Wizard of Oz - Movie World Arkham Asylum Replacement

[MARK28]

I've gotta say they've struck gold opening this at the same time as Wicked, and that Wicked looks like it's going to be a massive commercial success... it's a different story of course but Wicked realised Oz so well that I think people are really going to be drawn to this.

[Levi]

5 minutes ago, MARK28 said:

I've gotta say they've struck gold opening this at the same time as Wicked, and that Wicked looks like it's going to be a massive commercial success... it's a different story of course but Wicked realised Oz so well that I think people are really going to be drawn to this.

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

[Brad2912]

4 minutes ago, Levi said:

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

Different studios which is why you won’t see Wicked merch at MW. 

[LoZza]

8 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

Different studios which is why you won’t see Wicked merch at MW. 

Off topic a bit but I'm surprised Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz or Wicked at their new Epic Universe. Would've much preferred that than a mish mash of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts 

[TV15]

24 minutes ago, LoZza said:

Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz

They tried this at Universal Studios Japan from 2006 to 2011. "This mini-land, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s hit children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, invited guests to experience the magical and iconic fantasy world. Including areas themed to Munchkin Town and the Emerald City..." Sounds familiar?

Seemed like it had some decent entertainment with the land too, a Wicked stage show.

Edited Tuesday at 11:32 AM by TV15

[Brad2912]

14 minutes ago, LoZza said:

Off topic a bit but I'm surprised Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz or Wicked at their new Epic Universe. Would've much preferred that than a mish mash of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts 

Wicked for all its greatness (both theatrically and cinematically) isn’t going to usurp HP. 
 

in saying that, if Wicked holds its own in coming weeks in what is a strong cinema market, and Part 2 lands just a strongly this time next year then a universal land of some sort dedicated to the wicked universe will certainly have demand and relevance 

The movie is a triumph. 

[MARK28]

38 minutes ago, Levi said:

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

Yeah Wicked is Universal, but Movie World is gonna be sailing on it's wake regardless and that's awesome! I imagine it was probably a conscious thing on their part. 

[LoZza]

27 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

Wicked for all its greatness (both theatrically and cinematically) isn’t going to usurp HP. 
 

in saying that, if Wicked holds its own in coming weeks in what is a strong cinema market, and Part 2 lands just a strongly this time next year then a universal land of some sort dedicated to the wicked universe will certainly have demand and relevance 

The movie is a triumph. 

Yeah but it's not just Wicked itself, Wizard of Oz as a brand is just timeless. Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

[Brad2912]

On 26/11/2024 at 9:56 PM, LoZza said:

Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

With a HBO quality level tv series coming out 2026 through 2032, HP will be back at the top of the pop culture game. When your source material is of the quality of HP, you work really need to do anything beyond it 

[Baconjack]

On 26/11/2024 at 8:56 PM, LoZza said:

Yeah but it's not just Wicked itself, Wizard of Oz as a brand is just timeless. Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

Popular is the understatement of the century.

Getting Potter was a game changer for universal and nearly singlehandedly made them a disney rival. Even many years after opening Potter related attractions are near the top of ridership at each of the parks. The fact USJ had timed entry for potter land up until a decade after opening speaks volumes on how big of a brand it is.

Oz rides on an old movie that a lot of people haven't seen (myself included), a musical that people who don't go to theatres have no clue what it is and a movie based on that which has come out this year while sure is making money isn't lighting the world on fire. It's also been tried at a theme park before - USJ - and it lasted 6 years.

It annoys me how people on this forum are engaging in mental gymnastics to suggest the biggest IP get in theme park history doesn't usurp oz instantly. It's a cool land and something different but it's not reinventing the wheel

Edited 1 hour ago by Baconjack