Boy wizard Harry Potter may have to work his magic to make his film thebiggest in history.
Despite its massive box office takings, Harry Potter and the Philosopher'sStone is unlikely to become the biggest film of all time, a record held byTitanic.
And it will have to work hard to beat Star Wars: Episode One - The PhantomMenace, history's second biggest film, showbusiness newspaper Daily Varietyreported.
The film suffered a 58% fall in box office takings at American cinemas lastweekend, but passed the 200 million dollars (£140.6 million) barrier.
It was the second fastest film to reach the mark, behind the Star Warsprequel, but today experts forecast it lacks the staying power to beatTitanic.
The disaster epic made £1.23 billion in cinemas worldwide, with Star Wars:Episode One far behind at £650.9 million.
Daily Variety reported that Harry Potter needs a massive drive by makersWarner Brothers to beat the science fiction fantasy, but would not evencome close to Titanic.
David Davis, a box office analyst with Los Angeles investment firmHoulihan, Lokey, Howard & Zukin told the newspaper: "I think it'sconceivable Harry Potter could do a billion dollars worldwide with a realmarketing push."
The film faces a challenge from another fantasy epic, the Lord of theRings: Fellowship of the Ring, the first in a three-part adaptation of theJRR Tolkein book, which will be released just a week before Christmas.But Warner Brothers are hoping that families will flock to see the tale ofwizards and witchcraft over Christmas.
With the holiday and New Year's Day falling on Tuesdays, the firm expectscinemas to be packed as families keep youngsters entertained.Warner Brothers' head of distribution Jeff Goldstein said: "It's alwayslike striking pay day when Christmas falls on a Tuesday."
The studio is also to open the film in many foreign countries, which werethe places which made Titanic the biggest film of all time.But the film is unlikely to be marketed in Britain and America in the NewYear, while it is also unlikely to benefit from the boost other filmsreceive when Oscar nominations are announced in February and the goldenstatuettes are awarded in March.
Read More
Film bosses will also be hoping for a second pay-day when the video and DVDversions of Harry Potter are released next summer.And they will then be ready for a second shot at box office glory - withHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, out next November and alreadybeing anticipated by fans of the young wizard.
