By LINDSEY TOLERLONDON (AP) - Universal Studios is opening up a Harry Potter theme park in Florida - complete with the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade village.
"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," will open in late 2009 in Orlando, officials said Thursday.
"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," said author J.K. Rowling, who has been working with a creative team to make sure the park resembles the books and films.
More than a dozen artists and designers lead by Stuart Craig, the production designer of the movies, have set up house in the studio where the movies are being filmed to make sure every detail is considered, according to Scott Trowbridge of Universal.
"We're really going to the people who know this world best to ensure that level of authenticity," he said.
"We're really going to the people who know this world best to ensure that level of authenticity," he said.
The Potter park will allow visitors to view the iconic locations in Rowling's magical world, like Dumbledore's office in Hogwarts and the shops in Hogsmeade. Some locations may be in upcoming books, Trowbridge said.
Trowbridge said while there would not be any character lookalikes at the park, fans wanting to see Harry Potter and his magical friends wouldn't leave disappointed.
"This is Harry's world," said Trowbridge. "Most every fan wants to have an encounter with the star of the show."
The Harry Potter book series has been translated into 65 languages with more than 325 million copies sold in over 200 territories around the world.
The fifth film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," will be released in theatres on 13 July. The seventh and final book of the series will be released on 21 July.
2 comments:
Instead of a magically permeable concrete barrier, I like the idea of an invisible highway exit. And I’m not saying that because I like the idea of lost tourists flinging their cars off of overpasses and into alligator swamps and overpriced motels.
Er…okay, that is a little bit why I’m saying that.
All right, that’s my only reason.
I'm sure no one will probably ever see this comment, but I'm posting it anyway.
What the hell is up with that picture of Daniel? He totally looks like he is staring at Emma's chest - and he also looks a bit like the Joker.
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