May 14- Great Plans Dashed by Less-Than-Great Movies
I’ve gotten a few ‘reviews’ of the “Speed Racer” flick from blog readers, and many of you felt that, it was a visual treat, but, overall, not really making it as far as story. Though I have no doubt its eventual dvd sales will be great, I guess a mediocre showing at the box office by this movie will sow down or eliminate any Speed resurgence- so, no “Speed Racer” rides at the big theme parks, no Speed themed restaurants or quick oil change drive-throughs, etc.
This reminded me of some other movies that were to launch a franchise that went beyond just the screen- and how most of it never happened. Probably, the most recent, which we’ve talked about here before, was “Van Helsing”- the Hugh Jackman starring vehicle was supposed to be yet another step in relaunching the classic Universal monster franchise that “the Mummy” had started- with it leading to an animated series, special exhibits and rides at the Universal theme parks, loads of toys, and, of course, more movies. However, the lackluster
Box office numbers put a quick halt to all the spin-off shows and tie-ins, rather shortly after the movie hit theaters. Many said that it was the huge amount of computer-generated effects that turned off lovers of the classic films and monsters.
I’m not sure I’d buy that. I was actually quite a fan of Kate Beckinsale in that movie, though…maybe SHE should have been spun off into a new film with her character…
The theme–park tie-ins reminded me of a similar situation when I was doing radio back in the early 90s- and we were broadcasting from what was then the MGM Studios at Disney World. We interviewed Max Howard, who had been an animation administrator for the ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” film, and he stated that another Roger film was already in the works. There were all sorts of plans for several theme park attracts and more-right then, there was a gift shop with the “maroon Cartoons” theme, and displays of some gags –plus the big “Dip Machine” spouting smoke outside. However, as time passed- there was no sequel, and, though they built “Toon Town” it wasn’t really “Roger-centric.” I think they made one ride at the California park, but all the additional ones never got past the planning stages. The “Maroon Cartoon” gift shop is long gone as well.
On that same trip, there was a huge luncheon, presided over by Michael Eisner. He was touting the upcoming film “Dick Tracy” starring Warren Beatty and Madonna- and went over the many plans for Dick Tracy on Disney properties- many rides, gift stores, and, no doubt, many sequels. I remember
That, when the question and answer session started, a reporter asked Mr. Eisner what would happen to all these plans if, when “Dick Tracy” was released- it bombed? Eisner gruffly said, “I’ve seen it- it’s no bomb.”
So- did you ever see any Dick Tracy rides at Disney World?
This reminded me of some other movies that were to launch a franchise that went beyond just the screen- and how most of it never happened. Probably, the most recent, which we’ve talked about here before, was “Van Helsing”- the Hugh Jackman starring vehicle was supposed to be yet another step in relaunching the classic Universal monster franchise that “the Mummy” had started- with it leading to an animated series, special exhibits and rides at the Universal theme parks, loads of toys, and, of course, more movies. However, the lackluster
Box office numbers put a quick halt to all the spin-off shows and tie-ins, rather shortly after the movie hit theaters. Many said that it was the huge amount of computer-generated effects that turned off lovers of the classic films and monsters.
I’m not sure I’d buy that. I was actually quite a fan of Kate Beckinsale in that movie, though…maybe SHE should have been spun off into a new film with her character…
The theme–park tie-ins reminded me of a similar situation when I was doing radio back in the early 90s- and we were broadcasting from what was then the MGM Studios at Disney World. We interviewed Max Howard, who had been an animation administrator for the ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” film, and he stated that another Roger film was already in the works. There were all sorts of plans for several theme park attracts and more-right then, there was a gift shop with the “maroon Cartoons” theme, and displays of some gags –plus the big “Dip Machine” spouting smoke outside. However, as time passed- there was no sequel, and, though they built “Toon Town” it wasn’t really “Roger-centric.” I think they made one ride at the California park, but all the additional ones never got past the planning stages. The “Maroon Cartoon” gift shop is long gone as well.
On that same trip, there was a huge luncheon, presided over by Michael Eisner. He was touting the upcoming film “Dick Tracy” starring Warren Beatty and Madonna- and went over the many plans for Dick Tracy on Disney properties- many rides, gift stores, and, no doubt, many sequels. I remember
That, when the question and answer session started, a reporter asked Mr. Eisner what would happen to all these plans if, when “Dick Tracy” was released- it bombed? Eisner gruffly said, “I’ve seen it- it’s no bomb.”
So- did you ever see any Dick Tracy rides at Disney World?
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