JK Rowling's estimated net worth stands at 1 billion $ in 2016, but it's a safe bet to say it will only increase big time in the years to come. Five years have passed since the release of the supposedly final Harry Potter movie but that didn't mean it was also the end of the magic hero created by the pen of the British author. From the new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child to the three cinematographic prequels to the saga being in production, JK's prolific world of wizards and witches is more vital and alive than ever.The highly anticipated first prequel to Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released on November 18th, 2016.
Warner's going Disney
The opportunities forexpansioncreated by the Hogwarts' brand are way bigger than series like Star Wars and are more similar to those created by Mickey Mouse and co. for the Walt Disney studios. A timeless, cross-generational brand that can be played and adapted to every possible platform and merchandising plan the entertainment industry can think of. Proof is the new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, playing in London to raving reviews and surely a future inspiration formovie adaptations and side projects. The ultimate symbol of the power of Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney studios has always been arguably Disneyland. The theme park opened in Florida in 1955 and is at a cumulative 650 million visitors in its sixty-plus years of activity.
Such a huge opportunity didn't fail to catch the eye of people at Warner's, which had its own The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010. In the same city as Disneyland, Orlando. It's certainly not as popular yet, but it's going so wellthey opened a second branch in California and a third one in Japan. Walt Disney had the advantage of having the chance to milk out the whole imaginario of popular fairy tales.
JK Rowling is technically only one author but she holds the copyright to a world of alternative characters and different angles on the Harry Potter saga to outlast any other cinematic brand in movie history. It's not even necessary that she'd be directly involved in the creative process: the material for spin-offs, TV series, merchandise and cartoons that can be generated by Warner's from the existing material is endless.
The fact that JK Rowling is determinedto keep writing her storiesis a good indicator the Harry Potter products will hold to their standard in the years to come.
