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Universal Studios Plans Orlando 'Epic Universe' Park
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Universal Studios Orlando will open a neighboring theme park called "Epic Universe" that could be home to its previously announced Super Nintendo World. Universal Orlando is already home to three other theme parks: Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Universal's Volcano Bay.
Epic Universe is Comcast NBCUniversal's largest theme park investment ever. Located just a few miles from Universal Studios Orlando proper, a 750-acre site will house the park along with restaurants, shopping, hotels, and other entertainment. Collider's Adam Chitwood posits that the new park could be home to Super Nintendo World after construction on the new park area "halted a couple years ago." Universal hasn't confirmed the location of Super Nintendo World yet. Universal released concept art for Epic Universe and one area resembles the previously leaked model of the Donkey Kong area.
Concept Art
Leaked model design
The Mario and Donkey Kong-themed areas are under construction at Universal Studios Osaka with plans to open next summer. Universal Studios Hollywood and Singapore will also open Super Nintendo World areas.
Nintendo and Universal Creative confirmed in 2016 that they are collaborating on the attractions. Nintendo had announced in May 2015 that it is partnering with Universal Parks & Resorts to bring Nintendo-themed attractions to Universal theme parks. Nintendo stated at the time that the "immersive experiences will include major attractions at Universal's theme parks and will feature Nintendo's most famous characters and games."
Illumination (Despicable Me, Minions, Sing), a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, is planning an animated film adaptation of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. game franchise. Both Nintendo and Universal Pictures are funding the project, and Universal Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Illumination founder Chris Meledandri revealed in November that the planned film is in “priority development” and may debut in theaters by 2022.
Source: Collider (Adam Chitwood) via Siliconera (Alistair Wong)
