Lionsgate developing a Hunger Games theme park?

This is some interesting news. Apparently Lionsgate has been approached regarding a theme park concept for The Hunger Games franchise. CEO Jon Feltheimer mentioned that he has been approached in two territories about possible theme parks. There is no telling exactly what these concepts would be about or where they would show up, but it would be awkward for sure. I don't know if many theme park guests would want to ride and attraction that focused on children killing each other. I also don't know what park this would appear at. I would assume Lionsgate would have to sell certain rights to the franchise to get it to appear inside Universal Studios and I doubt Disney would jump on it.

In other theme park news, Disney CEO Bob Iger elaborated on the rumors of a Star Wars takeover of the Disney Parks worldwide. He confirmed that concepts for more Star Wars attractions are in development at Disney Imagineering for Disneyland in California and Disneyworld in Florida, but there is nothing set in stone just yet. He also says once the domestic concepts are completed they will move on to include more Star Wars in the international parks in Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

Halloween Horror Nights gets a monster remix

Yes, even more Halloween Horror Nights news.

There is a contest going via SyFy for original monsters created by fans to be included in a haunted maze at Universal Studios, but now the winning monsters will be joined by classics in Universal Monsters Remix: Resurrection. The classics being included are Frankenstein and his bride, Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Mummy spanning the scares from the early 20's to the 40's.

Universal Monsters Remix: Resurrection opens alongside Evil Dead: Book of the Dead, Insidious: Into the Further, The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven, Curse of Chucky, The Purge: Survive the Night, and Black Sabbath 13 3D at Universal Studios Hollywood. Halloween Horror Nights kicks off in Hollywood and Orlando on September 20th.

American Werewolf in London joins Halloween Horror Nights

Universal is really pulling out the stops with Halloween Horror Nights this year. Holy cow.

It was just announced that Universal Studios Orlando will host a maze (aka, Scare Zone) for An American Werewolf in London. The maze will follow the events of the film but will amp up the terror and the intensity. Well, so they say.
Unfortunately this will only be at the Orlando park and not in Hollywood. The other Orlando only maze is The Cabin in the Woods. I mentioned the other day (link) the new mazes announced for Curse of Chucky and The Purge at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The film followed two college students backpacking across Europe. During a full moon in the moors of England they are attacked by a mysterious creature tainting one of them with the werewolf curse.

Curse of Chucky and The Purge join Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights just keeps getting bigger and bigger. In addition to mazes for Evil Dead, The Walking Dead, Insidious: Chapter 2, The Cabin in the Woods, and Black Sabbath 13, we now have word that mazes and "scare zones" for Curse of Chucky and The Purge are joining in.

Chucky has made several appearances at Halloween Horror Nights and this year they are utilizing the stage to promote the new Child's Play film, Curse of Chucky, which is out on DVD/Blu-Ray on October 8th.
The Purge is a bit of a surprise for me as the reviews on it wavered a lot. However, it did do pretty well at the box office so I guess I shouldn't be too shocked. The Purge: Survive the Night will push guests into the world where all crime is legal for 12-hours.

Ironically, both Curse of Chucky and The Purge come out on DVD/Blu-Ray on October 8th, so this very well could just be a good marketing tool. I still haven't seen The Purge but I didn't think it necessarily looked like a horror movie so the inclusion confuses me a bit.
So far there isn't anything posted on the HHN websites specifying which park these will appear at. So far the only park specific mazes are Insidious: Into the Further (Hollywood only) and The Cabin in the Woods (Orlando only).  I would assume at least one of these will be park specific and my bet is on The Purge: Survive the Night. I have no doubt the Chucky maze will be at both parks.

[UPDATE] - Apparently Curse of Chucky and The Purge: Survive the Night will only be at Universal Studios Hollywood. This comes with the announcement of Orlando's An American Werewolf in London scare zone. 

#UniversalHHN

Insidious joins Halloween Horror Nights

Along with the announcement of the Black Sabbath 13 haunted maze for Halloween Horror Nights, we have received word there will also be an Indisious themed maze which will allow guests to explore The Further. The paranormal will be based off both Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2.

Insidious: Chapter 2 hits theaters on September 13, 2013.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights runs at both Hollywood and Orlando beginning on September 20th.



#UniversalHHN

Evil Dead joining Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

So far the only project announced for Universal Studios' annual Halloween Horror Nights was for The Cabin in the Woods. Now we have some news that there will also be a haunted maze for Evil Dead. Naturally it will be based off the 2013 reboot directed by Fede Alvarez and will feature, like the film did, an abundance of practical effects.
TouringPlans also insists that there will be new Halloween shows including "Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" and a Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute. The shows will likely replace the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue.

Universal Studios Hollywood creative director John Murdy stated:

"If you’re familiar with what we do with Halloween Horror Nights, we create living horror movies. So we want make our guests feel like they got up from their movie seat, walked through the screen, and now they get to live through the world of Evil Dead. So we’re bringing it to life with movie-quality sets, makeup, costumes and props. It’ll be like living the experience for real"

 Michael Aiello, Universal Orlando's assistant director of creative development, added:

"We’re attacking both these mazes on both coasts as fans of the movie. Taking that movie, taking elements from the film, it’s kind of a chronological retelling of that film for our guests. But it always comes from a place of total fandom about the properties that we use, in this case, Evil Dead being an amazing horror film remake of the classic Evil Dead film series."

Halloween Horror Nights runs at Universal Studios parks in Hollywood, CA and Orlando, FL from September 20th to November 2nd. 

#EvilDead

Universal Studios to open a Simpsons theme park

Universal Studios Orlando has announced their plans to open a Simpsons "land" next to the current Simpsons attraction in the main park. The land will basically be a rendition of Springfield complete with a Kwik-E-Mart and a Moe's Tavern. Guests will also be able to purchase Duff Beer, Krusty Burgers, fish from The Frying Dutchman, or donuts from the Lard Lad.

Universal Creative president Mark Woodbury says he sought out to create the land for the fans so they can experience what has only ever been seen on television.


This honestly might get me to finally go to a Universal Studios park. I am a huge Simpsons fan, well of the old Simpsons, and would love to walk around Springfield. The only thing I am curious about is how many characters will appear and how. Will they just be statues or...?

The Walking Dead joins Halloween Horror Nights

I previously posted about Silent Hill joining Halloween Horror Nights at the Universal Studios parks in Orlando and Hollywood, but we now have news of a new haunted maze themed around the popular AMC show The Walking Dead. The themed maze will be featured at both Universal Studios parks in Orlando and Hollywood and are supposed to be very elaborate and close to the feel of the TV show.

Shit... I might have to try and check out Halloween Horror Nights this year. I might be in California this October.

Silent Hill to join Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

I have never been to Halloween Horror Nights, unfortunately, but it is basically Universal Studios' way of getting into the Halloween spirit. It is a combination of haunted houses and mazes based off horror film icons. The event started in 1991 and takes place in Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore at the various Universal Studios parks. In previous years there have been mazes based off Child's Play, Saw, Tales from the Crypt, Beetlejuice, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, House of 1000 Corpses, and many more.

For the 2012 Halloween Horror Nights it has been announced that there will be a maze based off the video game series and movie franchise Silent Hill. The maze's official title is Welcome to Silent Hill.

I personally liked the video game but I really hated the movie so I feel like my enjoyment of this if I got to see it would depend on which one they are basing it off. Not to mention there is a new Silent Hill movie coming out soon so this is probably more promotion for that than anything else.