Some exciting news for Potter fans around the world today. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter audiobooks are now available for purchase at audible.com, audible.co.uk, audible.de and audible.com.au. The recordings showcase captivating performances by Stephen Fry (in the UK and the rest of the world), Jim Dale (in the North American version) and Felix von Manteuffel (in the German version). Audible is the sole subscription-based service to offer the Harry Potter series as digital audiobooks.

 “We are thrilled to offer our customers the opportunity to enjoy the Harry Potter audio catalogue seamlessly through the Audible service,” said Andy Gaies, Audible Chief Content Officer.  “J. K. Rowling’s celebrated series is firmly entrenched in the literary pantheon, but when the first Harry Potter novel was released in 1997, smartphones were yet to become the ubiquitous listening devices they are today. Now fans of this bellwether series have an effortless and affordable way to enjoy them in audio.”

“The breathtaking performances of Stephen Fry, Jim Dale and Felix von Manteuffel transform Harry Potter’s adventures into immersive and truly transporting new experiences—even for those who have already read the novels,” added Gaies. “We look forward to bringing more listeners to this richly imagined universe.”

Pottermore, the digital entertainment, news and e-commerce company from J.K. Rowling, is the publisher of the Harry Potter digital audiobooks. The Pottermore Shop, the company’s digital retail arm, will continue to sell the Harry Potter digital audiobooks.

Universal Studios Hollywood is launching a new series of virtual tour videos showcasing the Spring 2016 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, beginning with today’s insider’s look at the land hosted by the Hogwarts™ Express conductor.

Explore the village of Hogsmeade™ with the Hogwarts™ Express Conductor and visit some of the wizarding world’s best-known shops and eating establishments, from Three Broomsticks™ to Honeydukes™ to Ollivanders™ wand shop.

An opening date has not been specified for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as of yet, but many are speculating it will open in March.  We will of course keep you updated on any official announcements.

From the press release:

Universal Studios Hollywood debuts a series of virtual tour videos showcasing the Spring 2016 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, beginning with today’s insider’s look at the land hosted by the Hogwarts™ Express conductor.

The video, which can be viewed at Universal Studios Hollywood’s newly launched “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” interactive website and here, will highlight some of the land’s best-known shops and eating establishments, including Ollivanders™ wand shop, Three Broomsticks™ and Honeydukes™.

More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood.  “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.

Harry Melling has been cast as the lead the West End transfer of the Broadway hit Hand to God. The production opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 5 February 2016 and also stars Neil Pearson, Jemima Rooper and Kevin Mains.

Harry Melling, best known to Potter fans as Dudley Dursley, will be playing the character Jason. A synopsis of the play may be read below:

Shy, inquisitive student Jason finds an outlet for his burgeoning creativity at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas, until his hand puppet Tyrone — once soft-spoken — takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. As Tyrone’s influence over Jason steadily grows, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.”

The play’s last performance on Broadway is on January 3rd.

Lionsgate has released the first teaser trailer for Now You See Me 2: The Second Act, featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Wallace. The film will be released on June 1oth in the United States. A synopsis of the film may be read below:

After outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the Four Horseman [Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan] return in NOW YOU SEE ME 2.

Together they resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate [Daniel Radcliffe]. Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo, and Michael Caine, also return for the second act.

Universal Studios Hollywood have announced brand new Annual Pass ticket options for those who frequent the park on a regular basis. Details on the new passes may be read below.

Effective immediately, new Annual Passes will provide guests with an array of privileges reserved for passholder membership, including access to Universal Studios Hollywood over a 12 month period to enjoy the park’s compelling thrill rides and attractions, including “Fast & Furious: Supercharged” as the grand finale to the world famous Studio Tour, “Transformers:  The Ride 3D“ and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” as well as the much-anticipated “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” when it opens in Spring 2016.

Each new Annual Pass member will embark on an exciting journey with Universal Studios Hollywood receiving regular newsletter updates, exclusive preview event invitations, discounts on food and merchandise, eligibility for sweepstakes opportunities that include the chance to win tickets to coveted Hollywood red carpet movie premieres, and more.

The Gold Pass, available for $299, includes 312 select days of fun. The California Resident Plus Pass, available for $199, invites members to enjoy 244 select days of fun, and the California Resident Pass, available for $139, includes 182 select days of fun.  To learn more about the Annual Passes options, please visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/tickets.

MinaLima, the design duo known for making the graphics for the Harry Potter films, will be opening an exhibition in London showcasing their work on the films. The Graphic Art of the Harry Potter™ Films begins on November 30th and will be open until December 19th. All limited edition prints are for sale at the gallery during the exhibition. The exhibition is free to enter and will be held at the Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London. More information, including opening hours, may be seen at the Coningsby Gallery website.

This exhibition showcases graphic designs from the Harry Potter films by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, reproduced as limited edition art prints which they produce from their London studio, MinaLima.

MinaLima was founded in 2009 by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima. Mira and Eduardo’s opportune meeting on the set of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets immediately forged an alliance of creativity and humour, connecting them in every design decision from then on.

Mira studied Film Design at The National Film & TV School, London, after graduating from Central Saint Martins with a degree in Theatre Design. Working in film design, Mira eventually specialised in graphic and prop design for some of cinema’s leading production designers.

Eduardo graduated in Visual Communications in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and for several years worked in editing on major Brazilian feature films. He moved to London in 2001 to enrich his professional experience, and in 2002 specialised in graphic design working on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where he met Mira.

Mira and Eduardo spent ten years working in the art department on the Harry Potter films. As graphic designers of the Marauder’s Map, the Daily Prophet and every other graphic prop in the film series, they have an exceptional and passionate understanding of the Harry Potter films. Currently in production on the feature film of J.K. Rowling’s ‘Fantastic Beasts’, MinaLima’s creative alliance with the Wizarding World continues to flourish.

Mira and Eduardo will be at the exhibition during weekend opening hours. Please feel free to come along and meet the faces behind the magic.