Final Installment Of 'Harry Potter' Series Holds U.S. Premiere At Lincoln Center
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- "Harry Potter" mania took over the Big Apple on Monday night.
Diehard fans camped out for days, some for nearly a week without any showers, to catch their favorite stars at the "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 2" premiere at Lincoln Center.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Premiere
Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the lead character in all eight films in the franchise's remarkable 10-year run, and the rest of the major "Potter" stars -- including Rupert Grint and Emma Watson -- walked the red carpet on Monday night prior to the show.
"That's fun. That stuff's crazy and mad and fun and you really don't get to do that often as an actor so I will miss that," Radcliffe said.
Jennifer Krumm, of Florida, had been in line for six long days.
"We wanted to be the first ones. We wanted to make a big deal about it. We wanted everyone to know that we were insane and hardcore and intense about it," she told CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.
1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon Speaks With More Fans At The Premiere
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PHOTO GALLERY: Harry Potter Through The Years
Many Potter-heads, who waited to get special wrist bands allowing them to get close to the stars for autographs and photographs, broke down in tears when they finally secured them.
Some lucky people -- like 17-year-old Andrew Tran -- won a chance to rub elbows with the stars. He spent nearly $1,000 to fly to New York from Oregon.
"I might just start crying when the credits roll," Tran said.
"We want to thank them, we're here to show them that they mean everything to us, the series literally does mean everything to us," fan Jennifer Crumb said.
WCBS 880's Marla Diamond With The Crowd At Lincoln Center
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Last week's world premiere in London drew thousands to Trafalgar Square with many of the fans dressed in their best wizard attire and Hogwarts uniforms.
The "Harry Potter" series, based on the seven books by J.K. Rowling, is one of the most successful franchises in film history. Aside from the movies, the books have also spawned a theme park and related merchandise.
The "Potter" films have so far grossed $6.5 billion. Experts predict "Deathly Hallows 2" could break records thanks to the combination of higher 3-D ticket prices and the anticipation surrounding the final chapter.
The film will open nationwide this Friday.
Are you excited for the latest "Potter" flick? Let us know below...
