Universal Studios Hollywood has officially re-opened one of the more famous areas of their lot: Courthouse Square.
If you’re not familiar with the incredibly long past year that Universal has had: last June a massive fire destroyed four acres of the studio property (Read: Fire Raging At Universal Studios Hollywood). Since then they have been hard at work not only rebuilding the famous studio, lots, and visitor tour — but also on making everything bigger and better than ever before with new, state-of-the-art technologies and attractions. First came the announcement of their initial re-opening and their tram tour with insane new audio and video capabilities (Read: Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Set To Return To Action After Fire). Next came word of the colossal return of one of their main attractions: King Kong. Only this time he would be so much more realistic than the famous giant animatronic beast they once had (Read: Universal Studios To Unveil New ‘King Kong’ Attraction In 2010).
Now that we’re all caught up, fans of the studio/park and filmmakers alike will be pleased at the latest announcement that Courthouse Square is now open once again. To celebrate the re-opening, a massive parade was thrown with many different characters from various movies that have been filmed there.
Click over to see some images from the re-opening parade.
The Square set is the most photographed town square of all-time with over a thousand film and TV appearances. It is without doubt best recognized as the location of the great clock tower in Back to the Future, but has been used in so many more things as well.
Here’s just a few of the notable productions filmed there:
It was previously known as “Mockingbird Square” after serving as a principal location for the Oscar-winning “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It was dressed as Buffalo, NY for Jim Carey in “Bruce Almighty,” as River City, Iowa for the great musical, “The Music Man,” as Wellman College for “The Nutty Professor,” and as the center of Sweet Apple, Ohio in the classic “Bye Bye Birdie.” It’s been overrun by “Gremlins,” by large people in “Village of the Giants” and aliens in “They Came From Outer Space.” Steven Spielberg filmed it as the courthouse in “Amistad.”
The rest of the lots are expected to be opened by next spring.
Images
Images courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
What about Hill Valley from Back to the Future!?!?! I mean c’mon! 4/5 pictures posted here have Doc Brown clearly visible…
geesh.
Of all the movies they talked about, I feel that BTF actually gave the square more of a name. They interacted with it, instead of just having it as scenery or a back drop.
Clint
:3