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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Harry's back to weave his magic at the box office
Source: Agencies |
July 4, 2009, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BOY wizard Harry Potter is back in cinemas later this month with the sixth installment of the movie franchise, and another box office bonanza looks assured.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" hits screens on July 15, promising high-speed action, dark and dangerous battles with the forces of evil, budding romance at Hogwarts school for wizards and the death of a prominent character.
The wait has been a long one for Potter fans around the world who have followed the fate of Harry and his friends through the seven best-selling books by British author J.K. Rowling.
Warner Brothers pushed the release date of the film back from 2008, leaving a two-year gap since the fifth movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and the final novel "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
The release of Potter books and films are major events for the entertainment industry, both because of the passion fans share for the stories, dubbed "Pottermania" in the media, and the amount of money they generate.
The seven Harry Potter books, which began in 1997, have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and turned Rowling into a multi-millionaire publishing phenomenon.
The five movies released so far have grossed US$4.5 billion in ticket sales, and box office experts see little reason to doubt that the sixth installment will fall within the US$800 million to US$1 billion range, a huge amount for a single film.
"This is just a remarkable franchise that has consistently drawn blockbuster numbers each time out, and it is hard to imagine this picture not continuing that trend," said Brandon Gray, president of tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
Pent-up demand is expected to ensure a big opening in the key North American market and in countries such as Britain, after which word-of-mouth will be a key factor.
The fact that the Potter story is now complete may mean some fans lose interest, but advance online ticket sales in the United States look strong, according to MovieTickets.com.
Two films are being made from the Deathly Hallows book.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" hits screens on July 15, promising high-speed action, dark and dangerous battles with the forces of evil, budding romance at Hogwarts school for wizards and the death of a prominent character.
The wait has been a long one for Potter fans around the world who have followed the fate of Harry and his friends through the seven best-selling books by British author J.K. Rowling.
Warner Brothers pushed the release date of the film back from 2008, leaving a two-year gap since the fifth movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and the final novel "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
The release of Potter books and films are major events for the entertainment industry, both because of the passion fans share for the stories, dubbed "Pottermania" in the media, and the amount of money they generate.
The seven Harry Potter books, which began in 1997, have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and turned Rowling into a multi-millionaire publishing phenomenon.
The five movies released so far have grossed US$4.5 billion in ticket sales, and box office experts see little reason to doubt that the sixth installment will fall within the US$800 million to US$1 billion range, a huge amount for a single film.
"This is just a remarkable franchise that has consistently drawn blockbuster numbers each time out, and it is hard to imagine this picture not continuing that trend," said Brandon Gray, president of tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
Pent-up demand is expected to ensure a big opening in the key North American market and in countries such as Britain, after which word-of-mouth will be a key factor.
The fact that the Potter story is now complete may mean some fans lose interest, but advance online ticket sales in the United States look strong, according to MovieTickets.com.
Two films are being made from the Deathly Hallows book.
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