Wicked: The Experience coming to UOR

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Wizard of Oz yes, but people aren’t still talking about The Wiz these days

The Wiz just had a successful run on Broadway and will continue its national tour this year. Wicked is still making millions on Broadway. It might not be your favorite IP but it’s still incredibly relevant.

 

[belloq87]

A connection to THE WIZARD OF OZ is no guarantee of longevity (I love RETURN TO OZ, but it's not a well-remembered film today, for example).

WICKED seems like it's built enough of its own fanbase over the last two decades that it's almost an independent property at this point.

 

[GAcoaster]

Wizard of Oz yes, but people aren’t still talking about The Wiz these days

The Wiz is a different thing altogether.

Wicked has made billions of dollars as a stage musical, is poised to make billions worldwide as a film, and the film has a sequel coming out in one year. This already promises to be huge for them, so the store is likely to remain for at least 18-24 months. I even saw in the UOP group on Facebook that someone started an online petition asking Universal to make Wicked an expansion for Epic Universe, and honestly if the movie does as well as it's tracking right now I have to believe UC will be tasked with fast tracking Wicked for the parks. Wicked is also something that's accessible for people who ONLY know the 1939 Wizard of Oz film.

 

[Collin]

I see it today but so far not only is it referencing the 1939 film but also there's little winks and nods to other Oz movies and books. Similar to Dark Universe, Wicked is reimagining Oz but also still playing with what's familiar. I think it's a no-brainer that they bring it to the parks. In-house IP with deep connections in culture going back to 1900. Oz is timeless, and only more children will be introduced to the world through Wicked.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Wicked an expansion for Epic Universe, and honestly if the movie does as well as it's tracking right now I have to believe UC will be tasked with fast tracking Wicked for the parks

Fast tracked you say? Could this mean...

 

[GAcoaster]

With the HUGE reception for the premier of the movie in London, it looks like it would play well in a UK based park...

 

[v0latilebear]

I’m glad Universal is taking a swing with new IP before the movie even releases. But there have been many films recently that everyone swore were going to be blockbusters and did terrible. My fear is if Wicked turns out to not be good that the park is stuck with it.

 

[Disneyhead]

With the HUGE reception for the premier of the movie in London, it looks like it would play well in a UK based park...

Well, they can't do Potter, and they really like selling interactive wands.

 

[v0latilebear]

Well, they can't do Potter, and they really like selling interactive wands.

Not to derail but I thought it wasn’t that they couldn’t have potter, they just weren’t going to clone what already existed in the other parks

 

[GAcoaster]

Well, they can't do Potter, and they really like selling interactive wands.

And they OWN it, and the author would hopefully remain unproblematic. Gregory McGuire isn’t the celebrity that JKR is, and most likely wouldn’t be stupid enough to disrupt the flow of money.

 

[rageofthegods]

I’m glad Universal is taking a swing with new IP before the movie even releases. But there have been many films recently that everyone swore were going to be blockbusters and did terrible. My fear is if Wicked turns out to not be good that the park is stuck with it.

I think it's worth remembering that this isn't a new IP - around the world, it's one of the highest grossing musicals ever.

We'll see in less than a week if it'll be a big enough hit to justify a land, but my hunch is that it will, and by a comfortable margin.

And I've been bringing this up a lot: One of the most beloved attractions at Universal was based on Waterworld, an emphatically not-good movie that was a massive bomb. Sometimes, an attraction is just good, regardless of the IP.

 

[Disneyhead]

Not to derail but I thought it wasn’t that they couldn’t have potter, they just weren’t going to clone what already existed in the other parks

The rumor is that Potter is not available because it would directly compete with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.

 

[belloq87]

Fast tracked you say? Could this mean...

View attachment 24068

And I've been bringing this up a lot: One of the most beloved attractions at Universal was based on Waterworld, an emphatically not-good movie that was a massive bomb. Sometimes, an attraction is just good, regardless of the IP.

Counterpoint: WATERWORLD is actually pretty good!

 

[GA-MBIT]

I think it's silly to argue that Oz wouldn't be a sizable get as a theme park land. It's not Potter or Pokemon-tier, but few IP truly are.

Oz makes at least as much sense as a Zelda, Avatar, or UCM land. It's practically the most timeless property there is. It doesn't immediately translate into rides or in-universe merch as well as some other picks, but we've definitely seen stranger IP's get utilized in those ways.

I think it would work best as a land built into a park on opening day, like Universal Great Britain, opposed to an expansion somewhere like Epic Universe. I feel it shares a very similar cultural spot as Dark Universe, which would also be a pretty hard sell as an expansion to an existing park imo.

 

[Brian G.]

Wizard of Oz yes, but people aren’t still talking about The Wiz these days

I was oversimplifying but basically to elaborate off what Belloq said:

A connection to THE WIZARD OF OZ is no guarantee of longevity (I love RETURN TO OZ, but it's not a well-remembered film today, for example).

WICKED seems like it's built enough of its own fanbase over the last two decades that it's almost an independent property at this point.

This isn't like some random novel idea that Universal is attempting to bring to the screen. It's one of the few billion-dollar Broadway shows. Oz is timeless, and Wicked has a sizeable fanbase. There's a lot more going for it than against it.

 

[UNIrd]

And if this thing moves merch? It's a done deal. Between me & family's house alone, there's Wicked Monopoly, barbie dolls, the karaoke mic, t-shirts, accessories.. Soon to be cups and popcorn tins, etc. All within the last month..

Haven't even made it to the stores in Universal yet.

 

[GAcoaster]

Of course all the dolls from Mattel had to be thrown away because they linked to Wicked.com instead of WickeMovie.com, so there are no dolls at Universal or other retailers (anymore). BIG DIFFERENCE.

Apparently Mattel decided that all retailers just needed to trash the dolls instead of repackaging or sending sticker to go over the spicy website link...

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

This is one example of one family, obviously. While my cousins family with 3 daughters are often festive in their house, I wouldn’t say they decorate like crazy.

The entire house is pink and green. Everywhere. It was jarring lol. The parents AND kids (all under 12) are very excited. This movie will succeed because it appeals to literally every demographic, and, kids want merchandise.

 

[Brian G.]

Per Forbes, "Wicked is poised to be an absolute monster at the box office, with predictions ranging from a $100-$150 million opening weekend."

 

[Clive]

Per Forbes, "Wicked is poised to be an absolute monster at the box office, with predictions ranging from a $100-$150 million opening weekend."

Should have fairly strong legs, too. The big question is how much business Moana 2 pulls from it over the following weeks.