Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Wicked Salad]

There are only 3 expansion plots in Epic Universe - I'm not going to entertain the notion they would drop a third of full park's build cost on a singular IP in Epic, least of all one that's success is up for debate. So the mega plot is two as far as I'm concerned

So I am inclined to go with what Alicia set out in her video- that if Wickeds going anywhere it's probably replacing Simpsons. So maybe this is the wrong thread to discuss it either way.

It's a nice idea that Universal only use their own IP in parks, but does that match reality?
Assuming Comcast is in active discussions with Warner Brothers to lock in licensing for a lot more than DC (I think that deal is a lot further along than reported) - If nothing is off the table for WB theme park IP what else could be utilised at Epic long-term?

If Wicked isn't going to Epic, I wouldn't mind DC taking that large plot. However, I do think DC is one of the few IPs left you can split across parks like Potter. LOTR or Wicked should be all in one land.

 

[Legacy]

If Wicked isn't going to Epic, I wouldn't mind DC taking that large plot. However, I do think DC is one of the few IPs left you can split across parks like Potter. LOTR or Wicked should be all in one land.

DC is not going to Orlando without something drastically changing in the media landscape.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I just keep reminding people Skull Island broke it anyway

Dudley Do Right is a tv show first and foremost and it was an opening day attraction. It’s never been true!

 

[DrStarlander]

Assuming Comcast is in active discussions with Warner Brothers to lock in licensing for a lot more than DC (I think that deal is a lot further along than reported) - If nothing is off the table for WB theme park IP what else could be utilised at Epic long-term?

I don't know much about DC Comics and Batman canon but I'd still love to visit a large-scale (tall buildings), immersive Gotham City land. Something like Gotham Square, the Gotham version of NYC's Times Square, with dark alleys and side streets to explore.

If they did use the entire 20 acre expansion plot, I wouldn't mind a sub-area that was themed as a sinister, villain-controlled Coney Island. You enter through a creepy head like Melbourne's Luna Park. Though I really don't like DCA's Pixar Pier much because the IP is a weird match and it's all done half-heartedly, I think a creepy Coney Island by the Batman villains would be super cool. The Riddler could run the midway games, The Joker would have a Funhouse walk-through, etc. If there was room there could be a real woody roller coaster that looks all decrepit and sketchy, adding to the thrills. I think there's a lot of opportunity to do weird things, having rides "misplaced" and intersecting each other in atypical, unsettling ways spatially. There could even be a "skyway" (like the Roosevelt Island Tramway) from the Celestial Park entry area to the back of the land.

 

[Legacy]

There are only 3 expansion plots in Epic Universe - I'm not going to entertain the notion they would drop a third of full park's build cost on a singular IP in Epic, least of all one that's success is up for debate. So the mega plot is two as far as I'm concerned

So I am inclined to go with what Alicia set out in her video- that if Wickeds going anywhere it's probably replacing Simpsons. So maybe this is the wrong thread to discuss it either way.

It's a nice idea that Universal only use their own IP in parks, but does that match reality?
Assuming Comcast is in active discussions with Warner Brothers to lock in licensing for a lot more than DC (I think that deal is a lot further along than reported) - If nothing is off the table for WB theme park IP what else could be utilised at Epic long-term?

With DC Comics off the table, WB IPs that could work in Epic long-term.

Lord of the Rings - The obvious, especially because it can enable a lush forest which is a missing aesthetic.

Looney Toons - The other obvious. It could enable a “zany,” kid-friendly land that complements Nintendo and Dragons but still have a very different vibe.

Scooby Doo - I’m still an advocate for a Scooby mini-land/attraction in Dark Universe. And, honestly, Scooby x the Monsters at FFN demonstrates the potential of it.

Dune - This would be a choice. It’s basically a space LotR. Sci-Fi has always been Universal’s lacking genre, and this would fill it while still allowing it to feel “fantasy” in that way Universal excels. I’m actually not a big fan of this personally, because its action is somewhat muted compared to something like…

Mad Max/Road Warrior - Now for something completely different and unexpected. It can support an elaborate stunt show (WaterWorld meets Lights Camera Action), a high speed thrill ride, and be aesthetically different from anything anywhere else. If there’s one major hurdle, it’s almost TOO adult—arguably more than Dark Universe.

Austin Powers - Maybe this should replace Fear Factor, but can you imagine a land centered on 1960s/1970s London?

 

[TheUniC6]

Lord of the Rings - The obvious, especially because it can enable a lush forest which is a missing aesthetic.

Looney Toons - The other obvious. It could enable a “zany,” kid-friendly land that complements Nintendo and Dragons but still have a very different vibe.

Scooby Doo - I’m still an advocate for a Scooby mini-land/attraction in Dark Universe. And, honestly, Scooby x the Monsters at FFN demonstrates the potential of it.

Lord of the Rings is the obvious one on the list for the new portal at EU.

Scooby Doo as the DU expansion could work for a more family friendly part of the land.

Looney Toons IMO belongs back in USF. Perhaps it can go in the SS cluster behind the F&F coaster as part of a broader WB Animation land

 

[Legacy]

Looney Toons IMO belongs back in USF. Perhaps it can go in the SS cluster behind the F&F coaster as part of a broader WB Animation land

I’ve seen a few people acting like Universal is going to start replacing soundstages.

They won’t.

The soundstages do get rented out. It’s infrequent, but they’re not abandoned.

Second, Universal has no interest in building new infrastructure to host literally half of their most prestigious event (HHN). If the soundstages go away, HHN suffers.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’ve seen a few people acting like Universal is going to start replacing soundstages.

They won’t.

The soundstages do get rented out. It’s infrequent, but they’re not abandoned.

Second, Universal has no interest in building new infrastructure to host literally half of their most prestigious event (HHN). If the soundstages go away, HHN suffers.

Don’t forget the school!

 

[tommyhawkins]

With DC Comics off the table, WB IPs that could work in Epic long-term.

Lord of the Rings - The obvious, especially because it can enable a lush forest which is a missing aesthetic.

Looney Toons - The other obvious. It could enable a “zany,” kid-friendly land that complements Nintendo and Dragons but still have a very different vibe.

Scooby Doo - I’m still an advocate for a Scooby mini-land/attraction in Dark Universe. And, honestly, Scooby x the Monsters at FFN demonstrates the potential of it.

Dune - This would be a choice. It’s basically a space LotR. Sci-Fi has always been Universal’s lacking genre, and this would fill it while still allowing it to feel “fantasy” in that way Universal excels. I’m actually not a big fan of this personally, because its action is somewhat muted compared to something like…

Mad Max/Road Warrior - Now for something completely different and unexpected. It can support an elaborate stunt show (WaterWorld meets Lights Camera Action), a high speed thrill ride, and be aesthetically different from anything anywhere else. If there’s one major hurdle, it’s almost TOO adult—arguably more than Dark Universe.

Austin Powers - Maybe this should replace Fear Factor, but can you imagine a land centered on 1960s/1970s London?

and if the contract is already sign for Bedford with LOTR?

Also, WB only own the movie rights to LOTR, so would universal have to get two deals, one for using the movie materials, and a more general one for Theme Park rights?

 

[Legacy]

and if the contract is already sign for Bedford with LOTR?

Also, WB only own the movie rights to LOTR, so would universal have to get two deals, one for using the movie materials, and a more general one for Theme Park rights?

So…. Universal may have secured LotR rights already? It was intimated to me (even before the Bedford news broke) that Universal had secured the rights, “but had no plans to use them.” It was, from my understanding, preliminary. If permissions to actually use them in a theme park, then Universal already had them. Again, rumors… intimation… who knows if that is true.

But let’s get conspiracy brained with it. What if Universal had secured the rights, but Tolkien would only allow them in the UK? At least, a period of exclusivity. Universal had “no plans to use them” [in the US].

Still wouldn’t make them available for Epic… but if all of that is true, then WB is the (fairly easy) hurdle.

 

[HHN Maddux]

So…. Universal may have secured LotR rights already? It was intimated to me (even before the Bedford news broke) that Universal had secured the rights, “but had no plans to use them.” It was, from my understanding, preliminary. If permissions to actually use them in a theme park, then Universal already had them. Again, rumors… intimation… who knows if that is true.

But let’s get conspiracy brained with it. What if Universal had secured the rights, but Tolkien would only allow them in the UK? At least, a period of exclusivity. Universal had “no plans to use them” [in the US].

Still wouldn’t make them available for Epic… but if all of that is true, then WB is the (fairly easy) hurdle.

I remember for the longest time, the rumor for the big expansion pad was to eventually have LotR there, so I'd imagine Universal would want the rights deal to be a period of exclusivity for UK if that's the case?

 

[Wicked Salad]

So…. Universal may have secured LotR rights already? It was intimated to me (even before the Bedford news broke) that Universal had secured the rights, “but had no plans to use them.” It was, from my understanding, preliminary. If permissions to actually use them in a theme park, then Universal already had them. Again, rumors… intimation… who knows if that is true.

But let’s get conspiracy brained with it. What if Universal had secured the rights, but Tolkien would only allow them in the UK? At least, a period of exclusivity. Universal had “no plans to use them” [in the US].

Still wouldn’t make them available for Epic… but if all of that is true, then WB is the (fairly easy) hurdle.

Not just because I want Wicked in Epic, but I personally wouldn't fill Epic with more IPs they don't own. Nintendo might end up having two portals, and then there's Potter. I think if they ever do a 4th gate, that would be the prime location for LOTR because I doubt they'll throw together another Potter concept. Also, if there's any exclusivity for the UK park, by the time they do a 4th gate, they should be able to put it in Orlando. Also, Wicked is already pushing it, but at least its American fantasy vs the European focus Epic already has. Something like DC Comics would probably be the best for the park's diversity. But this same argument could be said for putting Wicked in studios, replacing one fictional city with another.

 

[Blue]

Agreed with Universal focusing on more in-house IP but they don't really have a lot of choices at the moment imo. These would probably more long-term additions, but Universal does have two new potential IPs they could use depending on how they perform next year: Disclosure Day and The Odyssey.

 

[DrStarlander]

Lord of the Rings is the obvious one on the list for the new portal at EU.

I'm excited by the prospect of a LOTR world but is there a concern it would be somewhat repetitive of aspects already existing at Epic: magic, medieval stone buildings, fantasy creatures, dragons, taverns?

To me it seems superheroes, Jurassic, anime, sci-fi/Hill Valley would each bring something more unique to the park's mix of vibes/aesthetics.

I was wondering about that 53 acres they look to be developing over to the west. Could they do LOTR as a separate gate (kind of on scale with a waterpark but dry)? A fully immersive IP-specific small-park with a LARPing vibe (i.e., interactive meta-game adventure). I don't know if that model could work, e.g., could it do 3-5 million visits.

 

[mccgavin]

but Universal does have two new potential IPs they could use depending on how they perform next year: Disclosure Day and The Odyssey.

I don't think either of those would make sense as a theme park land, even if they perform very well. Some franchises have good theme park potential from the start, but sometimes a movie is just a movie.

 

[rageofthegods]

The most obvious Nolan theme park thing would be Inception/Tenet as a show, although those rights aren't with Uni.

If he ever does The Prisoner, then that's something that they could potentially mine a land out of, depending on the take.

 

[AustinT]

Man, some of you guys are dropping some of the wildest and most unlikely IPs to ever get attractions. Odyssey, Disclosure Day, Inception, Tenet, The Prisoner. Trolling or just totally out of touch? Future attractions and/or lands will need to have proven success, wide appeal, merch potential, great ride concepts, be family friendly, visually interesting setting, etc. Nintendo, Potter, Pokemon, Jurassic, Wicked, Simpsons, HTTYD. Nothing recently mentioned recently fits with these.

 

[rageofthegods]

Man, some of you guys are dropping some of the wildest and most unlikely IPs to ever get attractions. Odyssey, Disclosure Day, Inception, Tenet, The Prisoner. Trolling or just totally out of touch? Future attractions and/or lands will need to have proven success, wide appeal, merch potential, great ride concepts, be family friendly, visually interesting setting, etc. Nintendo, Potter, Pokemon, Jurassic, Wicked, Simpsons, HTTYD. Nothing recently mentioned recently fits with these.

I suggested an Inception show for a theme park that has a Bourne show.

 

[Disneyland/DCA]

Man, some of you guys are dropping some of the wildest and most unlikely IPs to ever get attractions. Odyssey, Disclosure Day, Inception, Tenet, The Prisoner. Trolling or just totally out of touch? Future attractions and/or lands will need to have proven success, wide appeal, merch potential, great ride concepts, be family friendly, visually interesting setting, etc. Nintendo, Potter, Pokemon, Jurassic, Wicked, Simpsons, HTTYD. Nothing recently mentioned recently fits with these.

I still have my fingers crossed for the practical effects Oppenheimer show other people have floated around.

 

[mccgavin]

I suggested an Inception show for a theme park that has a Bourne show.

Jason Bourne makes infinitely more sense as a theme park show compared to Inception.