subject: Harry Potter and the $5.4 Billion Fortune [print this page] Harry Potter and the $5.4 Billion Fortune
Almost 9 years to the day from the release of the first Harry Potter film, The Philosopher's Stone in 2001, there seems to be no dwindling of enthusiasm for the series and characters created by J.K Rowling.
The release date of the final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), is due to open in UK cinemas on November the 19th; Part 2 will hit the big screens on July 15th 2011.
In this latest instalment, we see Voldemort's power increasing, enabling him to take control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. Little hope remains for the trio and the rest of the Wizarding World, so everything they do must go as planned.
All stops have been taken out for this epic, which had a production budget of around $250 million. That's a cool $100 million more spent on production than any of the previous six films, and that's just for Part 1.
Although the production budget for Part 2 of The Deathly Hallows hasn't been confirmed, indications are that it will be released in full 3D making it likely to be the most expensive film of the series.
Although the production costs are staggering, at around $1.2 billion to date, the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter franchise has so far raked in an estimated $5.4 billion in worldwide revenue, making it the world's most successful film series ever.
Despite the fortune spent on the films, a little know fact is that movie set designers visited a small second hand furniture shop in Knowle West in Bristol to buy old tables and wardrobes, to be used as props for the latest Harry Potter film.
If you're planning a magical trip away for someone but don't have $250 Million spare, don't worry - Pre-book your Bristol Airport parking and Bristol Airport hotels and save a small fortune. You'll have no problem with airport parking if you have a car, not sure about broomsticks however.
