What's new
By:
FORUMS - COASTERFORCE

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Universal UK theme park in Bedford

This scene from the Hobbit surely has to be the one to turn into a ride:
1000072318.jpg

(For the record the Hobbit films are not a patch on the original LOTR trilogy!).
 
What are we thinking the chances are when it comes to LotR right now?

As far as I can see, the only evidence, or even suggestion, that it's coming, is from thoosies and a BBC article that doesn't name their 'source' (although their source also sounds suspiciously like a thoosie.) I can't see anything to suggest it in the concept art, nothing in patents or trademarks.

The film rights are NOT licensed to Universal, they're licensed to Warner Brothers / New Line. So this is not a Universal IP.

Nor is Universal, as of right now, thought to have acquired the theme park / amusement rights separately from M.E.E / Embracer Freemode and WB / New Line. Do we think Universal will have gotten this far in planning without a secure deal in place? If a secure deal was already in place, we'd know about it by now, wouldn't we? Or did I miss something? I mean, the wizarding world Disney / Universal bidding process, and eventual Disney fallout, was all public enough.

Just wondered what other people thought the chances really were? And, have I missed something, has there been news of a deal on the rights? Or is this all purely speculation, and 'hope' that a deal has been done on the hush hush?

They do say there's no smoke without fire, and this rumour has been persistent for years now...
 
Nicky Borrill said:
What are we thinking the chances are when it comes to LotR right now?

As far as I can see, the only evidence, or even suggestion, that it's coming, is from thoosies and a BBC article that doesn't name their 'source' (although their source also sounds suspiciously like a thoosie.) I can't see anything to suggest it in the concept art, nothing in patents or trademarks.

The film rights are NOT licensed to Universal, they're licensed to Warner Brothers / New Line. So this is not a Universal IP.

Nor is Universal, as of right now, thought to have acquired the theme park / amusement rights separately from M.E.E / Embracer Freemode and WB / New Line. Do we think Universal will have gotten this far in planning without a secure deal in place? If a secure deal was already in place, we'd know about it by now, wouldn't we? Or did I miss something? I mean, the wizarding world Disney / Universal bidding process, and eventual Disney fallout, was all public enough.

Just wondered what other people thought the chances really were? And, have I missed something, has there been news of a deal on the rights? Or is this all purely speculation, and 'hope' that a deal has been done on the hush hush?

They do say there's no smoke without fire, and this rumour has been persistent for years now...
Click to expand...
The rumor’s been that they’ve tried to get the rights multiple times but the Tolkien estate always got in the way. This apparently became less of an issue with Embracer taking control of most of the brand, but there hasn’t been much word on it since.
 
I for one would be massively disappointed if they opted to go for LotR as its a niche product only well beloved by nerds. Unlike HP, it doesn't appeal to the general public.
 
bratcurry said:
I for one would be massively disappointed if they opted to go for LotR as its a niche product only well beloved by nerds. Unlike HP, it doesn't appeal to the general public.
Click to expand...
To be fair I can agree for/against, but considering how much Harry Potter is represented at the other parks a potential LoTR could be a refreshing change from a copy and paste Hogsmeade! Especially if it attracts international guests to the UK park
 
bratcurry said:
I for one would be massively disappointed if they opted to go for LotR as its a niche product only well beloved by nerds. Unlike HP, it doesn't appeal to the general public.
Click to expand...
It's one of the most critically and commercially successful franchises in the world. It's not Harry Potter/Marvel/Star Wars big, but to say it's niche I think is to redefine what the word niche means.

That said, there isn't any good evidence it's happening. Do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands.
 
Disco Lumberjack said:
It's one of the most critically and commercially successful franchises in the world. It's not Harry Potter/Marvel/Star Wars big, but to say it's niche I think is to redefine what the word niche means.

That said, there isn't any good evidence it's happening. Do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Lord of the Rings by most metrics is a far more successful IP than Back to the Future, Paddington and even James Bond which nobody seems to have an issue with existing in a theme park.
 
Tokyo DisneySea has a whole area themed to Jules Verne — which has way less relevancy to modern audiences than LOTR. However, it works because:
  • it doesn't rely on deep knowledge of the source material. Other than a vague idea of the stories, it can just be enjoyed as a cool 'steampunk' land.
  • they went 'big' and the execution is 100%
I think a LOTR could work just as well! However, the scale/execution needs to be impressive to the casual park goer. It can't just rely on a bunch of easter eggs for the die-hard nerdy fandom.
 
I'm a big fan of the IPs being rumored for this park. I'd love it if we got a set of lands and attractions that aren't seen in the other Universal parks around the world. As popular as a new Harry Potter land would inevitably be, do we really need more butter beer stalls and magic wand shops?

A Lord of the rings dark ride, done correctly, would be absolutely epic.
 
Nitefly said:
I think that ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a big of a strange one for a theme park.

I think what gets people into the world of Potter is the ‘human experience’ element. Good friendships and low points (bullying e.g. ‘Potter Stinks!’ badge), school, young romances… just everyday normality set in a weird world.

The draw of LotR, I think, is the appeal of an epic world, full of legend and lore. The sort of thing that appeals to ‘fantasy nerds’.

The former you feel part of, whereas the latter you ‘observe’.

I wonder whether LotR has that ‘mass merch’ appeal… hmm. I’m not really sure what setting / era they would go for and how that would translate to ‘rides / shows’.
Click to expand...
I couldnt agree more with this. I'm a huge fan of LotR, but have my doubts about how well a land would work. In comparison to HP, it just doesn't have iconic areas such as Diagon Alley, Hogwarts or Hogsmeade. The Shire is about as close as you get, I've seen shouts for Rivendell, which would be an amazing spectacle, but I wouldnt say it features in the films enough to really be that focal point. The scale would be really hard to get right.

I will caveat and say I've not watched Rings of Power but i just feel that LotR is very niche and does have a very specific audience, I dont think it would have the pull Universal would demand. That said, Id say the same with Back to the Future, so who knows!
 
Peet said:
This scene from the Hobbit surely has to be the one to turn into a ride:
Click to expand...

The 80cm maximum height restriction would make it a hard-sell.

On a more serious note, the park seems to be missing a trick in terms of merchandising, Universal Orlando and Cali have both wands and power-bands that must generate a ton of profit, not to mention HP and the 1001 variations of Butterbeer food and drink. So I can see Lord of the Rings being seen as something that could justify similar style merch, Lembas Bread, Interactive wands etc.

I'm pulling this out of my arse, but I would have thought merchandise is up there with ticket sales in terms of revenue for these style parks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top