How Imelda Staunton felt about Umbridge returning for the new Harry Potter ride at Epic Universe
While the ultimate Harry Potter villain is unquestionably Lord Voldemort (AKA He Who Must Not Be Named), many argue the deliciously sadistic Dolores Umbridge — portrayed by Dame Imelda Staunton — is a close second. But how does Staunton feel about revisiting Umbridge for the all-new Wizarding World attraction in Epic Universe?
Moviegoers first met Delores Umbridge in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2007). In a recent episode of the “Discover Universal” podcast, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry Creative Director Kim Gritzer discussed Staunton’s return to the fan-favorite villain.
But first, let’s recap the story line for the attraction, which will be located in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
According to Gritzer, the reason Epic Universe guests are invited into the Ministry of Magic — normally a very secretive place not open to muggles M is to witness the trial of Delores Umbridge for crimes against the wizarding world, and more specifically, for sending Muggles to Azkaban.
However, as guests travel to Wizengamot Courtroom Number 10 on omnidirectional lifts, they encounter a Death Eater who has broken into the lift transporting Umbridge to help her escape (in a plume of pink smoke, of course).
At that point, Harry, Ron, and Hermione recruit riders to stop Umbridge before she can find a time-turner, which she plans to use to get back to the time of Lord Voldemort when things were obviously much better for her.
The return of Delores Umbridge
Similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts in Universal Studios Florida, the Epic Universe attraction features a combination of physical sets and digital media.
“We did a film shoot, at [Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, U.K.], and had Dame Imelda Staunton, who is the character of Dolores Umbridge, participate, and it was just a phenomenal experience,” Gritzer said on the podcast. “She was so excited to be Umbridge again, and … was so professional and kind.”
Gritzer said that Staunton “doesn’t need to be directed on how to be Delores Umbridge,” and in fact, made suggestions about what the character would do in certain situations, even ad-libbing some lines — and of course, the creative team kept the ad-libs because “they were perfect,” Gritzer said.
“It’s funny, because she really is this incredibly kind, sweet person,” Gritzer added. “And then to see that transformation from the sweet person to this really sadistic, evil person, was just amazing to see.”
Watch the entire episode of the Discover Universal podcast to learn more about Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Epic Universe, including details about the queue experience.
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Super happy that she jumped at this chance. 🙂