Warner Bros. Plans U.K. Film Base

LONDON: This week, Warner Bros. completes its acquisition of Leavesden Studios—the London-based facility where all eight Harry Potter films were shot—in which it plans to invest £100 million to create a permanent U.K. production base.

Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden will be rebuilt and expanded by Warner Bros., now the only Hollywood studio to possess and operate its own production facility in the U.K. Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, once complete in mid 2012, will be home to one of the largest back-lots in Europe. It will be able to accommodate Warner Bros. and third-party film productions, as well as TV and ad projects. The renovation of the facility, including increasing its ability to provide visual effects, prosthetics, animatronics and film editing, will sustain the current 1,500 positions and create about 300 more. The renovation also includes the creation of two new sound stages to house and display sets, costumes, creatures and props from various Warner Bros. films shot in the U.K., beginning with the Harry Potter franchise. The general public will be able to tour several of the original Harry Potter film sets.

Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros., commented, "Our purchase of Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden and our multi-million pound investment in creating a state-of-the-art, permanent U.K. film production base further demonstrates our long-term commitment to, and confidence in, the skills and creativity of the U.K. film industry.”

Alan Horn, president and COO of Warner Bros., added, "From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2, the roll call of movies made at Leavesden is nothing short of spectacular. Over the last decade, it has been a place of incredible ambition, boundless energy and unprecedented success and I’m delighted that we are going to build on that rich legacy with many more productions in the future.”

Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, noted, “At a time when investment in the U.K. is critical, Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden is a significant endorsement of the creative talent here in the U.K. It will generate jobs, inward investment and interest in an industry that is respected the world over.”