Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

If they can secure the rights, it’s a great property for sure.

I know its been discussed endlessly, but with the growth of Universal do you think the Tolkien estate would be more willing to work with them? I just want this to be true so bad lol.

 

[OLSinFLA]

I know its been discussed endlessly, but with the growth of Universal do you think the Tolkien estate would be more willing to work with them? I just want this to be true so bad lol.

Since Chris Tolkien left they seem to be a bit more willing to hand rights for cash (see: Amazon). When Chris was in charge he wanted to keep all rights and just keep publishing his edited versions of his dad's work.

 

[KentNelson]

Since Chris Tolkien left they seem to be a bit more willing to hand rights for cash (see: Amazon). When Chris was in charge he wanted to keep all rights and just keep publishing his edited versions of his dad's work.

I always ask same question about Tolkien rights? Why did they approve selling rights of LOTR for casino's jackpots but they say theme parks wouldnt honour Tolkien' s work?

 

[rageofthegods]

I always ask same question about Tolkien rights? Why did they approve selling rights of LOTR for casino's jackpots but they say theme parks wouldnt honour Tolkien' s work?

Iirc they were pissed about the casinos too and tried to sue New Line and Warner for breach of contract. I believe since New Line and Warner owned merch rights, then the slots were their call.

 

[Alicia]

I always ask same question about Tolkien rights? Why did they approve selling rights of LOTR for casino's jackpots but they say theme parks wouldnt honour Tolkien' s work?

They didn't approve of Casino games... that's why they sued the movie company. The film studio assumed they could do that without asking, due to in place merchandising rights.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I know the LOTR thing has been discussed endlessly but man, what a game changer for Orlando this would be if Universal gets the rights to it. Potter, LOTR, and Nintendo. Doesn't get much closer to beating the mouse than those properties, done well of course but their track record thus far is clearly solid. Just from a business standpoint, it'd be VERY interesting to see how that affects both Disney's and Universal's numbers. I know they both feed off each other a lot but still, I think this would just do absolute gangbusters.

Sorry, its hard to not imagine what an absolute game changer that could be.

 

[OLSinFLA]

They didn't approve of Casino games... that's why they sued the movie company. The film studio assumed they could do that without asking, due to in place merchandising rights.

The settled out of court.... but the games still out there so I'm guessing the odds weren't going in the estate's favor.

 

[WaterToWade]

I’m curious about how the Bela Lugosi rights will effect UCM Land. Will they use the non Lugosi version from the UCM store/mazes? Not fully sure the score of how it works.

So endlessly hyped for this world... it’s the lands I never knew I wanted insanely

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I know the LOTR thing has been discussed endlessly but man, what a game changer for Orlando this would be if Universal gets the rights to it. Potter, LOTR, and Nintendo. Doesn't get much closer to beating the mouse than those properties, done well of course but their track record thus far is clearly solid. Just from a business standpoint, it'd be VERY interesting to see how that affects both Disney's and Universal's numbers. I know they both feed off each other a lot but still, I think this would just do absolute gangbusters.

Sorry, its hard to not imagine what an absolute game changer that could be.

A fully immersive LOTR land would be absolutely fantastic.

The thing that people forget is that it isn't really Universal's time to "respond to Galaxy's Edge" - because GE was a response to the Wizarding World. And to be quite honest, it doesn't seem like it's truly done its job of that yet.

Nintendo is going to be absolutely massive - and LOTR on top of that would be nuts. What could Disney even do after that?

 

[Mad Dog]

A fully immersive LOTR land would be absolutely fantastic.

The thing that people forget is that it isn't really Universal's time to "respond to Galaxy's Edge" - because GE was a response to the Wizarding World. And to be quite honest, it doesn't seem like it's truly done its job of that yet.

Nintendo is going to be absolutely massive - and LOTR on top of that would be nuts. What could Disney even do after that?

Yes, Diagon/London/HE and Hogsmeade are still at the top of theme park lands. GESWL & Pandora are quite good, but not at that level yet.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

A fully immersive LOTR land would be absolutely fantastic.

The thing that people forget is that it isn't really Universal's time to "respond to Galaxy's Edge" - because GE was a response to the Wizarding World. And to be quite honest, it doesn't seem like it's truly done its job of that yet.

Nintendo is going to be absolutely massive - and LOTR on top of that would be nuts. What could Disney even do after that?

Ya honestly Im not sure. Id say Epic Universe is technically the "response", although I and I think others use the word "response" for both companies a tad too often. Beside the point, if they nail Nintendo and LOTR like they have with Potter, Orlando will never be the same. Truly, I don't see how Disney's business isn't significantly effected at that point. But, we shall see what happens.

I’m curious about how the Bela Lugosi rights will effect UCM Land. Will they use the non Lugosi version from the UCM store/mazes? Not fully sure the score of how it works.

So endlessly hyped for this world... it’s the lands I never knew I wanted insanely

This was a nice hype video for that ride and all the potential characters we will encounter, awesome stuff.

 

[WaterToWade]

This was a nice hype video for that ride and all the potential characters we will encounter, awesome stuff.

Right! Loved it and had to share.
My fear is if they didn’t have Lugosi’s Dracula at HHN/monsters store we won’t get it in the world

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Right! Loved it and had to share.
My fear is if they didn’t have Lugosi’s Dracula at HHN/monsters store we won’t get it in the world

Ya others likely know more than I do but they don't have the rights to that Dracula.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Ya honestly Im not sure. Id say Epic Universe is technically the "response", although I and I think others use the word "response" for both companies a tad too often. Beside the point, if they nail Nintendo and LOTR like they have with Potter, Orlando will never be the same. Truly, I don't see how Disney's business isn't significantly effected at that point. But, we shall see what happens.

I think, regardless of what's inside it, Epic Universe is going to majorly change Orlando. Certainly both LOTR and Nintendo would make an even bigger change - but having a 3rd dry park at Universal will definitely change things. People will no longer be able to say "hey a week at Disney, and 1 day at Universal." Likely, they'd have to choose either or.

Granted, I don't think Uni has been a "1 day experience" for quite a while.

 

[JungleSkip]

All this LOTR talk is nothing more than wishful thinking, right?

 

[WaterToWade]

All this LOTR talk is nothing more than wishful thinking, right?

Correct

Though it’d interesting to note apparently a few years ago the Tolkien estate got in touch with JK Rowling to see how her experience with universal has been and she gave them a shining thumbs up.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Correct

Though it’d interesting to note apparently a few years ago the Tolkien estate got in touch with JK Rowling to see how her experience with universal has been and she gave them a shining thumbs up.

Which, honestly, has Uni ever done anything with a 3rd party where the 3rd party wasn't happy with it? Dr. Seuss' widow, JK Rowling, Matt Groening..

 

[Mike S]

Yes, Diagon/London/HE and Hogsmeade are still at the top of theme park lands. GESWL & Pandora are quite good, but not at that level yet.

Well yeah. You’re comparing two lands together vs. separate lands. I love them all but if I had to rank them it’d be:

Hogsmeade > Pandora > Star Wars (without Rise so likely to change and move up) > Diagon Alley.

How much I enjoy the rides in each land factors heavily in this.

 

[Mad Dog]

Well yeah. You’re comparing two lands together vs. separate lands. I love them all but if I had to rank them it’d be:

Hogsmeade > Pandora > Star Wars (without Rise so likely to change and move up) > Diagon Alley.

How much I enjoy the rides in each land factors heavily in this.

Nope. I'm splitting the Potter lands and comparing them separately. .....I really like GESWL but it lacks the finishing touches and emotion that both Hogsmeade & Diagon/London/HE station have. I'm just undecided whether Hogsmeade or Diagon/London/HE is number one. My thoughts go back & forth, even with Hagrid's being added.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

A reliable person on Magic just said this

"For those in the know... something Epic should match or even surpass this", with regards to Rise of The Resistance.

Its the first day, first morning really of this ride but I haven't seen 1 bad review. Doesn't mean their won't be but this is certainly looking like its going to be quite the popular attraction, I wonder which ride he could be thinking of? My first guess is Mario Kart, but upon further thinking it just has to be one of the FB attractions. I don't know much about the Newt ride or whatever patent is being used for that, but id really expect that and whatever the other E ticket is to try and match this in terms of total immersion. Again, I understand its the first day but still seems like a great attraction, will be interesting to see how it holds up over it.

Meant for fun speculation, but what do we think this could be? If anything?