======Warner Bros. Pictures======
=====Company Information=====
  * **Type:** Film Production and Distribution Company
  * **Headquarters:** Burbank, California, USA
  * **Key Involvement:** Production and distribution of the //[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]// and //[[Fantastic Beasts (film series)|Fantastic Beasts]]// film series; Management of the [[Wizarding World]] brand.
=====History with the Wizarding World Franchise=====
[[Warner Bros. Pictures]] is the American film studio that secured the film rights to the first four //[[Harry Potter]]// novels from author [[J.K. Rowling]] in 1999 (J.K. Rowling interview). The studio, in partnership with producer [[David Heyman]] of Heyday Films, was responsible for bringing the entire seven-book series to the screen over the course of eight films, beginning with //[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]// in 2001 and concluding with //[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]// in 2011.
The studio's productions are notable for their general faithfulness to the source material, though numerous changes were made for the cinematic medium. They oversaw the casting of the main trio—[[Daniel Radcliffe]] ([[Harry Potter]]), [[Rupert Grint]] ([[Ron Weasley]]), and [[Emma Watson]] ([[Hermione Granger]])—who became global stars through the films. The visual aesthetic, musical scores by composers like [[John Williams]], and overall world-building established by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] have become defining elements of the franchise's public identity (film).
Following the conclusion of the original film series, [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] has continued to produce content for the [[Wizarding World]], a franchise brand co-managed with [[J.K. Rowling]]. This includes:
  * The //[[Fantastic Beasts (film series)|Fantastic Beasts]]// prequel series, starting with //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]// in 2016 (film).
  * A television series adaptation of the original seven books, announced in 2023 for the Max streaming service (Warner Bros. announcement).
=====Role in Franchise Expansion=====
Beyond the core film productions, [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] has been instrumental in expanding the //[[Harry Potter]]// universe into a global multimedia franchise.
  * **Theme Parks:** In partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts, they helped develop //[[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]]//, immersive themed lands at Universal theme parks around the world.
  * **Studio Tour:** The company operates the //[[Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter]]//, which preserves and showcases the actual sets, props, and costumes from the film series at [[Leavesden Studios]], where the movies were filmed. A similar tour also opened in Tokyo, Japan (Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo).
  * **Video Games:** Through its video game label, [[Portkey Games]], Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment publishes games set in the [[Wizarding World]], most notably the highly successful //[[Hogwarts Legacy]]// (video game).
  * **Theatrical Productions:** While not a direct producer, Warner Bros. is a strategic partner for the stage play //[[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child]]// (The Cursed Child official website).
Through these ventures, [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] has solidified the look, feel, and commercial power of the [[Wizarding World]], making it one of the most successful and enduring media franchises in history.