Will the awaited Transformers ride use the IOA Spiderman ride technology ?

I think it's fair to say that any theme park fan considers the Spider-Man Ride at Islands of Adventure one of the best rides in the world. For many, it's even THE best ride in the world. Now, how good of news would it be if a totally NEW ride using the same technology was coming anytime soon? That would be a great news, wouldn't it? Well, if all that I've been told is true, this new ride should open at Universal Singapore in 2011 and it will be the long-awaited Transformers ride.

Universal Singapore is opening early next year, probably in February or March, but as is often the case when Disney or Universal opens a new theme park, they keep one big E-Ticket to open one or two years after the main opening, just to re-boost the new park. In the case of Universal Singapore it will be the totally new Transformers ride in Sci-Fi City land. And one year later, in 2012, the Transformers ride will open in Universal Hollywood in the former Backdraft building.

All the news I have about it from my good sources seems to confirm that the Transformers ride will use the same technology as the Spider-Man ride at IOA i.e a vehicle mounted on a simulation platform moving in real decor with huge rear projection and all in 3D. The first Spider-Man ride was designed for Universal by Landmark Entertainment, but apparently it seems that this time the creative guys at Universal are designing the Transformers ride by themselves. They will create brand new software for the ride or they will "adapt" the Spider-Man program to the Transformers ride. Also, the new ride will benefit from enhancement in high definition 3D technology.

It's always better to wait for confirmation, but the fact is that using the Spider-Man technology on a Transformers ride is probably the best choice for Universal. Transformers' robots would be difficult to create as Audio-Animatronics, especially when they transform themselves, and a 3D projection would be definitely the easiest way to resolve the problem with a spectacular, and even frightening, result. Just think about one of these robotics arms popping out of the screen, or a rocket launched by one of them as we can see in the rendering above... Which doesn't mean that no Transformers robot can't be expected as AAs. They could do it more easily as long as the robot is not transforming itself and it seems that the ride will also feature two-story tall robots going at it all around you...



Another question is: will they add new effects that were not included, technically speaking, in the Spider-Man ride? Well, it now may be important to remember that the Transformers ride will be build at Universal Hollywood in the former Backdraft building....which, as everybody knows, was a real "pyrotechnic" attraction. Which means that all the gas installation that would be needed to create fire and flames effect are already there - and God knows that there was really a LOT of fire in the Backdraft attraction! So, can we expect pyrotechnic effects in the future Transformers ride? Although it's my own pure speculation, i think we can bet on this, even if it is just for the pleasure. Let's say that there will be a real logic for Universal to recycle their gas installation to add spectacular effects in this new ride.



Above: A marketing picture for the Backdraft attraction.

You may also ask if the Disney deal with Marvel is responsible of not building a Spider-Man ride at Universal Singapore. Frankly, I don't think there is a correlation with the Disney-Marvel deal, as the choice of doing a Transformers attraction was done before they signed it. But Marvel had also envisioned to build their own Marvel theme park in Dubai as it was announced in March 2007. I'm not sure the project is still going on but they were supposed to build attraction on a full library of Super Heroes - including Spider-Man, Iron Man, The X-Men, Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer. And Dubai is not that far from Singapore, so maybe it was a problem for Universal to get the rights to build the Spider-Man ride in Singapore...which eventually may have lead them to design a brand new attraction using the same technology...

The Spider-Man ride exists only at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Japan, and if, just like me, you were wondering why it was not envisioned for Universal Singapore, now you have the answer. Instead of the Spider-Man ride, they will have the Transformers ride with the same technology, and, let's hope, the same pleasure for the guests.

One last word: Universal said some months ago that Michael Bay was involved in the making of this Tansformers ride, and, well, ooops, it seems that Bay had yet to approve the concept and this kind of false announcement really infuriated him as he said on his web site last year: “They had me in a press release saying I supported it – but Universal has a long way to go in my mind. I don’t support it – I’m not involved and not sure the story of the ride works, and I know Optimus is not going to just show up to be directed by some new people that have never worked with him. I hate when people bullsh*t a quote from me that I never said. I’ll keep you informed. Maybe the guy making the rides at Universal will direct Transformers 3?“

They've probably resolved the problem with Michael Bay by now, and that shouldn't stop this awaited ride to open in Singapore in 2011. Is Disney and more going to do a special report when it opens? You bet I will!


Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat

Many thanks to Nate Walz for the editing of this article.

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Pascal Pinteau's book "Jouets Cultes" is simply one of the best book ever done about toys

Pascal Pinteau is the french movie special effects specialist who did some years ago this fantastic book called "Special Effects: An Oral History - Interviews with 37 Masters Spanning 100 Years", always available in english edition on Amazon.com and that i highly recommand. Last month, his new book called "Jouets Cultes" - Cult Toys in english - was released, and, frankly, it's simply one of the best book ever done about toys, and a perfect Christmas gift.

In the book Pascal talks about all these cult toys that many generations played with, from early last century Meccano to the 1980's Transformers. Visually, the book is absolutely stunning with hundreds of photographs, but it's the history of each toy that also makes this book captivating.

The first chapter is about one of the oldest toy: the Meccano and we learn how Frank Hornby in 1899 got the idea of this beloved construction game when he saw a crane during a train travel. He was looking for a Christmas toy idea for his children, and this is how it all began!



Another amazing toy origin is the one of the Silly Putty, invented during world war two when James Wright, a scottish engineer, created in 1943 a new kind of plasticine who was bouncing like a rubber bullet. He didn't knew what to do with this strange material that was not interesting the army and it's only after the end of the war in 1949 that it will become a toy for generations... All along, the book is full of these kind of incredible and fascinating stories about the toys origins, whether it is Mr Potato Head...



...the world famous LEGO



...or the also hugely successful G.I.Joe



If you remember the wonderful models that Aurora did for the Universal Monsters, Marvel super-heroes and many more, you'll be delight by the full chapter dedicated to them.



The Corgi Toys, Etch a sketck, the Viewmaster 3D, or legendary Hot Wheels all have a special chapter in this incredibly illustrated book. And do you remember the great space age toy Matt Mason created by Mattel in 1962 and inspired by NASA researchs? I had plenty of Matt Mason toys when i was a kid, and loved them! 40 years later the japanese did some copies of it, unfortunately not as good as the original...



All of these legendary toys are in Pascal's book, one of the last chapter being about the Transformers toys saga always incredibly popular since the beginning in the 1980's.



Another great idea of the book are Pascal recommandations at the end of each chapter for one who wish to buy some of these vintage toys. Everything you have to know and care about to be sure that you will buy a real good vintage one.

The book who has 520 pages, cost 46,55 euros can be found on Amazon.fr and for now is published only in a french edition, with french text - but pictures are in international language! There will very probably be an english edition in a near future, and of course i will let you know.

All pictures: copyright Nouveau Monde Editions

Transformers " E-Ticket " ride will open at Universal Studios in 2011

Universal Studios confirmed that a Transformers attraction will open in 2011, and i think we can expect a big "E" Ticket ride...The attraction is schedule to open first at Universal Studios Sentosa in Singapore which open in 2010. Universal released two renderings of this awaited ride and more details in the official press release that you will find below.



'Transformers' to be Developed as Theme Park Mega-Attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 20 -- "Transformers," the electrifying blockbuster celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and special effects, will now be developed as a new theme park mega-attraction in a partnership between Universal Parks & Resorts, Hasbro, Inc. and DreamWorks Pictures.

The attraction will fuse 3D-HD media, mega special effects and stunning robotics with a ride system that will transform perceptions of theme park experiences. The rides are scheduled to make their debuts in early 2011, first at Universal Studios Singapore and then at Universal Studios Hollywood. In "Transformers," Earth's humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between the friendly Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.

Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said: "'Transformers' will be a jewel in our collection of world-class rides based on great movies. We're thrilled to be collaborating with Hasbro, DreamWorks, director Michael Bay and the film's executive producer, Steven Spielberg, who has been responsible for so many of our signature rides and attractions." Steven Spielberg serves as creative consultant to Universal Parks & Resorts and has worked closely with the company in the creation of some of the world's most innovative theme park attractions. Those attractions include Jurassic Park-the Ride, a featured attraction at UP&R parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan, the E.T. Adventure at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Japan, and the "War of the Worlds" sets at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said "'Transformers' represents a perfect match for our theme park: an exhilarating blockbuster with a great story, clever humor, non-stop action and flawless special effects. It has all the elements necessary to become one of the world's most exciting theme park rides and a centerpiece attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A."

"We are thrilled to be working with Universal Parks & Resorts and DreamWorks to create this 'Transformers' attraction because we believe it will deliver an ultimate one of a kind immersive 'Transformers' experience for our fans around the world!" said Brian Goldner, President and CEO of Hasbro, Inc.

Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World at Sentosa, the mega resort that is home to Universal Studios Singapore, said: "It is great that Asia will be the launch pad for the first Transformers attraction. Transformers was introduced in the United States in 1983 but traces its roots to Asia. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron are familiar names to Asian audiences, who grew up with the robot toys and love the movie. When Transformers opens in Universal Studios Singapore in 2010, it will be the first of its kind in the world. We may see a surge of Transformers mania.

Director Michael Bay and Executive Producer Steve Spielberg presented "Transformers" in 2007. "Transformers" broke box office records on its way to gathering worldwide gross revenues of over $706 million -- the highest non-sequel gross of any movie in 2007 -- and three Academy Award nominations. The sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," is scheduled to be released by Paramount Pictures in the U.S. on June 26, 2009.