Dean Russell, the Member of Parliament for Watford, welcomes the exciting news of Warner Bros Studios Leavesden (WBSL) undergoing an expansion, marking a significant milestone for both the local community and the UK film and TV industry.
As a huge fan of DC since childhood, he is considering calling himself the MP for Watford, Gotham and Metropolis! I wonder what Mr Speaker would make of this!
Warner Bros Discovery, the creative force behind the iconic Harry Potter film franchise, has announced an impressive plan to expand WBSL. This expansion includes the addition of 10 state-of-the-art sound stages and an extra 400,000 square feet of production and support space. This development will increase the production capacity at the Leavesden studio by more than 50%, positioning it as a primary production hub for DC Studios.
The project's impact is far-reaching and is set to create approximately 4,000 "direct or indirect" jobs across the UK, bolstering the UK economy by more than £200 million. This ambitious venture is scheduled to start next year, with the expansion is anticipated to be completed by 2027.
Huge productions such as the global hit Barbie and the HBO series House of the Dragon have utilised WBSL's world-class sound stages. The studio's reputation extends to being the creative force behind the beloved Harry Potter franchise, further enhanced by its popular fan tours, attracting tourists from around the world.
Dean Russell MP is enthusiastic about the expansion's positive implications for Watford and the entire UK. He emphasised the importance of this investment in bolstering the country's creative sector, stating, "This is excellent news, not only for Warner Bros Studios but for the entire community of Watford. The international hit Barbie movie and the HBO series House of Dragon are two of the exceptionally successful productions which are made on WSL’s sound stages."
The expansion signifies the UK's dominance in the global entertainment landscape, showcasing its commitment to delivering world-class productions.
Dean Russell MP added, "This investment will have an impact for decades to come. The company wants a real focus on local jobs and support for local businesses. This will have a significant impact across Herts and across the UK, with Watford playing a really important part. This positive investment in the UK shows confidence in our country."
Dean is a comic book and science fiction fan and expressed his excitement, "I am a huge DC fan- I have been since I was a child. With this announcement I wonder if I should now call myself the MP for Watford, Gotham, and Metropolis. It has a good ring to it!"
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, commented, “The enormous strength of our creative industries sees films and television shows made in the UK reaching cinemas and front rooms across the world, including Barbie and the House of the Dragon series. Warner Bros. Discovery’s ambitious plan to grow its Leavesden studio means that British-made entertainment will continue to delight and entertain globally. This vote of confidence in our creative sector will create thousands of jobs and grow the industry”.
The expansion of Warner Bros Studios Leavesden reinforces the message that the UK is the preferred destination for global investments in the film and TV industry, ensuring that films produced here will captivate audiences worldwide for generations to come.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
During the height of COVID19, Dean received a call and was asked to help the Mission Impossible movie producers to ensure that filming could continue at Warner Brothers Studios in Leavesden.
Find out more here https://www.deanrussell.co.uk/campaigns/deans-film-industry-mission-imp…;
