Harry Potter Is Still Big

The first Harry Potter novel was published in 1997 and was a hit. In 2001, the first movie was released in London due to the massive popularity of the blockbuster book series, and an empire was born. There are now seven books in the series, each bringing more excitement and thrill to readers’ minds. The first novel was titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Readers met Harry Potter, a child who lost both of his parents when he was a baby and who was taken care of by his aunt and uncle who seemed to hate him. Ten years after his parents die, Harry finds out, in a most dramatic way, that he is a wizard. With this new information, he decides to go to Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards, to learn how to use his powers. Throughout the series, Harry meets new friends and finds out more about his parents, who were murdered by an evil wizard known as Lord Voldemort. Even though there has not been a book published in a couple years, the novels are still popular, and now rumors are surfacing about an eighth book in the works.

While the new book is not written by J.K. Rowling as the others were, this book will be written based on the London play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. According to Time,the book will be written by Jack Thorne and will be based on writings from J.K. Rowling. The new book picks up 19 years after the end of the last book. At this point, Harry is working in the Ministry of Magic and has three children. The play will open on July 30 and the book will be released on July 31, which just so happens to be Harry Potter’s birthday. News of the new book has Potter fans all over the world on the edge of their seats in anticipation. It’s not a stretch to expect the book to be made into a movie in the near future.

Not only is Harry Potter getting a new book, but he is also getting a new theme park attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. On April 7, Universal Studios will officially open a new area called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, as of yesterday, lucky guests in the park are being allowed to get a first chance to experience the new section of the park. They will even be able to go on Harry Potter rides, including the Hippogriff and the Forbidden Journey, according to Los Angeles Times. The new and exciting section of Universal Studios Hollywood will bring in more guests who are fans of the Harry Potter books and movies, giving them a chance to enjoy the magic of Harry Potter in person. It’s too soon to plan on being able to see the attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood just yet, as they cannot promise when the attractions will be open on the day after the grand opening. If you really can’t wait, you can always visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, where the attraction has been up and running for a couple of years.

Harry Potter fans have a lot to look forward to this year, and can expect more in the future. With a new book, a new Universal Studios attraction, and the London play, the year seems pretty full for Harry Potter. Just like the other books, if Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows wasn’t the end of Harry Potter, the Cursed Child certainly won’t finish off Harry Potter, either.

[Photo by John Raoux/AP Images]