Warner Bros. Movie World is located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
It's the world's first—and only—the park bearing the Warner Bros. na.
Even the U.S. doesn't have one.
The reason was simple: infighting.
The Australian park was the brainchild of forr Warner chairman Steve Ross. His plan was to test the waters in Australia, explore the the park business in depth, then return to the U.S. to develop a full-fledged industry. He'd already been halfway down that road.
In 1992, he acquired Six Flags, intending to rebrand and instantly establish Warner's presence in the amusent park sector. But just before the renaming, he passed away. This allowed the ousted Ti Inc. shareholders to stage a coback, kicking out the Ross family entirely.
The rebrand was scrapped.
Worse, out of fear the Ross family might soday return as they themselves had, Ti's faction, after taking control of Ti Warner, did sothing outrageous: they sold all of Warner's the park operating rights—Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, full DC licenses, everything—to Six Flags in an internal transaction.
Their excuse? Fulfilling Steve Ross's "final wish."
But then, in 1995, they sold 51% of Six Flags to outside investors.
The result: Warner Bros. forever lost the ability to build its own branded parks.
Yes—after 1995, Warner lost the right to use all its pre-1995 IP in the parks.
Ridiculous.
The Australian studio-park survived only because it was Ross's personal project, protected fiercely by his faction, and wasn't sold off. Thus, it beca Warner's one and only park with full Warner IP rights. That fact alone drew huge numbers of tourists every year.
Annual attendance: about 1.5 million.
Of course, nowhere near Disney. But in Australia? That was already excellent.
"Ohhh~ finally out to have fun! I was suffocating!"
An hour later, two girls erged from circus school, bundled up against the June chill of the southern hemisphere. Even at over ten degrees, it was winter.
The bob-cut girl wore a heavy jacket with a hood. Her companion, who'd let down her training bun into loose golden hair held back with a simple band, was dressed much the sa.
At the bus stop, sitting on a decently clean bench, the long-haired girl chattered:
"Margot, you know, I wanted to go to Movie World at Christmas, but our troupe kept performing nonstop."
"I figured, no matter how many shows, it wouldn't be endless. Before, we just did Christmas runs. But this year? Christmas shows, then the Opera House tour, the Open tennis, Canberra's Red Leaf Festival, Sydney Crab Fest—oh my god, we've been so busy! Wow, I didn't even notice until now!"
She counted the events on her fingers, then looked up suddenly.
The bob-cut girl stifled a laugh, shaking her head. "What, did aliens possess you? If I rember right, you used to want more gigs—the more shows, the more we earn."
Both Margot and her friend were born in 1990. Just twelve years old.
Normally, kids that age would be in school. But there are always exceptions.
In Japan, children could be child actors. In Britain, they could act in children's plays. In Australia, if you didn't want school but wanted a legitimate career, you could study circus.
Here, circus was thriving.
And it paid.
Margot, bob-cut and all, had earned a national certificate in circus performance by age eight. At twelve, she could make 1,000 AUD an hour (~655 USD) from shows. Hard-earned money, though—endless practice and injuries everywhere.
"Ohhh Margot, I know more shows an more money, but… Movie World has Harry Potter! Don't tell you don't want to see it?"
Her friend eyed her suspiciously. "Who was it yelling like crazy at the theater last year, huh? I still rember—when Nearly Headless Nick's head tilted, you scread so loud my eardrums nearly burst! And when Hermione appeared—you shouted the loudest in the whole cinema!"
"Hahaha—was it really that bad?"
Margot laughed, waving it off.
Her friend rolled her eyes, then made an exaggerated roar, face twisted between horror and delight, making Margot pout and swat her.
"Ugh! You're so annoying!"
Yes—they were Harry Potter fans.
But then, who wasn't?
In those years, basically every kid in the Western world loved Harry Potter. If you didn't, the problem wasn't Harry Potter—it was you.
So of course, when the movie ca out, they saw it four tis that month.
And by the ti it left theaters, nine tis total.
Because the film was just that good.
Harry—adorable.
Dumbledore—kind and wise.
Snape—too cool for words.
McGonagall—so cute when she turned into a cat.
And Hermione—Super, super, super pretty!
Margot bit her lip with a silly smile just rembering Isabella's proud little tilt of the head.
That love of Harry Potter was why they wanted to visit Movie World even more.
After all, Warner's only self-owned park naturally had a Harry Potter zone, opened last Christmas. People said the mont you stepped inside, it felt like the true wizarding world.
They'd wanted to go then.
But work got in the way.
Now, after a long wait at the bus stop, the city bus arrived. They rode into town, transferred to Warner's shuttle, and after forty more minutes, the grand WB sign lood before them.
Tickets:
Adults – 45 AUD (~29 USD).
Children – 29 AUD (~19 USD).
After queuing, they bought tickets and rushed straight for the Harry Potter zone.
It was officially called the "Harry Potter Magical Experience Zone." At first the na sounded like just an exhibit of props. But when they arrived, what greeted them was…
A stone archway, distinctly British in style.
Step through—and they were in a quaint train station hall, just like King's Cross. Warner staff in robes directed the crowd:
"Okay, more Muggles wanting into the wizarding world? Please wait here."
Which really ant: line up.
Even in winter, the place was packed.
Half an hour later, they reached the front. The guide demonstrated at Platform 9¾—running and vanishing into the wall.
"Wowww!"
The girls squealed along with the crowd.
Of course, it was projection trickery. A curtain with bricks projected on it, lit just right. But walking through it still felt magical.
And then—there it was: the Hogwarts Express, gleaming on its track.
Of course, the staff laughed: "Sorry, not London. You can look, not ride. Even if you did, it won't take you to Hogwarts."
A model, not a real train.
But still—it was the heart that counted. Warner's effort was what mattered.
They posed for photos, bought instant prints (5 AUD each), then followed into a brick-lined room. The guide tapped the wall with a wand like Hagrid—and it opened.
"Diagon Alley!"
The crowd gasped.
Shops everywhere:
Ollivanders for wands.
Madam Malkin's for robes.
Eeylops Owl Emporium for Hedwigs.
At the end of the alley: Number 4 Privet Drive.
You could step into Harry's cramped little bedroom. Pay 10 AUD for a postcard, and Warner staff would post it directly to Leavesden.
Perfect imrsion.
By the ti the girls erged, both wore Gryffindor robes, carried wands, had owls perched on their shoulders, and their bags bulged with photos.
"This is amazing!!" the long-haired girl shouted.
"Not bad," Margot agreed, though she pouted, "But no Hermione figurines. I really wanted one…"
Last year, Mattel had released HP toys, but they sold out fast. Even restocks vanished instantly, especially in Australia where stock was limited.
Still, her friend waved a sheet of exclusive HP stickers. "At least we got these!"
Margot brightened again.
She decided to stick the Hogwarts group photo on her bed board, and save Hermione's set in her book as a keepsake.
They wanted to go again, but Warner limited each ticket to one entry into the Harry Potter zone. Disappointed, they moved on to the rest of the park.
Lunch at a "Casablanca Café" (really a bar) with Moroccan lamb tagine.
A Superman stunt show at the Daily Planet building.
A ghost-train Gremlins ride.
And finally, the Batman coaster—screaming through the air like pros.
By 7 p.m., happy and exhausted, they headed out.
Even though circus school had no curfew, tomorrow ant training, so they planned to head back early.
But just as they left the park, the long-haired girl pointed.
"Margot, look! Over there at the studio—so many people!"
The Village Roadshow studio lot next door was lit up, cars everywhere, people lined at the gates—and lots of kids.
"Are they casting extras?" Margot wondered.
Roadshow, Australia's local studio, had long since been bought by Warner. Its lots had hosted The Matrix, among others. Normally closed to the public.
But tonight? Packed.
"Wanna check it out?" her friend suggested. "They all look about our age. Maybe they're casting for a movie?"
She leaned close, whispering excitedly:
"What if they're picking girls? What if we got in? What if the movie's huge? What if we beca stars? Don't you want to et Hermione one day, maybe even get her autograph—or hug her?"
Margot's lips trembled.
She knew her friend's words were just dreams.
But still… she nodded.
They accepted the suggestion.
So, the two of them quickly darted to the front gate of Village Roadshow Studios, flashing their circus worker IDs to security.
Afterward, they received a briefing about the situation inside the lot.
Learning that Warner was indeed holding auditions for a new film project, and that they were looking for girls aged ten to thirteen, the two young ladies exchanged glances and decided to join. Then, the long-haired girl pouted, saying that it hadn't been easy for them to co all this way, and since it was already seven o'clock, if things dragged on too long, it might not be safe going ho at night…
Those words softened the security guard's heart, and he let them skip ahead in line.
Under the guidance of staff, they rode a shuttle bus to a massive soundstage. After filling out the résumé forms, the two received their number tags—the long-haired girl was 071, and the bob-cut was 072.
"Eh, Marg, your number looks like your birthday!"
The long-haired girl's eyes lit up as she pointed at her friend's number card. "Isn't your birthday July 2nd?"
"Wow—your number is your birthday? Maybe you'll get chosen?"
"As if I could be that lucky!"
The bob-cut pouted, motioning for her to stop. "Everyone's looking at us…"
Still, despite her words, a glimr of joy flashed in her eyes.
What kid doesn't dream?
She wanted to be a big star too!
After waiting a while in the holding room, the long-haired girl went in first. Ten minutes later, she ca back out looking disappointed, but still cheered the bob-cut on.
"Good luck!"
A nod of thanks.
She followed the staff into the audition room, where the atmosphere was very serious.
Four judges sat behind the table. After a quick glance at the résumé passed to them, the middle-aged man on the far side looked up, sharp eyes fixed on her.
"Number 072, right?"
"Yes."
"You ca with 071?"
"Yes."
"So, sa situation? Your main work is circus, and you've never acted before?"
"Uh… I guess that's right…"
His questioning made the bob-cut bite her lip, feeling downcast.
To her, it felt like a death sentence.
And indeed…
Just as the man was about to say "No," the kindly woman in the center tapped the table. "This is an audition. She ca here, so we have to give her ti, give her a chance. Otherwise how would you know if she's good or not?"
The man fell silent, and hope flickered in the girl's eyes.
The elderly, graceful woman smiled. "Okay, Number 072, right? Your audition officially begins. Normally we'd start with a self-introduction, but your résumé is already very detailed. We've got the picture, so—let's skip ahead. Is that fine?"
"Of course." No objections—just having a chance was already great!
The woman lowered her gaze, noticing the robe she wore.
"Looks like you're in Gryffindor robes? You and your friend ca over from the the park?"
"Yes, we were here just to play today, then found out… there were auditions."
"For Harry Potter?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then let's talk about Harry Potter. Who do you like in it?"
Her tone was relaxed, curious.
The bob-cut was caught off guard, but reassured. Realizing the head judge wasn't joking, her heart started pounding.
'This… this is giving free points?'
Trying to stay calm, she quickly sorted through her mories.
"Um… Judge, are we talking about the movies or the books?"
"What's the difference?" The woman arched a brow with a smile.
"Of course there's a difference. Because the movies and the books aren't the sa, the characters I like are different."
"Oh? Then tell both."
"Alright."
The girl took a deep breath. "If we're talking about the books, then I like Harry. Because he's brave, strong, loyal, and selfless. I really hope to have a friend like that."
"Why don't you think you can be that person yourself?"
"Because I think being brave, strong, loyal, and selfless all at once isn't easy for one person. Rowling wrote Harry as very perfect, but I don't think I'm perfect."
That answer made the woman's eyes brighten.
She smiled. "I think the word you're looking for is 'saint,' isn't it?"
"Saint Potter?"
"Mm? Uh—Yeah~"
The bob-cut froze, then nodded excitedly.
"Judge! That word is perfect—it says exactly what I ant!"
"Hahaha~ Okay, and the movie?"
Relaxed now, the girl grinned. "In the movies, I actually like Hermione Granger."
"Why?"
"Because in the movies she's everything I dread of—beautiful, smart, hardworking, diligent, and… cute. I adore her, and I want to beco soone like her."
"Oh~ Oh~~ Why is it here you believe you can beco her?"
The judge was amused.
The bob-cut licked her lips, then spoke with confidence: "Because I think I'm pretty, I'm smart, I'm hardworking, and I try hard. As for being pretty, I don't know if you'd agree, but I can prove the rest. I started circus training at five, and I've been at it seven years. By eight, I'd already earned my certificate. Without talent or effort, I couldn't have done that. That's why I know Hermione is soone I can beco."
"Of course, it might take a long ti."
"Okay, you've convinced . That makes sense."
Then ca the real test—expressions for the cara, reading a page of the book, circus tricks, and finally acting a scene from Philosopher's Stone: Hermione eting Nearly Headless Nick.
Her performance was exaggerated, even a little mischievous, but—
"Okay, leave your na."
Fifteen minutes later, the woman called stop.
The girl's eyes widened. "I… I passed?"
"Of course. Leave your na. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll get the callback notice within three days."
"And by the way, you did very well. Especially your understanding of Harry and Hermione."
The girl's breathing grew heavy—she'd really passed? Nearly full marks?!
Did this an Hollywood? A chance to et Isabella Haywood herself?!
She nearly fainted from joy.
"So is there such a thing as full marks?"
Her cheeks flushed as she blurted it out, then quickly apologized.
The judge chuckled. "Full marks do exist. Just not now. The last one who got full marks from is already the lead of three movies."
That floored her—this judge clearly held enormous power!
Excited beyond asure, she finally shouted:
"Sorry—my na is Margot Robbie! You can call Marg!"
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