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News : May 2004 : Page 1

http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/travelgetaways/3328028/detail.html

Universal Orlando Debuts New 'Mummy' Ride Riders Come Face To Face With Fear

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Universal Studios is going all out to become a premiere destination.

No longer satisfied to be the "other park" in central Florida, the Universal Orlando Resort boasts two theme parks, three hotels, an entertainment complex and a bunch of new rides.

On Thursday, Universal Studios hosted a grand opening event to unveil its latest big attraction, "Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride."

Press and some invited guests were invited to be the first to experience the ride. The attraction opens to the general public Friday.

After 10 years in research and development, creators of the "Revenge Of The Mummy" hope to change the face of thrill rides as we know them. Based on the popular, "The Mummy" movies, the ride incorporates the action theme of the movie with some indoor rollercoaster spills and chills.

Actors Brendan Fraser and "Mummy" Arnold Vosloo were front and center for the opening and stepped into a "Revenge" roller coaster car, took the plunge and then gave their thumbs up. It's definitely good for an adrenaline rush and extreme thrill riders won't be disappointed. There's a 50-foot roller coaster drop in the dark, a 6-foot-8-inch, 650-pound animatronic mummy, and riders are brought face to face with fear, including fear of bugs, fear of the dark, and especially fear of being out of control.

"It has twists and turns and surprises around every corner. It's the ooey gooey stuff that makes it all come together," said Scott Trowbridge vice president of design and creative development for Universal Parks and Resorts, who headed the team who created the intricate ride. If you're considering taking the family to Universal Orlando Resorts and want to experience the "Revenge Of The Mummy: The Ride," the creators say it's best for bigger kids, aged 8 and up. Other areas of the park have some tamer thrills for smaller children.

Before I embarked on what Universal is calling "the world's first psychological thrill ride," I was a certified wimp. By the time a few hours had passed by, I had taken on the "Mummy" three times. It's one of those attractions you'll want to see again and again. But keep telling yourself, it's only a ride.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=8322

Revenge of the Mummy The Ride opens at Universal Orlando

WHAT IT IS:

A first-of-its-kind psychological thrill ride, Revenge of The Mummy - The Ride taps into riders' primal fears through immersion in a total multi-sensory environment. Utilizing space-age robotics, sophisticated motion picture technology, state-of-the-art ride, audio, and special effects engineering, the ride plays upon common human phobias: fear of the dark, fear of insects, fear of speed, fear of heights, fear of evil spirits, and fear of death. Employing the same technology utilized in futuristic magnetic levitation trains, Revenge of The Mummy - The Ride marks a new evolution in roller coasters by fusing an electro-magnetic propulsion launch system with linear induction motor ride tracks.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:

With a combined ten years in research and development, Revenge of The Mummy - The Ride is the first indoor ride in history to fuse state-of-the-art roller coaster technology with highly-themed dark ride environments and Hollywood special effects.

THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION:

Universal's attraction designers worked in close collaboration with the filmmakers and stars of the highly popular "Mummy" movies. This involvement includes: Stephen Sommers, director and writer of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns;" Bob Ducsay, editor of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" and executive producer for "The Mummy Returns;" Brendan Fraser and Arnold Vosloo, stars of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns;" Alan Silvestri, composer of the original score for "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns."

RIDE TRACK:

The revolutionary ride track features linear induction motors designed to propel the ride vehicles through 2,200 feet of curves, drops, and sweeping turns, containing seven near "zero G" moments. At one point, the vehicle falls 25 feet at a 50-degree angle, providing the sensation of falling straight down. The ride tracks, which are strategically filled with sand, are designed to minimize sound and create a noise-free ride ... except for the screams!

THE BACKWARDS CHALLENGE:

It is the only indoor roller coaster to employ forward and backward motion through the technique of track switching. During one particularly hair-raising moment in the ride, the ride vehicle will come to a halt, its way blocked by a dead-end wall, out of which will pour thousands of hungry scarabs, heading straight for the riders. Just in time, the vehicle actually switches tracks and slips backwards down a steep drop before being launched into a high-speed escape.

EGYPTIAN ARTIFACTS AND AUTHENTICITY:

Themed elements of the ride are the most elaborate ever created for a thrill ride experience. Universal Studios' ride producers traveled to London's British Museum and also worked with leading experts in Egyptology from the Oriental Institute of Chicago to assure the authenticity of the ride's shadowy, curse-ridden interior.

AUDIO SYSTEM:

Revenge of The Mummy - The Ride surrounds guests with more than 18,000 watts of sound from more than 200 speakers placed strategically throughout the attraction. Aboard each individual mine-car ride vehicle, guests are enveloped with sound from 22 speakers reverberating more than 350 watts of audio.

MINE CARE RIDE VEHICLES:

16 passengers will be secured into a mine care ride vehicle, with up to five vehicles navigating the ride track at one time. The roller coaster launch sends the vehicle climbing approximately 45 feet at a 25-degree slop in 1.5 seconds with acceleration forces in excess of 1G, which is roughly the same acceleration performance as a Porsche Carrera.

IMHOTEP'S MINION APPARITIONS:

(25) 30" X 20" black-light apparitions of Imhotep's ghostly minions are dispersed throughout the roller coaster portion of the attraction. The "lost soul" apparitions emerge from total darkness, and soar past, appearing to guests in flashing split-second blinding images. This unique after-burn effect is perceived on a near-subliminal level, helping to "sear" the haunting, ghostly images into guests' minds.

LENGTH OF RIDE:

2,200 feet of dual rail track making up a four-minute experience - the scariest ever experienced in an indoor roller coaster thrill ride.

RAPID SPEED:



The ride catapults guests using linear induction motors at rapid speeds up to 45 mph through virtual darkness. It is the first attraction to use linear induction technology to propel vehicles through a themed environment.

EFFECTS:

At 6'8" and 650 pounds, the ride contains a robotic animated figure of the Mummy that is the most realistic and fluid animated figure ever created. The ride places "Brain Fire" flames directly over guests' heads, the first time an attraction has ever created a true immersive flame effect, with temperatures at ceiling level exceeding 3,400 degrees Fahrenheit. A smoke curtain effect at the launch of the coaster consumes up to 2,500 gallons of liquid nitrogen per day.

SCENICS:

More than 60,000 pounds of gypsum was used to fabricate the "ancient" slabs of stone making up the walls throughout the Mummy's tomb. More than 3,000 sheets of gold foil were used to create the Mummy's gleaming treasure in the attractions - foil that is typically used as wrapping paper for hamburgers. The huge statue of Anubis hanging in the stairwell of the attraction building weighs one ton. Many of the hieroglyphics decorating the walls spell out real words and warnings to the visitors.
http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/516/516870p1.html

POSTED: 12:00 pm EDT May 19, 2004

Sommers Talks Mummy 3 Will he return to direct it?

May 19, 2004 - Writer-director Stephen Sommers spoke with Sci Fi Wire about a possible third outing for The Mummy. "I've done my Mummys," said Sommers. "There may be a third Mummy, but I need to do a small movie about two girls chatting on a beach."

Although cast members like Arnold Vosloo have publicly said their game for another sequel, Sommers isn't even thinking about Mummy 3 these days. "A lot of people have been talking about sequels, but what they forget is that I'm the one who has to make it," the filmmaker added.

"I'm just tired right now. As soon as I finish this [Van Helsing haunted house attraction for Universal Studios' theme park], I'm going to go to the beach. I've been working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, for two years. This is my last event for a while."

There's no word yet on whether Sommers has decided yet to write and direct Flash Gordon or to just produce it.
http://www.wesh.com/travelgetaways/3327191/detail.html

POSTED: 12:00 pm EDT May 20, 2004

New Universal Attraction Supernatural Thriller

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Universal Studios opened its "Revenge of the Mummy" attraction Thursday that it claims is 4,000 years in the making.

The stars of the Mummy series of movies, actors Brendan Fraser and Arnold Vosloo, introduced the rollercoaster style ride to legions of eager fans, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

Mike Hightower, the ride's creator, explained that while ancient Egypt may be the theme, creating fear was the central focus of his endeavor.

"The fear of darkness, fear of falling, the fear of bugs, and the fear of being out of control," Hightower said.

While on the big screen, Fraser finds the mummy. In reality, however, Imhotep's tomb has never been found, leaving experts to debate his whereabouts. But according to Egyptologist Dr. Peter Lacovara, the search is still on.

"I don't know. People are still looking, so maybe someday they'll find it," said Lacovara.

"Revenge of the Mummy" is the most expensive new ride at any local park this summer and promises to be a supernatural attraction.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizclarke12051204may12,1,4050626.column?coll=orl-business-headlines

09:00am ET, 7-May-04

Vosloo to attend opening of Revenge Of the Mummy Ride

SPEAKING OF . . . Universal, that unveiling -- or, more appropriately, unwrapping -- of the Revenge of the Mummy ride will include a few Hollywood celebs.

I got a peek at the guest list and the RSVPs include Brendan Fraser and Arnold Vosloo, who starred in the Mummy movie. The two will have some fun with pyrotechnics at the grand opening, playing a role as the doors to the "tomb" are blown open. The big blow-out ushers in the biggest new ride among Orlando attractions this summer.

As for the Mummy himself, workers on Tuesday installed the star of the show, a 650-pound robotic gizmo that looks appropriately after-life like -- complete with rotted skin.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-film.html?2004-05/07/12.00.film

09:00am ET, 7-May-04

Vosloo Wrapped Up In Mummy 3

Arnold Vosloo, who played the title monster in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, told SCI FI Wire that he wants to reprise his role and thinks a third installment could happen soon. "I think we'll do a third one maybe in two more years or so," Vosloo said in an interview. "We'll do a third Mummy, and we expect to be doing more of them."

In a separate interview, Mummy writer/director Stephen Sommers said that he has not thought as far ahead as Vosloo. "I haven't had time to think about it," Sommers said. "I've been working on [Van Helsing] for two years."

Vosloo joked that his character is tougher than any that Hugh Jackman's Van Helsing character faces in the new film. "We'll have the mummy come back and kick Van Helsing's ass in two years' time," Vosloo said.


http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=360&fArticleId=418272

Forgiveness News Article

April 28, 2004

Respected Hong Kong and The Netherlands-based Fortissimo Film Sales has picked up international rights to Forgiveness, a local drama from the DV8 stable.

With a cast headed by international star Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy franchise), Forgiveness tells the story of an ex-cop on an elegiac search for redemption in the austere West Coast fishing town of Paternoster. His arrival signals the start of a cathartic re-birth for the family of one of his victims and triggers a ferocious road trip for three comrades bent on revenge.

It was written by prolific screenwriter Greg Latter, previously responsible for the Leon Schuster hit Mr. Bones, and helmed by well-regarded commercials director Ian Gabriel, making his feature debut.

Forgiveness is the second completed production by DV8, a digital feature film initiative launched by Jeremy Nathan and Joel Phiri with backing from Rand Merchant Bank, The National Film & Video Foundation, local broadcaster SABC2 and distribution-exhibition outfit Ster-Kinekor.

Gabriel says the film's tone and style is reminiscent of the "classic Western archetype with Paternoster as the sparse backdrop" .

"Forgiveness is really quite a debut," said Wouter Barendrecht, Fortissimo co-chief.

"It is one of the first digital video films that I've ever seen which is truly cinematic." It was lensed by Giulio Biccari, South Africa's leading cinema-tographer, and boasts a host of local talent, including Zane Meas, Quanita Adams, Christo Davids, Denise Newman and Lionel Newton.

Forgiveness will be released in theatres by Ster Kinekor on June 24.

DV8 is expected to make 12 features over three years, and is close to completing Max and Mona aka The King of Tears, which will receive an October mainstream theatrical release by Ster Kinekor.

The film - written and directed by Teddy Mattera and produced by Tendeka Matatu - tells the tale of a professional village mourner given a baptism of fire in the city of Joburg. - Tonight Reporter


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