To me, and only my interpretation, but it felt like the current options on the table were quick retheme or let it sit empty for years.
They’re stretched thin with adding rides for capacity at Epic and having to redo Lost Continent right now, so I’m shocked they’re even messing with Supercharged at all instead of letting it rot.
I imagine they could replace all of San Francisco someday when they’re ready to really make a move here, but they have so much to do that’s more pressing, this feels like a quick fix. And keeps ride capacity in Studios even after having to close this when Hollywood Drift opens.
Also, the rumor is the screen tunnel is being upgraded from projections to LED. That’s more investment than I was expecting to be honest.
Just a couple thoughts: Probably the reasons they're not going to let it sit and rot. *Competition. All those WDW Disney terrific expansions popping up in the near future. *Cutting costs with a Hollywood twofer. I'm guessing the film production is the primary cost *Something happening with Springfield in 2028, or 2030 if there's a brief contract extension. They'll need capacity.
The more I think of this, the better feel I have for it. I never thought they'd gut the building since its relatively new. The ride system is fine with me, since it works well with Kong, that is a better and more creative production. The main problems with Supercharged were the poor quality film and it just didn't work well with the IP expectations/story. As I've said before, the big 'if' for the ride would be blending in a lot of physical/practical sets and effects. There's plenty space to do that. Tornadoes are a universal theme, so it's really not important whether guests have seen, or liked, the movie.
Bottom line. A Twister attraction isn't going to get a lot of people to change vacation plans, but it could help to keep people in the park. Plus, it would be 'indoors' and air conditioned. That's a plus. It could be a 'Fun' attraction, if done with a bit of creativity. Pokemon will bring in the vacation plans. Though it will be in IOA, that helps USF too, since 80% of all tickets sold are IOA/USF park hoppers. I always look at the North Campus as one giant park, which for all intents and purposes, is what it is. When it rains, and most of the outdoor rides are shut down, the mass exodus to USF happens. And the Events at USF siphon guests to IOA too. There's a reason there's so often long lines for the Hogwarts Express, both ways
One big plus of the ride system is that it's proven good capacity, especially if they use the double buses like they did when Supercharged first opened. That's something to be mindful of.