Warner Bros. to buy and expand Leavesden Studios in the UK

 

I am sharing this story here because of the inclusion of a Studio Tour! Sounds great and hopefully will be a nice little tour for UK locals and visitors.

The studio, owned by Time Warner Inc., is paying $161.4 million to acquire and expand the 170-acre Leavesden Studios northwest of London, where it shot its eight "Harry Potter" films.

The project will include two new soundstages, plus memorabilia and sets from the "Potter" films, and will offer behind-the-scenes tours. The makeover is expected to be complete in 2012.

via LA Times

Grinchmas 2010 Dates Announced

The Press Release from USH:

Universal City, California – “Grinchmas” time is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood as The Entertainment Capital of L.A. prepares for a lively holiday season with the Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow and a “Whoville Whobilation” at the original movie sets where the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was filmed.

Nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, celebrity readings of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and encounters with a “Who’s Who” of Whoville characters will be part of the celebration, which expands this year to 18 days, beginning on December 11 and 12 and continuing daily from December 18 through January 2, 2011. “Grinchmas” is included in the price of theme park admission. More information, including holiday promotional offers and information regarding celebrity readings of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” will be available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: “’Grinchmas’ has become a true holiday tradition, an event where families can enjoy a slightly irreverent approach to the season while still being thoroughly immersed in holiday spirit. Because we expect very strong attendance during Christmas week, we’re adding five dates to this year’s ‘Grinchmas’ schedule in response to the event’s growing popularity.”

Guests will find an immersive holiday atmosphere. A whimsical, curving “Grinchmas” tree will tower 60 feet above the center of a snow-covered “Grinchmas” winter wonderland and will be lit in a nightly ceremony that will feature a colorfully costumed “Whoville” choir caroling and spreading holiday cheer. The Grinch and his faithful dog Max will be on hand to meet fans and take memorable holiday photos. Families will also be able to enjoy traditional winter fun, romping together in a playground of snow and building their own snowmen.

“Grinchmas” will also provide fans of the blockbuster movie a close-up view of the original “Whoville” film sets, featured in the classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” aboard the world-famous behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. As the tram rolls to a stop amid the fanciful “Whoville” buildings, guests will experience a one-of-a-kind performance by “Whoville’s” residents re-enacting favorite scenes and songs from the film.

Guests who attend Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Grinchmas” celebration will be able to purchase the “Buy a Day, Get 2011 Free” annual pass, a tremendous value allowing them to visit Universal Studios Hollywood throughout the coming year.

Despicable Me's Minions at Universal Studios Hollywood!

 Theatrical Poster for Despicable Me

Minion walk around characters from Universal Studios

I had the chance to see Despicable Me today with my daughter and we both loved it! Now it seems Universal can have some characters of it's own again to roam the park with. I'm completely ok with them licensing characters (DreamWorks & Simpsons) but as I said it is really nice to see them have some of their own again that families really enjoy! Hopefully the success of Despicable Me ($200+ Million and still counting!) will send a message to the Universal brass that people are interested in good quality family entertainment!

Construction Photos of the Transformers Ride at Universal Studios

The attraction is expected to open in 2012 at Universal Studios Hollywood. It replaces Backdraft and the Special Effects Stages. The ride will employ 3-D HD footage and animatronics.

Photos via Inside Universal.

Los Angeles Dodgers to Celebrate King Kong Opening with Universal Studios "My Town" Night

DODGERTOWN, UNIVERSAL

Monday, July 19
vs. San Francisco Giants

Tickets include:

• Dodgertown, Universal t-shirt
• All you can eat Dodger Dogs, nachos, popcorn and soft drinks.
• Kids voucher for Universal Studios Hollywood

You can find out more info at the Official Dodgers Website.

King Kong Takes on Three Other 3D Universal Rides

Via Popular Science:

Voracious raptors encircle your studio tram car. The carnivorous Vastatosaurus rex spots you as potential prey. Suddenly, a massive, 6000-pound gorilla enters the scene and you're in the middle of an all-out fight. Welcome to Universal Hollywood's King Kong 360 3D, an experience that, aided by the world's largest wraparound screen, will change the face of theme park attractions when it opens this July as part of the larger Studio Tour. King Kong 360 will replace the animatronic King Kong Encounter—destroyed by fire in 2008—with the help of director Peter Jackson and with 3D and technology that will more than double the digital resolution per second of a typical feature film and blast 108 decibels of surround sound.

But it's not just Kong who's taking theme parks by storm: rapid advancements in 3D technology are ushering in an entirely new era of ride realism. Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, slated to open this June, combines 3D visuals with robotic technology and live performance in its signature Forbidden Journey dark ride, and park reps are being so secretive, it may be impossible to tell where the tactile ends and the 3D begins. Here is a look at what makes four impressive 3D Universal rides tick.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Press Release: Universal’s New Backlot Premieres

On June 1, 2008, a three alarm fire broke out at Universal Studios Hollywood, destroying New York Street, the King Kong theme park attraction and a video vault. In response, the entertainment community rallied together and assembled a world-renowned creative team to rebuild what had been lost. Jim Watters, President & General Manager of NBC Universal Operations Group, and Dave Beanes, Senior Vice-President of NBC Universal Production Services were joined by esteemed film legend Steven Spielberg, production designers, and Rick Carter (Academy Award winner for Avatar) to be a part of the design process. The team quickly expanded to a list of twenty-five award-winning production designers and graphic artists that collaborated, designed and rebuilt the legendary Hollywood fixture.
The finished product, which will be completed on June 30 and includes a New York block with a glass and steel look, Paris Square, London Square and Central Park, will usher in a new era for the Universal Studio Hollywood Studio Tour. The upgraded Studio Tour has been upgraded with high-definition TV monitors in each tram car, new video content and high-grade digital audio systems and will provide guests with a more in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film and television industry than ever before.
As for King Kong, the attraction was moved to expand the location and provide additional production parking. The new King Kong 360-3D attraction created by award-winning director Peter Jackson will open this summer and will be the world’s largest and most intense 3D interactive theme park experience!