<P> In 2000, shortly before the publication of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the previous three Harry Potter books topped The New York Times fiction best - seller list and a third of the entries were children's books . The newspaper created a new children's section covering children's books, including both fiction and non-fiction, and initially counting only hardback sales . The move was supported by publishers and booksellers . In 2004, The New York Times further split the children's list, which was still dominated by Harry Potter books into sections for series and individual books, and removed the Harry Potter books from the section for individual books . The split in 2000 attracted condemnation, praise and some comments that presented both benefits and disadvantages of the move . Time suggested that, on the same principle, Billboard should have created a separate "mop - tops" list in 1964 when the Beatles held the top five places in its list, and Nielsen should have created a separate game - show list when Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? dominated the ratings . </P> <P> In 1998, Rowling sold the film rights of the first four Harry Potter books to Warner Bros. for a reported £ 1 million ($1,982,900). Rowling demanded the principal cast be kept strictly British, nonetheless allowing for the inclusion of Irish actors such as the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and for casting of French and Eastern European actors in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where characters from the book are specified as such . After many directors including Steven Spielberg, Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Demme, and Alan Parker were considered, Chris Columbus was appointed on 28 March 2000 as the director for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (titled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States), with Warner Bros. citing his work on other family films such as Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire and proven experience with directing children as influences for their decision . </P> <P> After extensive casting, filming began in October 2000 at Leavesden Film Studios and in London itself, with production ending in July 2001 . Philosopher's Stone was released on 14 November 2001 . Just three days after the film's release, production for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, also directed by Columbus, began . Filming was completed in summer 2002, with the film being released on 15 November 2002 . Daniel Radcliffe portrayed Harry Potter, doing so for all succeeding films in the franchise . </P> <P> Columbus declined to direct Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, only acting as producer . Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón took over the job, and after shooting in 2003, the film was released on 4 June 2004 . Due to the fourth film beginning its production before the third's release, Mike Newell was chosen as the director for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, released on 18 November 2005 . Newell became the first British director of the series, with television director David Yates following suit after he was chosen to helm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . Production began in January 2006 and the film was released the following year in July 2007 . After executives were "really delighted" with his work on the film, Yates was selected to direct Harry Potter and the Half - Blood Prince, which was released on 15 July 2009 . </P>

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