Lord of the Rings and more coming to DHS?

[nytimez]

Or possibly, leverage for a trade for marvel rights back?

Honestly, people need to get over this idea. It's not happening.

 

[doctornick]

If they really do get Hobbit theme park rights, part of me thinks they're just buying the rights so Uni can't - and they'll never actually do anything with it.

In a hypothetical world where Disney got the theme park rights for LOTR/The Hobbit, I'm skeptical that they would do a fully fleshed out land, but would instead just do a single attraction + merch somewhere, maybe a scene in TGMR.

That said.... Middle Earth would make for a pretty ideal IP to do a Beastly Kingdom type setting for DAK. I would like that better than putting it in DHS.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Or possibly, leverage for a trade for marvel rights back?

(that said, I really really doubt anything will come of the LOTR rumor)

Doubtful, because Universal signed a contract extension just over a year ago and Disney had already purchased Marvel. If TWDC wanted to do something about using Marvel character in WDW they would have done it then.

 

[CDavid]

Doubtful, because Universal signed a contract extension just over a year ago and Disney had already purchased Marvel. If TWDC wanted to do something about using Marvel character in WDW they would have done it then.

Uh, why would Universal need to sign a contract extension for a contract which never expires? How do you extend something that goes on for infinity?

 

[danlb_2000]

Doubtful, because Universal signed a contract extension just over a year ago and Disney had already purchased Marvel. If TWDC wanted to do something about using Marvel character in WDW they would have done it then.

The Uni/Marvel contract was already in perpetuity, no need to for an extension.

 

[nytimez]

Uh, why would Universal need to sign a contract extension for a contract which never expires? How do you extend something that goes on for infinity?

To infinity and beyond!

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I don't believe in what Tom Corliss typed at this point with Disney and Lord of the Rings until Disney announces theme park rights or any company that gets rights to Lord of the Rights for theme park use.

My problem is there has been rumors about this Franchise for theme parks before rather it is Universal, or Disney. The point is the rumors wouldn't stop before the announcement of Lord of the Rings theme park rights happens since this is one of the most popular franchises without being in a theme park.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Corliss is reporting deal is done between LotR and Disney. I'm considering the source, but it was just posted. Can't post link as that URL is restricted.

Just saw this as well. I just have a really hard time believing this when you consider the deal is done for Avatar and work hasn't even begun. Not to mention that Avatar is bad enough as being a non-Disney franchise but you add in LOTR I'm even more confused as to what a "Disney" park is. When MGM opened I remember being on the fence about it all for the same reason. With allllllll the film/tv Disney produces, why do they have to continue to go outside their own world to fill space at the parks? *shrug* I guess we'll see.

 

[Did Knee]

I can't wait to ride the "Mines of Moria / Balrog encounter" featuring the "Disco Balrog!"

 

[scpergj]

List of attractions and features:

-Sauron's eye meet n' greet
-Hobbit hole bathrooms
-Churros rebranded as "Lembas Bread"
-Fell Beast spinner
-Gollum's cave phone recharge station
-Primeval Whirl clone rebranded as "Wacky Moria Whirl"
-Helm's Deep restaurant, only one way in.
-Smiths of Isengard gift shop.

And that's it!

You forgot the Last Homely House icecream and Dole Whip stand...

 

[Did Knee]

List of attractions and features:

-Sauron's eye meet n' greet
-Hobbit hole bathrooms
-Churros rebranded as "Lembas Bread"
-Fell Beast spinner
-Gollum's cave phone recharge station
-Primeval Whirl clone rebranded as "Wacky Moria Whirl"
-Helm's Deep restaurant, only one way in.
-Smiths of Isengard gift shop.

And that's it!

Yeah...Sauron's eye bathrooms would be creepy......

 

[BryceM]

It kind of sucks if this is true, because LOTR would be a perfect fit in Islands of Adventure, the literature based theme park.

 

[NowInc]

It kind of sucks if this is true, because LOTR would be a perfect fit in Islands of Adventure, the literature based theme park.

From what I recall the rumors were that LOTR would be the anchor of a 3rd gate. I'd prefer that rather than have them squeeze it into IOA.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Universal would do Lord of the Rings justice. Just saying...

But it would take then 20 years to build it.

 

[BryceM]

From what I recall the rumors were that LOTR would be the anchor of a 3rd gate. I'd prefer that rather than have them squeeze it into IOA.

I thought the rumors were that it would be replacing Toon Lagoon.

 

[NowInc]

I thought the rumors were that it would be replacing Toon Lagoon.

Could be. In all honesty I haven't been keeping up with the LOTR rumors in a while due to lots of posts suggesting the tolken family wasn't ever going to allow it.

 

[danv3]

Personally, I'd be shocked if Disney shelled out to buy the LOTR rights.

 

[nytimez]

I don't trust the story because it's supposedly an agreement between Disney and Warner Brothers - and I don't think the theme park rights are Warner's to give. I believe they are owned by the estate, but I think Saul Zaentz probably thinks they belong to him - and whoever makes any kind of an agreement will probably have to have both of them on board.

 

[danlb_2000]

But it would take then 20 years months to build it.

Fixed that for you

 

[doctornick]

Again, I absolutely don't believe this. But, if this were true, I would think that Middle Earth would make a solid IP to add to an "adventure" themed third gate in Anaheim which otherwise features Marvel as an anchor. I could buy this rumor a lot more if it was being brought in to add stuff for Disneyland.

Thinking about it.... Marvel, Middle Earth, possibly Star Wars (different stuff than would be put into DL park) maybe even Avatar, plus some non IP like Mysterious Island.... that sounds like a pretty cool third gate and distinct from the other offerings.