The Harry Potter series first hit bookshelves in 1997, but it didn't really explode into the public consciousness until Warner Bros. released the first film adaptation in 2001. Since then, the world has grown up with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Warner Brothers may have shifted focus to 1920s New York in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but fans will always foster nostalgia for their first glimpses into the wizarding world. The Harry Potter series was filmed in Leavesden Studios in the U.K., so it makes sense that WB would have an attraction there to promote the film. "The Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter" opened in 2012, giving visitors a chance to see the sets, models, and props that were used to bring the books to life.
The lifeblood of any attraction is new and exciting material, and fans who have already been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour may have a reason to return in the new future. As for the uninitiated, they'll simply have one more reason to make the trip.
Warner Bros. has announced that on Friday, the 31st of March, they will be opening a Forbidden Forest expansion to the tour. (See the announcement video above.) Per the attraction's official website:
"The new, must-see expansion has been designed and built by many of the crew members who worked on the hugely successful magical film series including Oscar® and BAFTA winning Production Designer Stuart Craig, Construction Manager Paul Hayes, BAFTA winning Creature and Makeup Effects Designer Nick Dudman and BAFTA winning Special Effects Supervisor John Richardson."
The exhibit features an original Hagrid costume, a life-sized model of the Hippogriff Buckbeak, and the lair of Aragog, the giant spider.
While the exhibit's trees are quite massive (they're listed as having a diameter of 12 feet), the site notes that forest only consists of 19 of these trees. Not quite enough to get lost in, but certainly large enough to fit some incredible props. This may not be the end-all be-all feature of the attraction, but it's sure to be a nice addition to what's already a beloved fixture of the region.
Have you already been to the Harry Potter Studio Tour? Do you plan to visit again, defy Hogwarts rules, and venture into the Dark Forest? Let us know in the comments section, and stay tuned to Screen Rant for updates on the wizarding world of Harry Potter as they hit.
UPDATE:
Live at the floor of the Harry Potter Celebration floor comes our first look at the Aragog display. This is the original animatronic creature that was used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, though his skeleton has been replaced with aluminum for display.) Aragog has a 16 foot' leg span and weighs 650lbs. He took 30 artists 6 months to create.
Source: Warner Bros