Reports suggest Harry Potter attraction may be included following rights negotiations
Universal’s £5 Billion UK Theme Park: Harry Potter Attraction Reportedly in the Works After Rights Talks
When Universal Studios announced plans for a new theme park in Bedford earlier this year, many had hoped Harry Potter would be central to the project. With HBO’s upcoming TV series, being filmed not too far away in Leavesden, set to introduce the wizarding world to a new generation—and similar attractions already thriving in the US and Japan—the expectation felt inevitable.
Behind the scenes, though, progress has been slower. Work on a Harry Potter attraction has only just begun after Universal spent five months locked in negotiations with Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling, who control the rights. With the popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour—The Making of Harry Potter—already operating less than 40 miles away in Leavesden near Watford, Universal had to make a strong case to secure approval.
An insider revealed: “It’s not clear exactly what deal has been reached, but Universal’s creative teams are now actively developing plans for the Harry Potter attraction. Talks between the rival studios were tense at times, but with the new TV series reigniting global interest, they believe the effort will pay off.”
Officially, Universal has not confirmed the attraction. A spokesperson insisted it is “still too early in the process to know.” Still, excitement is growing in step with the hype around HBO’s adaptation, with new set images emerging weekly from London, across the UK, and even France.
Most recently, newcomer Dominic McLaughlin was spotted in the capital playing Harry, alongside Nick Frost as Hagrid. The series is not expected to debut until 2027—and unless something magical happens, the £5 billion theme park is unlikely to open until around four years later.
