Last ‘Harry Potter’ book will span 2 films

‘You cannot remove elements of this book,’ producer explains

Warner Bros.

“Harry Potter” (played by Daniel Radcliffe) was the star of seven novels, but film producers are expected to announce that J.K. Rowling’s popular series will actually span eight movies because the last novel is going to be split into two films.

Video

2! 2! 2 'Harry Potter' movies!
March 13: Msnbc.com's Courtney Hazlett talks with Amy Robach discusses the decision to make two movies for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

MSNBC

Movie video

A look at 'Avatar The Game'
"Avatar The Game" seeks to defy the trend of bad movie based video games by creating a new story line and having access to the film's resources. Msnbc.com's video game reporter Todd Kenreck previews the game.

On the set with Diane Lane

Natalie Portman kicks off toy drive

Holiday movie preview

Sophia Loren on return to silver screen

Slideshow

December movies
James Cameron’s spectacle “Avatar” hits theaters, along with George Clooney, who is “Up in the Air,” and Robert Downey Jr. as “Sherlock Holmes.”

more photos

updated 4:37 p.m. ET March 13, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Harry Potter was the center of seven novels, but he’ll star in eight films.

The final book in the wildly successful series will be made into two films, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Producers are expected to announce Thursday that J.K. Rowling’s last “Potter” installment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” will be split into two parts on the big screen. The first film is slated for release in November 2010, with part two following in May 2011.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

“It was born out of purely creative reasons,” producer David Heyman told the Times. “Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book.”

The two final “Potter” films will be shot concurrently, much like the blockbuster trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel “The Lord of the Rings.”

Another famous Tolkien tome, “The Hobbit,” is also being split into two live-action movies set for back-to-back shooting to begin next year.

Filming on the sixth “Potter” flick, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” began in September.

“It’s been brilliant,” said star Daniel Radcliffe. “It’s also, I think, the funniest of the films so far.”

The “Potter” film franchise has pulled in $4.5 billion at the worldwide box office.