It’s been quite
some time since I last blogged on a filming location. The last that comes to
mind is New York, but up until today I suppose I’ve somewhat underestimated
Wiltshire. After originally planning to visit London for the day where we were
going to undertake a 9 ¾ km walk from Paddington Station to, well, Platform 9 ¾
in King’s Cross Station and back, as part of the "Medal Mad" challenges, with Sian not feeling too well we instead decided to follow the curious rumours
of fantastic beasts out in the country, with the aid of our very own Marauder’s Map – aka the "SatNav.”
For ten years the
UK served the Harry Potter franchise
with various filming locations, from several iconic spots throughout London all
the way up to the Jacobite Stream Train and Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland, as
well as the practical sets in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford, to name but countless more. And although the
ninth movie in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, was set in 1920’s New York, its sequel – due
for release next year – will, it would seem, see the return of Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The cloisters
at Lacock Abbey are strictly off-limits to all muggles from 21st August to 16th
September. But if that wasn’t a big enough clue, then just look at the large marquees, cranes and other equipment in the pictures below. And if they still aren’t
obvious enough for you, then perhaps the words “Movie Makers” on the sides of
the vehicles, as well as the giant Warner Bros. logo, are. This collection is courtesy of the Curious Rookies (that's my wife and I), and we solemnly swear that we were up to no good...
If that isn't a Curious Rookie, I don't know what is...
The same goes for Sian, who might be better known as "The Bold Rookie"
Security. Time to put on the invisibility cloak!
Not much to look at now, but the conjuring of movie magic is underway
Okay, so the invisibility cloak blew off...
I wonder if Jude Law or Eddie Redmayne are in one of those tents
If this movie set is what it appears to be, then it wouldn't be the
first time the interior of Lacock Abbey has been used in the film series. The first two movies, The
Philosopher’s Stone (2001) and The Chamber
of Secrets (2002), along with the sixth instalment, The Half Blood Prince (2009), included a number of scenes that were
shot inside the National Trust building. Scenes that featured caretaker Filch’s
detestable cat Mrs Norris were filmed in the abbey’s cloisters; Professor
Severus Snape’s potions lab was filmed in the sacristy; the building’s nuns
warming room was transformed into one of the classrooms; and the chapter house lent
itself as the room where a very young Harry first saw his mum and dad in the
Mirror of Erised.
But whether or
not these new scenes will take place within the timeline of the sequel itself, or
serve as flashback sequences for Newt Scamander’s time at the school, is yet to
be seen. But what we do know is that British A-lister Jude Law has been cast as a younger
Professor Albus Dumbledore. This means that, regardless of whether it's the 20's or some years before, we'll very likely be seeing a fully-functional Hogwarts back on the big screen - a refreshing return after its noticeable absence in last year’s Beasts, and having also been semi-blown to smithereens in 2011’s final instalment in the Harry
Potter-specific narrative, Deathly
Hallows Part 2.
But what did
the Curious Rookie actually learn about the new movie today? Well, for starters, if this is indeed a production set for the untitled Beasts sequel, then it will most definitely include Hogwarts in some shape or form. And while there may have
been no fantastic beasts on the loose in Lacock today, there was still plenty
of movie magic in the air.
Lacock Abbey's Botanical Gardens. Best watch out for whomping willows, then
A quick lesson in Herbology...
No mandrakes in there. But this Rookie always encourages curiosity
Lacock: Hardly Hogsmeade, but almost equal in charm and quirk
This dog watched everyone intently. An animagus on the lookout?
Jude Law's going to need these jelly beans and sherbet lemons
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Eeeek! I hope this is true, so excited for the next instalment! Keep on being curious!
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