Just last week we reported that Universal Studios might be bringing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood. Today comes confirmation from Warner Bros. that Harry Potter is indeed coming to California. In addition, WB announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando will be expanding “significantly.” The park opened in June 2010 as part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure and has attracted muggles from across the globe to the tune of 7 million visitors. It’s no surprise that Orlando is expanding, given that the park was originally created to be as realistic as possible at the request of author J.K. Rowling. It appears she’s changed her mind after seeing the ridiculous amounts of people trying to fit into the narrow alleys of Hogsmeade cloying for Butterbeer.

Steve recently got the chance to visit the park in anticipation of the Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, and you can read his recap which includes a hefty amount of images of the attraction here. No official timetable is given for the Universal Hollywood grand opening, but the previous report said the park would be ready no earlier than 2015. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

UPDATE: We’ve posted some images from this mornings event.

As I write today, in the back of mind rests more than a handful of permutations for my Black Friday plan of attack. Do I really need a new 42 inch HDTV? How about various seasons of television on DVD/Blu-ray for rock bottom prices? What about one of those sweet Dyson vacuum cleaners with the roller ball? The answer to all of the above is most likely a resounding “no”, but need isn’t what Black Friday is all about. Not even close. Black Friday is all about getting something/anything on the cheap if for no other reason than because if you don’t, then the person behind you in line will. Oh, America. How I love thee.

In this week’s “Top 5″ installment you’ll find our set visit coverage for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, our review and interviews for a little movie you may have heard about called The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, the first trailer for director Tarsem Singh’s Snow White-tale Mirror Mirror, a new trailer for Gary Ross’ The Hunger Games adaptation, and Steve’s coverage from his visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. Hit the jump for a brief recap and link to each.

With the DVD/Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 last week, Warner Bros. Home Video invited a number of reporters from around the world to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida to help promote its release.  While there, I got to speak with the cast as well as some of the filmmakers behind one of my favorite films of the year.  Over the past few days I posted my interviews with director David Yates, Rupert Grint, Warwick Davis, and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).  Today, I’m happy to bring you my interview with Jason Isaacs who played the duplicitous and cowardly Lucius Malfoy.

During the interview, Isaacs talked about being at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and what impressed him, what props he took home from set, and if he remembers any deleted scenes that have yet to be included on the DVD/Blu-rays (he talks about one with Gary Oldman).  In addition, Isaacs talks about starring in NBC’s Awake, which will air in 2012.

With the DVD/Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 a few days ago, Warner Bros. Home Video invited a number of reporters from around the world to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida to help promote its release.  While there, I got to speak with the cast as well as some of the filmmakers behind one of my favorite films of the year.  Over the past few days I posted my interviews with director David Yates, Warwick Davis, and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).  And up next I’ve got Rupert Grint.

During our brief conversation, Grint talked about being at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and what impressed him, what props he took home from set, what’s on his iPod right now, if he remembers any deleted scenes that have yet to be included on the DVD/Blu-rays, and what other films projects he has coming up.  Hit the jump to watch.

A few days ago I got to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.  The reason I got to attend is because Warner Bros. Home Video was promoting the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 on Blu-ray and DVD, and they flew in reporters from all around the world to interview the cast and filmmakers.  While I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was blown away by the attention to detail (credit goes to Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig) and how walking through the park is like walking through the streets of Hogsmeade Village outside Hogwarts.  If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you will absolutely love it.

However, it’s very important to know one thing before you go: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not an all day park. It’s merely one portion of Universal’s larger Island of Adventure theme park. In fact, if the lines are short, you could visit every store and go on all the rides in a few hours, though the lines are never short and you’ll want to spend a lot of time shopping in Ollivanders Wand Shop.  I know I did.  Hit the jump for more.

With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 getting released on DVD/Blu-ray a few days ago, Warner Bros. Home Video invited a number of reporters from around the world to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida to help promote its release.  While there, I got to speak with the cast as well as some of the filmmakers behind one of my favorite films of the year.  Over the weekend I posted the interviews with director David Yates and Warwick Davis, and now I’ve got James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley).

During the interview they talked about how the theme park’s Butterbeer compare to the Butterbeer they drank onset, their reaction to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, their memories from making the movies, were there any deleted scenes that still haven’t shown up on the home video releases, the camaraderie with the other actors, the best pranks they pulled during the run of the series, and more.  Hit the jump to watch.

The Universal Orlando Resort is teaming up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to deliver The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal’s Island Adventure. The Rowling-inspired microcosm will feature attractions, shops, and dining based off the immensely popular book and film series. In addition, Universal Orlando is consulting Stuart Craig and Alan Gilmore, the films’ production designer and art director respectively, to make the experience as authentic for fans as possible. More on the new attraction–including photos, a complete list of locations, and a virtual tour–after the jump.