Universal likely to get Lord of the Rings theme park rights...

[Enigma]

From Screamscape (though it is official):

"(6/27/07) In a conference call held today with Jim Timon, Senior VP of Entertainment at Universal Orlando, some new exciting details about this year's Halloween Horror Nights were revealed. For the first time Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood and New Line Cinema will be working together to bring the worlds of Freddy, Jason and Leatherface to life in ways never seen before.

Universal is excited about this new positive relationship forged with New Line Cinema which they hope will extent into other projects beyond this one. Movie fans will be quick to note that New Line was behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy which has yet to be signed up for any theme park chain at this point. So you just never know what could evolve from this new partnership."

 

[Lynx04]

From Screamscape (though it is official):

"(6/27/07) In a conference call held today with Jim Timon, Senior VP of Entertainment at Universal Orlando, some new exciting details about this year's Halloween Horror Nights were revealed. For the first time Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood and New Line Cinema will be working together to bring the worlds of Freddy, Jason and Leatherface to life in ways never seen before.

Universal is excited about this new positive relationship forged with New Line Cinema which they hope will extent into other projects beyond this one. Movie fans will be quick to note that New Line was behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy which has yet to be signed up for any theme park chain at this point. So you just never know what could evolve from this new partnership."

The problem is where would they put it. Unless they they convereted the rest of Lost Continent into an area for that. Also, with addition of HP at USO, which doesn't open until 2010 mind you, I don't see a point in adding a new major theme. You would be overshadowing your own project, which would become self-defeating.

Having said that, they could be using it for another Universal park.

Of course they could just open one attraction in regard LOTR, however, I don't think that is in either of their interest.

 

[Enigma]

The problem is where would they put it. Unless they they convereted the rest of Lost Continent into an area for that. Also, with addition of HP at USO, which doesn't open until 2010 mind you, I don't see a point in adding a new major theme. You would be overshadowing your own project, which would become self-defeating.

Having said that, it doesn't mean they may use it for another Universal park.

Its no more self-defeating then disney building 2 major e-tickets at the same time. It creates more hype and attracts even more fantasy fans.

They have Harry Potter land and a Simpsons ride...now they have the famous 80s horror charecters for halloween...It is very likely they will try and go for a hat trick and get Lord of the Rings theme park rights to further gain momentum against Disney.

 

[cb3k]

I sure hope they don't get it...not because I want Disney to have it, because I definitely DO NOT. I just don't like the thought of them add TWO huuuge names in Harry Potter and LOTR...both of which have massive followings. The thought of Universal even coming close to taking over Disney's numbers (I know it is a vey big Long Shot) doesn't sit well.

 

[Epcotian]

Definitely no expert, but I think it could be a good thing for Disney (actually, more a good thing for those paying to visit Disney than for Disney itself). Right now, Universal simply doesn't appear to be even competitive with the Mouse. More healthy competition for attendance figures might stem the tide of Disney's large ticket price increases over the last couple of years and might even lead to better general public discounts at the resorts year-round.

 

[Chux]

Definitely no expert, but I think it could be a good thing for Disney (actually, more a good thing for those paying to visit Disney than for Disney itself). Right now, Universal simply doesn't appear to be even competitive with the Mouse. More healthy competition for attendance figures might stem the tide of Disney's large ticket price increases over the last couple of years and might even lead to better general public discounts at the resorts year-round.

I believe this 100%. As soon as they feel threatened they'll pull out the stops.

 

[cb3k]

Definitely no expert, but I think it could be a good thing for Disney (actually, more a good thing for those paying to visit Disney than for Disney itself). Right now, Universal simply doesn't appear to be even competitive with the Mouse. More healthy competition for attendance figures might stem the tide of Disney's large ticket price increases over the last couple of years and might even lead to better general public discounts at the resorts year-round.

Thats actually a really good point...I guess some healthy competition would force them to get in gear and make things happen at the parks/resorts.

 

[sknydave]

Wow.. Universal making big moves.. I LOVE IT!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Disney always has Narnia. Plus they are the only movie company that has ever used the Chronicles of Prydian (which The Black Cauldron is based on) before. As much as Disney hates that movie they made, if Universal should get LotR, now would be a good time for them to reconsider thier views on that Fantasy/Adventure movie.

 

[cdunbar]

Some how I don't see Disney really caring, I mean because they already have two major franchieses(sp?) with cult followings! I mean Star Wars has the biggest cult following proably ever, yes I know LOTR is popular as well but it hasn't been nearly as markted as star wars IMO; and pirates I mean it has had box office shattering records and we all know that Disney has use this franchise to its total advantage!

 

[Chux]

Thats actually a really good point...I guess some healthy competition would force them to get in gear and make things happen at the parks/resorts.

I hate, hate, HATE to make Wrestling comparisons, but when they work, they work.

Back when WCW when head to head with WWE it was the best programming they've had EVER. As soon as the WWE bought out the WCW the WWE has been on a steady decline, to the point of where I used to watch every single program, to not caring for it at all.


Healthy competition can do wonders!

 

[lewisc]

We don't even know if New Line has the theme park rights to LOR. Just because New Line has the rights to make the movies doesn't mean they have the theme park rights.

 

[hls1023]

I sure hope they don't get it...not because I want Disney to have it, because I definitely DO NOT. I just don't like the thought of them add TWO huuuge names in Harry Potter and LOTR...both of which have massive followings. The thought of Universal even coming close to taking over Disney's numbers (I know it is a vey big Long Shot) doesn't sit well.

Why?

 

[CoffeeJedi]

The word "likely" here is incredibly misleading. You'd have to have Peter Jackson involved for one thing.

The bigger issue here, though wouldn't be New Line or Jackson, but the Tolkien Estate. They are incredibly protective of J. R. R. Tolkien's characters. It was hard to for any movie studio to secure the rights, I would imagine that an immersive theme park would be as high a hurdle, if not higher.

 

[JimboJones123]

The word "likely" here is incredibly misleading. You'd have to have Peter Jackson involved for one thing.

The bigger issue here, though wouldn't be New Line or Jackson, but the Tolkien Estate. They are incredibly protective of J. R. R. Tolkien's characters. It was hard to for any movie studio to secure the rights, I would imagine that an immersive theme park would be as high a hurdle, if not higher.

Wow, I find that interesting because Tolkien/Jackson/and Involved are 3 words that will never seriously be used together again.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

True, kinda sad that PJ can't do The Hobbit. But my understanding is that he still retains part of the rights to the specific New Line/WETA version of the stories, so they couldn't just make a theme park replicating their "look and feel" without him.

At any rate, the point still stands that even if New Line holds the film rights, a theme park or attraction would be a new derivative work, and would need licensing from Christopher Tolkien and the estate; similar to how J.K. Rowling was needed by Universal even though the films are from Warner Brothers.

 

[JimboJones123]

The look is the Alan Lee look. He is the one that inspired the look for the movies. If they want him, and can work a deal w/Tolkien family, then they can have the same look as the movies.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I honestly REALLY hope Universal gets them. My only concern is that Disney tries to fight franchise with franchise. When it comes down to it, Universal has some numbers to regain. They have been down in attendance, let alone threatening Disney.

The other issues is that I firmly don't believe these franchises have the legs Universal is relying upon. Will they be popular in the future? Sure. But, they are not enough upon which to draw attendance. For example, the Back to the Future franchise was huge (before the days movie marketing has gone to insane levels). It's attractions is now going. Film franchises are notorious for dying out in the public eye.

Disney has done its best creating its own characters and attractions. I firmly believe that EE will have much greater legs than will anything in the WWofHP at Univ. We need more experiences like that; not quick ways to incorporate someone else's work.

 

[Lynx04]

Its no more self-defeating then disney building 2 major e-tickets at the same time. It creates more hype and attracts even more fantasy fans.

They have Harry Potter land and a Simpsons ride...now they have the famous 80s horror charecters for halloween...It is very likely they will try and go for a hat trick and get Lord of the Rings theme park rights to further gain momentum against Disney.

First, Disney's parks work independently when it comes to building new attractions. Even at that I can't remember when Disney expanded two parks at the same time, or even added two major E tickets at the same time. Second, Simpson is not a major addition. I don't think Universal would buy the franchise to LOTR just for a small single attraction addition. nor do I believe owner of the franchise would sale it for something so insignificant. You don't think JK Rowlings would have a cow if she found out that Universal was planing on adding a LOTR themed area to the park. You dealing with competing franchises not really interested in sharing the spot light.

To speak hypothetically, say if there is enough room and Universal was planning on purchasing the LOTR franchise to place in there Orlando resort. Where is the brains in releasing two major expansions at the same time. You would maximize your appeal by producing one now, then releasing the next one down the line a few years to drive more sustainable attendance. Considering HP won't open till 2010, if they were to open LOTR effectively they wouldn't shoot for any time before 2012, that is nearly a decade after the last movie was released. People are saying about the drop in appeal after the last book comes out for HP, can you imagine the drop in appeal for LOTR at that time.

 

[NemoRocks78]

This could work as a separate theme park or a new land for USF in that huge amount of space between MIB and The Simpsons (though I would like to see that land used for a new King Kong attraction or Transformers ride :lol: )...

USF gets LOTR, IOA gets HP... oh man, that would be insane. :sohappy: :lol: