Harry Potter Mania

Universal Orlando Resort, and Warner Bros. today revealed first-ever details about the incredible scope of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal also announced that beginning spring 2010, its theme park will be open for all dedicated Potterphiles to make a vacation pilgrimage.

Among the tantalizing tidbits revealed, the resort gave a list of featured locations, as well as a virtual fly through of the park.

And after entering the front archway of Hogsmeade to the immensity of Hogwarts castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter travelers will find a magical assortment of attractions.

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station.

Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes. Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice. Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery.

The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard. Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament.

Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.

There’s no doubt many memories will be made in the new park, and it looks as though there’s enough magic to go around — luckily they’re able to reveal it, even to us Muggles.

07:02 PM PT, Jul 22 2009

Special makeup designer Nick Dudman had to scramble to complete the look of the werewolf Death Eater Fenrir Greyback in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." "They didn't select [actor Dave Legeno] until quite late, and we didn't have a lot of time," Dudman explained. Luckily, this wasn't some two-bit indie production; this was a big-budget Warner Bros. blockbuster, with the resources to go with it. "We had about 10 people on just that one character," Dudman said. "We can take the time to pay attention to detail." For Greyback, Dudman's team spent seven months stockpiling a supply of multi-piece silicone makeup to be applied to the actor's head and chest, with each bit of goat hair individually punched into the makeup. "You can't use wig lace, because it will show," Dudman said. "It has to be done by hand." It took about 5 1/2 days to apply the hairs for one set of makeup that would be used for only one day of shooting. Dudman had no way around it. "The makeup removal process would always result in the silicone pieces being destroyed." -- Patrick Kevin Day

Whoa! This sounds amazing. While the talks about the big changes from the book to the movie are wide, here I go craving to see the movie. I haven't read the book so I'm not on the “OMG I can’t believe they changed so much from the book” moments. I'm ready to get my heart pumping on the movie climax and grab those popcorn. Yeah, let's go!

From source:

Posted: Sun., Jul. 19, 2009, 1:16pm PT
By DAVE MCNARY

Warner Bros. has joined Paramount in hitting the $1 billion mark in domestic grosses this year.

Studio made the announcement Sunday after "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" grossed $159.7 million in its first five days. Warners said that reaching the $1 billion mark in 192 days is a record for the studio.

Warners said it's hit the $1 billion domestic mark in 10 of the past 11 years and is the only studio to do so for nine consecutive years. The studio's "The Hangover" has become the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever at the domestic box office, with more than $235 million, breaking a record held by "Beverly Hills Cop" for 25 years.

As a busy mom, well even during my younger days, I usually go for movies that sell. I see to it that the movie is worth watching. I would gladly opt to watch the 6th Harry Potter or even start again from the very first. Marathon, is it? I'm getting in on the mania!

From source:

Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:03pm EDT

LOS ANGELES, July 16 (Reuters) - The new Harry Potter movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" took in $104 million at worldwide box offices on its first full day of release, setting a record, the Warner Bros studio said on Thursday.

The movie, the sixth in the series based on the books by J.K. Rowling, grossed $45.85 million at the box office internationally and $58.18 in North America on Wednesday, Warner Bros said.

Those figures include a record $22.2 million at midnight showings in the United States.

"Quite simply, we owe this record-breaking opening to the remarkable fans who have stood by us and who stood in line to be among the first to see 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,'" Warner Bros President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn said in a statement.

From source:

July 14, 3:00 PM

When you line up for tickets to the latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, you can relax in the knowledge that in spite of any gory appearances to the contrary, no animals were hurt or killed during the actual production of the movie.

That's according to the American Humane Association's Film & TV Unit, whose Certified Animal Safety Representatives not only monitored the condition of the animals and birds who appeared in the movie, but actually instructed the actors and crew members on their proper handling.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earned the Association's coveted "Outstanding" rating, which means that "Safety Representatives were on the set to ensure the safety of the animals throughout the production."