LOS ANGELES -- Harry Potter will work his magic for one more film than originally planned.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced Thursday that the seventh and final book in author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," will be split into two films.

"It has been an honor for our studio to be entrusted with bringing J.K. Rowling's extraordinary book series to the screen, and we have always felt a great responsibility to be true to her vision," said Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

"In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters," Robinov added. "That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' and release the film in two parts."

Robinov also announced that David Yates, who directed the most recent installment of the film series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," will also direct the two installments of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

"We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates," Robinov said.

Warner Bros. also said that David Heyman, who first brought the project to the studio in 1997, will be completing the film franchise as the producer of all of the Harry Potter films.

"Over 10 years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films," Heyman said. "'The Deathly Hallows' is so rich, the story so dense and there is so much that is resolved that after discussing it with Jo, we came to the conclusion that two parts were needed to do it justice."

"This is a very special moment for us, as it is the final episode in the great journey that J.K. Rowling undertook more than a decade ago," added Alan Horn, president and COO, Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It has been a journey for all of us at Warner Bros. as well, and we are confident that our filmmakers will finish our series of films as a fitting complement to Jo's completion of Harry's story on the page."

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is due in theaters in November.

The studio will then release the first part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" during holiday season 2010, with part two to follow in summer 2011.