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Universal Planning A Second ?Wizarding World Of Harry Potter? In Hollywood

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:41:07 +0000

For years, Harry Potter fans dreamed of being able to enter his world. Then, in June 2010 [1], that dream became a reality when Universal Studios Orlando [2] opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a full themed land inside the park that features Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade, a few major rides and more. The park has been a massive success for Universal, helping to increase their attendance by millions.

Like anything that’s successful, Hollywood is now going to steal it. In this case, though, it’s an awesome theft. Universal will reportedly announce a second Wizarding World of Harry Potter at their flagship theme park, Universal Studios Hollywood, with doors opening as early as 2015. Read more about the deal, and how exactly this Potter-themed theme park will fit into Hollywood, after the jump.

The Wall Street Journal [3] first reported this news and The Los Angeles Times [4]reported the tentative opening date. Universal, who owns the Potter theme park rights, Warner Bros., who shares many of the merchandising rights, and Potter creator JK Rowling, who has creative approval over all of this, all declined to comment.

I went to Universal Studios Hollywood just a few short weeks ago and a few things struck me relating to this story. Most importantly, Universal is simply not worth its admission cost at the moment. At over $70, the park simply can’t compare to its competition like Disneyland or Six Flags. Most of the rides, even the newest ones, already feel dated. Yes, they have the new Transformers ride [5] coming in the next few months, and the world famous tram ride is always a blast, but the last two things to be added to the park – The Simpsons Ride and the 3D King Kong experience [6] – both feel like standard definition in a high definition world. They’re fun, but with maybe 10 other worthy attractions and that’s it, the whole park feels very underwhelming.

So now you add in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s going to be great and a huge draw and that means the price will, of course, go up. However, I have no idea where this entire new world would go. Unlike Disneyland, Universal isn’t build around themed worlds, unless you want to call upstairs and downstairs themed worlds (several of the rides, including the new Transformers, Jurassic Park and The Mummy, are down a massive set of escalators that take 15 minutes to traverse). Adding a new world will not only change the dynamic of the park itself, it’ll make everything else seem very dated.

I’m all for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. The news of it is some of the most exciting I can remember. However, Universal is going to have to really step up their game and think everything through before they jump into it.

Are you as excited for this as I am? Are you fans of Universal Studios Hollywood as it stands now?

[1] http://www.slashfilm.com/video-from-the-grand-opening-of-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/
[2] http://www.slashfilm.com/universal-to-expand-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-rupert-grint-confirms-uk-leavesden-studios-will-be-turned-into-harry-potter-set-tour/
[3] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204397704577070691060558140.html
[4] http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/11/harry-potter-theme-park-coming-to-los-angeles.html
[5] http://www.slashfilm.com/virtual-tour-scenes-transformers-ride/
[6] http://www.slashfilm.com/video-blog-riding-universal-hollywoods-king-kong-360-3d/

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/slashfilm/~3/QfhKhpoXidA/

Kevin Bacon Lon Chaney Eva Green Anna Friel Christopher Lee

The Booth (2005)

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:41:12 +0000

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HorrorMovieADay/~3/Zluzqhq3xEQ/booth.html

Gerard Depardieu Edward Arnold Joe E. Brown April Scott Chevy Chase

Snowbeast (1977)

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:41:12 +0000

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HorrorMovieADay/~3/YNAcN1O2iUs/snowbeast.html

Brittany Murphy Drew Barrymore Gregory Hines Elizabeth Taylor Leo G. Carroll

Welcome!

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:41:09 +0000

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HorrorMovieADay/~3/EfiW34QYmoI/faq.html

Alecia Elliott Connie Nielsen Cheryl Burke Brooke Burke Halle Berry

KL5 FILM Podcast Episode 5 – Boogie Nights

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:41:25 +0000

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DavesBlogAboutMoviesAndSuch/~3/yBGNLBnZU2o/kl5-film-podcast-episode-5-boogie.html

Jeanne Crain Amanda Peet Bridget Fonda Francis X. Bushman Charlie Chaplin

Well, You’re Getting Another ‘Nutcracker’

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:41:42 +0000

Source: http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2011/12/well-youre-getting-another-nutcracker.php

Brooke Burke Halle Berry King Baggot Chyler Leigh Jodie Foster

Well, You’re Getting Another ‘Nutcracker’

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:41:18 +0000

Source: http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2011/12/well-youre-getting-another-nutcracker.php

Julia Roberts John Carradine Beulah Bondi Erica Leerhsen Ana Beatriz Barros

Daniel Day-Lewis is method acting the hell out of Abe Lincoln

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:41:13 +0000

Steven Spielberg is busy shooting Lincoln in Virginia, and while I thought the guy from Bill and Ted made an excellent Abraham Lincoln, I guess Oscar-winning super actor Daniel Day-Lewis [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/uproxx/filmdrunk/~3/EqcTmbQnNxs/daniel-day-lewis-is-method-acting-the-hell-out-of-abe-lincoln

Bijou Phillips Cinthia Moura Christina Aguilera Gwen Stefani Emilie de Ravin

‘Prometheus’ Isn’t An ‘Alien’ Prequel, Swears Fox Studio Chief

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:41:07 +0000

Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” is one of the hottest projects to keep an eye on in 2012, no doubt about it. But among the film’s many merits?including Scott’s much awaited return to science fiction and a stellar cast that includes Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender?there is one nagging question? is this movie an “Alien” prequel or [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/01/prometheus-isnt-an-alien-prequel-swears-fox-studio-chief/

Garcelle Beauvais John Cassavetes Hayden Panettiere Jeanne Crain Amanda Peet

Tom Cruise Joins ‘All You Need Is Kill,’ ‘Les Miserables’ Eyes Actresses For Eponine

dme — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:41:06 +0000

After mulling over the project for many months, Tom Cruise has at last committed to Warner Bros’ upcoming film “All You Need Is Kill.”
Deadline has the news that Cruise has joined the project, which is being directed by “Jumper” helmer Doug Liman. He’ll likely start shooting the movie after he wraps Joseph Kosinski’s “Oblivion,” which [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/01/tom-cruise-joins-all-you-need-is-kill-les-miserables-eyes-actresses-for-eponine/

Gregory Hines Elizabeth Taylor Leo G. Carroll Bijou Phillips Cinthia Moura