As we previously reported, Universal Orlando will be hosting A Celebration Of Harry Potter At The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter January 24th-26, 2014.
Vacation packages went on sale today for the 3 day extravaganza, and can be purchased by clicking here. No word yet on what cast members will be in attendance. Watch this space for further updates on the event.
Beginning January 24, 2014, fans will enjoy three days of unforgettable experiences – including interactive Q&As with Harry Potter talent and more. Special event vacation packages will go on sale August 22 and will include exclusive benefits such as access to a private evening reception held in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Full vacation package details are below.
Guests will have the opportunity to:
- Attend Q&A sessions with Harry Potter talent, filmmakers, and other special guests (talent attendees will be announced at a later date)
- Revisit some of their favorite Harry Potter film moments during a film tribute with Harry Potter talent and filmmakers (talent attendees will be announced at a later date)
- Learn the art of “duelling” at a wand masterclass that’s featured at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and hosted by Paul Harris – the choreographer who trained the cast of the Harry Potter films
- And much more!
Guests will also have access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where they can soar above Hogwarts on the thrilling attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, sip Butterbeer at the Hog’s Head pub, see a wand choose a wizard in Ollivanders, explore iconic shops like Honeydukes, Zonko’s, and more.
While most of the activities for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” will be open to all Universal Orlando park guests and annual passholders, only guests who purchase the special event package will enjoy exclusive benefits and reserved seating for select events. Packages are extremely limited and go on sale at noon EST on Thursday, August 22. See below for full package details.
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Packages for “A Celebration of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort On Sale at Noon EST on August 22, 2013 |
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On-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $675 per adult, tax inclusive |
· 3-night accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s award-winning on-site hotels – including complimentary Universal Express access to select rides and attractions
· 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida · Access to the exclusive evening reception held in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter · Reserved seating for select events – including the Harry Potter film tribute, Q&A sessions and the wand masterclass · Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks |
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Off-Site Hotel Celebration Vacation Package ~ Starts at $395 per adult, tax inclusive |
· 3-night accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel near Universal Orlando
· 3-day park-to-park ticket to both Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida · Access to all celebration activities– including reserved seating for select events and access to the exclusive evening reception in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter · Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and breakfast at the Three Broomsticks · Note: This package does not include complimentary Universal Express access |
Access to select events within “A Celebration of Harry Potter” is included in regular admission to Universal Orlando or with an annual pass. For more information about the event, tickets and vacation packages, visit www.universalorlando.com/celebration.
About the Harry Potter series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with theseries to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.
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Fox Searchlight To Release Belle In North America And UK
Deadline is reporting that Fox Searchlight has now secured the rights to”Belle” for release in North America and the U.K. The movie stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson, Tom Felton and Matthew Goode.They are expecting to release in Spring of 2014.
LOS ANGELES, CA July 1, 2013 – Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula announced today that the company has acquired most worldwide rights including North America and the United Kingdom to BELLE, inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. Directed by BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante and written by Misan Sagay, BELLE features Gugu Mbatha-Raw in her first starring role along with Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson, Academy Award nominee Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Penelope Wilton, Academy Award nominee Miranda Richardson, Tom Felton and Matthew Goode. The film was produced by Damian Jones. The film is scheduled to be released in Spring 2014.
“Gugu Mbatha-Raw is a revelation as Belle, she gives a brave and powerful performance joined by an outstanding ensemble cast and we look forward to introducing her to film audiences everywhere. We were entranced by this inspiring story of love and perseverance during a time of significant social and legal changes,” said Gilula and Utley.
“The experience and sensibilities of the team at Fox Searchlight make it a wonderful match for BELLE. I am so pleased their passion for this film means it now has the ability to be seen by audiences worldwide. We’ve worked hard to turn historical facts of the life of a true pioneer into a compelling and moving cinema experience,” said Asante.
“We are thrilled this magnificent film has found the perfect home. The Fox Searchlight team’s understanding of the film and its potential makes for an incredibly exciting journey through release and beyond,” said Jones.
BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar’s son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.
The deal was brokered by Fox Searchlight’s Vice President of Acquisitions Ray Strache, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs Megan O’Brien and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions Tony Safford with Bankside Films’ Co-Managing Director Hilary Davis and Head of Sales & Marketing Stephen Kelliher and Christos Michaels of Lee & Thompson, as well as Steve Christian on behalf of Isle of Man Film and Pinewood Pictures. The film was developed by the BFI Film Fund which also backed production, alongside Isle of Man Film, Pinewood Pictures, Head Gear Films and Metrol Technology.
For more on Tom Felton’s character, check out our exclusive interview with him from last years NY Comic Con where he gives us a little sneak peek into the film.
Tom Felton to star in Full Circle for DirecTV
DirecTV announced today, and we now have confirmation from Tom himself that he will be starring in the upcoming Neil LaBute drama “Full Circle. The 10 Episode arc will be featured on the Audience Channel this fall, exclusive to DirecTV. Here’s what the LA Times had to say about the upcoming series.
When DirecTV’s new original drama “Full Circle” debuts on the Audience Channel in the fall, some people will see it as screenwriter and playwright Neil LaBute’s TV debut. But others may see it as a chance for Angel and Draco Malfoy to team. Both “Angel” and “Bones” star David Boreanaz and “Harry Potter” alum Tom Felton have been announced in the cast, but don’t expect a typical ensemble effort.
The concept behind the 10-episode drama series is that each episode will feature a conversation between two characters in a restaurant. One of the characters will then provide the bridge to the next episode, which will feature that person paired with a new character, and so-on until the season finale, which will bring all the characters together.
Joining Boreanaz and Felton are Kate Walsh, Minka Kelly,Julian McMahon, Keke Palmer, Devon Gearhart, Bill Campbell, Noah Silver, Ally Sheedy, Cheyenne Jackson andRobin Weigert.
The connections are sometimes surprising: McMahon plays a high-powered entertainment lawyer, while Kelly plays his wife. And Boreanaz plays his client, a famous comic with a wild streak, while Palmer plays someone whose life was forever changed as the result of a joke the comic took too far.
Production on the series will begin at the end of May in DirecTV’s Los Angeles Broadcasting Center.
“Full Circle” will be DirecTV’s original series follow-up to “Rogue,” the police drama starring Thandie Newton that debuted in April. Previously, DirecTV had picked up series that began on other networks to finish their runs. It produced three seasons of “Friday Night Lights” when it was going to be canceled by NBC and it produced two seasons of “Damages”when it was in danger of being canceled by FX.
Universal Studios Announces Diagon Alley Coming In 2014
In a press release sent out today, Universal Studios Orlando officially announced the Diagon Alley expansion that will open in 2014. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter- Diagon Alley will be located in the Universal Studios Park joining Hogsmeade which is located in it’s sister park Island Of Adventure.
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES:
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – DIAGON ALLEY
IS COMING TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
‘London’ and Diagon Alley Will Come to Life at Universal Orlando in 2014
World’s First Centrally Themed, Multi-Park Experience
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 8, 2013) – Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment,
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allows Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films, offering brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.
Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.
And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between ‘London’ and Hogsmeade aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Work on the new area is already underway. When complete, it will feature shops, a restaurant and an innovative, marquee attraction based on Gringotts bank – all directly inspired by the fiction and films.
More details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time.
To bring Diagon Alley and ‘London’ to life, Universal’s creative team is working closely with Warner Bros. and the production design team from the Harry Potter films – just as it did for Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.
“I’m so pleased that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has proved so popular to date, and I’m sure that the attention to detail in creating the new Diagon Alley area will make this an even better experience,” said J.K. Rowling.
“We are continuing the journey and adding an entirely new level of adventure,” said Tom Williams, Chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts. “And we are bringing the same drive, commitment, enthusiasm and innovation to this project as we did to the first.”
“We are thrilled to offer the legions of fans the opportunity to embark on this new journey and experience Diagon Alley as it was brought to life in the books and films,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
“Our vision is to create two amazing theme park experiences that combine into one, complete, magical journey,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June 2010 as a fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment – bringing to life the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and the blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Since that time, it has become a global phenomenon, entertaining millions of people from around the world.
Visitors to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are swept into the adventures of Harry Potter. They can tour Hogwarts castle, shop in Hogsmeade and dine at the Three Broomsticks. They can soar above Hogwarts with Harry, be chosen by a wand at Ollivanders, sample Butterbeer and much more.
About the Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter continues to be a global phenomenon. Each of the seven books by author J.K. Rowling has broken sales records, with the series to date having sold over 450 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 70 languages. The Harry Potter films, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, have grossed more than $7.7 billion to date worldwide at the box office, making Harry Potter the largest-grossing film franchise in history.
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About Universal Orlando Resort
There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation, but there is only one place where vacation becomes adventure: Universal Orlando Resort. It is a unique destination featuring two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex. It’s the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you become part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D. Now open: the new, heart-warming and hilarious Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride. And coming soon: Transformers The Ride-3D.
Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
Stay tuned to Feltbeats for more news on the upcoming expansion!