It’s a magical time for middle-aged virgins Harry Potter fans. Universal Studios Orlando is set to open its new attraction The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this spring. Hogwarts Castle (pictured above) is the first official image released by Universal.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature attractions, shops, and restaurants themed after the Harry Potter films. Rides include the Dragon Challenge, a twin high-speed roller coaster set to a Triwizard Tournament backdrop and Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster set to simulate a Hippogriff training flight over Hogwarts Castle. The castle, itself, plays a role in the state-of-the-art interactive attraction Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

From the press release:

The expectations of Harry Potter fans are high and Universal Orlando Resort is collaborating closely with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter brand team to ensure that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an experience of a lifetime.  The Harry Potter films’ production designer, Stuart Craig and art director, Alan Gilmore, in cooperation with a corps of artisans from Universal Creative are working daily to construct the most authentic Harry Potter experience possible.  Guests will be able to sip Butterbeer in Three Broomsticks, buy Extendable Ears at Zonko’s and experience a state-of-the-art attraction that brings the stories of Harry Potter to life in a way never before imagined.

“All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts.  “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth and we can’t wait to see the looks on our guests’ faces as they enter this rich environment.”

From the front archway of Hogsmeade to the immensity of Hogwarts castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature the locations listed below:

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station.

Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes.

Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will serve traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice.

Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery.

The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard.

Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament.

Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.

Jessica Alba reportedly walked out yesterday during the Sundance Film Festival’s screening of her serial-killer drama The Killer Inside Me. Alba plays a prostitute-turned-punching-bag in director Michael Winterbottom’s adaptation of Jim Thompson’s 1952 novel of the same name.

Why Alba left is unknown but, according to critics in attendance, there were quite a few walkouts from folks who found the film’s violence towards women disturbing, namely scenes featuring Alba repeatedly punched in the face and taking a ruthless belt-lashing across her ass from Casey Affleck, who plays Texas lawman and sociopath Lou Ford.

The flick also includes some nasty rough sex between Affleck and Kate Hudson, who gets choked during a scene that would give David Carradine a boner … if he weren’t a perverted dead bastard right now.

To see the controversial scenes, click here.

Jessica Alba was chosen by Clatto as one of the Ten Hottest Horror/Sci-fi Babes of the Past Decade.

Oh, yes … there will be blood.

Looks like Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are done playing games with Paramount Pictures. The team behind Saw, horror’s most successful franchise to date, are enforcing a clause in Saw 6 director Keven Greutert’s contract that will prevent him from helming Paramount’s Paranormal Activity sequel.

The news comes on the heels of Paramount’s announced scheduling of Paranormal Activity 2 on Oct. 22, opposite Saw 3-D (the seventh installment in the series) at the box office.

Bad blood between the players began last Halloween when Greutert’s Saw 6 faced off against Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity. Despite being the best Saw film since part three, Saw 6 stalled at $31 million and became the first flick in the series not to break a $100 million in worldwide coin. As a result, Lionsgate decided to rehire Saw 5 director David Hackl to shoot this year’s installment, thus freeing up Greutert to pursue other projects.

Last week, word got out that Greutert had signed on to direct Paranormal Activity 2 (Peli and Jason Blum return as producers). Paramount, which greenlit the sequel back in November when it became clear they had a blockbuster on their hands (the movie grossed over $150 million domestically), scheduled the film’s release date to coincide with Saw 3-D.

Now, Lionsgate has thrown down the gauntlet and Greutert finds himself caught in the middle of a franchise war. The editor-turned-director, who made his feature film debut with Saw 6, is understandably upset. He first expressed his disappointment by comparing the fiasco to parental rape on his blog, but has since changed the entry.

Greutert writes:

(I was told that my metaphor describing my feelings right now was in excessively poor taste, so let’s just say I’m pissed.)

In the “About” section, he adds:

Kevin Greutert is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker.  He’s very, very angry right now.

It’s unfortunate that Lionsgate didn’t show faith in Greutert early on and have only now brought him back to seemingly spite Paramount. However, like most Saw fans, I’m thrilled he’s back and grateful that Hackl is gone. I just hope Greutert doesn’t mail it in. The Saw fans are counting on him, especially after catching a peek at the new after-creds ending on the Saw 6 home editions, available tomorrow (click here to see new ending).