Universal Unveils Refurbished Back Lot Where Next Generation of Flops Will Be Made

It's been almost two years since the historic back-lot set known as New York Street burned down at Universal Studios, sending the backdrops to such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Sting and Back to the Future up in plumes of thick, black, haunting smoke. That would be the last studio product to catch fire for a while, alas. But hey, check it out: New York Street is back! And judging by the video below, it really is new and improved.

Studio president Ron Meyer has the narration, and no less than Steven Spielberg and Brian Grazer drop in for testimonials about New York Street's legend and restoration. (Spielberg even adds to the former with his mini-story about driving down to watch the lot burn at 6:30 in the morning.) It's an interesting coming-out party for the troubled studio, which appears to be soliciting both production and tourism in one glossy, insider-y fell swoop. But clearly the key to rare, recent Universal successes has been to shoot at either a tropical resort or the bleakest gray-green pit of Europe, so consider yourselves advised, Hollywood. The place burned to the ground. The ghost of Conan O'Brien still haunts the joint! Tread carefully.

[via Deadline]