I may be outdated with this, I heard SES is being demolished completely. This is about a year or two ago's worth of a rumor though.
I will be impressed if now is the time they finally decide to yeet it off the side of the cliff (but I do hope Animal Actors won't be far behind, and that they keep the Universal City sign).
There is a valid point though; if the project is a 2023 build, that could line up with the seemingly stead-fast roadmap UC overall is having.
UC Orlando is potentially looking at getting investments to USF before Epic Universe, with the potential of Villain Con and Potter VR (as per
@Alicia), DK is being built right now at Osaka; EU is getting permits filed again and the prep should be done for SNW/Minion Park in Singapore. Hollywood looking to pick up the ball and run with it now, may be a potential angle to look at; if they are looking to bring in more crowds alongside Disneyland's Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway for 2023. If the project doesn't take Animal Actors, the project would be in a slightly tight spot, though as we have seen recently, size doesn't mean much of anything when we factor Pets.
I'm curious if that's the mentality UC Hollywood is looking at going forward. Experiences that can be while compact, high in value and option.