Today, Universal Studios Hollywood officially announced that “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” will open in Spring 2016 at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. The press conference was made during the 2015 IPW trade show in Orlando.

As part of the exciting news, Universal Studios Hollywood also revealed that the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” will make its U.S. debut in 3D, with guests donning specially-designed Quidditch™-inspired goggles.

A video of the announcement may be watched below:

Universal Studios Hollywood will be making a special announcement via video today, June 2nd! To watch the video, visit their YouTube page go to www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/HarryPotter at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. The video will not be live until that time.

The full press release may be read below:

HOGWARTS IS COMING TO HOLLYWOOD!

Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Bringing the Most Anticipated Global Phenomenon to California in an Authentic Entertainment Experience, Beginning Spring 2016

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” Attraction, Located within Land’s Hogwarts Castle, Makes West Coast Debut in Hyper-Realistic 3D-HD with Guests Wearing Quidditch-Inspired Goggles

The countdown to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” begins today as Universal Studios Hollywood^SM  announces the Spring 2016 arrival of the West Coast’s most anticipated entertainment experience and the introduction of the land’s signature attraction, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” in hyper-realistic 3D-HD.

More than five years in the making, and inspired by J. K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters and the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood will bring guests the same authenticity and storytelling found at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan and is expected to attract Harry Potter fans and visitors from all over the globe for decades to come.

Visitors will be swept into a fully immersive themed land that brings the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and precision. “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 Potter is an exhilarating multi-generational global phenomenon that has captivated the world’s attention across every one of its mediums, from books and movies to exhilarating theme park adventures,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood.  “With its imminent arrival to The Entertainment Capital of L.A., Universal Studios Hollywood is thrilled to bring our guests a new, compelling experience of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ as we embark on this next chapter in our storied history.”

“The momentum behind J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is as strong as ever and we are incredibly excited to bring Hogwarts to Hollywood,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Fans around the world have experienced the magic at ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ in Orlando and Osaka and we look forward to continued success with our partners at Universal Studios Hollywood as we offer more fans a chance to step into this immersive environment.”

Like its counterparts, Hogwarts castle will sit at the heart of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” where the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” will take guests on a journey into many memorable scenes alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione. Traveling by Floo powder, guests will soar high above Hogwarts, partake in a Quidditch match, narrowly escape a dragon attack and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow.

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology featuring a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects.  Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests will venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut as a dynamic 3D-HD adventure designed to further immerse guests in an already captivating storyline.

Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff” will debut as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor coaster.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s epicurean world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including: Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.

A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail shops and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.

As excitement builds for the Spring 2016 arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” in-park guests at Universal Studios Hollywood are able to experience and purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” available within the Features Presentation shop, located just inside Universal Studios Hollywood’s main entry.

To hear details of the Spring 2016 opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood, please click here.  The announcement video will be available beginning today, Tuesday, June 2, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT.

Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood and for all the latest news, “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @UniStudios.

Warner Bros. confirmed today via press release that Eddie Redmayne will be playing Newt Scamander in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films. The first film is set to be released on November 18th 2016.

Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has been cast as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ much-anticipated wizarding world adventure “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Redmayne will play J.K. Rowling’s creation Newt Scamander, the Wizarding World’s preeminent magizoologist, who in his travels has encountered and documented a myriad of magical creatures, ultimately leading to his penning the Hogwarts School textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

In making the announcement, Silverman said, “Eddie Redmayne has emerged as one of today’s most extraordinarily talented and acclaimed actors. We are thrilled to welcome him into J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, where we know he will deliver a remarkable performance as Newt Scamander, the central character in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’”

Making her screenwriting debut on the film, J.K. Rowling has developed the character of Scamander and his primer—taken from her globally beloved Harry Potter series—to further explore the unique wizarding world she has crafted in print and bring it to life on screen.

David Yates, who directed the last four “Harry Potter” films and will direct “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” stated, “Eddie is a fearless actor, brimming with invention, wit and humanity. I couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of working with him as we start this new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world, and I know she feels the same way.”

The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” features; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves, who scripted all but one of the “Harry Potter” films; and Lionel Wigram, who served as an executive producer on the last four installments of the franchise.

Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood announced earlier today that they would be adding a new attraction, Stage 48: Script to Screen, to the tour. This section will include a Harry Potter broom riding simulator, just like at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. According to the site:

We are pleased to introduce a major expansion coming to our Studio Tour opening July 16, 2015– Stage 48: Script to Screen.

This innovative new addition to the Studio Tour, Stage 48: Script to Screen offers guests the unique opportunity to explore the full film and television production process – from the earliest scripts and casting sessions to the final touches in post-production and the glory of awards season, each component is represented step-by-step throughout the purpose-built soundstage. Among Stage 48’s various interactive elements exclusive to the Studio Tour is the opportunity for guests to re-enact a scene from “Friends” right on the iconic Central Perk set. Guests will also be able to design their own Batmobiles and movie costumes while in the pre-production section. Guests will enjoy “flying” on Harry’s broomstick at the photo opportunity, which employs the same green screen technology used in the “Harry Potter” movie productions.

Additionally, the Studio Tour will feature newly enhanced elements throughout the attraction, including specially recorded messages from the stars of “2 Broke Girls,” “Pretty Little Liars,” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” as well as new video montages highlighting the movies and television shows filmed over the years on the studio’s iconic backlot sets.

Book your tickets and experience Stage 48: Script to Screen for yourself later this summer!

Thanks to SnitchSeeker for the tip!

We’ve been avoiding posting any unofficial casting rumors for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but today The Wrap is reporting that casting has begun for 3 other characters in the film as well as who is testing for those roles. It has been reported for the past few weeks that Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne is in talks to play Newt Scamander, but is not confirmed. Thanks to Hypable, for doing a little more digging, we have a few more details on each character:

Tina – Described as “grounded.”  Testing for this role are Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Fanning, Allison Sudol, and Lili Simmons.

MM Note: It is also speculated that Tina’s full name is Porpentina, meaning she is Newt’s (future) wife. Makes sense to us!

Queenie – Tina’s younger sister and described as a “bombshell.” Testing for this role are Kate Upton, Katherine Waterston and Elizabeth Debicki

Jacob – Described as Newt’s “rival,” testing for this role are Steve Zisis, Zack Pearlman and Dan Fogler.

The Casual Vacancy Mini Series that aired on HBO earlier this year is now available for pre-order on Amazon in the US and UK! It will be released on August 4th 2015 in the US and you can get it on DVD or Blu-Ray. UK fans can get their hands on the DVD or Blu-Ray a bit earlier, June 15th.

The Casual Vacancy centers on Pagford, a seemingly idyllic English village with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey. Behind the pretty facade, however, is a town at war: rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils. The story begins with the death of beloved Parish Councillor Barry Fairbrother, leaving a seat on the council vacant. Those running for a place soon find their darkest secrets revealed on the Parish Council online forum, ruining their campaign and leaving the election in turmoil.