At the end of last year, it was announced that Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction would be replicated at Universal's Hollywood park. Now the literary wizard are heading much further east -- to Japan.
Harry and gang will make their castle at Universal Studios in Osaka.
"Universal Studios Japan is thrilled to be chosen to make the Harry Potter experience come alive for the people of Japan," Glenn Gumpel, president and CEO of Universal Studios Japan, told Reuters. "USJ will recreate to the highest level of authenticity, 'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.'"
Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks on the $500 million dollar project, which is slated to open in 2014 -- before the California location) -- reports the Los Angeles Times. Japan is a big market for Potter: The movies having grossed more than $900 million in that country.
"I was delighted to experience and enjoy the attention to detail, creativity and superb craft that went into the first Wizarding World in Orlando. I am equally delighted that the same level of expertise and enjoyment will translate to the new park in Japan," author J.K. Rowling told UPI.
Japan's Wizarding World will look much like Orlando's, with the familiar replica Hogwart's and Hogsmeade and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.
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Posted: 05/11/2012 8:50 am Updated: 05/11/2012 8:50 am