The name's Potter, Harry Potter

What breed of lucrative movie magic is this? Hot off the newswires are reports that Harry Potter has now deposed James Bond as the most money-spinning movie character of all time.

According to Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, worldwide box-office takings from the five big-screen adaptations based on JK Rowling's books have surpassed the earnings of the 22 films featuring British superspy 007.

So far the Harry Potter films have raked in US$4.47 billion (NZ$6.41 billion) worldwide, compared with the US$4.44 billion generated by the Bond franchise, which began in 1962 with Doctor No.

The Harry Potter films have also surpassed the six films in the Star Wars franchise, which have netted US$4.23 billion since 1977. The most recent Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has earned around US$924 million since its release this year.

While I enjoy a good children's fantasy film as much as the next escapist, it seems amazing that five popular films can outweigh 22. Maybe these figures haven't been adjusted for inflation?

Either way, expect a lot more Potter-esque film fare at a cinema near you. Oh look, here comes Stardust and The Golden Compass!

Meanwhile, poor old Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has had a bad case of stalkeritis, with a freaky fan launching herself through traffic at him.

Elsewhere in Radcliffe news, his attempts at breaking out of the boy wizard stereotyping with the nudey-rudey stage role on Broadway has been somewhat undermined by a report that he giggled his way through his first movie sex scene.

One can't imagine Daniel Craig giggling through his passionate embraces...