Gusey
Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that this was a teaser, and the fuller Epic Universe commercial is airing during the Super Bowl?
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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
rd805
Well-Known Member
I think an Oz land would be an amazing IP to incorporate; although, i see more of this happening as a possible Wicked ride using the long-lost Harry Potter broomstick VR, Uni Orlando park -- new IP to revive that project. Could be neat!
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Not sure if the ‘Wicked’ IP would be evergreen enough in the public’s mind to warrant a full blown land, but the prospect of having some type of Oz experience would indeed be timeless.
Let us see how the second ‘Wicked’ film does….
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Let us see how the second ‘Wicked’ film does….
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lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Oz not having a major theme park presence is not for lack of trying. Nobody’s quite cracked the nut. Disney took a swing at it. Thinkwell took a swing at it. Landmark took a swing at it. Most everyone seems to have worked up some sort of Oz project at one time or another. Wicked wouldn’t even be Universal’s first Oz land.
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Things I don't know but maybe you do...
While the original books are public domain, and thus, anyone can make a themed park or land out of them...
Who owns theme parks rights to the MGM 1939 film version. Seems the MGM Grand Hotel gave up on it.
Who owns the theme parks rights to Wicked... either the book, the play, or the movie?
Gusey
Well-Known Member
I think Warner Brothers own the MGM 1939 film version parks rights. Warner Brother Movie World in Australia opened a Wizard of Oz precinct with 2 roller coasters in December 2024.
I think Universal owns the theme park rights to Wicked still. They had a Wicked land at Universal Studios Japan from 2006-2011, and now the Wicked shop with movie props at Universal Studios Florida
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Despite being produced by MGM, Warner Bros Discovery, not Amazon, owns the 1939 movie. This is because Ted Turner bought the rights to the movie and Turner was bought by Time Warner back in the 90s. Warner Bros. Movie World Gold Coast in Australia opened a land based on the movie last year.
Universal owns the theme park, movie and stage musical rights to Wicked. Universal bought the film rights to the book before the musical was developed, but was convinced by Stephen Schwartz to hold off on the movie development to do a stage musical instead. Universal ended up producing the stage musical and part of why the film took so long is they didn’t want to take the wind out of the sails of the very successful touring shows. A Wicked land wouldn’t be Universal’s first Oz land, Universal Studios Japan used to have an Oz land and it even included a cut-down theme park stage show of Wicked.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
It was a parody instragram post.
However, I have to imagine discussions are being made to bring Wicked into the parks in the future. To big of an IP & merch seller to exclude from the parks.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
I feel like something at USF would make the most sense.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
I've wondered if a show in the former Fear Factor theater might be their temporary solution
Or if Wicked could be the replacement for Blue Man Group
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Multiple swings. With one partial-dark ride built if we count it. CineMagique also ended with Oz.
And RIP this gem
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
True, I was thinking more land or park scale. Baxter’s last big project was Oz for Disneyland.Multiple swings. With one partial-dark ride built if we count it. CineMagique also ended with Oz.
Gusey
Well-Known Member
It would be funny if they put Wicked in the Fear Factor theater, as Fear Factor replaced Wild Wild West Show in Florida and Wicked replaced it in Japan.
For me, I can see it replacing Lost Continent as everything in that park is based on a book, and Wicked/Wizard of Oz would fit that book theme
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
Agree, I think IOA is the perfect fit for Wicked for a few reasons. For starters, IOA needs entertainment desperately, and there are two massive theaters in IOA that go unused that can house a retrofitted stage for a Wicked park production. Wicked would also benefit from a less thrilling dark ride that could balance out IOA's thrill heavy lineup.
USJ did a Wicked Production in the 2000's. Ironically it was only Part 1 of Broadway/Movie. Also it didn't include No One Mourns The Wicked but did include For Good.
Gringrinngghost
Well-Known Member
According to Mike At Blog Mickey… however that is categorically false as they are realistically looking at March.
Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
For those who don't want to traverse through X...what is the milestone?
A Rumor Blog Mickey got .....
EU may be at a stage to hand over the park to Ops sometime next week.