Universal's New Park/Site B Blue Sky Thread

[SeventyOne]

I mean, Universal is paying Fallon either way. He works for them. And that's a one-time expenditure to film Fallon's stuff.

You don't think he gets royalties? I mean, I always assumed Aerosmith cashes a decent-sized check every month for all the spins of their records on RnRC. For that matter, I bet Will Smith gets a bit of cash every month for "Good, slick, but not good enough" looped 14 hours a day.

In any case, I'd bet money the hottest current NBC products > Star Trek in terms of merchandise. Not even taking into account potential synergy.

 

[Stitch_101]

Don't forget that Fallon does the USH studio tour safety video. I would imagine that his contract already had some focus on theme parks. now an attraction that features him may be a different thing.

Does the expansion pad next to Seuss still exist?

Jimmy took over doing portions of the tram tour years after starting with NBC, and in turn years before he took over The Tonight Show and therefore long before the idea of a full blown attraction based on his likeness was even considered let alone likely negotiated.

As far as the expansion pad, I'm not sure... Though with the lineup of Seuss films in the works, I hope it is. I'd love to see a great addition to Seuss Landing.

 

[JungleSkip]

You don't think he gets royalties? I mean, I always assumed Aerosmith cashes a decent-sized check every month for all the spins of their records on RnRC. For that matter, I bet Will Smith gets a bit of cash every month for "Good, slick, but not good enough" looped 14 hours a day.

In any case, I'd bet money the hottest current NBC products > Star Trek in terms of merchandise. Not even taking into account potential synergy.

I mean, I'm sure he gets something. But I also assume it's way less than anything they'd have to shell out to get Star Trek on top of then having to get actors from Star Trek

 

[Stitch_101]

I mean, I'm sure he gets something. But I also assume it's way less than anything they'd have to shell out to get Star Trek on top of then having to get actors from Star Trek

Well, do to the ever changing landscape of the Star Trek property, it could be rather easy to create an attraction that is recognizable and appealing to guests without using the actors from the films, or just using secondary characters that would demand a much smaller salary.

 

[Nico]

Well, do to the ever changing landscape of the Star Trek property, it could be rather easy to create an attraction that is recognizable and appealing to guests without using the actors from the films, or just using secondary characters that would demand a much smaller salary.

True, but that's like riding a Harry Potter ride about Luna, Neville and Dobby.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

To those that say Star Trek doesn't have merchandising potential, I bring you Tribbles:

 

[Stitch_101]

True, but that's like riding a Harry Potter ride about Luna, Neville and Dobby.

Ummm no, look at Gringotts. Aside from Rupert Grint small appearance and Voledmort most of the characters appearing are side characters. I mean, the most prevalent characters pushing the ride along between the queue and ride is a goblin and Ron's brother... Far from major players in the films, far less than even the characters you named.

 

[IzzyB]

I imagine with the timing of this that they might be looking at IPs and concepts for the 3rd park and this is probably one that they are interested in. CBS may just be getting this in preparation for any kind of negotiating they may be entering.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Ummm no, look at Gringotts. Aside from Rupert Grint small appearance and Voledmort most of the characters appearing are side characters. I mean, the most prevalent characters pushing the ride along between the queue and ride is a goblin and Ron's brother... Far from major players in the films, far less than even the characters you named.

I think you're cherry picking. Plot surrounds Harry, Ron, and Hermoine and feature two of the three biggest villains in the whole series. So yeah.

 

[*Q*]

To be clear, I don't think there's much merch money to be made from Trek either

That's pretty shortsighted.

 

[JungleSkip]

That's pretty shortsighted.

I'd argue it's taking into account the current state of the Star Trek "fanbase", but to each their own.

 

[Scott W.]

I'd argue it's taking into account the current state of the Star Trek "fanbase", but to each their own.

I think this is quite a valid point because if a ride is built, it's obviously going to be based on the new films which the majority of the merchandise will be based upon.

I'm not a fan of Star Trek in the slightest but I know there's a huge fan base but I think the fan base is based on the older show more than the current movies. I'd expect plenty of plus size seating.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'm not a fan of Star Trek in the slightest but I know there's a huge fan base but I think the fan base is based on the older show more than the current movies.

That's kind of my point. The fanbase is an older one, and I'm not sure Star Trek is catching any of the younger generations. Maybe the newest movie or new show can change that.

 

[Stitch_101]

I think you're cherry picking. Plot surrounds Harry, Ron, and Hermoine and feature two of the three biggest villains in the whole series. So yeah.

I understand that, but I think you missed my point. This whole issue arose from payment of actors to appear in the ride. My comments were meant to convey that it is possible to create an attraction and a story for an attraction with minimal to no use of the main actors.

Yes the plot surrounds Harry, Ron and Hermoine. And yet only one of those actors actually returned for the ride. Universal was clever in utilizing smaller characters from the series in pushing the plot forward, regardless if they were the main focus of the actually story being told. Whether is was intentional or not, it most certainly saved money in paying the actors involved.

Again it could be just as easy then to point out other IP attractions in Universal that have minimal use of the main characters in the attractions story. MIB and The Mummy are perfect examples of that. Aside from Rip's narration, Will Smith only appears for a brief end of ride video. The same with Fraiser in The Mummy.

In the case of Star Trek, it is chalk full of iconic elements the could help drive a full attraction without the use of the main actors involved. They are the same iconic elements that have allowed the series to thrive for as long as it has regardless of the ever changing characters and cast.

An example: An attraction where you yourself are a fresh Starfleet graduate. An unknown distress beacon is picked up on an uninhabited planet, but to recent damage of the Enterprise (a great little inside joke about how often it is destroyed at that) you are sent on an mission on a smaller Federation ship to investigate. Insert any Star Trek character to facilitate that story and a icon adversary (the Klingons, Borg, ect) and you have a completely recognizable Star Trek attraction with minimal use of the main actors involved.

I'd argue it's taking into account the current state of the Star Trek "fanbase", but to each their own.

Like I said before, I think you are underestimating the Star Trek fan base. Star Trek is a multibillion dollar franchise for CBS and Paramount for a reason. I feel like a lot of this stems from people constantly wanting to compare Star Trek to Star Wars. Star Trek is never going to be as popular as Star Wars. Merchandise is never going to be as big a seller as Star Wars merchandise... Or even Harry Potter merchandise. That doesn't mean Star Trek isn't very popular and its merchandise wouldn't sell well.

 

[JungleSkip]

Aside from Rip's narration, Will Smith only appears for a brief end of ride video. The same with Fraiser in The Mummy. .

That's not exactly true. Smith and Torn show up in the queue video, and Fraiser does as well in the Mummy.

That doesn't mean Star Trek isn't very popular and its merchandise wouldn't sell well.

I guess I just do not see proof that it's "very popular" in the slightest. Maybe it's just my circles, but even in my geeky circles Star Trek holds very little sway.

 

[quinnmac000]

whoever said star trek is on to something it seems...
Viacom Has Begun Talks To Sell Minority Stake In Paramount | Deadline

 

[Scott W.]

whoever said star trek is on to something it seems...
Viacom Has Begun Talks To Sell Minority Stake In Paramount | Deadline

I think this was mentioned a while back and I think Paramount has some decent IPs that could lead to some decent rides.

 

[quinnmac000]

I think this was mentioned a while back and I think Paramount has some decent IPs that could lead to some decent rides.

I mentioned it but here is actually articles coming out about it now.

 

[JungleSkip]

whoever said star trek is on to something it seems...
Viacom Has Begun Talks To Sell Minority Stake In Paramount | Deadline

I'm not sure what a Chinese or Indian company investing in Paramount has to do with a 3rd Universal park.

 

[Scott W.]

I mentioned it but here is actually articles coming out about it now.

I guess the time capsule could return.

Looking through some of the other IPs, a few are sticking out that would never get built but it's fun to imagine. Beavis and Butthead giving commentary on rides. A South Park musical with Chef's chocolate salty balls quick service. A Jackass stunt show. A Celebrity Roast show where a visitor is taking on stage and roasted.

Just because it's relevant again.