Global Licensed Publishing Deal for J.K. Rowling Films

NEW YORK: Scholastic and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have entered into a global licensed publishing deal for children’s books based on the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films, as well as the Harry Potter movie franchise.

Set to launch in September, the licensing deal includes world all-language rights for children’s movie-tie-in books in multiple formats for J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film and its sequels. The agreement also includes tie-in books based on the original eight Harry Potter movies. Scholastic’s licensed publishing program comprises a range of book formats, including movie handbooks, coloring and creativity books, guided journals, paper craft books, poster books and sticker books.

Ellie Berger, the president of Scholastic Trade, said, “As the U.S. publisher that introduced Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to American readers in 1998, we are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to complement the expansion of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. We look forward to bringing the world of these amazing movies to existing fans and a new generation of readers.”

J.K. Rowling’s first seven Harry Potter books were published by Scholastic in the U.S. between 1998 and 2007. They have sold more than 160 million copies in the U.S., 450 million-plus copies worldwide, and are distributed in more than 200 territories in 79 languages. Warner Bros. Pictures adapted the book series into the film franchise.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them marks Rowling’s screenwriting debut. Her screenplay was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by her character Newt Scamander. The feature film is slated for worldwide release on November 18 from Warner Bros. Pictures.