Latest news with #UniversalOrlando
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Netflix Tudum: Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' trailer teases Jacob Elordi's monster
Netflix Tudum: Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' trailer teases Jacob Elordi's monster Show Caption Hide Caption See Universal's Dark Universe 'creepy' sneak peek at Epic Universe The Dark Universe at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe brings classic horror staples to life, such as the Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man. It's alive! Netflix debuted a spooky first trailer for Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" during the streamer's Tudum event on Saturday, May 31. The latest adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, while Jacob Elordi will transform into Frankenstein's monster. Isaac's Victor Frankenstein begins the trailer by saying, over a shot of a ship in the Arctic, that he has become determined that "the memory of my evils should die with me." Later, when asked who created the creature, a tortured Victor replies, "I did." From there, the footage teases scenes of Victor Frankenstein tinkering in his lab, building up to a shot of lightning striking and bringing life to the monster. "In seeking life, I created death," Dr. Frankenstein says, and the movie's tagline declares that "only monsters play God." The trailer concludes with Frankenstein's monster, whose face is obscured, attacking a group of men on a ship before calling out for his maker, growling, "Victor!" Mia Goth also stars as Victor Frankenstein's fiancée Elizabeth Lavenza, who is briefly seen in the footage. Netflix Tudum 2025: Lady Gaga emerges from coffin, reveals guest role in 'Wednesday' Season 2 "Frankenstein" is a passion project for del Toro, the Oscar-winning director of "The Shape of Water" and "Pan's Labyrinth." During an event in January previewing Netflix's 2025 slate, the filmmaker said the movie "has been on my mind since I was a child, for 50 years," and that he has been trying to make it for about 25 years. "In fact, some people may even think I am a little bit obsessed with 'Frankenstein,'" he quipped. "And they probably would be right. You see, over the decade, the character has fused with my soul in a way that it has become an autobiography. It doesn't get more personal than this." Jacob Elordi calls 'The Kissing Booth' movies 'ridiculous' "Frankenstein" will be the latest high-profile revitalization of a classic monster story after Robert Eggers' 2024 film "Nosferatu," a remake of the silent movie that was itself an unauthorized adaptation of "Dracula." "Frankenstein" is set to debut in November.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Universal's new theme park Epic Universe slammed for not having 'shade' or 'enough rides'
Universal Orlando's long-anticipated theme park has come under heavy criticism from attendees just days after opening its gates. Epic Universe, which officially opened on 22 May, marks Universal's third full theme park and fourth gate overall at its sprawling Orlando resort. The £4.5 billion resort boasts five immersive worlds: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic. With its cutting-edge attractions, blockbuster themes and otherworldly design, the park has already drawn fans from across the globe - particularly gamers and movie fans. But it's not just the rides or the entertainment that have attendees talking - it's the sun. Visitors have taken to review platforms and social media to voice their frustration over the lack of shaded areas throughout the new park, which is located in one of the hottest and most humid regions in the U.S. On TripAdvisor, one contributor warned fellow attendees to 'wear sunscreen' as there is 'no shade anywhere.' Another wrote of the resort: 'It is extremely hot - no shade in the park and all the seats were scalding.' Over on Reddit, dozens of visitors expressed similar views, as one wrote in a thread: 'My biggest criticism is the lack of shade. A lot of parks like letting people feel the heat to push beverage sales, but Epic was really rough when I went a few weeks ago. 'I remember when I was entering the HTTYD land I wanted to stay under the portal for like 20 minutes because it's one of the few areas in the park with shade from the brutal Orlando sun.' Adding to the backlash, some parkgoers are questioning whether the $139 (£103) daily ticket price is worth it, especially given what some describe as 'limited' offerings compared to the hype. One person wrote, 'Outrageous pricing,' while another added, 'I feel it's light on rides, despite there being 14 apparently, the harry potter area is a waste with only 1 ride and Nintendo world does nothing for me, except give me a headache.' A third said: 'My main concern is that there isn't enough stuff to do. California Adventure opened with twice as many things including shows, walkthroughs etc. and that park was infamous for not having enough attractions.' A fourth claimed 'some rides are not open at all' and 'some shut down multiple times a day for an extended period of time,' while another alleged there are 'not enough rides and the rides they do have are not good enough.' Another frustrated attendee added: 'I may not be the majority but I don't think it's worth the money at all! The lines were horrendous…some a 3 hour wait. Which I know it's brand new but when you only have 2-3 rides a park then how will this improve? 'Also when I went half the rides were delayed or broken. So when you only have 10 rides the whole park then the wait times are ridiculous. I hope this improves and they work out the kinks.' Despite the criticism, many visitors claimed to have enjoyed their time at the park, as one wrote: 'The character actors and rides are truly unique. I am excited to go back and see how this park develops. 'I feel like complaints about down time are kind of out of hand. There are so so many things to do in the park, even with rides down I didn't have a lack of new things to try.' Another said: 'Its the most majestic park I have ever been to albeit some negatives as mentioned by other users (lack of shade, some technical issues) but genuinely the atmosphere is perfect.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
That new Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando? An MTSU graduate helped build it
Universal Orlando has opened the nation's first major theme park in more than 20 years — and a Tennessean had a big part in creating it. Susan Cummings — from Spencer, Tennessee, about an hour east of Murfreesboro — is the executive producer for the Super Nintendo World section of the buzzy new Epic Universe park in Orlando. Cummings, 57, a 1990 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, led a team that designed the part of the park that brings decades of Nintendo games to life. Super Nintendo World includes areas like Super Mario Land, Yoshi's Adventure and Donkey Kong Country. Cummings is even featured in Universal Studios' promotional video for Super Nintendo World. In a phone interview with The Tennessean, Cummings said she has been surprised at how emotional some of the park's first visitors got when they saw their beloved Nintendo games in 3D. "Oh, my gosh, I saw people wiping away tears and saying, 'I can't believe I'm here,'" Cummings said. "People have strong multi-generational ties to these games. They are places you'd never expect to actually visit. You just them on screens large and small, but you'd never expect to be there." Cummings, who has been working on Super Nintendo World for six years, said she loves seeing visitors' strong reactions. "That's the good stuff," she said. "You forget all struggles with construction and budgets when you see someone experience it. That's why you do it." Cummings moved to Orlando after graduating from MTSU to pursue her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. A friend's brother, comedian Joby Saad, was working in Orlando, and Cummings started opening for his shows and serving as emcee. While trying to launch her own comedy career, Cummings started working for theme parks in Orlando to pay her bills. Soon, Cummings found herself working at higher and higher levels in the Universal Studios theme park world. Cummings credits her time as a theater major at MTSU with launching a career in entertainment. In addition to being part of student productions, Cummings performed stand-up for the first time in Murfreesboro after one of her professors, Deborah Anderson, got her a slot at an open mic night. "I also remember getting a lot of parking tickets outside Schardt Hall where I lived for a few semesters!" she said. Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: MTSU grad helped build that new Universal Epic Universe theme park
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Not so Epic? Universal's $6 billion new theme park slammed over ‘lack of shade' and ‘not enough rides'
It cost a staggering $6 billion to build, but for some, Universal Orlando Resort's newly opened Epic Universe park needs even more spent on it. One of the major early criticisms is that there isn't enough shade to shield park-goers from the Florida sunshine. Several online reviewers have complained about being unable to escape the sun, with Tripadvisor user "Lexie C" giving the park just two stars and remarking that during her visit it was "extremely hot" and the seats were "scalding". She writes: "Universal – you need some umbrellas to shade the seats." Another Tripadvisor reviewer, Jeff, from the UK, complained that he'd waited 90 minutes for security to open and to get into Super Nintendo World in stifling heat. He writes: "No shade, no fans, no misters. Fairly disgusting." Another reviewer, this time on a Reddit thread about Epic Universe, reveals that the sheer width of the walkways "does not help with the Florida sun and shading". And relief from the heat isn't always offered by the rides. Jeff explains, for example, that Yoshi's Adventure is largely outside and is slow-moving, so there's no respite. As a result, he gave the ride just three out of 10. Other reviewers feel that Epic Universe doesn't offer enough to justify the $139 entrance fee. Reddit user "Alexman420" says the park was "great" overall, but that Celestial Park "felt boring and bland". It feels "like a city walk instead of a theme park", he writes. Another contributor to the discussion expresses a "concern that there isn't enough stuff to do", with user "comped" agreeing. They mention having a degree in theme park management, before arguing that Epic Universe is "underbuilt" and doesn't "have enough for a major park in this day and age". Another reviewer points out that coaster Stardust Racers "overlooks a flattened expansion plot" and hopes that Universal builds more rides in the next five to six years. "I like it, but it's a bit empty in my opinion," agrees another contributor. Another protest is that there aren't enough rides with zero height restrictions, while others grumble that what's there already is underwhelming. One Tripadvisor user complains that Mario Kart is a "major fail" – that you "just sit there and push a couple of buttons". Another visitor took to the internet to claim that the Curse of the Werewolf ride felt "like an afterthought". And Yoshi's Adventure comes under yet more fire for being simply "boring". Epic Universe has been touted as a "Disney killer" by some, but several don't agree, with one Redditor saying that "Universal just doesn't seem to be in the same league as Disney". Plenty of visitors, however, have hailed Epic Universe as something special, with one Tripadvisor user proclaiming it to be "epic", another declaring it "phenomenal" and another revealing that they've been twice already and are planning a third visit.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Meet your new Harry Potter: HBO series casts Harry, Ron and Hermione
Meet your new Harry Potter: HBO series casts Harry, Ron and Hermione Show Caption Hide Caption Take the Metro-Floo at Universal Orlando's Ministry of Magic Universal Orlando's Epic Universe theme park will bring the iconic Ministry of Magic to life, fans will be able to go to 1920s wizarding Paris. We have a new Harry Potter. HBO has cast three newcomers in the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley for its upcoming "Harry Potter" TV series. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said the iconic casting decision followed an "extraordinary search." "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen," they said in a statement. "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there." 'Harry Potter' TV show cast: Meet Arabella Stanton, Alastair Stout and Dominic McLaughlin Dominic McLaughlin is set to play Harry, while Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley. Along with the announcement, HBO released a photo of the three actors posing while crouching in grass. The studio previously put out a casting call seeking actors between the ages of 9 and 11 for the parts. 'Harry Potter' series cast announced: Here's who plays Dumbledore, Snape HBO's "Harry Potter" series will be a new adaptation of the original books by J.K. Rowling, which were already turned into the hit film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Rowling serves as executive producer on the show. The series had previously cast several of its supporting roles, with John Lithgow set to play Dumbledore, Nick Frost starring as Hagrid and Paapa Essiedu playing Snape. It has not yet been announced who will play Voldemort, the series' overarching villain portrayed in the movies by Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes himself has backed the idea of Cillian Murphy getting the role. 'Harry Potter' HBO TV series casting children for roles of Harry, Ron, Hermione When the "Harry Potter" series was announced in 2023, Rowling said that HBO Max's "commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me," adding that she is "looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series." New 'Harry Potter' cast With the central trio set, here's what the cast of the "Harry Potter" show looks like thus far: Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch When is the 'Harry Potter' series coming out? HBO has not set a premiere date for the "Harry Potter" TV series. But according to Deadline, HBO CEO Casey Bloys said the show will likely debut in late 2026 or early 2027. Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
