deathbydinn Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 The Mayor is writing to Warner Brothers and Universal Studios, which are behind the Wizarding World theme park which opens in Florida next week, to urge them to develop one in London. Mr Johnson said he "deeply and bitterly" resented the fact that the park, inspired by a British wizard who was created by a British author, was opening in the US. He said today: "I know somewhere that's even better than Orlando at looking like London - and that is London. I want to know why this Kingdom of Potter is not being built in the UK, and I won't be fobbed off with any nonsense about the weather. "They built EuroDisney in the Valley of the Marne, where it is at least as cold and drizzly as it is in London - and it has been a triumphant success." City Hall insiders said he was keen for businesses who could be interested in building a Harry Potter theme park in London to come forward. Mr Johnson wants GLA staff to be as supportive as possible to any bid, although he stopped short of committing any funds to a British Wizarding World. "If they were to put forward plans, they could conclude that the Mayor would be quite passionately behind them, as long as they were professional and true to the spirit of Harry Potter," one source said. City Hall is understood to have been in talks with Warner Bros for almost two years on the prospect of building a Harry Potter theme park in Hertfordshire. However, Florida was able to offer tax incentives, development cash and new transport infrastructure. The £270million, 20-acre extension of Universal's theme parks in Orlando will feature a recreation of Hogwarts School and other landmarks from the book and film series. JK Rowling's seven Harry Potter books have together sold about 400 million copies. The movies have now taken a record $5.3billion (£3.6billion). Article Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggernel Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Maybe some bigger shops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 First the whole Tea Party, Revolutionary War thing, now we take Harry Potter...boy those Brits are going to be angry for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggernel Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 ^Must be why Butterbeer is so expensive. Stupid Taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen Heretic Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Ah, good old Boris Johnson. The man is a lovable, glorious loon. But I can sort of see his point in a way. I still remember his presenting the comedy topical quiz panel show thing "Have I Got News For You." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwm1444 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Yeah, Boris has never quite had his head screwed on fully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Given the nature of the contract for the Wizarding World in Orlando, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a future version of the new area (or theme park as some call it), but I have a feeling that when J.K. Rowling chose to bring Potter to life at Universal Orlando, she meant to keep it in one location and one location only. With all of her specifications on an intimate, authentic experience, I can't imagine how she'd justify the existance of two or more Wizarding Worlds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 But would a British themed theme park work in Britain? I think it would work as an attraction, but I couldn't see a whole theme park working. DCA had the same kind of issue, it was a park themed to present day California, and now they are trying to redo it. Granted, Harry Potter's world isn't in present day Britain, but they don't look too much different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger01 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 'Johnson' Is That Boris Johnson???? OMG This WILL be chaos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgwfreak777 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Boris must get his news by pony express. I mean honestly, the thing was announced what 3 years ago? He's just now commenting on it? And does he really think a large amusement park could be built in the city limits of a huge metropolis like London? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBJ Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 For what it's worth, Warner is planning on doing set tours at their Leavesden Studios. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen Heretic Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Boris must get his news by pony express. I mean honestly, the thing was announced what 3 years ago? He's just now commenting on it? And does he really think a large amusement park could be built in the city limits of a huge metropolis like London? He still hasn't gotten rid of the bendy buses yet like he said he would. Im not surprised he is a bit behind. considering he is a bit of a behind himself ;p. Im so glad he is not my mayor. And they will need to do something with the land they are using for the olympics once its over. Anyone know how much real estate they are putting into that? Granted, Harry Potter's world isn't in present day Britain, but they don't look too much different. I thought the Harry Potter saga was set in modern Britain. Just the muggles cant see all the wizardy type stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Granted, Harry Potter's world isn't in present day Britain, but they don't look too much different. I thought the Harry Potter saga was set in modern Britain. Just the muggles cant see all the wizardy type stuff. The human world is modern day, but I was talking about the wizard world. I was comparing the look of Brit buildings to the Wizard world buildings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFChris Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I just wanted to point out that the article referred to the Harry Potter area at IOA as a theme park...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted June 19, 2010 Share Posted June 19, 2010 http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100144244&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=hollywood The stars of the Harry Potter franchise have criticised London mayor Boris Johnson after the politician complained the newly inaugurated wizarding theme park on the film should have been built in Britain, not US. Johnson recently blasted bosses at film giant Warner Bros, calling them "utterly mad" for allowing a Harry Potter park to be created in Florida, when the books and movies are all set in UK, MTV online reported. The franchise's stars, including Michael Gambon and Tom Felton, disagree with Johnson and have now waded into the debate, insisting a similar attraction would not work in London. Speaking at the launch of 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter' in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, Gambon, who plays Albus Dumbledore in the film, said, "Boris Johnson... What's he talking about? I mean only 10 people live in England don't they? You've got to have it in America to get the money back." Felton, 'Draco Malfoy' in series, has also laughed off Johnson's comments, insisting the weather isn't good enough in England to host the outside park. "I've got a few words for Boris... well mate, if you want the park to be open for 30 days a year then put it in England, but come on, realistically this is the place to do it," Felton said. Daniel Radcliffe has also spoken out about the issue, insisting that if Johnson wants to build a Harry Potter theme park in the UK, then he should use his political influence to push the decision through. "Of course it would be absolutely wonderful to have an equivalent in London and I'm sure Boris, as the mayor of London, is surely the man with the power to make that happen, one would assume," Radcliffe said. While Rupert Grint added, "We should have one, it's just amazing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/02/27/wizard-or-what-harry-potter-theme-park-to-open-in-uk-115875-22952388/ It’s wizard news for all JK Rowling fans... a Harry Potter theme park is to open here in Britain. Film company Warner Bros have earmarked a site at Leavesden Studios near London where all eight Harry Potter movies have been shot. And they have hired the same team who worked their magic on the first Potter theme park in Orlando. Harry Potter author JK Rowling is an enthusiastic supporter of the idea of a UK park, saying: “I would love it if they could do it as well as they have in Florida.” Warner Bros bought the sprawling 170-acre site outside Watford in a £100million deal last year. At the time they outlined low-key plans for a modest “visitor attraction” at the former Rolls-Royce factory. Just 6,000 visitors a day – half the number which visit Alton Towers on average – were expected to walk through the Potter film sets, including the Great Hall at Hogwarts and Dumbledore’s study. Costumes worn by actors Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) would also be on show when the attraction opens in 2012. Now it is clear that Warner Bros’ plans are much more ambitious. The firm has now registered The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the title used at the Florida park, as a trademark in the UK. And this explicitly covers amusement park rides. It is significant Warner Bros has engaged Thinkwell Design and Production to design the park since it is also working on the Wizarding World at the MGM Movie Resort in South Korea, which is due to open in 2014. Attendance at Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando have leapt by 20 per cent since the Potter attraction opened there last June. There is a steam-belching Hogwarts Express train, a Flight of the Hippogriff rollercoaster and reproductions of Hogsmeade village and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The news about Leavesden will delight millions of Potter fans. There was even a political row last summer when London Mayor Boris Johnson ranted: “We must be mad to leave it to the Americans to make money from a British invention. “Harry Potter isn’t American, he is British. The train for Hogwarts goes from King’s Cross, in London not Grand Central Station, New York.” A Warner Bros spokeswoman declined to comment on plans for the Leavesden theme park. She said: “Warner Bros routinely registers trademarks associated with its properties worldwide in order to protect its rights.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudtheWeiser Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 That is good news any new park in the Uk is definitely welcome as long as its done well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollercoaster5000 Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 (edited) Mugglenet confirm that there will not be a Harry Potter theme park in London. We've heard from Romley Davis, a company who is working with Warner Brothers to create the museum at Leavesden Studios. They've confirmed to us that there are currently no plans for a UK park. Additionally, we can now exclusively reveal that an announcement will be made this Thursday regarding the behind the scenes look at Harry Potter being built at Leavesden Studios - the place they've filmed all eight Potter films! We'll post as soon as we get the info. After the announcement on Thursday we should know more about the exhibition. I'm guessing an interactive walkthrough and exhibition like the new Doctor Who Experience attraction in the London Olympia. Edited February 28, 2011 by Rollercoaster5000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samisthabomb Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 It doesn't really matter where Wizarding World is. It doesn't affect the experience at all. The park is themed so well to Harry Potter that you don't even remember you're in Florida! London won't be any different, either. Think about it: Wizarding World is right next door to Jurassic Park! I haven't actually been since the renovations, but from what I've heard and seen in pictures Wizarding World looks very well themed. I'm sure Universal and J.K. Rowling also thought that Wizarding World would be the most profitable if it were in a city filled to the brim with waterparks and resorts. Sure, there's more competition, but you don't need to worry about that if your park is high quality and well themed. I think that if they replicated Wizarding World, it would take away much of the unique atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen Heretic Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I really wouldnt trust anything a low rent tabloid like the Mirror says about this. The only two peices of information that it seems to be based on are registering a domain, and hiring the company that does theming. Its a big, big jump to go from that, to saying there is a new theme park being built. WB have been registering domains since the first film deal was made, even taking kids to court over it. I dont think thats anything unusual or significant. And it makes sense to hire a company to theme things for a museum or exhibition. Theming isnt just for theme parks. Im going to call tabloid bull on a theme park this until something more concrete is revealed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollercoaster5000 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 The Mirror are hardly a reliable source. I pasted this paragraph from an article on Mugglenet onto this topic yesterday We've heard from Romley Davis, a company who is working with Warner Brothers to create the museum at Leavesden Studios. They've confirmed to us that there are currently no plans for a UK park. Additionally, we can now exclusively reveal that an announcement will be made this Thursday regarding the behind the scenes look at Harry Potter being built at Leavesden Studios - the place they've filmed all eight Potter films! We'll post as soon as we get the info. So there you have it, there is no Harry Potter theme park for London then! Details will be released tomorrow, only we will know exactly what the Potter attraction is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopLover Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 You guys do all realize that The Mayor of London actually only has half the brain cells of a normal human being. Kidding, This is a great idea. P.S. love your hair Boris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Found this on BBC News today. 5 March 2011 Last updated at 11:39 Details of a new Harry Potter tour in Hertfordshire have been revealed by Hollywood studio Warner Brothers. The attraction, at the Leavesden studios near Watford where the Harry Potter films were made, will open in spring 2012. The three-hour tour will feature original sets, costumes, props and effects used in all eight movies. Among the exhibits will be the set for the Great Hall at Hogwarts School and headmaster Dumbledore's office. Warner Brothers Studios at Leavesden, which will house the tour, is set to be one of the largest studio production facilities in Europe when it opens next year. Josh Berger, the head of Warner Brothers UK, says it is an important studio for the company, and will be bigger than their lot in Burbank, California. "After having worked out of Leavesden for the last 10 years and knowing our future plans it made sense to make the deal now," he said. "The sellers were prepared to sell now, we were prepared to buy and it just made sense to do it." The eighth and final Harry Potter film will open in cinemas in July 2011. Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-12645416 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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