S. Florida's Harry Potter Fans Line Up For Magical Opening
MIAMI (CBS4) – "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the film based on J.K. Rowling's final book in the popular series, will open in theaters across South Florida at midnight, and many South Floridian fans are lining up hours before.
Not surprisingly, many seats for this weekend's screenings have already sold out. With a touch of a wand, two Broward teenagers transform into characters from the Harry Potter series.
When CBS4 News caught up with 16-year-old Cory Kennedy and her 17-year-old boyfriend Zachary Stillman, they were dressed in Harry Potter costumes. Stillman discovered the boy wizard at age five.
"I think that sums up my entire childhood in seven books," said Stillman.
Call them the Harry Potter Generation: young people who literally grew up with Harry. Cory remembers her mom reading the magical tales out loud.
"She'd start falling asleep and I'd be like, no, no, no, Mom! You've got to keep reading," said Kennedy.
It has been 10 years since the first Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," hit U.S. theaters in a series that has raked in a record $6 billion worldwide. It has been nearly 15 years since the first book was published.
Now, in its worldwide finale, Harry Potter has conjured up a tidy sum from the first overseas debuts of the final film.
Distributor Warner Bros. said "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" took in $43.6 million in 26 countries outside the United States on its first day Wednesday. Author J.K. Rowling created an enchanting world.
"She created this world and I feel like I'm part of it," said Kennedy.
Studio executives said Thursday the franchise finale had the biggest opening day ever in several countries, including Australia with $7.5 million, Italy with $4.6 million, and Sweden with $2.1 million. In France, the studio said "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" had the biggest Wednesday opening ever at $7.1 million.
In the countries where it opened Wednesday, total revenues were 82 percent higher than they were on the first day for "Deathly Hallows: Part 1" last November, according to Warner Bros.
The finale got a boost from the franchise's first 3-D installment. Admissions for 3-D screenings, which cost a few dollars more than 2-D showings, accounted for 65 percent of revenues, the studio said.
"Deathly Hallows" continues opening worldwide Thursday and Friday.
In the United States, the film is expected to put up franchise-record numbers as it debuts just after midnight Friday.
If fan frenzy is strong enough, "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" could become the first of the eight "Harry Potter" films to top $1 billion at the box office worldwide.
The record-holder remains the franchise's first film, 2001's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," with $974.8 million globally.
So it's no wonder why young people in costume formed a line seven hours early on Thursday at Miami's Dolphin Mall. In fact, some fans can feel the spells here with motion-effect seats, which actually move during action-packed scenes.
With Friday's release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, a childhood journey also ends -- or does it?
To keep the wizarding world alive, Stillman backed cupcakes in different colors representing the characters in the story.
"The series just means so much to me. Even if it's not a book series or not a movie, Harry Potter can still live on, even if it's through a cupcake," said Stillman.
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