Analysis: 'Hunger Games' crosses $400 million

This weekend, "The Hunger Games" became the 14th film to cross $400 million at the domestic box office, and the 11th to achieve the feat during its initial release.

It's the 14th film to cross $400 million.

The movie, which hit theaters on March 23, crossed the mark Sunday, its 80th day of release. Of the 11 films to cross $400 million at the domestic box office, "The Hunger Games" was the slowest to do so.

It's also the second movie of 2012 to cross $400 million after "The Avengers," which conversely did it the fastest, in only 14 days. The only other year to see two movies reach the mark was 2009 with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "Avatar."

The point of this analysis is to look at how "The Hunger Games" has performed at both the domestic and worldwide box offices and what it portends for the future of the franchise.

Based on the best-selling book by Suzanne Collins, "The Hunger Games" starred Jennifer Lawrence ("Winter's Bone," "X-Men First Class") as Katniss Everdeen with Josh Hutcherson ("The Kids are Alright") as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth ("The Last Song") as Gale Hawthorne. The cast also included Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley and Toby Jones.

"The Hunger Games" was directed by Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit," "Pleasantville") based on a screenplay from Bill Ray ("State of Play").

'Harry Potter,' 'Hugo,' 'Dragon Tattoo' win at Art Director Guild awards

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) presented its awards Saturday night helping to set two clear front runners for the Art Direction Academy Award.

"Harry Potter" was among the winners.

The guild splits its feature awards into three categories: period, fantasy and contemporary.

"Hugo" took home the award for period films, while "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" was awarded in the fantasy category and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in the contemporary category.

"Hugo" and "Harry Potter" are among the five nominees for Best Art Direction at the Academy Awards along with "The Artist" as well as "War Horse" and "Midnight in Paris," neither of which were nominated by the guild.

In addition to Saturday night's win in the fantasy category, this year’s Art Directors Guild Cinematic Imagery Award was presented to the principal team behind the Harry Potter films as a whole, including producers David Heyman and David Barron; director David Yates; creator and author J.K. Rowling; screenwriter Steve Kloves; production designer Stuart Craig; art director Neil Lamont; and set decorator Stephenie McMillan.

In the realm of television, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" was awarded for One-Hour Single Camera Television Series and ABC's "Modern Family" for Episode of a Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series. HBO's "Mildred Pierce" took home the prize for Television Movie or Mini-Series.

The black-tie ceremony announcing winners took place at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the third consecutive year.

A Lifetime Achievement Award went to Emmy Award winning production designer Tony Walton. In addition, the ADG inducted the following legendary production designers from the past into its Hall of Fame: Robert Boyle, William Darling and Alfred Junge.

See below for a full list of nominees and winners.

'Deathly Hallows' up to third among worldwide box office champs

It's been a good week for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2."

The film has now grossed $1.146 billion.

On Tuesday, the Warner Bros. Pictures’ film became the top-grossing release of 2011 in all categories: domestic box office, international box office and worldwide box office. It already held the international and worldwide titles, but it wasn't until Tuesday that it passed "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" domestically.

A day earlier, the film's tallies reached $344.8 million domestically and $801.5 million internationally, for an worldwide box office gross of $1.146 billion, making "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" the third-highest-grossing film worldwide of all time.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 can truly be called a global phenomenon," said Warner Bros. President of International Distribution Veronika Kwan-Rubinek. "The filmmakers and cast, who dedicated their talents to the success of these films for over a decade, share in this piece of cinema history. We congratulate and thank them all.”

“This is another incredible milestone for the last chapter of this historic film series, and for the Harry Potter franchise as a whole," Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, Dan Fellman said. "In a crowded and very competitive summer, it is a tribute to both the film and the people behind it that moviegoers are still turning out to enjoy it—whether for the first time or for a repeat viewing.”

Never before has a film franchise held up both creatively and financially for so long over so many installments. It's doubtful we'll see another like it for some time.

'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' becomes third movie of the year to cross $1 billion

When "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" crossed the $1 billion mark this past weekend, it was only a matter of time that "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" followed suit.

It has gross $1.004 billion so far.

Yesterday, the Michael Bay-directed film did just that, becoming the 10th film to accomplish the feat and third this summer. It took "Dark of the Moon" about twice the amount of time to do so compared to "Death Hallows," 37 days versus 19. "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," did it in 46 days.

As of yesterday, "Dark of the Moon" has grossed $340 million domestically and $664 million overseas, according to Box Office Mojo.

“'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' is the first billion dollar grossing movie in the history of Paramount Pictures, marking a substantial milestone in the 99 year life of this legendary studio," said Brad Grey, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures in a press release today.

“We are grateful for the extraordinary work of  Michael Bay and his film-making team, executive producer Steven Spielberg and everyone at Paramount around the globe who played a part in helping make this latest 'Tranformers' one of the 10 highest grossing films worldwide of all time."

"Deathly Hallows" trails "Dark of the Moon" for domestic total, but it is showing more legs for now and may catch up before the battle is over. Additionally, with "Potter" opening in China this weekend, it should stretch its international lead, which sits at $34 million.

"Deathly Hallows" now holds number six on the all-time worldwide gross list with "On Stranger Tides" in seventh and "Dark of the Moon" in ninth.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' joins $1 billion club

It's official. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" has become the eighth film and second this year to pass the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.

The film crossed $1 billion in 19 days.

According to Box Office Mojo, the film, the eighth in the "Harry Potter" franchise, broke the barrier on its 19th day of release, tying James Cameron's "Avatar" as the fastest to do so.

Domestically, it finished in fourth place this weekend with $21.9 million, for a four week total of $318 million. That puts it over previous franchise champ, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," with hauled in $317 million during its 2001 release. "Death Hallows Part 2," however, is benefiting from higher ticket prices, including premium 3D and IMAX showings.

Internationally, the film raised $66.4 million over the weekend, bringing its total to $690 million, and with its debut in China set for next weekend, there is more galleons yet to be had.

According to Mojo's tallies, "Deathly Hallows Part 2" now stands at 26th all-time domestically (not taking into account for inflation) and eighth worldwide.

“What’s truly astounding is that these kind of numbers are being achieved so early in the film’s release,” The Hollywood Reporter quoted Warners Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman and president of international distribution Veronikia Kwan-Rubinek.

Already this summer, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strange Tides" crossed the $1 billion mark, and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is expected to do so soon. Last year, "Alice in Wonderland" and "Toy Story 3" accomplished the feat.

Pottermore to serve as 'online reading experience unlike any other'

After a week of speculation, "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling revealed the purpose of the mysterious website Pottermore, which is destined to be "an online reading experience unlike any other."

JK Rowling

Additionally, it will serve as an exclusive store for digital audio books and ebooks, previously unavailable, as well as a source of additional information about the fictional world of Harry Potter.

Rowling appeared in a Youtube video outlining the site's future, thanking Harry Potter readers and calling the new website a chance to give back.

"Thirteen years after the first Harry Potter book was published, I'm still astonished and delighted by the response the story's met," Rowling said in the video.

"Even though the seventh book and eighth film have been completed, I'm still receiving hundreds of letters every week and Harry's fans remain as enthusiastic and inventive as ever," she said. "So I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you because no author could have asked for a more wonderful, diverse and loyal readership."

Everyone will be able to join in October

Despite the announcement, the exact details have yet to be revealed, although a "lucky few" will be able to join early on July 31. It will be open to everyone beginning in October.

"It's the same story, with a few crucial addition, the most important one is you. Just as the experience of reading requires that the imaginations of the author and reader work together to create the story, so Pottermore will be built in part by you, the reader.

"The digital generation will be able to enjoy a safe, unique, online reading experience based around the 'Harry Potter' books. I'll be joining in too because I'll be sharing additional information that I've been hoarding for years about the world of Harry Potter.

What lies at the end of Harry Potter? Is it Pottermore? (UPDATED)

The new website's purpose remains a mystery.

Want more Harry Potter? How about Pottermore?

"Harry Potter" author JK Rowling has revealed a new website whose purpose remains a mystery.

JK Rowling

Fan sites began receiving teasers yesterday which directed curious fans to a serious of coordinates, which when inputed into www.secretstreetview.com, revealed a letter. Put together, they eventually spelled out Pottermore.

In addition to the site, which now only features Rowling's signature and a "coming soon" message (shown above), Pottermore has a Twitter account.

The Leaky Cauldron reported it received a preview of the site and called it "breathtaking."

Next month will mark four years since the seventh and final book in the "Harry Potter" saga was published as well as the final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2."

UPDATE: The website now features a pair of owls which link to a Youtube channel with a countdown to an announcement from Rowling. According to the countdown, the announcement will come on Thursday, June 23, at 7 a.m. EST.