These Recently Introduced Universal Monsters Animatronic Figures Are Impressive
Through the decades, characters like Frankenstein, Dracula, the Werewolf, and the Beast from the Dark Lagoon have been revived and showcased in various platforms. These include movies, television shows, toys, and even at amusement parks. Hence, when establishing a fresh theme park zone dedicated to these legendary creatures, the Epic Universe team was faced with an intriguing question: How can we make famed figures seem new and exciting? The answer was simple: by making them come to life right before our very eyes.
Universal recently unveiled sneak peeks of the robotic monsters from the ride “Unchained Monsters: The Frankenstein Project,” located inside the Dark Universe section of Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. This is Universal's innovative, IP-filled theme park scheduled to open at Universal Studios Orlando in May. Based on these glimpses, it appears that the standards have been notably elevated for these creatures.
The video suggests the designs have reached a perfect balance, as they perfectly embody the iconic characters while still bearing a subtle update and a hint of intimidation. However, it's worth noting that this eerie quality will largely depend on how each monster is incorporated into the ride itself, whose details remain hidden.
Universal shares that the ride features fifteen animatronics in total, which includes multiple versions of each character and a few thrilling surprises. The ride description goes, “‘Unchained Monsters: The Frankenstein Project’ transports guests into the dank corridors of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein—the great-great-granddaughter of the notorious Henry Frankenstein—carries out her twisted and misguided experiments. Under the pretext of showcasing her monster control skills, she invites guests to attend her demonstration. However, her experiment backfires, and a horde of enraged monsters are unleashed. Guests then engage in a chilling journey through the darkness, attempting to escape Dracula, the Werewolf, the Beast from the Dark Lagoon, and more.”
A few more images are provided below.
If the queue for the ride becomes too lengthy, alternative versions of the monsters will also roam around the theme park, along with additional characters. According to the press release, “Guests not yet ready to face ‘Unchained Monsters: The Frankenstein Project’ will still have the opportunity to interact with legendary Monsters and characters throughout Dark Universe, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the alluring Bride of Frankenstein. Guests will also encounter various inhabitants wandering the eerie village, such as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant, the Invisible Man, a peculiar monster hunter, and a skilled musician who entertains guests with songs and anecdotes.”
Dark Universe is just one of the five sections at Epic Universe, ensuring visitors will have a packed day.
Tickets for the park are currently available, although the process may be complex. Discover the specifics in our article here or visit the official site for more information.
For additional io9 news, check out the expected release dates for the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek franchises, future plans for the DC Universe in film and TV, and all the essential details about the future of Doctor Who.
The integration of technology in the "Unchained Monsters: The Frankenstein Project" ride at Epic Universe is anticipated to revolutionize the way legendary creatures like Dracula and the Beast from the Dark Lagoon are presented in the future of movies and theme parks, as per io9's predictions. The advances in animatronics and design, showcased in the sneak peeks, have raised the bar for monster representation, potentially leading to a new era of theme park entertainment.
