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Credit: Universal StudiosThe Wizarding World at Universal is one of the most popular lands on Resort property. Found in both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the United States and Beijing and Japan overseas, the Harry Potter-themed expansion encapsulates just a fraction of the magic the billion-dollar movie franchise and book series had.
But that may all change soon after a huge announcement could see everything Universal has built completely changed.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Parks worldwide welcomes wizards, witches, and muggles all year round. In the domestic theme parks, especially at Universal Orlando Resort, the magical land is one of the most intricate and detailed locations on property.
In the Central Florida iteration, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter bridges both theme parks — Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure — with the impressive Hogwarts Express attraction. Guests must have tickets for both theme parks to experience the famous train, but if used, the Hogwarts Express ferries visitors from the magical Hogsmeade and Hogwarts to the hidden London street of Diagon Alley.
Not only is the Hogwarts Express a vital part of the Wizarding World experience at Universal, but other thrilling attractions like Hogwarts and the Forbidden Journey, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, also allow Guests to take part in J.K. Rowling’s universe, and the movie series inspired by her novels.
But that could all change soon.
The eight Harry Potter films, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and ending with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 (2011), changed the landscape of book adaptations forever. Highly respected and deeply loved by diehard and casual fans alike, the Harry Potter movies from Warner Bros. saw the famous book series taken to glittering new heights.
Since the final film wrapped, there has been a critically-acclaimed play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well as a promising spin-off series, the Fantastic Beasts franchise, also by Rowling. While the first film in David Yates’s new five-part series was generally liked, the following two installments have left much to be desired, with Warner Bros. now seemingly burying the franchise after Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) dramatically bombed at the box office.
Then there is the contention around the author herself. Rowling has faced intense scrutiny and backlash over the last few years after sharing her controversial opinions on feminism and the transgender community. However, judging by the overwhelmingly positive reception and huge sales of the videogame “Hogwarts Legacy”, as well as Warner Bros. revealing they hope to work with the author again, the creator is still respected and can still bring in audiences.
Just a few months ago, Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav recently stated that, while there were no current Wizarding World projects in development, he still hoped to collaborate with Rowling in the future.
And that has now been confirmed in a huge, bombshell announcement.
Rumored for the last few weeks, an official Harry Potter television series has been ordered by Warner Bros. Discovery for their Max streaming platform. Formerly named HBO Max, the streamer will bring seven seasons of the upcoming Harry Potter series to audiences, with each season being a “faithful” adaptation of every book in the series.
This reboot will have an entirely new cast of characters and will see Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint recast as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively.
As of yet, there is no telling just how Warner Bros. and Rowling will go about splicing this new Harry Potter effort into the pop culture canon because, let’s be honest, the Harry Potter film franchise is one of the most powerful, entertaining, and commercially successful series in cinematic history.
Related: Nightmare Unfolds Inside Universal Park’s Hogwarts Attraction
But this also poses another big question — how will Universal Resorts deal with the reboot? Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter, and all the other film characters, creatures, and locations, have been such an integral part of The Wizarding World at the theme parks, and this new “faithful” reboot may force the Parks to destroy their lands as fans know them and “rebuild” in a way that reflects this New Age Harry Potter.
And in no way did Universal Parks & Resorts take the essence of the film series and create its own iteration of the Wizarding World based on the source material, Rowling’s books. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the theme park space is a direct carbon copy of how things existed on the big screen, and this huge announcement could break everything Universal Park fans have ever known.
This also creates another question mark over the future expansion of the Harry Potter brand at Universal. There is currently an unannounced Wizarding World area located at the upcoming Universal’s Epic Universe, which is set to open in 2025, and is long-rumored to be a Ministry of Magic-inspired attraction. This will likely be in the style of the magical government building seen in movies like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 (2001).
Of course, The Wizarding World at Universal Parks across the globe is staying as it is, and all eyes will be on any changes — big or small — that may come in the years to come as the Max series starts to air.
Do you think the Harry Potter reboot will change the Parks? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!