Harry Potter has deposed James Bond as the most money-spinning movie character of all time, entertainment industry press reported on Tuesday.
Worldwide box-office takings from the five big-screen adaptations based on the books by J.K. Rowling have surpassed the earnings of the 22 films featuring British super spy 007, according to Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
So far the Harry Potter films have raked in 4.47 billion dollars worldwide, compared to the 4.44 billion generated by the Bond franchise, which began in 1962 with "Doctor No."
The Harry Potter films have also surpassed the six films in the "Star Wars" franchise, which have netted 4.23 billion since 1977.
While the figures released by Warner Bros. do not take into account inflation or rising ticket prices, studio executives say there is ample scope to increase future earnings with two more Potter films in the pipeline.
"It is amazing to think what heights the franchise could reach by the end of the decade," Warners president of US distribution Dan Fellman told the Hollywood Reporter.
The most recent Harry Potter film "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" has earned around 924 million dollars since its release earlier this year.
