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Universal GB - Archived Pre Announcement Discussion
Bert2theSpark
TS Member
I think we’re going to see a lot of British mannerisms within the more ‘micro’ elements of the park, in terms of architectural motifs, gags and performing characters but from a more ‘macro’ perspective, such as IP selection and general marketability, it’s going to be led by what appeals to a broader European market.
This is a destination park being built, not a regional one.
flyingguitar
TS Member
They may have the rights for it in Australia but not for Europe or America, you can see an example of this with marvel, universal had the american (I think) rights, then Disney brought them up and now universal negotiated to have the rights east of the Mississippi or something like that. often for a park which isn't global it makes sense to only buy the license for a region, they pay less and the rights holder can resell the rights else where.
DiogoJ42
TS Member
Surely the OG Wizard of Oz film was MGM? Dunno who hold the rights to their back catalogue now, but I'm sure I've heard in the past that between that, Return to Oz being Disney, and whatever the hell is going on with Wicked, the question of "rights" is now so messy that no one wants to touch it.
Bert2theSpark
TS Member
The original Wizard of Oz book is public domain, however any changes that belongs to the movie (Ruby Slippers, Over the Rainbow) belong to MGM. Wicked is based off of a book, and when it became a musical and then transferred to broadway they brought the rights to use the Ruby Slippers, but not the motif for Over the Rainbow.
However, if Universal GB decides to use anything from the Wizard of Oz Film, they’d only have to pay the license realistically for 3-5 years, as it becomes public domain in 2035 itself. So if this is used for Universal GB, then Universal would probably get a sweet deal with the licensing rights because it would be one of the last opportunities MGM would have to make profits off of the IP.
Universal owns the rights to Wicked, as a whole, but when they use the imagery of the Ruby Slippers like in the Broadway Production, they have to pay MGM.
It’s similar with Universal Monsters, Frankenstein is public domain, but if you want to use the most well-known version with green skin and bolts in his neck, you have to pay Universal. Ditto for Steamboat Willie and Mickey Mouse with Disney.
tayspru
TS Member
To be clear, Wicked doesn’t use the Ruby Slippers, but it actually does use the first 7 notes of Over the Rainbow as the “Unlimited” motif.
There’s a lighting effect when Elphaba accidentally enchants the silver slippers, but that’s about it. They’re also silver in the movie that would be adapted to the park so the point is moot
Mainly, if Universal want to use their de facto “Princess” franchise / close to Billion dollar movie, they’ll find a way
There’s a lighting effect when Elphaba accidentally enchants the silver slippers, but that’s about it. They’re also silver in the movie that would be adapted to the park so the point is moot
Mainly, if Universal want to use their de facto “Princess” franchise / close to Billion dollar movie, they’ll find a way
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Here's where it gets even more complicated.
Warner Bros. Discovery owns the rights to the original 1939 MGM produced "The Wizard of Oz", having acquired them in the 90s. (The rights, not MGM)
www.warnerbros.co.uk
www.theguardian.com
Disney owns the rights to "Return to Oz" and "Oz the Great and Powerful", both being their own adaptations.
Wicked the musical is based on a 1995 novel. The author licenced the IP to Universal and Marc Platt, who both retain IP rights to the musical... Though the music is still owned by and licenced from Stephen Schwartz.
The Wiz is owned by Concord Theatricals and Universal.
The Oz books are public domain.
The Wizarding World licence does not extend to the UK, where Warner Bros. Discovery still retain the exclusive rights to licence attractions based on the IP.
The Lord of the Rings is equally tricky. The source material is owned by the Tolkein Estate. The Peter Jackson film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and this their visual style are owned by Embracer Freemode. The Rings of Power adaptation is owned by Amazon.
Universal may just find it easier to double down on IP they actually own, but they won't have much of a problem with Wicked as long as they keep exclusively to their adaptation.
Warner Bros. Discovery owns the rights to the original 1939 MGM produced "The Wizard of Oz", having acquired them in the 90s. (The rights, not MGM)
WarnerBros.co.uk | The Wizard of Oz | Films | Warner Bros. UK | Movies
Follow Dorothy on her journey through the magical land of Oz. Experience the classic adventure like never before with Warner Bros. UK. Watch Wizard of Oz now!
Warner Bros v Disney: the fight for Oz's yellow brick road
How Disney mounted a stealthy raid on the Wizard of Oz story, unbeknown to Warner Bros, who own rights to MGM original
Disney owns the rights to "Return to Oz" and "Oz the Great and Powerful", both being their own adaptations.
Wicked the musical is based on a 1995 novel. The author licenced the IP to Universal and Marc Platt, who both retain IP rights to the musical... Though the music is still owned by and licenced from Stephen Schwartz.
The Wiz is owned by Concord Theatricals and Universal.
The Oz books are public domain.
The Wizarding World licence does not extend to the UK, where Warner Bros. Discovery still retain the exclusive rights to licence attractions based on the IP.
The Lord of the Rings is equally tricky. The source material is owned by the Tolkein Estate. The Peter Jackson film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and this their visual style are owned by Embracer Freemode. The Rings of Power adaptation is owned by Amazon.
Universal may just find it easier to double down on IP they actually own, but they won't have much of a problem with Wicked as long as they keep exclusively to their adaptation.
I'm still baffled why we need a live action version of that.
Universal won't want too many fantasy IPs in one park so I think how to train your dragon is unlikely given that it's a big new area of epic universe
They could do include Shrek in some way but I doubt it would get a full themed area. It's definitely not as bit as it was
jon81uk
TS Member
They would have had to license the rights from Universal. I’d assume universal only gave them the Australia rights.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
They're not opening a Wicked land. They're opening a land around the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", to which Warner Bros. Discovery already own the rights.
owenstreet7
TS Member
Warner Bros own the rights to the 1939 film and distribute the film nowadays. This is how WB Movie World in Australia were able to do the Wizard of Oz themed area.
There is a possibility that Parque Warner could do it there or Six Flags could do it at one of their parks.
Wicked, the film is made by Universal which technically, they could base an area on Wicked however it won't be related to the 1939 film.
I’m not sure the average person will tell the differences it’s already very complicated. All the different adaptations and franchises just fall under the same category for most?
I mean Aus Warner bros grand opening is impeccable timing with the new film release and the style of Emerald city they have built is uncanny.
I mean Aus Warner bros grand opening is impeccable timing with the new film release and the style of Emerald city they have built is uncanny.
John_P
TS Member
He's getting a new film in a few years time.
However don't Merlin have the rights to Dream works properties in Europe? There's that Shrek thing by the London eye, a kung fu panda area in Gardaland, and How To Train Your Dragon at Heide Park.