Universal rebuilds New York City (and Hill Valley and London) in California

By Keith Phipps | May 28, 2010 | 3:21pm

Aux Features Film

With some help from Steven Spielberg, Universal has rebuilt the backlot damaged by a massive fire in 2008, the Los Angeles Daily News reports, an undertaking with a $200 million price tag. Recreated under the direction of Steven Spielberg and veteran production designer Rick Carter, the new 13 city-block structure includes blocks made to resemble many New York neighborhoods, parts of London, and the small town set used by many films, most memorably serving as a stand-in for Hill Valley in the Back To The Future series. The illusion of reality lives again.

But what, you might be wondering, of the King Kong attraction also destroyed in the fire? It's coming back in four weeks in a new digital 3D version overseen by Peter Jackson, who directed the most recent remake of the film. Rumors that said attraction will contain an entirely unnecessary hour-long first act could not be confirmed at press time.