Latest news with #Universal
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Universal Studios UK: 9 theme park rides fans could get in 2031
What rides could you be riding when Universal Studios Bedford finally opens? Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Plans have been submitted for the new Universal Entertainment Resort Complex in Bedford. With an opening scheduled for 2031, the developers are keeping tight-lipped about what rides could be present when it opens. But we've taken a guess at nine rides, based on the popularity of the franchises in the US or the rides themselves, that could be there come opening day. It's speculation aplenty as Universal Studios Bedford continues to take shape, with its anticipated opening date scheduled for 2031. While several documents have been filed – including a planning statement and design standard for the multi-billion-pound investment across (at least) 268 hectares of land encompassing the Proposed Development – the developers themselves have yet to indicate what specific attractions will be part of the Universal Entertainment Resort Complex, to give its full title. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But far be it from us to rest on our laurels and wait for the information to be provided, and certainly not when there is such a wait taking place. So instead, why not take a look at what is on offer from the range of studios and resorts in the United States? We've earmarked nine rides that could make their way to Bedford when the resort finally opens, based on some of the more popular rides in the US and some of the hotly anticipated ones to come from franchises ranging from The Simpsons to Universal Monsters. So what do we think will be available to ride when Universal Studios Bedford opens? Or, in the interests of transparency, what do we want to ride when Universal Studios Bedford opens? 9 rides at Universal Studios that could make their way to Bedford The popularity and sheer size of Skull Island: Reign of Kong makes it an ideal ride to transition from the United States to Bedford come 2031. | Universal Studios Resorts/Canva 1. Skull Island: Reign of Kong The massive, multi-sensory 3D dark ride, which opened in 2016, takes adventurers deep into a mysterious island populated by colossal predators and, ultimately, Kong himself. Riders board a large, expedition vehicle and journey through ancient ruins and treacherous jungles, encountering terrifying creatures and experiencing intense close calls before a climactic confrontation with King Kong. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ride is renowned for its scale, immersive environments, and impressive animatronics and 3D effects and has consistently drawn crowds since opening at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, due to both the enduring appeal of King Kong and the sheer scale of the ride itself. 2. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem This motion simulator, which opened in July 2012, transforms guests into mischievous Minions for an unpredictable and hilarious adventure alongside Gru, his daughters, and the Minions. The experience combines 3D projection, simulator technology, and a pre-show that sets up the storyline, ending with a Minion dance party. It's designed to be fun for the whole family. Another consistently popular attraction, especially with families and younger audiences, owing to the global appeal of the Despicable Me and Minions films, it often has significant wait times in Orlando. The immense and sustained popularity of the Minions in the UK would make this a surefire hit. 3. Trolls Trollercoaster One of the more recent rides, opening in June 2024, this family-friendly coaster takes riders on a musical journey through the vibrant world of DreamWorks' Trolls. It's a colourful, whimsical attraction designed to be accessible for younger guests, featuring gentle twists and turns inspired by the films' lively characters and soundtracks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Being a very new attraction as part of a highly-anticipated new land, it's currently experiencing high popularity, particularly among families with young children and fans of the Trolls franchise. The success of the films in the UK makes this a strong contender for a family-focused area. 4. Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl This classic spinner ride opened in November 2013 and allows guests to pilot their own flying saucers, controlled by the alien duo Kang and Kodos from The Simpsons. As the ride spins, guests can make their vehicle go up and down while listening to humorous banter from the aliens as they "hurl" their human passengers. It's a whimsical and interactive flat ride. A moderately popular ride, often enjoyed by fans of The Simpsons looking for a lighter, more humorous attraction. It typically has shorter wait times compared to the major thrill rides, but the enduring popularity of The Simpsons in the UK could give it a strong appeal. 5. Donkey Kong's Minecart Madness This innovative roller coaster, expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026 as part of the Epic Universe, simulates the frantic, physics-defying minecart sequences from the Donkey Kong video games. Riders are launched through jungle environments, jumping over gaps and dodging obstacles, with the ride vehicles appearing to "jump" from track to track, offering a unique and highly immersive sensation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is extremely high anticipation for the ride; as a flagship attraction for the new Epic Universe park and a key part of the Super Nintendo World area, it is expected to be one of the most popular and in-demand rides once it opens. The global and UK appeal of Donkey Kong and Nintendo makes this a very strong candidate. 6. Hiccup's Wing Gliders An artist's depiction of what fans of How to Train Your Dragon can expect when Hiccup's Wing Gliders opens in the United States. | Universal Studios Resorts This family-friendly launcher roller coaster sends guests soaring through the skies of the Isle of Berk, inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon films. Riders experience a feeling of flight, swooping and diving over landscapes, replicating the sensation of riding a dragon. With the success of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon films, and with the ride expected to open in late 2025 and early 2026, there is once again high anticipation in the United States when it opens as part of the new Epic Universe. The widespread affection for this franchise in the UK could translate to significant popularity here. 7. Jurassic Park River Adventure How could you not have a log flume-style ride at a theme park in the United Kingdom? For shame… Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This classic water ride, which first opened in 1999, takes guests on a serene raft journey through a prehistoric jungle inhabited by docile dinosaurs, before things go awry and they encounter more dangerous inhabitants. The adventure culminates in a thrilling 85-foot plunge down a waterfall, narrowly escaping a hungry T-Rex. A long-standing fan-favourite. Despite its age, its thrilling drop and iconic Jurassic Park theme ensure it remains highly popular, especially on hot days. The original film's monumental impact and continued relevance in the UK make this a solid, classic choice. 8. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Another ride set to open in the near future, this high-speed, outdoor roller coaster is themed to the Fast & Furious film franchise, taking riders on a thrilling chase through Hollywood, featuring custom-designed ride vehicles that simulate drifting manoeuvres. The ride combines high-energy twists, turns, and speed. With the promise the ride will be part of a 'new generation' of rollercoasters that are being constructed, and the popularity of the franchise, this new ride is expected to be a significant draw when it opens in 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While it might not be part of the Orlando resort (it's part of Universal Studios Hollywood), the global and strong UK popularity of the Fast & Furious films makes this a strong candidate for a future international park like Bedford. 9. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment Universal Monsters, the classic series of horror films from the studio, is the theme with this ride, which is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026. This dark ride experience plunges guests into the monstrous world of Universal's classic horror films, reimagining a storyline where Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and other iconic creatures break free from control. The ride features immersive environments, cutting-edge animatronics, and intense encounters, blurring the lines between classic horror and modern thrills. The enduring legacy of Universal's classic monsters, particularly in horror-loving UK culture, could make this a unique and compelling draw. Have you been to one of the Universal Studio Resorts in the United States and think you know what rides might come to Bedford when it opens? Are there any attractions you hope do come to the Universal Studios Entertainment Complex? Share your ideas by leaving a comment down below.
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Universal Studios UK: 9 theme park rides fans could get in 2031
What rides could you be riding when Universal Studios Bedford finally opens? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Plans have been submitted for the new Universal Entertainment Resort Complex in Bedford. With an opening scheduled for 2031, the developers are keeping tight-lipped about what rides could be present when it opens. But we've taken a guess at nine rides, based on the popularity of the franchises in the US or the rides themselves, that could be there come opening day. It's speculation aplenty as Universal Studios Bedford continues to take shape, with its anticipated opening date scheduled for 2031. While several documents have been filed – including a planning statement and design standard for the multi-billion-pound investment across (at least) 268 hectares of land encompassing the Proposed Development – the developers themselves have yet to indicate what specific attractions will be part of the Universal Entertainment Resort Complex, to give its full title. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But far be it from us to rest on our laurels and wait for the information to be provided, and certainly not when there is such a wait taking place. So instead, why not take a look at what is on offer from the range of studios and resorts in the United States? We've earmarked nine rides that could make their way to Bedford when the resort finally opens, based on some of the more popular rides in the US and some of the hotly anticipated ones to come from franchises ranging from The Simpsons to Universal Monsters. So what do we think will be available to ride when Universal Studios Bedford opens? Or, in the interests of transparency, what do we want to ride when Universal Studios Bedford opens? 9 rides at Universal Studios that could make their way to Bedford The popularity and sheer size of Skull Island: Reign of Kong makes it an ideal ride to transition from the United States to Bedford come 2031. | Universal Studios Resorts/Canva 1. Skull Island: Reign of Kong The massive, multi-sensory 3D dark ride, which opened in 2016, takes adventurers deep into a mysterious island populated by colossal predators and, ultimately, Kong himself. Riders board a large, expedition vehicle and journey through ancient ruins and treacherous jungles, encountering terrifying creatures and experiencing intense close calls before a climactic confrontation with King Kong. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ride is renowned for its scale, immersive environments, and impressive animatronics and 3D effects and has consistently drawn crowds since opening at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, due to both the enduring appeal of King Kong and the sheer scale of the ride itself. 2. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem This motion simulator, which opened in July 2012, transforms guests into mischievous Minions for an unpredictable and hilarious adventure alongside Gru, his daughters, and the Minions. The experience combines 3D projection, simulator technology, and a pre-show that sets up the storyline, ending with a Minion dance party. It's designed to be fun for the whole family. Another consistently popular attraction, especially with families and younger audiences, owing to the global appeal of the Despicable Me and Minions films, it often has significant wait times in Orlando. The immense and sustained popularity of the Minions in the UK would make this a surefire hit. 3. Trolls Trollercoaster One of the more recent rides, opening in June 2024, this family-friendly coaster takes riders on a musical journey through the vibrant world of DreamWorks' Trolls. It's a colourful, whimsical attraction designed to be accessible for younger guests, featuring gentle twists and turns inspired by the films' lively characters and soundtracks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Being a very new attraction as part of a highly-anticipated new land, it's currently experiencing high popularity, particularly among families with young children and fans of the Trolls franchise. The success of the films in the UK makes this a strong contender for a family-focused area. 4. Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl This classic spinner ride opened in November 2013 and allows guests to pilot their own flying saucers, controlled by the alien duo Kang and Kodos from The Simpsons. As the ride spins, guests can make their vehicle go up and down while listening to humorous banter from the aliens as they "hurl" their human passengers. It's a whimsical and interactive flat ride. A moderately popular ride, often enjoyed by fans of The Simpsons looking for a lighter, more humorous attraction. It typically has shorter wait times compared to the major thrill rides, but the enduring popularity of The Simpsons in the UK could give it a strong appeal. 5. Donkey Kong's Minecart Madness This innovative roller coaster, expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026 as part of the Epic Universe, simulates the frantic, physics-defying minecart sequences from the Donkey Kong video games. Riders are launched through jungle environments, jumping over gaps and dodging obstacles, with the ride vehicles appearing to "jump" from track to track, offering a unique and highly immersive sensation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is extremely high anticipation for the ride; as a flagship attraction for the new Epic Universe park and a key part of the Super Nintendo World area, it is expected to be one of the most popular and in-demand rides once it opens. The global and UK appeal of Donkey Kong and Nintendo makes this a very strong candidate. 6. Hiccup's Wing Gliders An artist's depiction of what fans of How to Train Your Dragon can expect when Hiccup's Wing Gliders opens in the United States. | Universal Studios Resorts This family-friendly launcher roller coaster sends guests soaring through the skies of the Isle of Berk, inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon films. Riders experience a feeling of flight, swooping and diving over landscapes, replicating the sensation of riding a dragon. With the success of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon films, and with the ride expected to open in late 2025 and early 2026, there is once again high anticipation in the United States when it opens as part of the new Epic Universe. The widespread affection for this franchise in the UK could translate to significant popularity here. 7. Jurassic Park River Adventure How could you not have a log flume-style ride at a theme park in the United Kingdom? For shame… Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This classic water ride, which first opened in 1999, takes guests on a serene raft journey through a prehistoric jungle inhabited by docile dinosaurs, before things go awry and they encounter more dangerous inhabitants. The adventure culminates in a thrilling 85-foot plunge down a waterfall, narrowly escaping a hungry T-Rex. A long-standing fan-favourite. Despite its age, its thrilling drop and iconic Jurassic Park theme ensure it remains highly popular, especially on hot days. The original film's monumental impact and continued relevance in the UK make this a solid, classic choice. 8. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Another ride set to open in the near future, this high-speed, outdoor roller coaster is themed to the Fast & Furious film franchise, taking riders on a thrilling chase through Hollywood, featuring custom-designed ride vehicles that simulate drifting manoeuvres. The ride combines high-energy twists, turns, and speed. With the promise the ride will be part of a 'new generation' of rollercoasters that are being constructed, and the popularity of the franchise, this new ride is expected to be a significant draw when it opens in 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While it might not be part of the Orlando resort (it's part of Universal Studios Hollywood), the global and strong UK popularity of the Fast & Furious films makes this a strong candidate for a future international park like Bedford. 9. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment Universal Monsters, the classic series of horror films from the studio, is the theme with this ride, which is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026. This dark ride experience plunges guests into the monstrous world of Universal's classic horror films, reimagining a storyline where Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and other iconic creatures break free from control. The ride features immersive environments, cutting-edge animatronics, and intense encounters, blurring the lines between classic horror and modern thrills. The enduring legacy of Universal's classic monsters, particularly in horror-loving UK culture, could make this a unique and compelling draw.
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Lilo & Stitch' Is 2025's First $1 Billion Box Office Blockbuster
Director Dean Fleischer Camp's live-action remake Lilo & Stitch is about to be 2025's first $1 billion blockbuster as it should cross the magic number by sometime Wednesday at the worldwide box office. Chris Sanders and Maia Kealoha star in "Lilo & Stitch." Lilo & Stitch By The Numbers Lilo & Stitch ended it's eighth weekend of release still in the theatrical top-10, with $994.9 million worldwide box office. That leaves barely more than $5 million left to the $1 billion finish line, which is just a few more days' worth of sales. Domestically, Lilo & Stitch now sits at approximately $416 million in North America receipts. That leaves Disney's hottest film of the year just about $8 million behind A Minecraft Movie's $423.9 million as the year's highest domestic earner so far. It'll be a close race for that stateside championship title, but Lilo & Stitch's global gross has already blown past Minecraft's impressive $955 million final cume. Lilo & Stitch & Minecraft & Families Studios take note, if you want blockbuster box office in the $700+ million range, let alone the $1 billion range, family audiences increasingly drive the box office top-10. Take a close look at the top 10 films of 2024: Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2, Despicable Me 4, Wicked, Mufasa: The Lion King, Dune: Part Two, Godzilla x Kong, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. With only a few exceptions – Deadpool & Wolverine, Dune sequel, and Godzilla/Kong sequel – the winners were movies that drew heavily on family audience attendance. Even those exceptions are big-budget IP sequels with built-in family appeal, only one of them being R-rated yet within the Marvel summer tentpole category. During the Covid era, there were some years where the top of the box office charts were a bit more mixed with adult-skewing fare, probably because there were seasons when everything was shuttered and when things were open but nobody was taking their family to indoor public gatherings. By the end of 2025, Marvel Studio's MCU summer tentpole Fantastic Four: First Steps, Disney's unstoppable sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Disney's other unstoppable sequel Zootopia 2 will all have released and entered the top-10 for this year, alongside Disney's Lilo & Stitch, Warner's A Minecraft Movie, Universal's Jurassic World, Paramount's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, Universal's How to Train Your Dragon, DC Studio's Superman, and Warner's F1: The Movie. The lesson is pretty clear: the movies making $700 million to $1 billion are the ones with big family turnout. This isn't some remarkable revelation, per se, but we've watched for a while as nostalgia-driven franchises met the demands of audiences who insisted their favorite beloved childhood stories grow up with them, until every family film had to lean almost more toward the parents than the kids. Now, theatrical business continues to undergo major evolution in the Covid era (not 'post-Covid era' since it didn't go away, we just decided to ignore it and live with it – until we don't, of course). Motivating audiences to show up requires recognizing the messages their sending about what they want and what they expect, if you want their box office dollars. People see less movies per year now than pre-Covid, so you have to be one of the three movies they decide to catch at theaters instead of at home. There will be exceptions to the rule, but looking to thread that needle is a lot harder than understanding the rule. The hard part isn't that it requires understanding what audiences want, the hard part is understanding why audiences want that. When we've seen big tentpole sequels fail despite a history of past success, it's almost always because the projects failed to get the why right. Lilo & Stitch End Of Year Ambitions We are all aware Avatar: Fire and Ash will be the biggest movie of 2025, with Christmas holiday and New Year remarkably all to itself, other than Zootopia 2, which opens for Thanksgiving three weeks ahead of Avatar 3's December 19th debut. While precise revenue varied, there weren't many surprises for this year's top box office contenders, as I discussed a while back. The year's final top-5 will probably be Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Fantastic Four: First Steps. That puts A Minecraft Movie in sixth place and Superman probably in seventh, followed by How to Train Your Dragon, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and F1: The Movie. So Lilo & Stitch will likely be a top-3 finisher for the year, and certainly a top-5. Even if both Jurassic World and Fantastic Four hold strong enough to top $1 billion and pass Lilo & Stitch, I don't see a path toward anything approaching $1 billion for Superman and the rest of the top-10 will top out below $600-700 million or have already finished their runs. So worst-case would be a fifth-place finish, which is unlikely. Notice Disney's family of studios seems destined for four of those top-5 spots, any way you slice it.
Pink Villa
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Matt Damon's The Odyssey: IMAX 70mm Tickets Go on Sale 1 Year Before Release for Christopher Nolan's Next, All You Need to Know
Imax tickets for Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film The Odyssey will go on sale on July 17, 2025, an entire year before the movie is set to open in theaters. Universal Pictures confirmed that early tickets will only be available for Imax 70mm screenings, which is Nolan's preferred format for his movies. The advance ticket sales will cover select showtimes at theaters equipped with Imax 70mm screens, as per Variety. Tickets for other formats are expected to go on sale much closer to the film's official release date, which is July 17, 2026. A rare move by Universal and Imax It's unusual for a studio to release tickets this far ahead of a movie's release. However, the move shows the high expectations for Nolan's next epic. His last film, Oppenheimer, made nearly USD 975 million at the global box office and won the Oscar for Best Picture. Universal is backing Nolan again after the huge success of Oppenheimer. "A Journey Begins" is the tagline for The Odyssey, which is based on Homer's ancient Greek poem. The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who struggles to return home after the Trojan War. A star-studded cast and Imax format The cast includes Tom Holland as Telemachus, Odysseus' son. Other stars are Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal. The Odyssey will be the first movie shot entirely using Imax cameras. Nolan has worked with Imax before, starting with The Dark Knight in 2008. He also used Imax cameras for Inception, Interstellar and Tenet. His last film, Oppenheimer, earned about 20% of its total box office from Imax screenings alone. Some moviegoers even traveled across state lines to watch Oppenheimer in Imax 70mm, selling out shows for weeks. The same is expected for The Odyssey, as Nolan's fans love the large-screen experience. Universal has already shown a short teaser for The Odyssey in cinemas before Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman. The teaser has not been released online yet, keeping with Nolan's tradition of prioritizing theaters.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Odyssey: Imax tickets for Nolan's epic go on sale a year before release
Imax tickets for Christopher Nolan's forthcoming film The Odyssey are reportedly set to go on sale starting Thursday, a full year ahead of its scheduled release date. The highly-anticipated film is set to be released in July 2026, but as of this week, several US publications have noted that listings for IMAX 70mm showings have already appeared online at major chains like AMC, Harkins, and Cinemark in cities such as Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The decision to sell tickets this early seems to be strategic, despite being unprecedented. After the success of Nolan's previous Oscar-winning feature Oppenheimer, which grossed $975.8m globally and made over $190m of its revenue from IMAX screenings alone, it can be assumed that studios and theatres would prefer to lean further into that demand. Trade publication World of Reel has reported that some theatres have started accepting reservations for IMAX 70mm showings with placeholder listings, though official confirmation from distributor Universal about the full ticketing rollout is still pending. The Independent has written to IMAX and Universal for comment. In May this year, it was reported that The Odyssey is being shot entirely on IMAX cameras, the first commercial feature film to do so. The new IMAX cameras, which are reportedly lighter and 30 per cent quieter, will eliminate the usual problems that crop up with cameras, like scanning and processing of the film stock, and will allow the director to watch dailies easily while filming. IMAX plans to rent out the new cameras being used by Nolan once the Tenet director is finished. Imax tickets for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey are reportedly set to go on sale starting Thursday, a full year ahead of its scheduled release date (Universal Pictures) The news of the ticket sales is also unusual since there is still very little known about the film. At the time of writing, the film's first teaser trailer is only available for screening in cinemas during showings of Jurassic World Rebirth, despite it being leaked online in some places. There has also been no indication as to when the trailer will appear online, with Nolan preferring his trailers to be enjoyed as a cinematic experience. The Odyssey, which is still filming, is an adaptation of Homer's epic Greek poem. The story follows the hero Odysseus (Matt Damon), king of Ithaca, as he journeys home after the Trojan War. However, his expedition proves perilous as he has to battle numerous threats and mythological creatures. Tom Holland is playing Odysseus's son Telemachus, while Charlize Theron has been cast as the goddess Circe. It's still unclear who is playing the other characters, but the cast includes the likes of Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Anne Hathaway. More recent casting announcements include Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Benny Safdie, and Elliot Page. The Odyssey has been partially filmed in Sicily, the island scholars say Homer based a portion of Odysseus's journey upon in his 8th century BCE epic. Favignana is understood to be the place where Odysseus and his crew landed, collected food, and barbecued goats in the tale. It is part of the Egadi archipelago off of Sicily's north west coast. The Odyssey will be released in theatres on 17 July 2026.
