A project inspired by the Harry Potter franchise has been terminated and replaced with an alternative experience. The news comes amid yet another controversy surrounding JK Rowling, author and creator of the Wizarding World.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) premiered 13 years ago, ending the original film series. Rowling initially left the wizarding world behind, but eventually expanded the universe with projects such as Pottermore, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway and in the West End, Hogwarts Legacy and the Fantastic Beasts film franchise.
Last year, HBO announced that it would reboot the original series for its streaming service Max. Original cast members Danielle Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) are not included – the television series will feature a completely new cast heading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Fans who want to visit the Wizarding World in person have options worldwideincluding the Universal Studios theme parks and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Several locations, including New York City and London, have Harry Potter Shops.
In 2022, an immersive experience called “Harry Potter: Magic at Play” opened at Chicago’s Water Tower Place. It included a paid experience and a public gift shop. TikTok user @chicago.by.ren shared this video of the interactive exhibit:
@chicago.by.ren Check out Harry Potter: Magic at Play in Downtown Chicago! Now open through 9/4 #chicago #thingstodoinchicago #downtownchicago #chicagofun #chicagoactivities #harrypotter
♬ Harry Potter – The Intermezzo Orchestra
“Harry Potter: Magic at Play” included photo opportunities, magical interactive activities, a butterbeer bar and more. Tickets started at $37.50 for adults and $29.50 for children.
Unfortunately for those in the Midwest, the Chicago location closed on September 4, 2023. This week, Water Tower Place and The Hershey Company announced that the first-ever “Hershey Super Sweet Adventure” will take over the former “Harry Potter: Magic at Play” space. It opens October 4, and tickets start at $29.99.
Although Warner Brothers Discovery owns Harry PotterJK Rowling retains creative control over all Wizarding World projects. Former fans have turned away from the series in recent years, boycotting the author’s transphobic social media posts and comments.
This week, Rowling was named in a cyberbullying lawsuit filed by Algerian boxer and Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif. The author participated in a public harassment campaign against Khelif after she defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini.
A discredited boxing federation claimed she was born male, although the International Olympic Committee later confirmed that Khelif was born female and did not identify as intersex. Despite this, needed She used the incident as an argument that “men” should not be allowed in women’s sports.
The idea that those who object to a man hitting a woman in the name of sport object because they believe Khelif is “trans” is a joke. We object because we saw a man hitting a woman.
The idea that those who object to a man hitting a woman in the name of sport object because they believe Khelif is “trans” is a joke. We object because we saw a man hitting a woman. https://t.co/KSAM5RCl1S
— J. K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) 2 August 2024
Rowling has not spoken publicly since Khelif’s lawyer filed her complaint. The author faces criminal penalties, including prison time, if found guilty of hate speech against Khelif.
Do you have a Harry Potter immersive experience or the theme parks at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Japan? Share your experiences with Inside the Magic in the comments.
