Universal unveils new details about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter extension

We’re very excited to announce that Universal has sent us the following press release regarding the extension to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. And it sounds – in the words of Ron Weasley – bloody brilliant! I, for one, cannot wait to go! Be sure to read on about the wonderful addition, and see if you can spot a very cheeky looking friend of Feltbeats James Phelps along the way.

ALL ABOARD!

Hagrid at Hogsmeade Station

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT REVEALS NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED DETAILS ABOUT THE MAGICAL JOURNEY GUESTS WILL EXPERIENCE ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS

Universal Creating First-Ever Experience that Will Allow Guests to Actually Ride the Iconic Train Between London and Hogsmeade – Just Like in the Books and Films

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 14, 2014) – One of the most memorable and exciting experiences from the Harry Potter series will come to life at Universal Orlando Resort this summer. Imagine:

  • Being transported from the Muggle world to the wizarding world as you pass through the brick wall at King’s Cross Station to arrive at Platform 9 3⁄4
  • Watching in amazement as the Hogwarts Express pulls into the station – its billowing steam and authentic whistle beckoning you to hop aboard
  • Sitting in one of the train’s cabins with your family and friends and actually riding the Hogwarts Express – just as your favorite characters did in the Harry Potter films
  • Looking outside your cabin window and enjoying a scenic, breathtaking journey through the British countryside as you encounter magical creatures, some of your favorite Harry Potter characters…and even Dementors…

Since the very first Harry Potter film, every fan has dreamed of taking the same classic journey Harry Potter did aboard the Hogwarts Express. And this summer – they will get to live it.

Today, Universal Orlando revealed never-before-released details about the Hogwarts Express experience that will debut as part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley – the all-new, magnificently themed land opening this summer. The train will connect the new land in Universal Studios Florida with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure – allowing guests with park-to-park admission to enjoy a real journey aboard the iconic locomotive.

Never before has this been done – creating an actual train ride experience to connect two spectacularly themed environments. The Hogwarts Express experience combines powerful storytelling, live special effects, life like animation and state-of-the-art technology to take riders on the journey of a lifetime. Guests will enjoy two completely different experiences depending on whether they’re traveling to Hogsmeade or London.

Buckbeak

Once seated in the cabin, guests will be able to look out their windows as an incredibly authentic and magical adventure unfolds before them. They’ll see Hagrid come alongside the train on his flying motorbike, Buckbeak the Hippogriff swoop gracefully over the black lake, the Weasley twins on brooms and up to their usual antics, the Knight Bus swerving through London traffic – and other special moments and surprises.

Fred Weasley

Universal’s Creative team has been working closely with Warner Bros., Stuart Craig and the production team from the Harry Potter films to create a sensational Hogwarts Express experience that the entire family can enjoy. The Creative team has gone to great lengths to ensure the experience is true to the books and films. Everything about the train is authentic – from the paint and the materials used to build it….all the way down to the whistle.

Park-to-park admission is required to experience the Hogwarts Express journey from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley (located in Universal Studios Florida) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). For more information about the Hogwarts Express – including a new video that features a first-look at the ride experience – and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter.

Tom Felton announced for Fan Expo Vancouver 2014

We’re excited to announce that Tom has confirmed to us today that he will be attending Fan Expo Vancouver in April this year. Unfortunately Tom had to cancel last year due to film shooting commitments, so here’s hoping everything pans out this time!

fanexpo

Fan Expo Vancouver will take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, April 18-20. A schedule of events will be posted on their website next month, however tickets are already available for purchase!

Tom Felton is an English actor and singer. He is best known for playing the role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, the film adaptations of the best-selling Harry Potter novels by author J.K. Rowling, for which he auditioned at age twelve.

Felton started filming in commercials when he was eight years old and in films at the age of ten, appearing in The Borrowers and Anna and the King. After being cast as Draco Malfoy he has subsequently appeared in all eight Harry Potter films, from 2001 to 2011. Felton’s portrayal of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 won him the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2010 and 2011.

Prices for photos with Tom and his autograph are yet to be announced, but keep checking the site for updates.

Exclusive preview! Tom Felton in the spring/summer ’14 issue of GQ Style

Tom did a photoshoot for the magazine GQ Style UK this January. He tweeted about it here, here and here.
Now we get an exclusive preview by British GQ of the spring/summer issue.
Click here for the video or watch below – Tom at 00:08

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We revealed the star-studded cover to you yesterday, now get an first look inside the new issue of GQ Style with our exclusive video. With a little help from Levi’s, we assembled 16 of Britain’s brightest new talents on the verge of breaking America and dressed them up in this season’s best denim-anchored looks (what else?). From balladeer Tom Odell to screen stars such as Ella Purnell, Craig Roberts and Tom Felton, take a look at our preview film here – then pick up the issue this Thursday for the full shoot.

The spring/summer ’14 issue of GQ Style is out in both print and tablet editions on 13 March, priced £6.

credit: GQ Style UK

Extra Questions – Essential Homme’s interview with Tom Felton by Evan Ross Katz

Tom is in the February/March issue of the magazine Essential Homme (we reported here). Evan Ross Katz interviewed Tom and had many questions for him, but not all questions of the interview are in the magazine. He has published more questions of the interview on the site of Essential Homme.

One on One with Golden Boy, Tom Felton 

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Evan Ross Katz:

I was given 40 minutes with British actor Tom Felton for our interview in the February/March issue of the print magazine (out now!), and while I was happy to keep the focus on Harry Potter and Felton’s upcoming projects for the print edition, I had a lot of other, equally important questions that there simply wasn’t room for. Questions about his Instagram, if he’d ever do a Broadway show, what he really thought of his new home in Los Angeles, what kind of food he ate, the list goes on and on—and on a bit more; I had a lot I wanted to know! Luckily, he’s the friendliest and was more than game. And so it went…

Evan Ross Katz: Did you always know you wanted to be an actor growing up?

Tom Felton: Not per se. It wasn’t something I was actively chasing. I used to enjoy going to the theatre with my parents and my brothers. My older brothers were part of an amateur drama group, so I’d watch their shows as a kid, and naturally it became something I wanted to do. The main thing that drove me as a child was that I enjoyed doing it. No matter what the role, TV or theatre, I really enjoyed the whole process.

ERK: Correct me if I’m being presumptuous, but perusing your Instagram, I would picture your perfect day to include your dog, Timber, a few rounds of golf, and… give me a third thing.

TF: I noticed that recently. I was flicking through some of my lasts posts and it’s literally dogs and golf. I’ll try and mix it up for you, Evan, don’t worry.

ERK: Thank you.

TF: I love the outdoors, so probably a fire. I love to sit outside with a nice fire.

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ERK: Are you living in LA at the moment?

TF: Yeah, I just moved here. It’s beautiful so far, especially this time of year. Back home in London, it’s a little more chilly, so I’m very happy to be on this side of the pond.

ERK: Can we do the “biggest difference between LA and London” question?

TF: In my experience people are a bit more outgoing in LA. There’s much more of an outdoor lifestyle. The weather seems to breathe happiness. Not to say there isn’t that in London—there certainly is—but it’s just a different lifestyle out here that I really enjoy.

ERK: What about food?

TF: Well this is going to sound terrible, but the In-N-Out Burger is definitely my favorite lunch spot. Definitely a reason to come to California.

ERK: Might we get some new music in 2014?

TF: I’d like to think so. I’d like to think I’m always tinkering and working on stuff. It’s just a case of ‘if I get the time and the right place and the right people to record it.’

ERK: Who would be some of your dream artists to collaborate with?

TF: I’m not sure if I’m in the realm of collaborating with any of these people but I enjoyed the new John Mayer album, the new Jack Johnson album, [and] loved the new Eminem album. It’s quite a varied group there. I’m not sure what the four of us would sound like if we dove forth with it…

ERK: Only one way to find out.

TF: Right. If you can hook it up, I’m in.

ERK: Does one ever get used to the flashbulbs?

TF: It was awkward as a child and it’s still pretty awkward now—just standing there with this enormous smile on your face while a billion flashbulbs go off. It’s not something you get used to. Every year when I get lucky enough to go to a new city, promoting something or rather, I’m always surprised to see how far the Harry Potter films have reached. All across America, Canada, South America, it doesn’t seem I’ve been anywhere where people don’t know about the films, which is incredibly humbling.

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ERK: You worked with acclaimed playwright Neil LaBute on his first TV venture, Full Circle, do you have any aspirations to do Broadway? Would you consider a musical?

TF: Yeah, definitely. It’s not in my immediate focus or drive, but that’s how I started, doing theatre, so it wouldn’t be something that felt too unnatural to me. I’d love to do [one] if it’s the right one.

ERK: Do you have a favorite?

TF: Jersey Boys is the one I’ve seen the most. My girlfriend and I are big fans of that music. Also Blood Brothers. It would be a dream come true to be in that.

ERK: Do you have a guilty pleasure?

TF: My girlfriend’s guilty here as well, she kind of lured me into it, but you know trash TV—like those terrible reality TV programs that you seem to be able to watch for hours that actually say and do nothing?

ERK: I’m quite familiar. Do you have favorites among them?

TF: The Hills is one of them over in England that’s big. I always say I don’t enjoy watching it, and then I’m there two hours later still watching, so I don’t really know how to explain it.

ERK: What are your 2014 resolutions?

TF: Resolutions, good call. I haven’t given it any thought. Can you give me some inspiration?

ERK: I have no idea. I might do a gluten free situation for a month. Sounds incredibly dire, though.

TF: I might do something like that as well. A friend of mine cut out bread and pasta, so I might follow him or try some radical new food diet for a month. I’ll do it with you, Evan, and we can see how we’re both doing.

ERK: Perfect. Oh, and like 2013, I am going to try and divorce myself from the trashy TV.

TF: Good call. We should do that together, too. At least cut it down to an hour a week.

ERK: Deal.

The print magazine out now on newsstands. You can also order it on their site
and the digital issue of the magazine here.

We will upload the full interview from the magazine later.