Based on the phenomenally popular “Mummy” films that have
grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide and heralding a new era in thrill
rides, Universal Studios ride designers will introduce “Revenge
of the Mummy—The Ride,” the first attraction in history
to feature a fusion of threshold technology, high-speed roller coaster
engineering, CGI and other movie-based immersive storytelling techniques--
as signature attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal
Orlando.
“Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride,” set to open June
2004 at Universal Studios Hollywood, will be among the world’s
fastest indoor roller coasters.
Ten years in research and development, the indoor thrill ride will
integrate design concepts by visionary filmmaker Stephen Sommers, who
reinvigorated the classic Universal monster film “The Mummy”
in 1999’s worldwide smash and its even more popular sequel in
2001, both of which he wrote and directed.
The introduction of “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride”
coincides with Universal Studios Hollywood’s 40th Anniversary.
As the Hollywood landmark enters its fifth decade, the arrival of this
ground-breaking thrill ride signals a milestone in the transformation
of what was first conceived as a “behind the scenes look at Hollywood
filmmaking” into a world-class entertainment destination. The
movie-based theme park has fully evolved from its Studio Tour beginnings
by adding rides and attractions that employ the latest in both movie
and theme park technologies and offer both local and visiting guests
a uniquely immersive entertainment experience.
“This really is the latest evolution for the entire ride industry,”
said Scott Trowbridge, vice president of design and creative development
for Universal Parks & Resorts. “The ‘Revenge of the
Mummy’ ride is the next threshold attraction in our industry –
there is no other ride like it anywhere.”
The design and construction of the ride marks an unparalleled collaboration
between a director and producers from the worlds of moviemaking and
theme park design. Sommers’ longtime creative partner, Bob Ducsay,
also applied extensive creative input into the ride.
Unique methodology in theming and technical elements for the ride have
been conceived by the combined team resulting in a unique “High
Velocity Show Immersion System” that completely engulfs the riders’
senses in the eerily-haunted world of “Revenge of the Mummy.”
The ride will also possess elaborately staged “dark ride scenes”
and a revolutionary new ride track employing new linear induction motors
to create a series of visual, visceral and motion-based effects that
will continually surprise guests while drawing them into Sommers’
immersive storylines that have thrilled hundreds of millions of movie-goers
worldwide.
“This is really a thrill for me,” Sommers said. “I
am really energized to have the world of ‘The Mummy’ films
turned into a thrilling, scary, scream-worthy ride. This is in many
ways the next sequel of ‘The Mummy,’ and one that I personally
can’t wait to experience firsthand.
“I am especially happy that it extends my successful partnership
with Universal into a new and exciting area.”
In two of the world’s largest sound stages, unsuspecting guests
will be swept into a terrifying underworld of ancient Egypt awash in
deadly curses, powerful forces of nature and vengeful creatures intent
on wreaking havoc.
The same technology employed in futuristic trains using magnetic levitation
are being unveiled and utilized in the ride launch system. Among the
ride’s many unprecedented design elements, magnetic propulsion
launch wave systems will be employed throughout the experience, thrusting
riders forward, backward and forward again.
“Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride” themed elements will
be the most elaborate ever created for a thrill ride experience. Universal’s
ride producers have traveled to London’s British Museum to assure
the authenticity of the ride’s shadowy, curse-ridden interior
environment that will range from glistening golden amulets to dusty
canopic jars containing the grisly remains of the haunted long-deceased
royalty portrayed in the ride.
Other dramatic elements will include objects and figures that startlingly
materialize. Contrasting lighting effects will alter light levels from
daytime ambience to total darkness. The number and quality of the ride’s
fast-paced scenic effects will be unparalleled in theme park history
and the experience from inside each of the ride’s cars will vary.
Riders may experience different scenic elements each time they ride.
“When we conceived of attractions like ‘Back To The Future,’
‘Terminator 2-3D’ and ‘The Adventures of Spiderman,’
” Trowbridge said, “we envisioned that there was yet another
level to enthrall our guests. We researched and integrated technology
from a multitude of areas and then searched for the right story to make
this ride leap to life. ‘Revenge of the Mummy’ accomplishes
that.”
This new ride continues Universal Studios Hollywood’s’
successful tradition of creating attractions from its own library of
hit films, including “E.T.,” “Back To The Future”
and “Backdraft,” all of which have become popular attractions
at its theme parks. |
