Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion - Part 3

[Mad Dog]

That's what I've heard as well, with Warner being the real guardians of the franchise for theme parks. But even then, it's surprising THEY allowed it considering how nitpicky they have been about every other detail.

Yeah, I think you're correct about Warner being more of the hands on guardian. And, yes, for how nitpicky they often are, surprising it got through. But it may have just been something like it was missed because no one was paying enough attention or didn't have a good ear for the voice difference.

 

[floridakid]

I'd like to chime in on the "it's not Emma's voice" discussion.

From what I know and have been told, before the filming for the ride began, both Danielle Radcliffe and Emma Watson opted out of their deals with the whole franchise, they didn't want to be apart of it anymore. In doing so, Warner Brothers had to hire voice actors for both parts. It's not nearly as evident in Harry's voice as it is Hermione's. A few months after the ride opened, the voice was "supposedly" re-pitched and edited slightly (I never bought that story). Very slight. So the voice you hear now is even better then it was during softs/grand opening, and that's not saying a whole lot, cause it's still pretty bad.

It also explains why you see Ron's face in the HE ride, and why his voice is spot on (it's him!). He was the last of the three who remained to do the voice over and acting.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'd like to chime in on the "it's not Emma's voice" discussion.

From what I know and have been told, before the filming for the ride began, both Danielle Radcliffe and Emma Watson opted out of their deals with the whole franchise, they didn't want to be apart of it anymore. In doing so, Warner Brothers had to hire voice actors for both parts. It's not nearly as evident in Harry's voice as it is Hermione's. A few months after the ride opened, the voice was "supposedly" re-pitched and edited slightly (I never bought that story). Very slight. So the voice you hear now is even better then it was during softs/grand opening, and that's not saying a whole lot, cause it's still pretty bad.

It also explains why you see Ron's face in the HE ride, and why his voice is spot on (it's him!). He was the last of the three who remained to do the voice over and acting.

Interesting info. Thanks.

 

[UNIrd]

Still, I don't think there's anything said by the characters on the ride that isn't said at some point in the 8 films. They could have done some editing magic and still used their voices, unless that wasn't an option contractually.

 

[TheGentTrent]

It wouldn't surprise me that Warner Bros. signed off on the voices. Considering that Dan and Emma never reprised their roles for any of the Potter video games, WB is used to having to hire similar voices. Just watch footage of Hermione in one of the games, the voice is just as bad there as it is in Diagon Alley. Having said that, I'm sure Universal offered Dan and Emma a stupidly insane amount of money only for them to repeatedly turn down, especially when you think about what kind of fee it took to get Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter back on board for only a minute of new footage.

 

[novawildcat18]

It wouldn't surprise me that Warner Bros. signed off on the voices. Considering that Dan and Emma never reprised their roles for any of the Potter video games, WB is used to having to hire similar voices. Just watch footage of Hermione in one of the games, the voice is just as bad there as it is in Diagon Alley. Having said that, I'm sure Universal offered Dan and Emma a stupidly insane amount of money only for them to repeatedly turn down, especially when you think about what kind of fee it took to get Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter back on board for only a minute of new footage.

What kind of fee did it take to get Ralph and Helena?

 

[TheGentTrent]

What kind of fee did it take to get Ralph and Helena?

I don't know the exact number, I'm only guessing. Since both are widely-known, Oscar-nominated actors, I'm sure they required a little more than say, Matthew Lewis or James and Oliver Phelps.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Update: Shutterbuttons will be moving to the old Eeylops Owl Emporium location next to Madam Malkins. It's very likely that the new candy/pastry store will open in the old Shutterbuttons location next to Weasley's.

 

[Quint]

It's very likely that the new candy/pastry store will open in the old Shutterbuttons location next to Weasley's.

More than likely.

SP

 

[Teebin]

Interesting... a couple of Diagon fails being replaced. What pastries are featured in the books? I read them all but cannot recall because I am old and confused. Of course, I was old and confused when I was 22 years old too. Nothing new here...

 

[tielo]

Themepark insider had a picture of the new exterior.
Shutterbutton's Moves Up the Street in Universal Orlando's Diagon Alley
I think it's great they tweak the area and it's great to hear a new shop is able to enter the excellent line up.
Here a list of desserts from the book, a lot of them would fit in a pastry shop (not sure if Spotted dick will make it):
Desserts - Harry Potter Wiki
And a list of different cakes that also would fit in there.
Cakes - Harry Potter Wiki

 

[danielmann910]

Started painting the outside of the new candy shop

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Hope it opens this weekend, any hints @Quint

 

[greendude33]

Started painting the outside of the new candy shop

I don't know if it's just me, but the graphic design seems a little out of place. Did MinaLima do it or did they have somebody else do it?

 

[Teebin]

I don't know if it's just me, but the graphic design seems a little out of place. Did MinaLima do it or did they have somebody else do it?

On one hand, not everything in Diagon is styled in the manner of MinaLima. It appears more in the printing style on paper than anything.

On the other, I will offer that the brick banner looks a bit too fresh in that photo above. Everything in Diagon is aged to a degree. Let's wait to see if it gets some distress painting.

 

[s8film40]

On the other, I will offer that the brick banner looks a bit too fresh in that photo above. Everything in Diagon is aged to a degree. Let's wait to see if it gets some distress painting.

That makes sense, it seems like this has been being done in stages. I've seen at least four version at different points in time.

 

[Quint]

Hope it opens this weekend, any hints @Quint

Only an educated guess, I'd say the target is no later than the 19th. If not by peak, definitely by the Celebration. They'd be fools to miss the social media impact with the new products coming.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Only an educated guess, I'd say the target is no later than the 19th. If not by peak, definitely by the Celebration. They'd be fools to miss the social media impact with the new products coming.

I figured the last thing they'd do is finish with external work after they moved Shutterbuttons.

 

[awhen]

Shutterbutton's in its new location. Eeyelops is still represented on facade above. Now if we can only get one of the Olivander theaters removed to create a real Flourish and Blotts (two story interior, while I'm dreaming).






Another shot of Sugarplum's, although it doesn't really look like much has changed on the exterior since the last photo above.

 

[Quint]

Now if we can only get one of the Olivander theaters removed

:look: