warners because the
movies are surefire hits, and the "Potter" franchise has
brought in billions of dollars for the studio.
The five "Harry Potter" films released to date make it
among the most lucrative franchises, bringing in $4.8 billion
at the box office worldwide.
It has been confirmed that the cast of the sixth movie, led
by Daniel Radcliffe, will return for the final adaptation.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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