Senior VP and Chief Creative Officer at Universal Creative, Thierry Coup, says that “we’re not done” adding to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in an interview with People.
A growing franchise
Coup explained that the Harry Potter franchise keeps growing outside the theme park. “The Wizarding World is not resting. It keeps building” he explained. For example, the popular play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the Fantastic Beasts films continue to build upon the world that J.K. Rowling created.
There are also several games based on the franchise that allow fans to experience the world at home. In 2019, Warner Bros and Niantic unveiled Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, a new augmented reality mobile game. And in 2021, Warner Bros will release Hogwarts Legacy, the first open-world role-playing game based in the world of Harry Potter.
“Bringing fun and smiles to everyone”
Since its opening in 2010, there have been numerous expansions to the site, adding Diagon Alley in 2014. In 2019, Universal opened the popular Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Appetite for new Harry Potter content at the park has not abated over time. Some fans waited up to 10 hours to ride the new Hagrid coaster when it first opened. Adding this ride allowed Coup to fulfill his wish to bring the Forbidden Forest to the park. He explained, “that attraction puts a big smile on everyone’s face”.
For Coup, realizing these themed environments allows him to create emotional experiences for the guests. “When you see the guests’ reactions, it just creates so many wonderful memories for them…This is a business of emotion, bringing fun and smiles to everyone.”
Thierry Coup was recently named as one of Blooloop’s Power 10 in the Theme Park Influencer 2020 List.
Universal has also announced that Super Nintendo World in Japan is going to open on 4 February 2021.
