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Potential New Universal UK Park
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GooseOnTheLoose
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Welcome to the intricacies of international intellectual property and copyright law and agreements.
JT01
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Well, it beat Paddington, which is considered an iconic British franchise and Despicable me which is in every universal park, so clearly, you're clearly chatting nonsense.
As for Wicked, it doesn't personally excite me—this is coming from someone who actually fell asleep during the West End show! However, from the trailer and the set pieces I’ve seen from the film, it’s clear that it could create an epic landscape for a theme park, especially with the design of the city.
Bowser
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Well, it beat Paddington, which is considered an iconic British franchise and Despicable me which is in every universal park, so clearly, you're clearly chatting nonsense.
As for Wicked, it doesn't personally excite me—this is coming from someone who actually fell asleep during the West End show! However, from the trailer and the set pieces I’ve seen from the film, it’s clear that it could create an epic landscape for a theme park, especially with the design of the city.
Considering Padditngton 2 was released in 2017 and still makes it to number 5 in the top ten box office for a 2024 showing that suggests it is a VERY popular franchise (not to mention having two films in the same list).
GooseOnTheLoose
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It doesn't, it's aggregate. That's not for its 2024 run, it's for the entire life of the film.
Paddington 2
www.boxofficemojo.com
JT01
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Bowser
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I didn't miss it, i'm saying that you can interpret those figures to suit either narrative. One could reasonably argue Paddington remains a larger franchise in the UK despite the loss of one chosen metric though equally i don't think anyone is predicting a Paddington themed land in a Universal park.
Personally i would be incredibly surprised if they open with a Wicked themed land in the UK but we'll have to wait and see! Considering their demographic audience will be predominantly European what entices them will likely be the priority rather than catering to American tourists who have a plethora of domestic choices available. Though if anything Paddington would be the more likely of the two to appeal to tourists otherwise visiting the UK...
The Wicked film did well because it served an underrepresented target audience in the cinema - women. Same reason Barbie did well. I just don't think Wicked has that wide appeal, it's not even in the same ball park as a Harry Potter, LOTR, Jurassic Park etc.
The OZ franchise as a whole is very American and is far more culturally significant in the US which is why I think that IP would be better placed at a park like Epic Universe
The OZ franchise as a whole is very American and is far more culturally significant in the US which is why I think that IP would be better placed at a park like Epic Universe
Matt N
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I do feel that if Universal UK isn't bringing Potter to the table, it needs something with equivalent "hook" appeal to bring the masses in in huge numbers. The park needs some real "hook" IPs to get people coming.
If they bring Potter, then I think they've got the hook right there; a Potter land in Potter's home country sounds like a license to print money! But if they don't, they need something with equivalent pulling power. I don't know what that would necessarily be; it could be LOTR, Wicked or something else entirely, but I think the park needs a Potter-level "hook" brand if Potter is not brought to the UK.
If they bring Potter, then I think they've got the hook right there; a Potter land in Potter's home country sounds like a license to print money! But if they don't, they need something with equivalent pulling power. I don't know what that would necessarily be; it could be LOTR, Wicked or something else entirely, but I think the park needs a Potter-level "hook" brand if Potter is not brought to the UK.
owenstreet7
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I'm going to agree with Matt there for the Harry Potter IP. It would be printing money if they opted to go for it and have the theme park rights for it in Europe.
I will reiterate that there's a good chance both a Potter area in Universal and the existing Studio Tour can co-exist together.
If an alternative is needed, it'll need to be something that is as big as Wizarding World to Universal.
SuperMuscleMan
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So what British based IP could they go for?
LOTR
Potter
I know but anything made in UK that could be bought or is accessible to universal & Comcast?
Could they buy the 007 rights? Doctor Who is now (or within days/hours be officially) dead. Aardman is with Blackpool. Netflix own all the RD rights. I wouldn't want a Peter rabbit land as it was slaughtered at the cinema. No Bridget Jones Land please! I'm sure there are loads of other British filmed or British born franchises or books that could be made into something.
I do agree a HP hotel maybe the way to get a blessing from WB studio tour. So long as they can have bus service between the two sites? If they were smart they could offer a Flexi ticket!
LOTR
Potter
I know but anything made in UK that could be bought or is accessible to universal & Comcast?
Could they buy the 007 rights? Doctor Who is now (or within days/hours be officially) dead. Aardman is with Blackpool. Netflix own all the RD rights. I wouldn't want a Peter rabbit land as it was slaughtered at the cinema. No Bridget Jones Land please! I'm sure there are loads of other British filmed or British born franchises or books that could be made into something.
I do agree a HP hotel maybe the way to get a blessing from WB studio tour. So long as they can have bus service between the two sites? If they were smart they could offer a Flexi ticket!
Bowser
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I struggle to envision how James Bond could manifest as a themed land or ride beyond a stunt show but objectively it’s hard to argue it isn’t the most British, popular and evergreen unused franchise out there.
In that sense I think it would really stand out as a tourist attraction but I do wonder if Universal will want to open with an untested franchise. I suppose ultimately if the rides are good you can tag any IP onto it, much like we are seeing with Fast and Furious.
Whilst not British if they could license DC that would be a real coup and the Batman series in particular has a strong British legacy. Something like the indoor Gotham City in the UAE would be incredible.
SuperMuscleMan
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I think to the movie making heritage we have here... That's why I was thinking more than meets the eye... From some of the original Superman films, Batman, Gladiator, even the Mummy films with Brendan Fraser were all filmed here.
I did have one random thought / idea chitty chitty bang bang... Ian Flemming (007) written, filmed here in parts and could be whimsical? A flying car or junior coaster? It's the non Disney Mary Poppins! Not sure who owns it now.
Plastic Person
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Universal have pursued the rights and developed concepts for Bond/007 in the past. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were revisited for a UK park, even if the license holders are notoriously difficult to impress.
It’s worth remembering that one of the most successful attractions at Univeral Studios Hollywood is the Waterworld stunt show, which is based on a property that was a flop upon release and is nowadays almost associated exclusively with that performance. Nonetheless, it lends itself to a theme park so well, that it will plays to packed houses daily. Wicked/Oz and LoTR surely offer similar appeal on a larger scale; they’re fantastical, desirable environments for visitors, regardless of your familiarity with the property itself.
Nonetheless, I still think Universal might wait for the receipts for Wicked II next Christmas before committing.
It’s worth remembering that one of the most successful attractions at Univeral Studios Hollywood is the Waterworld stunt show, which is based on a property that was a flop upon release and is nowadays almost associated exclusively with that performance. Nonetheless, it lends itself to a theme park so well, that it will plays to packed houses daily. Wicked/Oz and LoTR surely offer similar appeal on a larger scale; they’re fantastical, desirable environments for visitors, regardless of your familiarity with the property itself.
Nonetheless, I still think Universal might wait for the receipts for Wicked II next Christmas before committing.
GooseOnTheLoose
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James Bond is going to be off the table for a year or two, until the drama surrounding an attempt at cancelling the trademark in the UK and Europe has played out.
www.theguardian.com
James Bond in battle to keep hold of 007 super spy’s name
Exclusive: Dubai-based property developer is challenging trademark registrations, including the saying ‘Bond, James Bond’
owenstreet7
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Personally with a Bond IP, I think it'll be in the main studios area of the park as a ride rather than a standalone area.
Doctor Who has always been an interesting IP to consider for a theme park and it's owned by the BBC (Disney are involved primarily with the streaming rights). I'd imagine that Merlin are more likely to consider it than Universal to be honest..
I am taking the cancellation rumours with a grain of salt as it's from tabloids, the latest series is nowhere near as bad or woke as the one with Jodie Whittaker in it and Disney+ have made no decision about Season 3 onwards. The Ncuti leaving rumours seem slightly exaggerated to be honest.
Wicked I think would be interesting however it might be more complicated considering it overlaps with MGM's Wizard of Oz.
I wouldn't be surprised if both a shuttle bus and combo ticket is considered for Potter Studio Tour if Potter is part of Universal. This will be a money printer for international tourists who want to experience Harry Potter in his home country.