Tattle | Harry Potter lines up Orlando gig

HEY, HARRY POTTER fans - and we know there are a few of you - Universal Orlando is opening "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" in late 2009.

"The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed," said author J.K. Rowling, who has been working with creators.

Visitors will be able to view such famed fictional places as Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts and the shops at Hogsmeade, according to Universal's Scott Trowbridge.

There will also be something for the "thrill-ride lover."

Unfortunately, during the final thrill ride, two visitors will die - although Rowling won't say which two.

From soccer to tennis?

Elisabeth Shue may be headed for a career change.

"I have been training to be a professional tennis player," the beautiful Wilmington native told Tattle's Baird Jones at the NYC premiere party for "Gracie" at the Central Park Boathouse. (For more on Shue's film, see the sidebar at right and Gary

Thompson's review on Page 45.)

"I have a lot of training to do before I go out on the tour," she said. "In about a year I want to start working towards that. I really want to get my ranking at a very small level on the circuit. I have been playing seriously for the last five years. I have been an athlete my whole life. My forehand is my strongest stroke and I really don't have a weak stroke. Even my backhand is good."

Confidence? Also not a problem.

"I model myself on Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Billy Jean King," she said, "because they were great fighters, they had such a fighting spirit."

We're not sure how Elisabeth, at 43, would do as a professional tennis player, but she could certainly win as many tournaments as Anna Kournikova - and probably sell as many calendars.

Yocks till he drops

Jon Lovitz has signed a lifelong contract to appear at the Laugh Factory.

The comic announced Wednesday that he will perform at the Sunset Strip club every Wednesday night for the rest of his life.

Lovitz hopes for a long run.

"Who knows? I could become the Don Ho of Los Angeles," he said. "God knows I've got enough Hawaiian shirts."

Hope he's bringing better material on Wednesday nights . . .

"His contract is very lucrative," owner Jamie Masada quipped. "If he lives to be 100 years old, I'll owe him part of the club."

Of course at 100, Lovitz will be performing at the Laugh Factory's Early Bird Special.

Tattbits

* The Hollywood Reporter says Zooey Deschanel ("Bridge to Terabithia," "Elf") will star with Mark Wahlberg ("Invincible," "Shooter") in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening."

It will all be "Happening" here in August.

* Tom Sizemore once was wanted by filmmakers. Now he's just wanted. TMZ.com reports an L.A. judge issued a bench warrant for Sizemore after he was booked on drug charges earlier this month.

The arrest may have violated his probation from a 2004 drug conviction.

* "Break a leg" may be a good- luck wish in the theater, but Andrew Salter took it too literally.

Performing as a Ranger in London's "Lord of the Rings" musical, Salter literally stopped the show when his leg got trapped in set machinery.

Hobbits, elves and dwarfs rushed to aid the screaming actor.

Salter was treated at a local hospital. He suffered no broken leg.

* The Hollywood Reporter reports Fred Thompson will not seek re-election as D.A. on NBC's "Law & Order."

He has a higher office in mind.

"Law & Order" creator/executive producer Dick Wolf said Wednesday, "I will sincerely miss working with him on a regular basis, and I obviously wish him the best of luck with whatever the future holds."

With "L&O" returning for season 18, there are questions throughout the ranks. HR sources say Milena Govich (Det. Cassidy) and her tight sweaters will unfortunately not be back. Jesse Martin (Det. Green) may re-up. Sam Waterston (A.D.A. Jack McCoy) may get promoted to D.A. - perhaps, to help with the budget, he'll do both jobs.

* George Michael, who has pleaded guilty to driving while unfit (is that like driving while flabby?), had several drugs in his system when he was arrested, a London court heard Wednesday.

Tests showed Michael had taken an antidepressant as well as gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, Prosecutor Andrew Torrington told Brent Magistrates' Court in London.

The case was adjourned until June 8 for sentencing. The next day Michael performs at Wembley Stadium.

Or jail. *

Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

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