A Harry Potter statue is being put up in Leicester Square

Those in London should be on the lookout for a rare sighting of Harry Potter as the famous character returns to the city’s streets. Part of the square’s movie trail, a bronze statue of Daniel Radcliffe as the wizarding hero will join a collection of statues depicting famous movie characters in Leicester Square. Featuring on the square’s north terrace, the statue will depict Harry Potter first taking flight on his Nimbus 2000 broom over the Hogwarts quidditch pitch, in the first movie, Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone. From Superheroes to Paddington Bear If you want to stand up close and personal with some of the most iconic characters in movie history, Leicester Square is the place to go. The statue project, titled Scenes in the Square, began in February and has seen eight statues of film heroes from the past 100 years erected in the square. These include Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Laurel and Hardy. Delivered by Heart of London Business Alliance, Westminster City Council, and several movie studios, the council has granted permission for the statues to remain put in the square until July 2023. Also represented by a statue on the square are superheroes Batman and Wonder Woman, Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny, and Gene Kelly in his famous Singin’ in the Rain role. Why Leicester Square? The first cinema arrived in Leicester Square in 1930, with the first premiere taking place there in 1937. Since then, the square has cemented its place in British cinema history and it regularly plays host to some of the most high profile film premieres. Mark Williams, director of destination marketing at Heart of London Business Alliance, said, “I’m thrilled to be welcoming such an icon of British cinema to Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square trail. “Harry Potter is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular fictional characters, and it is fantastic to celebrate that here in Leicester Square where the very first film premiered almost 20 years ago. “We can’t wait for Harry Potter fans from the UK and around the world to be able to visit this historic new statue, re-experience the movies and share their selfies for many years to come.”

A Harry Potter statue is being put up in Leicester Square - here's why

From Superheroes to Paddington Bear