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J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. — A Magical Chronology

14-year partnership has been stunningly successful

By
Dave McNary

Film Reporter

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Thursday’s announcement of the expanded partnership between J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. — inspired by Harry Potter’s Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” — comes 14 years after the first formal agreement to launch the Harry Potter franchise.

Two years earlier, David Heyman’s London office had discovered Rowling’s first book. A chronology to a stunningly successful partnership:

1997: “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” published on June 30. Heyman begins efforts to secure the film rights. It would be re-named “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the U.S.

1999: Warner Bros. and Rowling agree to a deal for films based on the first four books.

2000: Daniel Radcliffe discovered by Heyman and writer Steve Kloves after a seven-month search; Emma Watson and Rupert Grint also cast and production begins in September.

2001: First Potter movie opens in November and grosses $974 million.

2002: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” opens in November and grosses $878 million. Chris Columbus returns as the director.

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2004: Alfsono Cuaron directs “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” which opens in June and grosses $790 million — the lowest total in the series.

2005: MIke Newell directs “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” which grosses $900 million.

2007: David Yates directs “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” which grosses $940 million. Yates goes on to direct the last three films.

2007: Plans announced for a theme park, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in Orlando. The park opens in 2010.

2008: Warner Bros. announces it will make two films from the final “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” book.

2009: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” grosses $940 million.

2010: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” opens and grosses $960 million.

2011: The final film opens and becomes by far the most successful title with $1.34 billion in worldwide grosses. Final total for the series is $7.1 billion.

April 2013: Los Angeles County supervisors approve plans for a “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park, replacing the Gibson Ampitheater.

September 2013:  “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” partnership announced.

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