LOS ANGELES – Harry Potter has cast his biggest spell yet with a record-breaking first day at the box office for his final film.

Distributor Warner Bros. reports that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” summoned up $92.1 million domestically on opening day Friday.

That’s nearly $20 million more than the previous record-holder, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which took in $72.7 million in its first day two years ago.

The film added $75 million in 57 overseas countries Friday, raising its international total to $157.5 million since it began rolling out Wednesday. That gives the film a worldwide total of about $250 million.

Among its first-day totals Friday was $14.8 million in Great Britain, which Warner Bros. reported was the biggest single day ever for a movie.

The first 3-D film in the series, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” benefited from the higher price theaters charge for 3-D tickets, which cost a few dollars more than 2-D.

In a single day, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” took in more money than four of the previous seven “Harry Potter” films did over their entire opening weekends.

The finale of the “Harry Potter” saga also set a record for midnight screenings with $43.5 million. That topped “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” which pulled in about $30 million in its first midnight shows last year.

Box-office tracker Hollywood.com projected Saturday that “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” also could break the opening-weekend record of $158.4 million domestically held by “The Dark Knight.”.

Aretha’s colleague of 20 years starts legal fight over royalty deal

DETROIT – A longtime songwriting partner of Aretha Franklin has sued her publishing company, claiming it did not sign a royalty agreement for a song on her recently released album.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit by Norman D. West also accuses Springtime Publishing Inc., of copyright infringement over an earlier song and seeks unspecified damages to ensure future royalties.

West said no royalty agreement was signed for “Put It Back Together Again.”

That song and “New Day,” which West said he co-wrote along with Franklin, appear on “Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love.” The CD was released this spring — her first studio album in about eight years.

West, 45, and Franklin have worked together on songs for more than 20 years.

His lawsuit asks a judge to order Springtime Publishing to sign the royalty agreement.