It Isn’t Over Yet! – An Update On Harry Potter Happenings

Resurgence in Harry Potter?

Well so much has been done with The Harry Potter series, which has dominated the childhoods of children from multiple nations (myself included). We’ve had the books, the audiobooks, the movies and even a trilogy of musical plays parodying the series! It seems like there is no where else to go, right?

WRONG!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or even mentioning the series, now that the movies have been finished, causes you indescribable pain, you have probably heard that there are all kinds of developments for the world and universe of Harry Potter. There are specifically three recent expansions related to the world of everyone’s favorite teenage wizard. JK Rowling has been making some big steps in expanding the world (three specifically) through an expansion at Universal Studios, a play and a movie.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Probably the most discussed of the three, this film (specifically a trilogy of films) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has no connection to the original series. Details are scarce on the movie, but some bare guidelines have been made available to the public. The film’s script will be written by JK Rowling herself, who has apparently at least finished a first draft of it already! The film’s setting will be in 1920’s New York and focuses on the life of the wizard Newt Scamander, who was mentioned briefly in the original series. Although it doesn’t focus on Harry, this film has the potential to show fans of the Wizarding World the creatures that definitely added to the mystique and awe of the Harry Potter series.  Not much else is known about this series of films except that the offical release date for the first film is November 18th, 2016.

A Potter Prequel Play

Along with writing a script, JK Rowling will also be producing a stage adaptation prequel of Harry Potter, which will sadly (at least as of this date) be restricted to the UK only. This staged adaptation will be about Harry before he goes to Hogwarts. It will focus on Harry’s early years, his experience while living with Dursleys. From the sound of it, this play has the potential to be a real tear-jerker or really dark. JK Rowling did leave a small synopsis on her Facebook page:

“What was it like to be the boy in the cupboard under the stairs? This brand new play, which will be developed for the UK theater, will explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast. Featuring some of our favorite characters from the Harry Potter books, this new work will offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard. A seemingly ordinary boy, but one for whom Destiny has plans…”

Other than that there is little to nothing else concerning this play to be found, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion

If your a H.P. nut, then you have most likely heard about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. This section of the resort has both Hogsmeade and Hogwarts shops and attractions. Recently details have been released about an expansion to this area of the resort. This new section will feature both Diagon Alley and a section of London connected to it. Even better is that there will be a working Hogwarts Express to transport people between the two areas! This is also going to take a while to construct and opened to the public, but it nonetheless can make the inner Harry Potter nerd perk up in excitement.

Hopefully this article has been a bit of a wake up call, that even though the books and movies are completed there is more Harry Potter goodness on the horizon!