'Harry Potter And The Deathly...' highest global grosser

"Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1" has become the highest international grosser of "Harry Potter" franchise.

It has earned over USD 657 million at the world box office, reports contactmusic.com.

"It's tremendously gratifying to reach this benchmark as we enter the final stretch of this remarkable journey. We share this achievement with Jo Rowling, whose books are the foundation of this rich and vibrant world, as well as the talented people who brought her vision to life on the screen," Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said in a statement.

Warner Bros. representative Veronika Kwan-Rubinek said: "These numbers speak to the phenomenal and enduring strength of this property, which has captivated audiences across all borders, regardless of age or culture."

The success of the franchise has also made actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint - who play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively - among Britain's richest young celebrities.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" will be the last of the historical "Harry Potter" franchise. It may hit the screens July 15.

Emma Watson to launch 'green' fashion line

'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is busting into the high-fashion world, by collaborating with fashion house Alberta Ferreti to create an eco-friendly collection.

Watson, 20, is working on the 'Pure Threads' collection meant for "sensitive people, who want to be supportive of these kind of issues," the New York Post quoted Ferretti as telling WWD.

The designer said she was attracted to Watson because of her "freshness...spontaneity and simplicity."

"She is intelligent, with a strong personality, a young, modern girl," she said of the actress.

This is not Watson's first foray into the world of fashion; she modelled for Burberry's Autumn/Winter campaign in 2009 and appeared in their 2010 Spring/Summer campaign alongside her brother, Alex.

The British actress also began working as a creative adviser for People Tree, a fair trade fashion brand, in February 2010. Part of the proceeds of her Ferretti line will benefit People Tree.

"I'm pleased that a luxury brand such as Alberta Ferretti has decided to create ecological clothes," Watson said in a statement about her latest venture.

"I believe this is a big step forward for all of the international fashion industry, but also an important step for an increased sensitivity to the problem of ecology," she added.

Harry Potter, Broadway producers battle for Daniel Radcliffe

Actor Daniel Radcliffe's commitment to appear in a Broadway show has clashed with the premiere of the final Harry Potter, leaving producers of the two shows to battle over him.

Radcliffe, 21, had committed to appear in the revival of 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' at the Hirschfeld Theatre, which started previews on February 26 and runs until at least November 6.

But Warner Bros. chiefs were furious that his Broadway deal meant he might not be available to promote 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2', to be launched with a lavish premiere at London's Trafalgar Square on July 7.

In tense negotiations, 'How To Succeed' producers refused to release Radcliffe for the days when Warner needed him -- forcing the studio to buy out the whole theatre for the nights he'd have to miss.

"Warner Bros. is furious that Radcliffe committed to Broadway when he should be promoting 'Harry Potter'," the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

"This is the final film, so it's a big deal. A grand world premiere is being planned as well as a US premiere and a press tour.

"They absolutely couldn't do it without their big star. But the theatre producers dug their heels in and said they wouldn't release Radcliffe unless Warner bought out the entire theatre 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 dollars," the source stated.

A Telecharge sales agent said that while tickets are being sold up to November 6, tickets for July 5 and 6 have "not been released", although they haven't yet been cancelled. Tickets for July 9 are currently on sale.

"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," Radcliffe's rep said.

"Warner Bros. is very supportive of Dan, and there is no issue," the rep added.

Kingston Harry Potter nominee flies out for Oscar ceremony

The man who helped bring Harry Potter elves Dobby and Kreacher to life is flying to Hollywood after being nominated for an Oscar.

Kingston University illustration graduate Christian Manz was shortlisted in the best visual effects category for his work on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

The 36-year-old visual effects supervisor helped redesign Dobby to appear more human in his final, darker appearance in the series.

Mr Manz's team at Framestore removed the bodies of the two actors playing the elves and replaced them with animations.

He said: “It's rare to have the chance to work for 16 months on one project. There were only about 60 of us which, believe it or not, is quite a small team.

“Dobby is a central character in part one of the Deathly Hallows, as he dies at the end. We created more than 300 different facial expressions for him.”

He and his three fellow co-nominees are competing against Alice in Wonderland, Hereafter, Inception and Iron Man 2 at the awards show on Sunday, February 27.

'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling's story to be made into a movie in Canada

'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling's rags to riches story is to be made into a movie in Canada.

The film based on Rowling's rise from struggling single mum in Edinburgh to multimillionaire author of the Harry Potter book series is set to begin shooting next month.

Scotland's The Herald newspaper reported that film producers initially toured Edinburgh in their search for shooting locations, but decided to move production to Canada to save money because they found similar buildings there that could be used as backdrops.

Rowling, 45, has not authorised the television movie, reports News.com.au.

She refused to comment on the film, which has the working title 'Strange Magic'.

Australian actor Poppy Montgomery, who stars as FBI agent Samantha Spade in the hit US television series Without a Trace, will play Rowling.

Harry Potter still king of the world

Harry Potter led the worldwide box office for a second weekend on Sunday, but the heroic boy wizard had a close shave with a hairy princess in North America.

The seventh movie in the hit franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1," sold $163.5 million worth of tickets globally, led by a $50.3 million haul in the United States and Canada, distributor Warner Bros. said.

Of the 62 foreign markets, the best score came from France, where the film opened at No. 1 with $19.1 million -- the country's best start of the year. After two weekends the worldwide total stands at about $610 million.

But the fearless schoolboy almost lost his North American crown to Rapunzel, the hirsute heroine in the new Walt Disney Co 3D cartoon "Tangled." The fairy tale earned $49.1 million for the three days, far exceeding industry forecasts.

Along with three other films, "Tangled" opened on Wednesday, one day ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving Day holiday, giving it a five-day total of $69 million. Pundits had forecast a five-day haul of about $40 million.

Disney distribution president Chuck Viane said the film played strongly with families, and many little girls dressed up as princesses for the occasion.

Internationally, "Tangled" earned $13.8 million after opening at No. 1 in six of seven markets. Russia led the way with $7.5 million, a record for a Disney cartoon. It adds eight markets next weekend, including France and Italy. Pop singer/actress Mandy Moore voices the heroine.

The other three new releases all performed to the expectations of their respective studios.

"Burlesque," a musical starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, shared the No. 4 spot with the three-week-old action movie "Unstoppable," each reporting about $11.8 million for the three-day period.

The $55 million musical will be "a real moneymaker," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution at Sony Corp's Sony Pictures, which released the film through its Screen Gems division.

Women accounted for 69 percent of the audience, and 54 percent of moviegoers were aged 25 or older. But Bruer said the men who went along enjoyed it.

"Love and Other Drugs," a $30 million romantic comedy starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, followed at No. 6 with $9.9 million. Even though Hathaway has a much-discussed nude scene, the film also played mostly to older women, said News Corp-owned 20th Century Fox.

Male youngsters got their fix with "Faster," an action thriller starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The film drove in at No. 7 with $8.7 million. It was distributed in North America by CBS Corp's CBS Films, which split the $24 million production tab with international rights holder Sony.

The five-day total for "Burlesque" stands at $17.2 million, for "Love and Other Drugs" at $14 million, and for "Faster" at $12.2 million. Both "Love" and "Burlesque" will begin their international rollouts just before Christmas.

The new "Harry Potter" film is off to the strongest start in the series, having earned $220.4 million in North America since opening November 19. The previous film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," had earned $201 million during the same 10-day span in July 2009. That film ended up with $302 million domestically, and Time Warner Inc-owned Warner Bros. was similarly confident the new film would break $300 million.

The foreign total stands at $389.2 million. Top markets include Britain with $53.5 million, Germany with $37 million, Japan with $35 million, and Australia with $25 million.

Harry Potter is back, hunts for Deathly Hallows

After six films spanning over a decade and almost USD 5.5 billion in gross profits in films, The Wizards are finally bidding goodbye with the seventh, a 2 part movie 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. And if you are excited like the rest of the world, but have forgotten the plot so far, here is a crash course for you!

Harry Potter's journey began back in 2001, with The Philosopher's Stone. As a young miserable orphan, who discovers that he's a wizard, and not just any ordinary wizard. As a baby, he was responsible for the death of the evil Lord Voldemort. He heads to the magical school of Hogwart's, embarking on a journey to a much happier life and lifelong friendship with fellow students Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

In the next installment, Harry, Ron and Hermione battle a manifestation the Dark Lord, looking for the Chamber of Secrets, to save Ron's sister Ginny

The Prisoner of Azkaban is perhaps the darkest of the series where Harry meets the dreaded Dementors. It's also here that he forms a strong bond with his late father's friend, Harry's own godfather Sirius Black, accused of betraying the Potter’s to Voldemort.

The Goblet of Fire is an epic, incidentally ALSO starring the future twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson, as the two compete for the Triwizard Cup. Here's where Potter faces off against a revived Voldemort, and barely escapes with his life.

The Order of the Phoenix released just three years ago ... focusing on the secret society dedicated to fighting Voldemort and his Death-Eaters... trying to convince and unbelieving public that the Dark Lord is back.

That brings us to a more grown-up Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where we learn more about Voldemort as a boy, and also, his young rival Draco Malfoy. The movie has it all - romance, danger, and a teenage universe where friendship counts for everything - even with a war going on.

And finally, the first part of the grand finale -- a teaser of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 releases on November 19. The second part hits theatres next year.

No 3D for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Disappointment might wrench the heart of die-hard Harry Potter fans because year’s most awaited film ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 3D release has been cancelled.

Entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros announced that the first part of the last film in the series would only be shown in 2D and not in eye-popping 3D technology.

It said it had hoped to be able to transform the film into 3D format but they trashed the idea, as they would not have completed the advanced version of the film within the release date window.

But the studio will now only release it in 2D, in both conventional and IMAX theatres.

“Despite everyone''s best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality,” the Daily Star quoted from a statement released by Warner Bros.

“We do not want to disappoint fans who have long anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film day-and-date on November 19, 2010, as planned,” it added.

But Warner Bros said it was still planning to deliver ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2’, due for release in July next year in both 2D and 3D formats.