Variety predicts $7 billion gross for Potter franchise

After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is released, Variety predicts that the studio will have grossed $7 billion from the Potter franchise alone. This bold prediction comes from a new article where they look at what 'tentpole' films Warner Brothers has lined up over the next few years:

Tentpoles, the thinking goes, can justify megabudgets for top talent, lavish action sequences and special effects since they'll rake in dough for other divisions (TV, homevid, merchandise and vidgames). And in the case of new properties like "The Green Lantern" and "Sherlock Holmes," it can also establish an evergreen franchise.