Who's going to get Middle Earth Land? Disney or Universal?

[Flyerjab]

As an avid fan of Tolkien's written works - it was my first love - I would rather not see it end up in any of the parks anywhere. I love that you actually can see Hobbiton, but that it is in a land far away.

It is funny too because I really liked what Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings, but absolutely hated what he did with The Hobbit.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Tokein's dislike of Disney is well documented http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company


"I recognize [Walt Disney's] talent, but it has always seemed to me hopelessly corrupted. Though in most of the 'pictures' proceeding from his studios there are admirable or charming passages, the effect of all of them to me is disgusting. Some have given me nausea."

There are reports that it is written in Tolkein's will that anything Middle Earth related would never go anywhere near Disney. I've heard mention that JK Rowling even talked about this regarding Potter.

So this guy would like the work that Universal produces more?

I agree that it is likely that JRR Tolkein wouldn't have sold to any theme park, way back when. My grandmother wouldn't have cared for smart phones, either. All I'm saying is that it's a different time, and different people are making decisions now. That change will continue. Someday, what's left of the family will sell. I won't care, since I'm not a fan, but money talks.

 

[Eoghann]

So this guy would like the work that Universal produces more?

I agree that it is likely that JRR Tolkein wouldn't have sold to any theme park, way back when. My grandmother wouldn't have cared for smart phones, either. All I'm saying is that it's a different time, and different people are making decisions now. That change will continue. Someday, what's left of the family will sell. I won't care, since I'm not a fan, but money talks.

Tolkien flat out didn't want movies never mind a theme park. He was a grumpy old man even for his day. The Tolkien estate as run by his son wants no part of either. There are two possible scenarios at this point:

1) Warner's wins their legal case and has the rights to build/license theme park properties based soley of the movies
2) Wait a few decades until the Tolkien estate is clear of all immediate relatives.

 

[atricks]

So this guy would like the work that Universal produces more?

I agree that it is likely that JRR Tolkein wouldn't have sold to any theme park, way back when. My grandmother wouldn't have cared for smart phones, either. All I'm saying is that it's a different time, and different people are making decisions now. That change will continue. Someday, what's left of the family will sell. I won't care, since I'm not a fan, but money talks.

Neither is likely, but Universal is certainly more likely than Disney because of the will and the fact Universal was able to get both Dr. Suess' widow and Rowling to go along with it. (And neither of them wanted anything to do with Disney) The only thing comparable would be Mary Poppins', Mark Twain, etc, but even then most of Disney's core was all public domain stories with the authors long passed.

 

[gorkt]

After seeing HP world I just think Universal would do a better job at recreating an existing movie franchise. Maybe Avatar and Star Wars will change my mind but Universal did a fantastic job with the fantasy genre with Harry Potter. I kind of hope it never happens though.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

Seems to me a Lord of the rings area would need to be larger than most. it isn't like Harry Potter...more like Avatar...Avatar works in Animal Kingdom because of the feel of the area..while I know many here might argue, I don't think Avatar would work in HS. But I think if Universal got it, they would try to replicate it like Harry Potter, in a smaller area. I could be wrong, but they just don't have the same area to work with. I don't think Disney will every get it, and I think if Universal does it wouldn't turn out as well as Harry Potter for that reason.

 

[Planogirl]

Seems to me a Lord of the rings area would need to be larger than most. it isn't like Harry Potter...more like Avatar...Avatar works in Animal Kingdom because of the feel of the area..while I know many here might argue, I don't think Avatar would work in HS. But I think if Universal got it, they would try to replicate it like Harry Potter, in a smaller area. I could be wrong, but they just don't have the same area to work with. I don't think Disney will every get it, and I think if Universal does it wouldn't turn out as well as Harry Potter for that reason.

Rumor has it that UNI bought a huge empty plot of land on the other side of I-4. If true, who knows what they plan to do with it.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

They would maximize it more than just one land. That's my thought at least. They don't own enough land to devote the land some would say it deserves. The cost of that land is more than that I perceive

 

[Aurora0427]

As an avid fan of Tolkien's written works - it was my first love - I would rather not see it end up in any of the parks anywhere. I love that you actually can see Hobbiton, but that it is in a land far away.

It is funny too because I really liked what Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings, but absolutely hated what he did with The Hobbit.

I agree. The idea of Professor Tolkein's incredible world of Middle Earth ending up at a theme park makes me shudder. His books and essays are just too beautiful. Literary masterpieces.

I too loved what Jackson did with the LOTR films, and I think he did the best possible job of putting that literary masterpiece on film. The Hobbit films are almost unwatchable.

 

[Accident]

this wouldn't be a destination for me, I'd rather go to nz and see the real thing.

 

[rteetz]

Rumor has it that UNI bought a huge empty plot of land on the other side of I-4. If true, who knows what they plan to do with it.

That's fact not rumor.