lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
It makes sense in Singapore and South Korea, so why not Florida?
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that NBC Universal may well make the purchase.
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Marvel's Next Step
- Thread starter hemloc
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that NBC Universal may well make the purchase.
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
I totally agree, FWIW.
flavious27
Well-Known Member
Well this should be fun, along with the announcement on the 19th of a new attraction (potterland expansion probably).
USSK and USS were built with outside investors and owners from the beginning, though I think that the attendance estimates for both parks are far off from reality and will put a drain on the financial reports.
jt04
Well-Known Member
I think this next announcement is just a replacement for Jimmy Neutron or whatever that attraction is called.
I think any bigger announcements will happen this fall. I predicted that is when a possible announcement would happen concerning Marvel at IOA. Of course I never saw the forced sale coming so that will likely determine future expansion.
Disney definitely seems to be in a 'wait and see' mode right now. Exciting times with real potential for great things for central Florida.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
I've heard the announcement will be that Dispicable Me will replace Jimmy Neutron.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
From Entertainment Weekly:
We all loved the yellow, pill-shaped minions populating last summer’s Despicable Me, but what would it be like to be one?
That’s the premise of Universal Studios Orlando’s new ride based on the animated hit, which the theme park announced this morning. Due in 2012, the 3-D experience, which will replace the Jimmy Neutron ride, will plop riders into the world of professed arch villain Gru and his horde of Minions in a story that takes place after the events of the film. “First you’ll be taken into Gru’s house,” says Thierry Coup, the head of Universal Creative Studio, the team developing the ride. “And then you’ll get to see his lab, and then it will get deeper and deeper into some of the areas in that world that are just fantastic.”
“I just thought it was awesome,” says Despicable Me producer Chris Meledandri. “You are creating an immersive, visceral experience. When we make a film, yes we want our films to be immersive, but when you’re in the world of the ride… your audience is going to be in your story.”
Both Coup and Meledandri say it’s too early to confirm whether any of the film’s voice cast — Steve Carell as Gru, Miranda Cosgrove as one of his adopted daughters Margo, Russell Brand as his elderly gadget guru Dr. Nefario — will participate in the ride itself, but Meledandri does note one of the film’s directors, Pierre Coffin, has been “taking a point position” in developing the story and the ride itself.
Meanwhile, one of Universal Orlando’s most popular rides, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, is getting a big-time makeover due to debut in 2012: All the CG animation is being redone and updated to cutting-edge 4K high definition. “It’s going to feel like an entirely new experience,” says Coup, “[even] if you’ve been to this attraction 100 times before.” The story itself will remain separate from any of the Sony Pictures Spidey feature films, or the infamous Broadway musical. Aw. So no singing, then? “Who knows!” chuckles Coup. We’re pretty sure he’s kidding.
Universal Parks announces new 'Despicable Me' ride, and a major face-lift for 'Spider-Man'
We all loved the yellow, pill-shaped minions populating last summer’s Despicable Me, but what would it be like to be one?
That’s the premise of Universal Studios Orlando’s new ride based on the animated hit, which the theme park announced this morning. Due in 2012, the 3-D experience, which will replace the Jimmy Neutron ride, will plop riders into the world of professed arch villain Gru and his horde of Minions in a story that takes place after the events of the film. “First you’ll be taken into Gru’s house,” says Thierry Coup, the head of Universal Creative Studio, the team developing the ride. “And then you’ll get to see his lab, and then it will get deeper and deeper into some of the areas in that world that are just fantastic.”
“I just thought it was awesome,” says Despicable Me producer Chris Meledandri. “You are creating an immersive, visceral experience. When we make a film, yes we want our films to be immersive, but when you’re in the world of the ride… your audience is going to be in your story.”
Both Coup and Meledandri say it’s too early to confirm whether any of the film’s voice cast — Steve Carell as Gru, Miranda Cosgrove as one of his adopted daughters Margo, Russell Brand as his elderly gadget guru Dr. Nefario — will participate in the ride itself, but Meledandri does note one of the film’s directors, Pierre Coffin, has been “taking a point position” in developing the story and the ride itself.
Meanwhile, one of Universal Orlando’s most popular rides, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, is getting a big-time makeover due to debut in 2012: All the CG animation is being redone and updated to cutting-edge 4K high definition. “It’s going to feel like an entirely new experience,” says Coup, “[even] if you’ve been to this attraction 100 times before.” The story itself will remain separate from any of the Sony Pictures Spidey feature films, or the infamous Broadway musical. Aw. So no singing, then? “Who knows!” chuckles Coup. We’re pretty sure he’s kidding.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure they would have needed to discuss anything with Disney. From my understanding, they are well within their rights to make any upgrades they see fit.
Exactly.
wizards8507
Active Member
That's correct. If they were going to use MORE Spider Man material, then they'd probably have to negotiate new licensing fees, but it seems that they're just updating and modifying a bit, which should be well within the bounds of the existing contract.
Since1976
Well-Known Member
I'm a little disheartened by this. A similar reasoning is behind Sony's re-making Spider-Man so soon after the previous film series -- to renew the rights and not have to give them back to Marvel Studios (who seems to be on a roll lately producing films related to The Avengers comic book franchise).
I suppose this latest development means that, for the foreseeable future, we'll have to travel to Anaheim, Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai, or Hong Kong to experience Disney/Marvel attractions. Still waiting for any official confirmation that such things are in the works!
My understanding (after reading the contract) is that they wouldn't even have to pay more to Disney if they added additional Spider Man material - they can pretty much do whatever they want on Marvel Super Hero island (as long as it doesn't materially misrepresent one of Marvel's characters). I'm kind of surprised they haven't added an Iron Man attraction in order to take advantage of the new popularity of the character.
wizards8507
Active Member
I wouldn't expect any Marvel properties in the World anytime soon. You can bet that Disney absolutely loves having rights to sneak a peak at Universal's financial information, which is one of the perks of owning the Marvel contract. That information might be more valuable than any new Marvel attractions in Orlando.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
New additions would still require Marvel's approval, but Disney would probably have a hard time saying "no" if the character was being well represented as it would be clear that the "no" is trying to hinder Universal's exclusive rights to the characters and not to protect the character.
This issue was already resolved when the government approved the purchase. Those numbers are not allowed anywhere near Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. They can only be used to verify that Universal is paying what it owes and anything else would be grounds for Universal to take legal action against Disney.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
Whatever the price, I don't see Disney paying it.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
The contracts seem to be highly favorable to Universal, but I assume Disney/Marvel would have at least some oversight of any material changes to th attraction. The only thing would be if they already have language in the contract that allows for upgrades to the projection system
lebeau
Well-Known Member
My hazy recollection from previous discussion was that these kinds of upgrades were written into the deal. As you say, it was heavily slanted in Uni's favor.
Because, what did Marvel care about theme park rights? They were just trying to generate funds any way they could to keep their heads above water in those days.