After sharing a look at its exclusive Ministry of Magic set, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter has revealed the magical shopping street of Diagon Alley.
The Diagon Alley set was originally created for the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, before being adapted for the sequels. Over the years, walls and shop fronts were moved, and whole buildings were tweaked.
During the filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, many of the Diagon Alley set pieces were also redressed for use in the village of Hogsmeade.
“Diagon Alley was really a showcase of prop-making, it was a joy to work on and see it come to life,” said Pierre Bohanna, head prop maker.
For the films, the set contained thousands of props and items to fill the shops, including cauldrons, quills, robes and the Nimbus 2000 broomstick on display in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Included in the Tokyo set is the Weasley twins’ colourful shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, which is designed to look like an 18th century storefront.
Iconic locations from the Harry Potter films
During filming, the store took more than three months to construct, most of which was dedicated to building the 20-foot moving mannequin above the main entrance.
The new studio tour opens on 16 June and houses iconic locations including the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest.
At more than 900 square metres, the Ministry of Magic was one of the largest and most intricate sets created for the Harry Potter film franchise.
The set in Tokyo will be dressed as it appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One, and includes the ‘Magic is Might’ statue.
“In addition to fantastic interactive features, multiple photo opportunities and the world’s largest Harry Potter shop, the studio tour will exclusively showcase a number of incredible film sets that are one of a kind,” said Torben Jensen, the studio tour’s vice president and general manager.
Images: Warner Bros.
