Skull Island: Reign of Kong from construction to opening

Cam Eplion

Cam Eplion

Member
I don't know if it's been talked about but while I absolutely love that they've brought Kong back (and the 2005 version which is my favorite) Why are they bringing him back? It's been 11 years since the last Kong movie and that it what this ride is based off of, but I do know that the new film is coming out next year, but it's not known at this time if the 2005 is connected to it. So it's somewhat of a head scratcher to me as to why put in a ride not based off of the newest film in the series. Unless the two are in the same universe. But according to one of the actors for Kong Skull Island, the film is set in the 1970's while the 2005 remake was in the 1930's. I know I'm digging a little deep but Kong is one of my most beloved franchises of all time, and I get picky about him.
 
WDWFREAK53

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Cam Eplion said:
I don't know if it's been talked about but while I absolutely love that they've brought Kong back (and the 2005 version which is my favorite) Why are they bringing him back? It's been 11 years since the last Kong movie and that it what this ride is based off of, but I do know that the new film is coming out next year, but it's not known at this time if the 2005 is connected to it. So it's somewhat of a head scratcher to me as to why put in a ride not based off of the newest film in the series. Unless the two are in the same universe. But according to one of the actors for Kong Skull Island, the film is set in the 1970's while the 2005 remake was in the 1930's. I know I'm digging a little deep but Kong is one of my most beloved franchises of all time, and I get picky about him.
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He's timeless and most people won't correlate which version it is...it's a big ape...it's King Kong :)
 
J

JT3000

Well-Known Member
Cam Eplion said:
I don't know if it's been talked about but while I absolutely love that they've brought Kong back (and the 2005 version which is my favorite) Why are they bringing him back? It's been 11 years since the last Kong movie and that it what this ride is based off of, but I do know that the new film is coming out next year, but it's not known at this time if the 2005 is connected to it. So it's somewhat of a head scratcher to me as to why put in a ride not based off of the newest film in the series. Unless the two are in the same universe. But according to one of the actors for Kong Skull Island, the film is set in the 1970's while the 2005 remake was in the 1930's. I know I'm digging a little deep but Kong is one of my most beloved franchises of all time, and I get picky about him.
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The new Skull Island film isn't related to Universal's remake of the original. It may have been originally, hence a possible reason for the ride, but Legendary moved the film from Universal to WB and it has probably since been rewritten to fit into their existing Godzilla universe.

While it's surprising they waited this long to bring back Kong in Orlando, it's really not all that surprising they would want him to have a presence in the parks. It's an iconic film franchise and the remake was one of Universal's highest grossing films. After Hollywood's Kong burned down, they brought it back in a different form almost immediately. This is just an inevitable continuation of that. We all know how much Universal loves to clone things, even if Hollywood's attraction serves more as a bare bones prototype in this case.

And technically speaking, this ride actually isn't (officially) based on the 2005 film or any other specific version, it's just... well... based on the 2005 film. Unofficially.
 
Mike S

Mike S

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Cam Eplion said:
I don't know if it's been talked about but while I absolutely love that they've brought Kong back (and the 2005 version which is my favorite) Why are they bringing him back? It's been 11 years since the last Kong movie and that it what this ride is based off of, but I do know that the new film is coming out next year, but it's not known at this time if the 2005 is connected to it. So it's somewhat of a head scratcher to me as to why put in a ride not based off of the newest film in the series. Unless the two are in the same universe. But according to one of the actors for Kong Skull Island, the film is set in the 1970's while the 2005 remake was in the 1930's. I know I'm digging a little deep but Kong is one of my most beloved franchises of all time, and I get picky about him.
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From what I've read on OU it's a concept Universal Creative really wanted to do and Comcast signed off on it pretty much.
 
Cam Eplion

Cam Eplion

Member
That's awesome, I do love the fact that now we've seen Kong in New York, now we'll get to see him in his home. I really like that concept. I'm one of the biggest Kong fans out there, and seeing him brought to life make me extremely happy. They can do so much with this attraction and I'm almost positive it'll be one of the best, if not the best attraction on property.
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
It is actually one of the reasons I love this attraction so much off the bat. Disney would have a harder time building something on this scale that does not have merch rolling off the store shelves or a major movie coming out about it. The closest thing to that would be Mine Train, but that is a small attraction in comparison and Snow White merch still sells.

This ride has to be great on its own merits, and it will be.
 
Mike S

Mike S

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Screenshot of the latest Myth Explorer taken by usfgeek and pictures from BriMan on OU :D
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DarthMileZ

DarthMileZ

Well-Known Member
im happy with kong, im hoping they add something else next that sits well with JP and Kong. whats the chances they will do a new jaws attraction in the future?
 
DarthMileZ

DarthMileZ

Well-Known Member
imperius said:
In IOA? Not likely. Only chance is the new park if they do something for old rides but I highly doubt it.
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but if they brought kong back surely jaws isnt off the table, or maybe BTTF could come back...

or ghostbusters

i just want some more attractions at universal, i always feel like when i look at their list its really lacking.. Jaws was a big draw for me :(
 
sonoma15

sonoma15

Well-Known Member
From Dtale on OU

"Good news!

Things have spirited up behind those walls. Things are looking good... From an anxious guest perspective who just wants to ride the ride.

There is a date now, that the ride will be handed over to Attraction Operations regardless of the ride's status or creative's opinion on what needs to be done.

This will be interesting!"
 
I

imperius

Well-Known Member
DarthMileZ said:
but if they brought kong back surely jaws isnt off the table, or maybe BTTF could come back...

or ghostbusters

i just want some more attractions at universal, i always feel like when i look at their list its really lacking.. Jaws was a big draw for me :(
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But Kong is still relevant with a new movie coming out and another one recently. Jaws has been how many years? Maybe I am just different, I am a pass holder and would always skip Jaws since it just wasn't good in my opinion. We shall see.
 
DarthMileZ

DarthMileZ

Well-Known Member
imperius said:
But Kong is still relevant with a new movie coming out and another one recently. Jaws has been how many years? Maybe I am just different, I am a pass holder and would always skip Jaws since it just wasn't good in my opinion. We shall see.
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jaws just doesnt need a remake which is the difference, it has stood the test of time, which is something Kong hasn't sadly. Kong will constantly need remakes due to the nature of the CGI needed.. and eventually it looks dated.

Jaws was done so cleverly that it never looks dated, the shark still looks real. watching it on Blu Ray is still an incredible experience.
 
F

futurecastmembr

Active Member
This idea that rides can only be based on the newest and biggest movies has only come around very recently and I don't know why people are so hung up on it. There are only so many franchises as big as Harry Potter and Star Wars. Tower of Terror is a famous and beloved attraction that serves an an anchor for a whole park and people don't love it just because of the IP. Same for literally every other ride in Orlando besides Harry Potter. Even as far as movie franchises, nostalgia sells these days. Every summer movie is a reboot, remake, or sequel, so yeah Universal could open a new Ghostbusters, Jaws, or Back to the Future ride and if they were any good they would be just as popular as Harry Potter.

They can use whatever property they want if the attraction is good. The success of rides don't hinge on the IP, it's just a theme. Fast and the Furious is very popular and both of the tram additions have been stupid. I doubt people ride Transformers because they're such huge Michael Bay fans.
 
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