Which theme park is Witch? It’s a fiery question of “evil” fans having speculation as they speculate that films born from Broadway musicals could turn into real-life charms.
The possibility of connection with Universal Park is strong as the film was released by Universal Pictures, under the Comcast Corporate umbrella, with a Universal Theme Park with a Universal Theme Park.
The pot was further stirred after a published report containing comments about the film by Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences.
“When I saw it, my first reaction was, ‘This is a theme park waiting for it to happen,” he told the New York Times last month.
While that’s far short of official announcements, Dennis Spagel, founder of International Theme Park Service, responded similarly to the film and its park’s potential.
“I think it’s a phenomenal thing that’s off the charts, but I think it’s probably five years away,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were already working on designs.”
The “Evil” theme will blend well with the epic space theme park, which is scheduled to debut in Orlando on May 22, Speigel said. But he said he hopes the franchise will be in “every universal park” around the world.
“The film is very harmonious with the technological era where we are building the park where we live. They have colours, costumes and characters,” Speigel said. “We need to associate technology in the right way.”
Just before the film opened in November, Universal Studios Florida Theme Park featured Wicked: The Experience in Orlando. It is a hybrid of merchandise sales, film memorabilia, and photography opportunities. The building near the park’s entrance has items related to big names such as Lucille Ball, Betty Boop and Hello Kitty over the past few years.
Orlando resident Jade Ganci likes the park experience, she said, and also appealed to her for a “wicked” land. She wants to ride in the theoretical area and see Emerald City and Siz University, she said.
“I love it. I think it’s amazing,” Gansey said.
“I’ve seen the actual (stage) production. I’ve seen the film,” she said. “I play and sing, so whenever I get the chance, I sing something. I’m a big ‘evil’ person. ”
Universal: Another round of Wizard World Ones – Break Butterbeer
“Wicked” has grossed more than $729 million at the global box office since its opening on November 22nd. The musical starring Cynthia Eribo and Ariana Grande is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Witches.
This is all based on “The Great Wizard of Oz,” written by L. Frankbaum in 1900, and turned into the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz starring Judi Garland. In the ’70s there was a Broadway musical called “The Wiz,” and subsequent films starred Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
Since the 2024 film was announced, the Broadway show has 100% capacity and has won over $42 million. “Evil Things: Good,” the second half of the film is scheduled to be released on November 21st.
“They’re the ones who are so popular,” said Robert Thompson, a television councillor at Syracuse University and a professor of popular culture.
The existence of theme parks is a natural idea, Thompson said.
“You’re not dangerous,” and who knows about Oz? Does anyone care about Oz? “I mean, it’s been around for a century and it’s not going anywhere,” he said.
Both films and theme parks feature escapism.
“All films are about creating these fantastical spaces, and their auto-expansion is actually turning it into three dimensions – not 3D that requires glasses, but 3D, which is actually 3D,” Thompson said.
“The “Evil” is beautiful, say “theme park friendly,” he said. “Let’s take a look, what vehicle do we have? …The main song is “Defying Gravity.” There’s no need to think hard. …You can go to the movies and see how the theme park works. ”
But for now there is no official word about when, where, or when the evil world is coming. Universal’s destinations and experiences include Universal Horror Loa Shed, a year-round spooky charm in Las Vegas, and Universal Kids Park, a 32-acre attraction in North Texas. Interest has also been documented in the UK’s Universal Theme Parks.
“Universal has a history of theme park development, site selection, construction, design, preparation and construction,” says Speigel.
“In the days and age we live in, I think Universal has developed here in Florida, and across the world in Beijing, Osaka.
Please email dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Bluesky: @themeparksdb. Thread account: @dbevil. X Account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
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Original issue: March 7, 2025, 11:30am EST
