Middle Earth Theme Park- Universal Studios - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Inziladun · 05-04-2018, 11:46 AM

Does ME still have a high enough profile in the general public that a theme park would be considered a solid investment?

Yes, a TV series is probably going to happen, but with no blockbuster film possibilities on the horizon, maybe Tolkien might not be as attractive in this case as the other brands (much as I hate labeling him as such

).

Legate of Amon Lanc · 05-04-2018, 01:44 PM

I am pretty sure a M-E park would draw enough attention. Think about it. Peter Jackson's Hobbiton set in New Zealand still draws enough attention.

But yeah, I am afraid it would be about barrel-rides (IF it happened. Somehow, I don't really know if the rights to make such a park would be given... although... who knows).

In any case, at least as far as I am concerned, it is the very antithesis of what Tolkien was about. Movies were already too much for me; they - for too many people, basically for the general public - "fixed" an image of what certain things look like. Yes, many of the places in PJ's movies are very pretty, that's for sure, but Middle-Earth should never be visual. It should take on the shape inside one's imagination, based on Tolkien's words in the writing. That's how I have always perceived it, and I think it is in line with Tolkien's attitude in, I believe, On Fairy-Stories, where he goes on a rant about how even theatre "locks down" the visual part, as opposed to the text.

Inziladun · 05-04-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

I am pretty sure a M-E park would draw enough attention. Think about it. Peter Jackson's Hobbiton set in New Zealand still draws enough attention.

You probably have the right of it. I was just whistling past the Barrow.

I've no idea how far the licensing rights go past action figures and Pez dispensers. If ME is indeed publicly listed as one of the possibilities, they must at least think they can make it happen.

Morsul the Dark · 05-04-2018, 10:54 PM

Have any of y’all gone to Universal? This isn’t Six Flags in the Middle of Nowhere where a few chunks of plastic get to be called the Hall of Justice.

More likely is yes a certain leaning on the Movies vs the books but within that there’s a lot that can be done. Consider the Hogwarts Ride, it’s more an interactive tour than a thrill ride very well made and well done. Or Soarin’ in Disney that emulates a flight across America.

I’d think a similar premise riding an eagle across ME Would be awesome meeting some of the characters. A dark roller coaster through Moria with Gollum chasing you would be cool. They might have a restaurant or two but not every area gets the whole shopping bit at least not in the extreme. But if they do something similar to how they recreate Hogsmead I’d think Bree is the obvious Choice. Hobbiton is a possibility but that’s a much bigger ask for an aging property.

05-04-2018, 11:46 AM	#1
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Does ME still have a high enough profile in the general public that a theme park would be considered a solid investment? Yes, a TV series is probably going to happen, but with no blockbuster film possibilities on the horizon, maybe Tolkien might not be as attractive in this case as the other brands (much as I hate labeling him as such ). __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

05-04-2018, 01:44 PM	#2
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	I am pretty sure a M-E park would draw enough attention. Think about it. Peter Jackson's Hobbiton set in New Zealand still draws enough attention. But yeah, I am afraid it would be about barrel-rides (IF it happened. Somehow, I don't really know if the rights to make such a park would be given... although... who knows). In any case, at least as far as I am concerned, it is the very antithesis of what Tolkien was about. Movies were already too much for me; they - for too many people, basically for the general public - "fixed" an image of what certain things look like. Yes, many of the places in PJ's movies are very pretty, that's for sure, but Middle-Earth should never be visual. It should take on the shape inside one's imagination, based on Tolkien's words in the writing. That's how I have always perceived it, and I think it is in line with Tolkien's attitude in, I believe, On Fairy-Stories, where he goes on a rant about how even theatre "locks down" the visual part, as opposed to the text. __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

05-04-2018, 10:54 PM	#4
Morsul the Dark Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,448	Have any of y’all gone to Universal? This isn’t Six Flags in the Middle of Nowhere where a few chunks of plastic get to be called the Hall of Justice. More likely is yes a certain leaning on the Movies vs the books but within that there’s a lot that can be done. Consider the Hogwarts Ride, it’s more an interactive tour than a thrill ride very well made and well done. Or Soarin’ in Disney that emulates a flight across America. I’d think a similar premise riding an eagle across ME Would be awesome meeting some of the characters. A dark roller coaster through Moria with Gollum chasing you would be cool. They might have a restaurant or two but not every area gets the whole shopping bit at least not in the extreme. But if they do something similar to how they recreate Hogsmead I’d think Bree is the obvious Choice. Hobbiton is a possibility but that’s a much bigger ask for an aging property. __________________ Morsul the Resurrected