Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[AustinT]

I just saw this on Facebook from “Kingdom Insider”. It’s clearly a rumor post

That's just baseless speculation that anyone could do. A big ol' nothing burger of news. I do think a Wicked/Oz land is coming somewhere....eventually. But I'm not sure if it fits better in Epic or USF for many reasons. USF needs new stuff beyond the coaster and a potential Supercharged re-theme badly.

We'll see how the BO for this second one is shaping up in a few weeks. Reception is worse than the first one and a lack of repeat viewing could hurt its legs over the holiday movie season. But march sales and audience demos for the film and in-park data will probably be what is driving the inclusion of future attractions.

 

[illumination]

That's just baseless speculation that anyone could do. A big ol' nothing burger of news. I do think a Wicked/Oz land is coming somewhere....eventually. But I'm not sure if it fits better in Epic or USF for many reasons. USF needs new stuff beyond the coaster and a potential Supercharged re-theme badly.

We'll see how the BO for this second one is shaping up in a few weeks. Reception is worse than the first one and a lack of repeat viewing could hurt its legs over the holiday movie season. But march sales and audience demos for the film and in-park data will probably be what is driving the inclusion of future attractions.

regarding reception being worse:

Early Rotten Tomatoes scores tell two different stories. Critics sit at 70%, which is notably below the first film’s 88%. Audiences? A very loud 96%. It’s already setting box office records for the previews.

Source: Wicked: For Good Sets Box Office Record, Joins Avengers and Star Wars Elite

They just announced an Oz movie is in development. A continuation of the stories of Oz, but not about the witches, as Glinda and Elphaba’s story arc is complete.

Sources:

Will the New Wicked Spin-Off Not Star Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo? Stephen Schwartz’s Statement Explained

Stephen Schwartz says a Wicked sequel with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo isn’t likely, but a new Oz spinoff could still happen.

fandomwire.com

Wicked 3 Takes Flight: New Oz Movie In Development After For Good Release

Defy gravity again: Wicked 3 is reportedly in development, with a fresh trip to Oz poised to follow For Good’s release and push the hit musical’s reimagined Wizard of Oz saga into a new chapter.

scorpiolikeyou.com

 

[Andysol]

I'm still not sold on this being the next big IP and enough to warrant one of the precious Epic plots. The second movie may very well under perform as the last half of the musical was never as good as the first, and most the reviews for the movie are saying the first was better. If this does less at the box office, I wonder if that'll give them some pause.

I think the IP's core demo being much more female leaning than any of Universal's other IPs is the biggest thing it's got going for it. That may be enough in their eyes if it helps persuade mommy to book a stop at Universal on their next vacation though

Even if wicked was never adapted to the big screen; it would make a spectacular land.
Hell, even if wicked never existed, Oz would be a spectacular land.

Oz and LotR are easily the two best IPs available for park adaptation.

I’m ready for that 4th park already. Give me an 80s land with BTTF and Ghostbusters, plz.

 

[RFRees]

They just announced an Oz movie is in development. A continuation of the stories of Oz, but not about the witches, as Glinda and Elphaba’s story arc is complete.

Sources:

Will the New Wicked Spin-Off Not Star Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo? Stephen Schwartz’s Statement Explained

Stephen Schwartz says a Wicked sequel with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo isn’t likely, but a new Oz spinoff could still happen.

fandomwire.com

Wicked 3 Takes Flight: New Oz Movie In Development After For Good Release

Defy gravity again: Wicked 3 is reportedly in development, with a fresh trip to Oz poised to follow For Good’s release and push the hit musical’s reimagined Wizard of Oz saga into a new chapter.

scorpiolikeyou.com

This is very strong wording for what was actually said. Stephen Schwartz (composer) is looking at what they can do next. This doesn't mean they have the greenlight from Universal.

That being said, I think is a given that something like an Oz movie happens to expand Universal's branding of the IP.

 

[maxairmike]

What if they did something along the lines of those OG MarioKart concepts with a thrilling Darkride down low and a slow moving dark ride up high. I say that cause given the size of the building and needs for capacity I 100% agree 2 is better than 1 even if that means sacrificing an e ticket.

That would be a great use of space, and with the size of the building footprint I would hope they could give us a useful indoor guest area like Knockturn beyond just queue space.

 

[illumination]

This is very strong wording for what was actually said. Stephen Schwartz (composer) is looking at what they can do next. This doesn't mean they have the greenlight from Universal.

That being said, I think is a given that something like an Oz movie happens to expand Universal's branding of the IP.

The composer is developing a continuation of the stories of Oz. That’s still huge news for fans. Of course it would be way too early for universal to officially announce the next movie…I never said that.

 

[AustinT]

regarding reception being worse:

Like I said, we'll have to see how its legs are. Super fans are always the first to see/review/rate things. Many more reviews are much more critical of it than the first film and people are saying they don't have the desire to see it multiple times.

Oz and LotR are easily the two best IPs available for park adaptation.

I’m ready for that 4th park already.

Yes, many Wicked/Oz locations would make a striking land. I still wonder if they try to push it sooner than later (next 3-4 years) which to me, means it almost has to go into USF since that Springfield plot needs a new tenant soon. From insider rumors, it sounds like other Epic expansions were further along in the planning stages (Potter ride, Luigi's Mansion, Zelda, Creature boat ride) so it would make more sense for another one of those to go first instead of a totally new Wicked land in the park. If we're talking about Wicked for a future 4th park, why even bother speculating. That's so long away at this point.

 

[illumination]

Yes, many Wicked/Oz locations would make a striking land. I still wonder if they try to push it sooner than later (next 3-4 years) which to me, means it almost has to go into USF since that Springfield plot needs a new tenant soon. From insider rumors, it sounds like other Epic expansions were further along in the planning stages (Potter ride, Luigi's Mansion, Zelda, Creature boat ride) so it would make more sense for another one of those to go first instead of a totally new Wicked land in the park. If we're talking about Wicked for a future 4th park, why even bother speculating. That's so long away at this point.

Very much agree on the above. Epic needs to address the capacity problems they have by adding to it. Potter should be (and likely will be) the first expansion for all the reasons people have discussed already. I don’t think the existing Nintendo portal needs more people in it, it’s already stuffed with attractions, but maybe another portal could be another Nintendo related IP. Wicked could go in any Orlando park.

I think it would be a mistake to save Wicked for an upcoming park as that won’t be open for many many years. Gotta strike while the iron is hot and get the actors to film for the attraction.