It's been five years since fans of Harry Potter tearfully said goodbye to the boy wizard they had grown up with, but a new play, book release and spin-off film are casting his spell all over again.
Fans around the world went into mourning after the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011, cemented the end of the seven-book series from British author J.K. Rowling.
But the announcement in 2013 of three Fantastic Beasts films, a London play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, opening this weekend, and a corresponding book release of the script has expanded the Potter universe and re-awakened fandom.
"It seems like (Rowling) had the break she needed and she's now ready to get back to the Potter world in a big way," said Andrew Sims, a co-founder of young adult fandom website Hypable.com.
"People who read the book as children or teens, today they're in their twenties and thirties. We've all grown up together with Harry and events like book release parties coming up will be us returning to our childhood."
The seven Harry Potter books about an orphaned boy wizard in a magical universe have sold more than 450 million copies worldwide.
The movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, opening in November and written by Rowling, is a spin-off from the Potter stories with new characters and plot, set in New York City in 1926.
The script of the Cursed Child play, being billed as the eighth Harry Potter story, is already a US best-selling book with the most pre-orders since 2007. Worldwide release parties of the latest book are being held this weekend.
The play and book feature a grown-up Potter as an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic and father of three children who is grappling with his past.
In New York City, the Strand Book Store expected more than 400 people on Saturday night, spokeswoman Whitney Hu said. Fans were encouraged to show up in full costume for a contest and the event will include Harry Potter trivia, face-painting and photo booths.
US bookseller Barnes & Noble, which is also hosting parties, said the Potter books still top their best-selling lists. Chief merchandising officer Mary Amicucci said that the love for Potter is "truly multigenerational."
The Cursed Child play, opening on Saturday and sold out until May 2017, has won glowing reviews. It is set 19 years after the final Potter book and is presented in two parts over five hours.
Dominic Cavendish of Britain's Daily Telegraph gave it five stars, while Matt Trueman for Hollywood trade paper Variety described it as a "theatrical blockbuster."
"Twenty years ago, Harry Potter turned a generation onto reading. The Cursed Child could do the same for theater," wrote Trueman.
The Wall Street Journal's Kate Maltby was less impressed, calling the plot "a mess" and full of holes. But she added: "For those who grew up on - and with - Harry Potter, it will revive a powerful addiction to Ms. Rowling's brand of poignant truth."
Harry's done now, says Rowling
J.K Rowling says Harry Potter has cast his last spell. She made the comments at the London gala opening of the play.
Asked whether the stage production, and the publication of its script heralds a new phase of stories, she said:
"No. No. He goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we're done. This is the next generation, you know. So, I'm thrilled to see it realised so beautifully but, No, Harry is done now."
Rowling said it was not a difficult decision to put her Potter creation onstage thanks to producer Sonia Friedman's vision for the show.
"(It) chimed perfectly with the material I had about the next generation and I could see it would work perfectly. So, I never wanted to write another novel, but this will give the fans something special."
