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Harry Potter Movie Release Set; Let The Merchandising Begin!
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 ``Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,'' Warner Bros. Pictures' adaptation of the first in the best-selling series of Harry Potter books, to be directed by Chris Columbus (``Home Alone,'' ``Mrs. Doubtfire''), will hit theaters throughout North America on Friday, Nov. 16, 2001. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. ``The Harry Potter books are beloved by children and adults all around the world,'' Fellman said. ``We are thrilled to be releasing this picture during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, a time when families can enjoy the Harry Potter experience together.'' Harry Potter is the central character in a series of books for children and adults alike that has swept the world. Written by British author J.K. Rowling, the books follow the exploits of a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Harry is summoned from his life as an unwanted foster child to become a student at Hogwarts, a boarding school for wizards. There, he meets a close circle of friends that becomes his new family. Ultimately, with their help, he takes on the powerful figure who was responsible for his parents' death. Warner Bros. Pictures, through British producer David Heyman, acquired the rights to the first four books in the series, which is projected to include seven books. The screenplay, based on Rowling's book, is by Steve Kloves (``The Fabulous Baker Boys''). Production is scheduled to commence in England this fall. Mattel was granted the master toy license for the Harry Potter property earlier this year, and will be producing products based on both the book series and the upcoming film. The initial release of Potter merchandise is expected to be exclusive to Warner Bros. Studios Stores before moving to a mass market release. [Posted 5/19/2000]
  
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