Halloween is weeks away but already several horror attractions based on scary movies are being announced by the Universal theme parks in Los Angeles and Florida. These entertainment destinations each mount numerous fright attractions for Halloween known as mazes and scarezones.
The attractions that transplant movies or other familiar horror properties (including TV series) into experiential entertainment represent transmedia—which is refashioning a foundation property into a new medium with an original storyline.
Here’s what the Universal theme parks are rolling out for Halloween:
* The 1981 Universal Pictures movie “An American Werewolf in London” is the theme of a maze experience at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, starting Sept. 19. “John Landis’ iconic horror film and the groundbreaking makeup effects by Academy Award-winner Rick Baker have influenced generations of horror filmmakers and fans, and remains a classic of the genre,” John Murdy, Universal Studios Hollywood creative director and executive producer of Halloween Horror Nights, said in a press release.
* Universal Orlando Resort is offering theme park attraction Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood.” While not tied to a specific movie, the maze experience is a good fit with sister company Universal Pictures’ library of horror films.
* Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort set up attraction “The Purge: Anarchy” that a press release says is “inspired by Universal Pictures’ new thriller, which scored the highest opening for a horror film this year.”
* It’s not all Universal films. 20th Century Fox had a deal for its “Alien” and “Predator” franchises. Says a press release, “Each park’s maze will have a different narrative: In Hollywood, visitors will find a spaceship carrying the Predators and the Xenomorphs from the ‘Alien’ series, while in Orlando, the maze will center on a secret Weyland-Yutani corporation bio-weapons facility filled with the warring aliens.”
Late add Sept 1: Adds link to “Variety” story of Aug. 28 that Halloween movie franchise is added to Universal
Related content:
- “An American Werewolf in London” Takes A Bite Out Of “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood In An All-New Sinister Maze Inspired By Universal Pictures’ Academy Award Winning Film
- Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort Sink Their Teeth into “Dracula Untold,” a Terrifying New “Halloween Horror Nights” Maze Inspired By Universal Pictures’ Upcoming Epic Action-Adventure
- The World’s Premiere Halloween Event
- ‘Halloween’ Added to Halloween Horror Nights Maze Lineup
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