Middle Earth coming to UOR?

[Skipper Justin]

As one of the lands?

No, As all of the land

Land of the dwarfs, man, hobbit, elves and orcs (mt doom)... there are your 5 islands

"But Hans, there are so many places in HP that did not become park attractions at UNI"

To those who were about to respond that, refer to the following image.

The properties are different entities.... yes, you like LOTR... Each property is different, and academy awards is not always the best determining factor.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

The properties are different entities.... yes, you like LOTR... Each property is different, and academy awards is not always the best determining factor.

Thats a debate that can go on and on. Oscars, LOTR wins...

Scope of main characters, HP wins, but unfair seeing as HP got 8 movies and more chances to develop characters.

Money - Unfair as well seeing as
- HP sold 7 books, had 8 movies and sold its books individually. LOTR was mostly sold as a box set with all 3 books, and sometimes the hobbit, in 1 - in the books you will consider that as 1 unit. plus only 3 movies.

Would a ratio be better?

For each HP movie, they were nominated for .66 oscars per movie, and won none (this is important because children these days don't read as much, huge emphasis on movies)
For each LOTR, they were nominated for 10 oscars per movie, won nearly 6 oscars per movie.

HP was created in the 1990's - with better communication systems and transportation system that in the 1920's. But still is not recognized to have more than 100 million sales, whereas LOTR does which solidifies it as an epic since it has pretty much passed the test of time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books#More_than_100_million_copies


What HP has that LOTR doesn't? Two kick ass lands... So we can do the right thing and give LOTR 4-5

 

[Brian G.]

Hey Titanic had a lot of awards. Let's build an attraction!

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

Hey Titanic had a lot of awards. Let's build an attraction!

Isn't somebody like Paramount doing that in one of their new parks? lol

 

[Teebin]

If Uni wants LOTR, then it will have to negotiate on multiple fronts. They will want the film's designs or they have nothing. They will want the family rights second. They will want Peter Jackson lastly. New Line was LOTR. Doesn't Peter Jackson hate New Line now? What studio is Hobbit? Do they need Hobbit too? Like HP... this is dicey except that the family might like the money, whereas JKR couldn't care less.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I honestly don't know what to wish for on this one. The selfish and impatient part of me wants this to take TL just so we get it faster, but the sensible part of me wants it done properly and knows that it can only be done justice in a third gate, but that'll take years longer. Hmmm.

As long as we get one or the other!

I actually feel this way. I know this is very impatient but The sooner the better! I would be fine with LOTR taking over the Toon area. seeing how amazing Potter turned out, I cannot even begin to imagine how this would be like, It would be a dream come true. I think that area is due for a change to be honest.

I've always thought that if they put LOTR into IOA, they need to redo the lighthouse at the front of the park as Sauron's Tower and eye. Now if they could do like you said and make it move and watch guests, that would be wicked.

This...... :happy: this would be Amazing. Just thinking about it, wow that would be so great.

 

[Shadow Carelli]

If Uni wants LOTR, then it will have to negotiate on multiple fronts. They will want the film's designs or they have nothing. They will want the family rights second. They will want Peter Jackson lastly. New Line was LOTR. Doesn't Peter Jackson hate New Line now? What studio is Hobbit? Do they need Hobbit too? Like HP... this is dicey except that the family might like the money, whereas JKR couldn't care less.

Warner Brothers now has The Lord of The Rings rights

 

[OLSinFLA]

Technically it was always WB, since New Line was a WB subsidiary (MGM owned the distribution rights for "The Hobbit" but not production rights(). But to complicate things, all of it was done under license from the late Saul Zaentz, who owns (owned?) the LoTR rights since the 1960s. So I'm guessing they have to negotiate with the Zentz estate, WB, and the Tolkien estate together. (I am not sure uf Zaentz' rights includes theme parks - apparently thats part of the current litigation)>

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I'm not that interested in LOTR coming to Universal. Especially if it is replacing Toon Lagoon. I know people like to hate on that island, but Seuss really can't be the only colorful family friendly island in the park. LOTR feels like it is too similar to Potter and LC in style and tone. Obviously some big differences, but still. If they want to do LOTR, find a way for it to replace LC (not enough land, so not likely), add a ride to USF or make a land in a 3rd gate. But don't do a whole park based on it.

 

[mahnamahna]

I'm not that interested in LOTR coming to Universal. Especially if it is replacing Toon Lagoon. I know people like to hate on that island, but Seuss really can't be the only colorful family friendly island in the park. LOTR feels like it is too similar to Potter and LC in style and tone. Obviously some big differences, but still. If they want to do LOTR, find a way for it to replace LC (not enough land, so not likely), add a ride to USF or make a land in a 3rd gate. But don't do a whole park based on it.

Toon Lagoon ought to be replaced by another colorful, literature-based franchise while Lost Continent would make a great Wonka land (a D-ticket family boat ride sounds great! As does the Glass Elevator E-ticket (ToT meets Soarin' would be something else!)

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I'm not that interested in LOTR coming to Universal. Especially if it is replacing Toon Lagoon. I know people like to hate on that island, but Seuss really can't be the only colorful family friendly island in the park. LOTR feels like it is too similar to Potter and LC in style and tone. Obviously some big differences, but still. If they want to do LOTR, find a way for it to replace LC (not enough land, so not likely), add a ride to USF or make a land in a 3rd gate. But don't do a whole park based on it.

I completely agree. Save LOTR for the 3rd gate or an expansion somewhere else. They ought to update Toon Lagoon with new additions and refurb Dudley/Popeye. Also make something out of the wasted building that's just sitting there. Maybe include new characters to Toon Lagoon? Scooby Doo attraction?

 

[brianlo]

I personally feel the opposite, improve the current kid-friendly land they have (Seuss) to give the younger crowd more to do. Outside of the pre-school crowd, other IP is already aimed at kids (although they have decidedly large adult followings). That's the type of IP that should fill the parks, broad appeal!

Toon Lagoon on the other hand really only appeals to Adults in a nostalgic sense (and yet in a weird way it is childish IP), neither ride there is little kid friendly so why build a land "for kids" that they aren't attached to?

You can have "garbage IP" (Song of the South), but make a really kickass ride out of it. You can also have "garbage IP" (most of Toon Lagoon) and a mediocre ride. In the later case if they are going to put in enough effort to make it worthwhile, why not bulldoze it and pick something people actually want?

No matter how much spit, shine and polish, no one will ever pick Toon Lagoon as their favourite island. If it isn't a contender, it is time for something that is.

 

[Shadow Carelli]

I have no idea why they never made a Calvin and Hobbes dark ride in Toon Lagoon to begin with... Can you imagine a ride based inside of his imagination?

 

[Doug A.]

I have no idea why they never made a Calvin and Hobbes dark ride in Toon Lagoon to begin with... Can you imagine a ride based inside of his imagination?

That has been my all time favorite comic from when I was a little kid, still love it to this day. I would be in heaven if they ever did that :thumbs: nice idea Shadow Carelli

 

[Skubersky]

I have no idea why they never made a Calvin and Hobbes dark ride in Toon Lagoon to begin with... Can you imagine a ride based inside of his imagination?

Probably for the same reason Calvin & Hobbes ended so prematurely and has never been re-run or rebooted. Bill Watterson is famously opposed to merchandising his characters.

 

[SeventyOne]

Probably for the same reason Calvin & Hobbes ended so prematurely and has never been re-run or rebooted. Bill Watetrson is famously opposed to merchandising his characters.

^ This. He makes the Tolkein family look like George Lucas.

Scooby Doo, on the other hand, is a corporate whore. Could be a really fun ride, but realistically, the whole land needs an overhaul.

 

[mahnamahna]

^ This. He makes the Tolkein family look like George Lucas.

Scooby Doo, on the other hand, is a corporate whore. Could be a really fun ride, but realistically, the whole land needs an overhaul.

The best options...
Hanna Barbera land (wouldn't be hard to re-theme the retro comics vibe and would finally give Universal an excuse to address the dead zone by Marvel)
Nintendo land (lack of literature might make this a bad idea but it'd keep with the colorful aesthetic of Toon Lagoon)
Middle Earth (the literature-based idea and it'd sell particularly well)

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

I personally feel the opposite, improve the current kid-friendly land they have (Seuss) to give the younger crowd more to do. Outside of the pre-school crowd, other IP is already aimed at kids (although they have decidedly large adult followings). That's the type of IP that should fill the parks, broad appeal!

Toon Lagoon on the other hand really only appeals to Adults in a nostalgic sense (and yet in a weird way it is childish IP), neither ride there is little kid friendly so why build a land "for kids" that they aren't attached to?

You can have "garbage IP" (Song of the South), but make a really kickass ride out of it. You can also have "garbage IP" (most of Toon Lagoon) and a mediocre ride. In the later case if they are going to put in enough effort to make it worthwhile, why not bulldoze it and pick something people actually want?

No matter how much spit, shine and polish, no one will ever pick Toon Lagoon as their favourite island. If it isn't a contender, it is time for something that is.

It was my favorite island before Potter. And it's got my favorite collection of attractions in an island. I always have the most fun on Dudley and Popeye.

 

[shiekra38]

Toon Lagoon becomes Middle Earth

Lost Continent becomes Transylvania or Fantastic Beasts' Island

IOA remains best theme park in the world

 

[Lucky Planet]

so Toon Lagoon has
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges,
Popeye's ride will probably stay the same but be themed to Hobbit, so the ride won't really change that much, And, is Dudley Do Right really worth having in the park?
I mean, I know it is a nostalgia thing, but They already got rid of Jaws and King Kong (Which still pains me to this day) But is Dudley really that great?
Specially when they could create some amazing ride with LOTR? I Don't know, I just don't see it. Toon Lagoon is nice and everything, but it is mostly a bunch of stores, kind of feels like wasted space.
Even if LOTR doesn't come here, they should change it into something else, change here is kind if due.