Exactly one month ago today we learned that Jaws at Universal Studios Orlando was to close, and at the same time rumors stated that it would be replaced by a Harry Potter expansion.
Jaws closes today, and now we’re learning of MORE evidence which suggests that the attraction will be replaced by Potter.
HHN Rumors points to a demolition permit for by Universal which is believed to be for the removal of Jaws. The permit refers to a “Project 722,” which appears on the LinkedIn profiles of several people who have worked on the Potter films over the years:
Sarah Marshall
Project 722
Universal Orlando
September 2011 – Present (4 months) Shepperton Studios- UK
Art Dept AssistantArt Department Assistant
Warner Bros. Pictures
February 2007 – January 2008 (1 year) London, Royaume-Uni
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (D. Yates) – Art DepartmentAssistant Art Dept Assistant
Warner Bros. Pictures
July 2006 – September 2006 (3 months) London, Royaume-Uni
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixhttp://uk.linkedin.com/pub/sarah-marshall/2b/aa8/72b
Nicholas Henderson
Art Director, ‘Project 722’
Universal Pictures Group UK
September 2011 – Present (4 months) LondonArt Director, ‘Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows 1 & 2’ (Feature, Dir. D. Yates/Des. S. Craig)
Warner Bros. Studios
September 2008 – April 2010 (1 year 8 months) Leavesden Studios, Londohttp://uk.linkedin.com/pub/nicholas-henderson/29/66/428
Gary Tomkins
Art Director
Project 722
September 2011 – Present (4 months) Shepperton Film StudiosArt Director The Harry Potter films
Warner Bros. Pictures
March 2000 – April 2010 (10 years 2 months)http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/gary-tomkins/2a/ab1/879
Julia Dehoff-Bourne
Draughtsperson
‘Project 722’ at Universal Studios
November 2011 – Present (2 months)Props Draughtsman, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2’ (Feature Films)
Warner Bros. Entertainment Group of Companies
September 2008 – August 2009 (1 year)Draughtsman, ‘Strongarm’ (Harry Potter Theme Park Orlando USA)
Warner Bros. Entertainment Group of Companies
April 2007 – July 2007 (4 months)http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/julia-dehoff-bourne/18/1b4/977
Screamscape notes that on page 722 of Deathly Hallows there is a reference to the Hogwarts Express, which may explain why Universal is codenaming this 722 (we know there are plans to build a working version of the train).