Middle Earth theme park at Universal

[Disneyhead'71]

I should have been a little more specific. Peter Jackson's companies Weta Workshop and WingNut Films would definitely be involved, but there is no need for Peter Jackson himslf to be presonally involved in the creative process of a theme park venture. All the production designers and art directors worked for WingNut Films. And Alan Lee andJohn Howe were uncredited consultants and wouldn't be involved in the theme park venture. Since what they would be doing is bringing the already designed films to life. But the actual Production Designers and and Art Directors would be.
What I know is not internet rumor. That is all I will say about that.

 

[celluloid]

In response to a world of LOTR and merch. Merchandising and appeal of merchandising are two different things. I have no doubt any creative mind can merchandise the crap out of anything. But Potter's merchandise has a larger appeal of demographics.

 

[OFTeric]

He's stated on the MiceChat forum that its not a done deal. The talk of them purchasing the rights has come from DustySage since he posted it out over FaceBook and on the Editors Note at the site. Who his source is, I'm not sure?

Update Eric is now also saying its a done deal.

Didn't meant to imply it was a done deal. I didn't post on MiceChat because I have been waiting on a 2nd confirmation from my sources (yes I do have sources contrary to what people on here think).

What I posted in the first thread, is simply there are bluesky talks going on right now. There are other bluesky talks going on right now too for other properties, along with an amazing duel use concept pitch going on for the water park.

Those are all in the early planning phases. So believe what you will, and who you will.

 

[HMF]

Last I read the Tolkien estate was adamantly opposed to almost anything that wasn't
the books themselves. This is a strange development indeed.

The thing is, if they're going to build something, it needs to be designed and visualized,
and at this point, the Jackson LOTR films "ARE" the look and feel of Middle-Earth to the
vast majority of the people on the planet. To build something that "looks kinda like that"
would be confusing in the extreme, I think. That doesn't mean they can't--it just means
that it would be a challenge to sell that vision of middle-earth while the films continue
to permeate the public consciousness in a huge way.

As someone who read and didn't enjoy the books as a kid, the films have changed my
whole impression of them and allowed me to enjoy them. To ignore them is a perilous
thing at this point.

The films bring in a wider fan base than the books could ever do on their own. Having read the first few chapters of the Fellowship of the Ring novel myself. I can confirm that as much as I love the films Tolkiens writings in their raw form are very difficult to understand and makes the reading process tedious especially considering how fragmented and episodic the novels are and all the unnessacary back-story thrown in.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Although your theory works, it's not entirely correct. IoA's theme is Adventure (as it says in the name). Every area in the park fits this theme.

Nope, I recall Universal material calling the theme as being to literature. Even the Lighthouse icon is intended to be the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Besides, if you called it "Islands of Books", nobody would come.

 

[Brewmaster]

@KevinYee reported that Universal has "locked up" theme park rights to LOTR this morning.... Maybe some traction here?

 

[ChrisFL]

In response to a world of LOTR and merch. Merchandising and appeal of merchandising are two different things. I have no doubt any creative mind can merchandise the crap out of anything. But Potter's merchandise has a larger appeal of demographics.

I disagree, but only time will tell (if it happens)

 

[celluloid]

Not saying it would not sell, but nowhere near as much as Potter's merch.

 

[SirLink]

OK, here are the articles.

http://www.worldcrunch.com/culture-...arillion-lord-of-rings/c3s10299/#.UOWn8neE58F

Quote: " In other words, the Estate can do little but watch the scenery, except in extreme cases-- for example, preventing the use of the name Lord of the Rings on Las Vegas slot machines, or for amusement parks."

Here's the article about the legal battles they are waging to stop this sort of thing:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/11/tolkien-lawsuit/


All of which I would ignore if someone here had first hand knowledge of the actual negotiations.

Your missing a vital piece of the quote:

In other words, the Estate can do little but watch the scenery, except in extreme cases-- for example, preventing the use of the name Lord of the Rings on Las Vegas slot machines, or for amusement parks."We were able to prove that nothing in the original contract dealt with that sort of exploitation."

It depends on how the original document classified "merchandise rights". We also don't know when the last time they tried to pursue building a theme park - and how a new judge would view it.

However, in 1969 Tolkien sold the rights to UA basically for anything outside of literature - the Son and Grandson should accept it and move on - and stop being jealous of the money that the Saul Zaentz Company has made!

But if they tried to block something again - I hazard a guess that the Saul Zaentz Company would want to move in for a long drawn out case - as the Tolkien estate has no claim on merchandise rights. All I have to say thank God - Old Man Tolkien sold the rights!

 

[Atomicmickey]

Well, let's put it this way.

If it worked, and UOR had Harry Potter and LOTR, I'd be hard pressed
to get my family to go to Orlando and stay at Disney. I'd call that one-two
punch a big-game changer.

 

[SirLink]

Well, let's put it this way.

If it worked, and UOR had Harry Potter and LOTR, I'd be hard pressed
to get my family to go to Orlando and stay at Disney. I'd call that one-two
punch a big-game changer.

So would I, my fortnight holiday would end up being 4-5 days in St.Augustine, 6-7 days at UOR/SW and 3/4 days at WDW.

 

[Master Yoda]

Well, let's put it this way.

If it worked, and UOR had Harry Potter and LOTR, I'd be hard pressed
to get my family to go to Orlando and stay at Disney. I'd call that one-two
punch a big-game changer.

I think the key thing in extending vacation days will be is if LOTR is an expansion or a replacement. If they do a true expansion on new land then you can extend the amount of time it takes to "do" the park. However, if LOTR simply takes over an existing attraction or section of the existing park then you have a somewhat lateral move.

 

[ChrisFL]

If they re-create rivendell, hobbiton and somehow Minas Tirith...I'd be hard pressed to ever go to WDW ever again

 

[HMF]

If Disney does not respond to this and just assumes that they have to do nothing because people will still come as they have done with Potter Then they really are completely out of touch with reality.

 

[Todd H]

The LOTR trilogy is my second favorite film series. If Universal pulls this off then there's even less of a reason to visit WDW. C'mon Disney. At least go down fighting.

 

[HenryMystic]

I think the key thing in extending vacation days will be is if LOTR is an expansion or a replacement. If they do a true expansion on new land then you can extend the amount of time it takes to "do" the park. However, if LOTR simply takes over an existing attraction or section of the existing park then you have a somewhat lateral move.

I think either way it will extend stays. In my case, Toon Lagoon might as well not exist, so Middle Earth could really add to a day at IoA if it it replaced it.

I see your point though.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

LOTR has a lot of potential because it is fantasy based, and fantasy has been around forever. Sure, someone may not know the characters, but the world around the characters is very expansive, and unlike HP it has more than wizards (in fact, there a very few wizards in Middle-Earth). Really, if the do this then WDW needs to really make HS have more direction, as it currently has a lot of wasted space and feels like it is on the verge of being rather dated. Likewise, AK will need something, as their fantasy section never happened and it really should be brought back, as WDW needs to focus now on a male audience since New Fantasyland will be more interesting for the girls than boys.

 

[Captain Neo]

From Al Lutz himself:

http://micechat.com/19049-universal-lord-of-the-rings-universal-park/

How will disney respond? If they think there going to be able to stay afloat in Florida when Universal is creating cutting edge rides and richly themed lands for Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings then they have another thing coming. It's amazing that Disney did nothing but shoot for mediocrity for the past 14 years and the price must now finally be paid for that.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

According to Orlando United insider Hate to Fly the DHS renovation has changed drastically, and won't be like TDO normally is.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

According to Orlando United insider Hate to Fly the DHS renovation has changed drastically, and won't be like TDO normally is.

I think our beloved resort is long past the point of just ticking off a DHS renovation. A broken Epcot, a half-day AK and a lackluster MK are nothing to write home about either.