News Round Up 2016

[HeroOfWDW]

Rumor

I cannot name a source here but I assure you it isn't Jim Hill. According to the source Universal is eyeing up DC rights from Six flags when the contract for them ends (I don't know a specific date for this), and then would rethemed their marvel attractions to DC working a deal with Disney to give them marvel rights. There have been plenty of rumors regarding Disney possibly getting the rights.

While I have wanted this to happen forever, I don't think they will do this because they just reopened Hulk. But just thik about it! An Avengers ride at Hollywood studios! Marvel rides and meet and greets! I'm hyped even though it's just a rumor .

 

[rteetz]

Rumor:

Disney looking to buy twitter?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...working-with-adviser-on-potential-twitter-bid

Apologies if this was mentioned already and I missed it.

Have a whole thread on it already.

 

[skier_pete]

Rumor

I cannot name a source here but I assure you it isn't Jim Hill. According to the source Universal is eyeing up DC rights from Six flags when the contract for them ends (I don't know a specific date for this), and then would rethemed their marvel attractions to DC working a deal with Disney to give them marvel rights. There have been plenty of rumors regarding Disney possibly getting the rights.

IF true - this would be pretty easy with the major exception of the Spiderman ride. The rest of the theming in that area is sort of cheap/shoddy overlays on buildings/attractions. Change hulk coaster to superman. Doom Free-fall to Joker/Batman. X-force Spinners to Flash. But Spiderman? That would require a major re-do.

One other thing against it - giving up Marvel means that Disney gets it, and Disney with Marvel in the parks becomes much more powerful. (Sorry DC fans, but Marvel is king until WB/DC starts putting out movies that aren't piles of garbage.)

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Disneyland photo update in which the author claims the former house of blues in DTD will become an Edison location...

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/09/photo...odbye-tower-star-wars-land-new-fantasmic-etc/

 

[rteetz]

IF true - this would be pretty easy with the major exception of the Spiderman ride. The rest of the theming in that area is sort of cheap/shoddy overlays on buildings/attractions. Change hulk coaster to superman. Doom Free-fall to Joker/Batman. X-force Spinners to Flash. But Spiderman? That would require a major re-do.

One other thing against it - giving up Marvel means that Disney gets it, and Disney with Marvel in the parks becomes much more powerful. (Sorry DC fans, but Marvel is king until WB/DC starts putting out movies that aren't piles of garbage.)

I've never done Spider-Man but it's a screen based ride right? Would it really be that hard to change screens? Otherwise I agree with you.

 

[LSLS]

If that comes true, does Universal have to give up Marvel? Could DC be something they want for their 3rd park while leaving Marvel in IOA?

 

[skier_pete]

I've never done Spider-Man but it's a screen based ride right? Would it really be that hard to change screens? Otherwise I agree with you.

It's been a long time since I rode it - sure it's screen based, but there's a lot of sets/practical effects as well. I guess you could switch the plot to some DC superhero without too much problem. (I like superhero stuff - but lets face it, a lot of it is very similar.) It would have to be some sort of "fly through the city" character with multiple villians. I'm sure it can be done - I'm just saying it's the only one that would involve some serious cash to retheme.

 

[HuskieJohn]

Rumor

I cannot name a source here but I assure you it isn't Jim Hill. According to the source Universal is eyeing up DC rights from Six flags when the contract for them ends (I don't know a specific date for this), and then would rethemed their marvel attractions to DC working a deal with Disney to give them marvel rights. There have been plenty of rumors regarding Disney possibly getting the rights.

Older article but best info I could find.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201307/3558/

The DC/Looney Tunes license is "long term," and not "in perpetuity," according to Six Flags' legal documents. So if Warner Bros. wanted to regain control of these theme park rights, perhaps to sell them to another company, the value of that buyout presumably would be diminishing over time, as we approach the year in which the license deal would expire anyway. (I've not found a public document that states when that happens, though other terms and obligations between Warner Bros. and Six Flags expire in 2027 and 2028.)

 

[skier_pete]

If that comes true, does Universal have to give up Marvel? Could DC be something they want for their 3rd park while leaving Marvel in IOA?

Nope - no way. Marvel/Disney wouldn't allow it. (I'm sure there's a clause in the contract about no superhero characters from other franchises allowed in the Universal parks.) DC wouldn't allow it either. I'd be surprised if Universal would even want to be paying for both.

 

[Keels]

I mean, the WB/DC thing would be interesting. If it happens, I'm sure my local Six Flags (Six Flags over Texas) will be pretty put out that the three new attractions they just opened this year (after having Gotham City under construction for over a year) are themed to WB/DC - The Riddler, Catwoman and Harley Quinn.

Granted, they're off-the-shelf rides and the two existing coasters would be more difficult to re-theme, but still - it would suck to have to change something so soon after opening.

 

[dlavender]

Rumor

Mad Hatter is leaving MK as of October 1st

First fired from LSU, now Magic Kingdom!!!

 

[SureAsLiz]

Nope - no way. Marvel/Disney wouldn't allow it. (I'm sure there's a clause in the contract about no superhero characters from other franchises allowed in the Universal parks.) DC wouldn't allow it either. I'd be surprised if Universal would even want to be paying for both.

"Within THE SECOND GATE, the Marvel Characters will be primarily utilized as part of THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, although they may also be used throughout THE SECOND GATE as strollers or featured elements in stores, restaurants, and the like (subject to Marvel’s reasonable approval). Within THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, the use of any non-Marvel characters will be subject to Marvel’s approval."

This is (what I see as) the most relevant part of the contract. Specifically the last sentence. No way Marvel would allow outside characters (plus who knows what kind of contracts there may be between Marvel and DC)

There's some more nuances in there (as to where The Marvel Universe exists, and how much is allowed to be in other areas) but any chance of mixed comic properties is non-existent

 

[HuskieJohn]

I mean, the WB/DC thing would be interesting. If it happens, I'm sure my local Six Flags (Six Flags over Texas) will be pretty put out that the three new attractions they just opened this year (after having Gotham City under construction for over a year) are themed to WB/DC - The Riddler, Catwoman and Harley Quinn.

Granted, they're off-the-shelf rides and the two existing coasters would be more difficult to re-theme, but still - it would suck to have to change something so soon after opening.

Ya my 6Flags has...Battle for Metropolis (which opened this year) on top of 4 DC coasters (Superman, Batman, Dark Knight and The Joker opens next year). The coasters wouldn't be aweful to retheme but Battle for Metropolis would be extremely costly and they have several of these company wide.

 

[LSLS]

I will say I'm surprised it has taken this long to officially make it to rumor status...



"Within THE SECOND GATE, the Marvel Characters will be primarily utilized as part of THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, although they may also be used throughout THE SECOND GATE as strollers or featured elements in stores, restaurants, and the like (subject to Marvel’s reasonable approval). Within THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, the use of any non-Marvel characters will be subject to Marvel’s approval."

This is (what I see as) the most relevant part of the contract. Specifically the last sentence. No way Marvel would allow outside characters (plus who knows what kind of contracts there may be between Marvel and DC)

There's some more nuances in there (as to where The Marvel Universe exists, and how much is allowed to be in other areas) but any chance of mixed comic properties is non-existent

Ok, figured it was worth asking if there was a possibility. That's pretty definitive.

 

[Keels]

Ya my 6Flags has...Battle for Metropolis (which opened this year) on top of 4 DC coasters (Superman, Batman, Dark Knight and The Joker opens next year). The coasters wouldn't be aweful to retheme but Battle for Metropolis would be extremely costly and they have several of these company wide.

We've got Batman, SuperMan and Mr. Freeze (in addition to the new attractions) - Mr. Freeze would easily be the most extreme to re-theme, because of the queue area. They'd pretty much have to tear the whole thing down.

 

[Travis B]

Have a whole thread on it already.

Should have known you were on top of it, @rteetz . I tend to hop right onto the round-up and didn't see the thread.

 

[saskdw]

I've never done Spider-Man but it's a screen based ride right? Would it really be that hard to change screens? Otherwise I agree with you.

It is like a combination screen based simulator and Dinosaur at AK. It is a great ride. There would be some work involved in changing it.

 

[Phicinfan]

Rumor

I cannot name a source here but I assure you it isn't Jim Hill. According to the source Universal is eyeing up DC rights from Six flags when the contract for them ends (I don't know a specific date for this), and then would rethemed their marvel attractions to DC working a deal with Disney to give them marvel rights. There have been plenty of rumors regarding Disney possibly getting the rights.

Holy crud, that would be HUGE. Disney would basically have to pay for all that work and pay through the nose, but to get Marvel in the Parks in FL would be great for Disney

 

[saskdw]

IF true - this would be pretty easy with the major exception of the Spiderman ride. The rest of the theming in that area is sort of cheap/shoddy overlays on buildings/attractions. Change hulk coaster to superman. Doom Free-fall to Joker/Batman. X-force Spinners to Flash. But Spiderman? That would require a major re-do.

One other thing against it - giving up Marvel means that Disney gets it, and Disney with Marvel in the parks becomes much more powerful. (Sorry DC fans, but Marvel is king until WB/DC starts putting out movies that aren't piles of garbage.)

I'm on the fence with this. Although there is no doubt that Marvel/Disney is making far superior movies, I think the DC characters are still bigger names.

When it comes to filling the parks more of the general public may relate to Superman and Batman as opposed to Ironman and Captain America. I could be wrong, but I feel the non-comic fanatic public would respond more to Superman.

DC is also dominating television right now as far as superhero's go. They have a successful show on 4 nights a week this fall with Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm on the fence with this. Although there is no doubt that Marvel/Disney is making far superior movies, I think the DC characters are still bigger names.

When it comes to filling the parks more of the general public may relate to Superman and Batman as opposed to Ironman and Captain America. I could be wrong, but I feel the non-comic fanatic public would respond more to Superman.

DC is also dominating television right now as far as superhero's go. They have a successful show on 4 nights a week this fall with Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow.

I disagree - if you were talking 30 years ago yes Batman/Superman were much, much bigger, but the top Marvel franchises are as name-brand recognizable today as those characters. Iron Man and Captain America are on par with Batman & Superman. Go into your nearest Kohl's and count the styles of shirts and who has more on the shelf.

As far as TV: "Successful" is all relative. The ratings for those shows are CW good, but not really good.
Agents of SHIELD got 5.5 MIL last season. / Agent Carter a 4.3
Gotham had 5.3
Flash - the most successful of the CW - DC shows -got 4.4
Legends of Tomorrow - 3.2, Arrow - 2.5
Supergirl beat them all with an 8.9 - but was so expensive ($3 million per episode) that CBS dumped it to CW, which likely means it's ratings drop significantly - towards the end it was barely holding in the low 7s.