Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[shiekra38]

The launch vs lift hill debate is interesting to me

They can be kept lower to the ground and you can control what elements you want to "peak out"

As far as liking them better, I feel launches are sometimes better received by the GP, but then again there are very highly ranked attractions that have lifts so idk

Personally, I think it's purely an aesthetic choice over everything else

Although I would've loved to see Universal snap off and build a Giga that soars over the front entrance lol

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The launch vs lift hill debate is interesting to me

They can be kept lower to the ground and you can control what elements you want to "peak out"

As far as liking them better, I feel launches are sometimes better received by the GP, but then again there are very highly ranked attractions that have lifts so idk

Personally, I think it's purely an aesthetic choice over everything else

Although I would've loved to see Universal snap off and build a Giga that soars over the front entrance lol

Well, also it's a differentiating factor. Between Disney and Universal, there are eight lift hills and seven launches. Add SW and it grows even more in favor of lifts. Lift hills are hard to figure into a ride and large, launches are easier and shorter.

 

[shiekra38]

Well, also it's a differentiating factor. Between Disney and Universal, there are eight lift hills and seven launches. Add SW and it grows even more in favor of lifts. Lift hills are hard to figure into a ride and large, launches are easier and shorter.

Also a pacing thing to consider between Universal and Disney rides

but yeah, it's really a neither here nor there thing IMO

 

[quinnmac000]

‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ Film and Gaming Rights Up for Sale (EXCLUSIVE)

Movie and gaming rights to 'Lord of the Rings,' 'The Hobbit' and other J.R.R. Tolkien titles have been put up for sale by Saul Zaentz Co.

variety.com

Is LOTR happening for Universal?

 

[fryoj]

‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ Film and Gaming Rights Up for Sale (EXCLUSIVE)

Movie and gaming rights to 'Lord of the Rings,' 'The Hobbit' and other J.R.R. Tolkien titles have been put up for sale by Saul Zaentz Co.

variety.com

Is LOTR happening for Universal?

After reading that, I think I know less about who has the rights to LOTR than before. Sounds like whoever buys whatever they are selling is in for a legal fight with the tolkein estate and WB. Then it's doubtful they'd have the rights to use the WB movie adaptations for the parks. So a separate deal would have to be made with WB regardless.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

You know a slow upward launch can technically fulfill the same role as a lift hill.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

So are we still thinking Ministry comes to Epic or are they moving it back to USF?

 

[belloq87]

So are we still thinking Ministry comes to Epic or are they moving it back to USF?

There's no serious indication it's going to USF.

What appears to be somewhat in question (perhaps) is where the VR ride will ultimately end up.

 

[OLSinFLA]

After reading that, I think I know less about who has the rights to LOTR than before. Sounds like whoever buys whatever they are selling is in for a legal fight with the tolkein estate and WB. Then it's doubtful they'd have the rights to use the WB movie adaptations for the parks. So a separate deal would have to be made with WB regardless.

WB actually licensed the rights from Saul ... they have held the rights forever. They are the holders. Now if they wanted to use any of the elements (sets, props etc) from WB they would need to. Otherwise, no they don't

 

[fryoj]

WB actually licensed the rights from Saul ... they have held the rights forever. They are the holders. Now if they wanted to use any of the elements (sets, props etc) from WB they would need to. Otherwise, no they don't

So if Saul has the rights, what's been all of the "it can't go into the parks until Christopher Tolkein says it's ok" talk on here been over the years? Or does Saul not have the theme park rights?

 

[JoeCamel]

So if Saul has the rights, what's been all of the "it can't go into the parks until Christopher Tolkein says it's ok" talk on here been over the years? Or does Saul not have the theme park rights?

I thought he died?

 

[shiekra38]

I was never big into LotR, but I do hope Universal gets the rights to build it


Mostly so I don't have to hear about it again

 

[OLSinFLA]

So if Saul has the rights, what's been all of the "it can't go into the parks until Christopher Tolkein says it's ok" talk on here been over the years? Or does Saul not have the theme park rights?

Correct, he owned the film rights to Rings. Hobbit was a bit more complex (MGM owned distribution rights) which is why the film took longer to make. Chris Tolkien was notorious for wanting ro have nothing other than the books his father wrote and/or toj edited to exist. If had his way.no films or TV stuff would ever have been made, but his dad sold the film rights while he was alive (the story goes he did it to make sure Disney would never get it). Chris has since retired from the trust and the current administrators are much more open to deals.

 

[JoeCamel]

Correct, he owned the film rights to Rings. Hobbit was a bit more complex (MGM owned distribution rights) which is why the film took longer to make. Chris Tolkien was notorious for wanting ro have nothing other than the books his father wrote and/or toj edited to exist. If had his way.no films or TV stuff would ever have been made, but his dad sold the film rights while he was alive (the story goes he did it to make sure Disney would never get it). Chris has since retired from the trust and the current administrators are much more open to deals.

Chris Tolkien died January 2020

 

[fryoj]

Correct, he owned the film rights to Rings. Hobbit was a bit more complex (MGM owned distribution rights) which is why the film took longer to make. Chris Tolkien was notorious for wanting ro have nothing other than the books his father wrote and/or toj edited to exist. If had his way.no films or TV stuff would ever have been made, but his dad sold the film rights while he was alive (the story goes he did it to make sure Disney would never get it). Chris has since retired from the trust and the current administrators are much more open to deals.

So the Saul news ultimately has no bearing on theme park rights?

For Uni, or anyone really, to ever build theme park attractions, they'd need to make deals with all of the parties as people are going to expect the movie visuals for a land. For now, I guess that means WB and the Tolkein trust, but if this Amazon series takes off, or if someone buys the rights from Saul and creates new movies/shows, they may want those for the parks.

And we thought the Marvel deal was complicated...

 

[quinnmac000]

So the Saul news ultimately has no bearing on theme park rights?

For Uni, or anyone really, to ever build theme park attractions, they'd need to make deals with all of the parties as people are going to expect the movie visuals for a land. For now, I guess that means WB and the Tolkein trust, but if this Amazon series takes off, or if someone buys the rights from Saul and creates new movies/shows, they may want those for the parks.

And we thought the Marvel deal was complicated...

These are the all encompassing rights from film to merch to gaming so I'm assuming if Universal wants full cut for the park...this would be the way to go.

 

[Mad Dog]

So much easier, and profitable, to use your own IP's if you have them. With Dreamworks and Illuminations, and the IP's they've bought into already (Potter, Marvel, Nintendo, Simpsons, Pokemon?, ) they really have enough choice without paying a king's ransom for Tolkien stuff. Just use Zelda if they want that otherworldly medieval look. They already have bought into that with Nintendo. And Dragons is on the menu already, which is kind of a kids version of that Tolkien look.

 

[SkiBum]

Chris Tolkien died January 2020

He retired permanently?

 

[fryoj]

These are the all encompassing rights from film to merch to gaming so I'm assuming if Universal wants full cut for the park...this would be the way to go.

That brings us back to: If Saul has owned the rights to all of that all of this time, why has the Tolkein estate and Christopher Tolkein been brought up as the reason the theme park rights haven't been sold? They couldn't be the reason it didn't happen if Saul had the rights.

 

[rageofthegods]

That brings us back to: If Saul has owned the rights to all of that all of this time, why has the Tolkein estate and Christopher Tolkein been brought up as the reason the theme park rights haven't been sold? They couldn't be the reason it didn't happen if Saul had the rights.

I'm pretty sure Saul didn't own *all* rights, just exactly what it said in the article: merchandise, live events, certain film and TV rights for LOTR and the Hobbit, plus matching rights for The Silmarillion and other materials. The article specifically said that the Tolkien Estate retained rights for TV shows based on LOTR of 8 episodes or less, hence how Amazon was able to go directly to the Tolkien estate and secure the rights without cutting Saul in.

The Tolkien estate presumably retains theme park rights and would need to be negotiated with if we want to see Middle Earth in EU.