Only just a few days after Universal Studios Great Britain was formally introduced by Comcast and the UK authorities, rumors are already swirling in regards to the mental properties that’ll be featured within the new theme park’s lands and sights. This covers the newest rumblings and fan hypothesis, one conspicuous omission, and our personal ideas.
In case you missed it, the upcoming Universal Studios Great Britain park was revealed this week, with a timeline of when development will begin, a gap 12 months for the park, investments from Comcast, and far more. This additionally included a high-resolution piece of aerial idea, sufficiently detailed to tip off sure IPs that may be featured however imprecise sufficient to forged doubt–or believable deniability ought to plans change.
In addition to the Universal Studios Great Britain theme park, preliminary plans for the resort complicated additionally characteristic a 500-room resort and a retail, eating and leisure complicated. It would be the first Universal-branded theme park within the UK and Europe. Currently, a planning proposal has been submitted to the UK authorities with a projected development begin date in 2026, topic to the related planning approvals. Universal Studios Great Britain is projected to open in 2031.
In its announcement, Universal acknowledges the great pleasure its theme parks convey. However, the park operator signifies that it’s too early within the course of to announce any of the sights or experiences. More particulars about Universal Studios Great Britain might be revealed over time, and are topic to the mandatory planning consent approvals. Officially, that’s the place issues stand with the brand new park–every thing that follows is rumor or hypothesis, or a mix of the 2.
Despite this, as we’ve famous, the early Epic Universe idea artwork was virtually fully correct to what’s been constructed, and intrepid followers plus credible rumors virtually instantly revealed the entire lands and sights. Other evaluation of latest idea artwork has been spottier.
Universal Studios Beijing (beneath) modified loads from preliminary announcement to opening, and the Kids Resort in Texas has additionally developed throughout its conception. So once more, plans are all the time topic to vary–particularly with extra authorities involvement and the licensing of outdoor IPs.
With all of that out of the best way, let’s dig into what’s rumored for Universal Studios Great Britain in accordance with the BBC, which stories {that a} “source close to the Universal UK project” has knowledgeable them of what followers can count on of the brand new park. Normally, we wouldn’t cowl this sort of factor coming from the mainstream media, as they usually conflate “credible rumors” with “things their reporters read on social media that fans hope will happen.” And perhaps that’s taking place once more right here!
With that caveat out of the best way, the tone and tenor of the BBC report recommend to us that there’s a credible supply engaged on Universal Studios Great Britain. It wouldn’t shock me if it’s even a sanctioned leak, with Universal desirous to generate pleasure or, extra importantly, assist from locals with promise of beloved mental properties.
The purpose for this strategy can be that it’s too early to formally announce as a result of not every thing is about in stone, but it surely behooves Universal to disclose extra. An illustrative instance of this strategy in motion is with the “possibilities” introduced through the DisneylandForward pitch. Except the massive distinction there may be that the supposed particulars had been direct from the corporate and fully made up, however many followers and locals didn’t actually grasp that. This is solely speculative on my half, and simply to be abundantly clear, the BBC report ought to be taken with a grain of salt, handled as rumor, and many others.
Anyway, the BBC supply revealed that James Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings can be coming to Universal Studios Great Britain. There might be a stunt present based mostly on 007, much like the The Bourne Stuntacular in Universal Studios Florida, per BBC. However, the accompanying artwork within the media report options the venue from the highest of the artwork that appears like WaterWorld (see above).
My greatest guess is that this can be a mix-up between the supply and the BBC reporters. That the James Bond stunt present is slated for elsewhere within the park and WaterWorld can also be deliberate. It may look like nonsense to Florida-centric followers to base a present on WaterWorld of all issues, however let me inform you, WaterWorld is superior.
If something, the massive brains at Comcast have to cease remaking their good motion pictures and remake WaterWorld. Solely for the sake of the present, which once more, is superior. There’s a purpose it’s been cloned from Universal Studios Hollywood to the newer parks in Japan, Singapore, and Beijing a long time after the movie flopped. WaterWorld guidelines. I as soon as had the pleasure of watching WaterWorld from the moist zone at USJ, and it was mainly the equal of attending a baseball sport in Japan. (If you already know, you already know.) Suffice to say, sure, WaterWorld ought to completely be cloned. The subsequent portal at Epic Universe ought to begin with a “W,” but it surely ought to be WaterWorld and never Wicked.
The BBC has been informed that different themed zones and rides on the park might be impressed by Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Minions.
Interestingly, these properties had been talked about moderately matter-of-factly within the BBC’s authentic broadcast reporting on Universal Studios Great Britain versus the follow-up rumor article with a reputable supply. This is another excuse why I believe the BBC is the beneficiary of a sanctioned leak–that somebody in Universal PR briefed the corporate and offered that data on background.
Regardless, Jurassic World and Minions having massive lands with curler coasts to the left and proper (respectively) of WaterWorld on the prime of the park appear virtually like positive issues (see above). Both lands have develop into staples for Universal, and it’s attainable the corporate might clone sights or complete lands from Universal Studios Beijing. If you look again to the idea artwork for Beijing earlier within the put up, each the Jurassic World and Minions areas look strikingly comparable.
With that stated, the BBC report additionally signifies that Universal goals to supply distinct sights at every of its parks, with the Bedfordshire one set to characteristic distinctive sights not discovered elsewhere. Paddington may very well be an instance of this, because it’s anticipated to have a youngsters space between the in-park resort and Back to the Future curler coaster set in Hill Valley’s Courthouse Square (see above).
Reading between the traces, my suspicion is that the subtext right here is that there received’t be quite a lot of overlap between Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Great Britain. That the Bedfordshire park may have its personal distinctive sights, but in addition clones from the Asia parks.
That’s in all probability the smart choice. Central Florida is considered because the theme park capital of the world, and plenty of Europeans take prolonged and lavish holidays to Orlando to go to Walt Disney World and Universal. Brits aren’t a excessive share of all visitors, however they account for an outsized quantity of spending. Universal in all probability doesn’t wish to give these whales (non-derogatory) purpose to skip their Florida holidays. By distinction, I might hazard a guess that not many Brits are making comparable journeys to Beijing. So purely as a strategic matter, clones from that new park are extra pragmatic.
The BBC supply insisted “contracts have been signed” and it could be unlikely issues would change.
Rides have already been designed, with the bulk deliberate as indoor sights. Roller coasters based mostly on Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Minions are among the many few rides that won’t be beneath cowl.
Additionally, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy informed BBC Breakfast that Universal Studios Great Britain can be a chance to point out off “great British creations to the world.” She continued by saying that “these are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear…Harry Potter. We’ve got so much to be proud of.”
Notably, a Harry Potter-themed space reportedly is not going to be a part of Universal Studios Great Britain, as it’s located only a 40-minute drive from the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
The supply informed the BBC that “watertight exclusivity contracts” made it tough to incorporate Hogwarts within the plans, though it may very well be reconsidered alongside different manufacturers akin to Nintendo or Wicked if the park had been to develop sooner or later.
“Warner Bros has the UK rights to Harry Potter attractions. They tried to find a way round it but couldn’t. That could change in years to come, though,” the supply informed BBC.
I don’t know something in regards to the Harry Potter rights, however this strikes me as probably. The very first thing that caught out to me when poring over the idea artwork was that there was nothing resembling Harry Potter. That’s certainly one of, if not the, most rational IPs to focus on on this park, so it not being featured prominently presumably implies that it can’t be. Another distinctive Wizarding World would’ve made this park a bona fide draw for American vacationers, too. Alas.
If the BBC supply is right, what’s pictured above is sort of definitely Lord of the Rings by strategy of elimination. If they’re mistaken, it may very well be one other DreamWorks or Shrek space.
There have been persistent rumors for some time now that Universal holds the theme park rights to Lord of the Rings. I can’t communicate to the veracity of this, besides that it strikes me as a type of, if there’s smoke kind of issues. If Harry Potter can’t be utilized in Universal Studios Great Britain, what higher comfort prize is there than Lord of the Rings?
Personally, I hope the BBC rumor is true. I hate Shrek. I’ve been shocked by its endurance, because it feels very early aughts to me. Here’s hoping Ace Ventura: Pet Detective doesn’t make an identical comeback. I might’ve assumed Shrek is the antithesis of British humor and extra emblematic of American comedy, however to my shock, the franchise has carried out nicely on the UK field workplace. So what do I do know.
Coming full circle again to the entrance of Universal Studios Great Britain, that is clearly the park’s most important thoroughfare, with the in-park resort on the left. There are retailers and such on the suitable, and maybe an attraction. This may very well be the place the James Bond present is definitely going, versus as a substitute for WaterWorld.
Above that is what may very well be an Amity Island and JAWS space. What this may entail is unclear, however the idea artwork does assist the speculation that it’s one thing based mostly on JAWS. My hope had been that the present constructing behind the Hollywood Boulevard buildings can be for this, versus a James Bond stunt present.
Ultimately, I hope Comcast has a shock or two up its sleeve with Universal Studios Great Britain. While I completely perceive the attraction of Jurassic World and Minions, the 2 seemingly surest issues within the park, they don’t do a ton for me (particularly with such comparable lands present elsewhere). Back to the Future is certainly far more intriguing, as is a James Bond stunt present (007 deserves extra, though I’m undecided what; perhaps an Indiana Jones Adventure kind attraction?) and one thing JAWS.
Lord of the Rings would positively be Universal Studios Great Britain’s “killer app,” so hopefully that rumor is correct. It can be unlucky if this finally ends up being yet one more Shrek factor. And in fact, like everybody who isn’t lifeless inside, I really like Paddington the Bear; so hopefully that rumor is right. I’m additionally hopeful that an entire new area of the world might be uncovered to the greatness that’s WaterWorld; perhaps it will lastly result in the remake we’d like. All in all, I’m cautiously optimistic about Universal Studios Great Britain and hope that these rumors (the nice ones) will pan out. We’ll take any excuse we are able to to spend extra time within the United Kingdom and Europe!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you make of the rumored mental properties coming to Universal Studios Great Britain? Think it’ll get Lord of the Rings, Paddington, James Bond, Jurassic World, Back to the Future, Minions, and extra? Any of those IPs you assume are unlikely to return to fruition? What potential lands and/or sights would you wish to see Universal construct within the United Kingdom? Think this might be a worthy addition to Universal’s theme parks portfolio? Expect Disney to “respond” with an enormous announcement of its personal? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you might have within the feedback beneath!