Warner Brothers have announced that they plan to purchase and refurbish Leavesden Studios near London, England, and make it their maine UK base. The deal, worth £100 million, has been done and the project is set to be completed by 2012. The studios in Hertfordshire have been the home of the Harry Potter franchise for the past ten years and now the WB will create 300 new jobs on top of the 1500 already based at the studio.
Variety says that two new sound stages will be built to house and display many of the sets, costumes, creatures and props from various WB pics shot in Britain.
“For 86 years, Warner Bros. has been intrinsically involved in film production in the U.K.,” said WB CEO and chariman Barry Meyer. “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.”
“This proposal is central to our long-term plans to invest in the local production community, to create local and industry employment opportunities, and to continue the legacy of exceptional British filmmaking at Leavesden and across the U.K.,” said another Warner Bros. rep.
Check out this concept art from Empire. Awesome! What great news for the UK?
