Latest ‘Potter’ book will be made into 2 films

March 14, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

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. Producers are expected to announce 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. “It was born out of purely creative reasons,” producer David Heyman said. “Unlike every other book, you cannot remove elements of this book.” The two final “Potter” films will be shot concurrently. 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.

Today’s birthdays

Former astronaut Frank Borman is 80. Actor Michael Caine is 75. Composer-conductor Quincy Jones is 75. Comedian Billy Crystal is 60. Prince Albert II, the ruler of Monaco, is 50. Actress Megan Follows is 40. Rock musician Derrick (Jimmie’s Chicken Shack) is 36. Actor Jake Fogelnest is 29. Actor Chris Klein is 29. Actress Kate Maberly is 26. Singer-musician Taylor Hanson (Hanson) is 25.