ABC 7 Reports on the Re-Opening of the Burned Down Section the the Universal Backlot

From KABC-TV LOS ANGELES, CA:

Nearly two years ago, a fire raced through the Universal Studios' backlot, destroying movie sets and some of Hollywood's most famous films. On Thursday, a celebration was held as part of the lot reopened.

The heads of Universal Studios, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, director Steven Spielberg and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, attended the ceremony.

"What you see around you is the result of a new New York, and not just New York, but London and anywhere else your imagination takes you, because the backlot can be anything an art department and a director and a writer put in our imagination," Spielberg said during the ceremony

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King Kong Rampages Through Dodger Stadium

Universal staged an publicity stunt this morning at Dodger Stadium to promote the new King Kong attraction that opens in early July.

More info was provided by LA Land:

The giant ape footprints that begin near home plate and disappear behind center field are part of a series of attention-grabbing events to promote the idea that Kong escaped the fire that destroyed parts of the backlot at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2008.

After stomping through various parts of the city in the next few weeks -- Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood Boulevard, for example -- the knuckle-dragging ape will, according to Universal Studios' publicity folks, settle into his new home at the theme park.

The ape will star in King Kong 360 3D, an attraction designed by director Peter Jackson. It is scheduled to open by the Fourth of July holiday.

Peter Jackson Discusses New King Kong 3D Attraction

Via.

New International Café Opens at Universal Studios Hollywood

According to the What's New section of the Official Universal Studios Hollywod website, there is a new place to eat at USH. Sounds like a rather healthy assortment of food options!

Visit the newly opened International Café, behind Mel's Drive In, offering fresh gourmet sandwiches, salads, sliced fruit, a wide selection of snacks, desserts, refreshing beverages and gourmet coffee drinks. It's unlike anything else in the park!

Special Effects Stage to get updated and relocated

A rebooted version of the Special Effects Stage show reopening at Universal Studios Hollywood in June will pit classic movie-making techniques against cutting-edge digital technology, theme park officials said.

The 22-minute show will be co-hosted by a conservative, middle-aged tech guru and a fun-loving and quick-witted 20-something hipster who will demonstrate filmmaking special effects both old (rear-screen projection, forced perspective and matte imagery) and new (CGI, green screen, stop motion, motion capture and 3-D).

The television and movie theme park is moving the long-running special-effects show from a lower level sound stage (near the now-shuttered Backdraft attraction) to an upper-level theater to make room for the much-anticipated Transformers ride, scheduled to open in 2012.

Unlike the previous behind-the-scenes special-effects show, which shuttled audience members through three sets, the new show will take place in a single auditorium.

Via Universal Studios Hollywood - Official Facebook Page & LA Times

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter set to open in Flordia on June 18, 2010!

Universal has set an opening date of June 18, 2010 for Harry Potter themed the expansion to their Islands of Adventure park. I wish they could find a way to bring a Potter attraction to Hollywood!

King Kong 360 3D Teaser Trailer!

From Universal: He's never been this real. The Eighth Wonder of the World rises from ashes to astound studio tour guests this summer as the KING KONG 360 3-D Attraction is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood this summer!

In the new attraction, guests will don special glasses as they enter a darkened soundstage aboard the Studio Tour trams and will be transported— via the magic of Surround Digital 3D projection —deep into the dark heart of the world of Skull Island. They'll survive a close encounter with a swarm of monstrous bats, only to be confronted by the terrifying presence of Kong himself. Suddenly, an enormous, ravenous 35' tall dinosaur will challenge Kong and guests will feel their trams jolt, roll and shudder as they find themselves caught in the middle of a ferocious showdown between the great ape and the giant lizard. The action will immerse guests in the battle between the two colossal predators!