This article is solely based on everything Orlando Park Stop’s Alicia Stella thinks she knows so far. Sources used in order to produce this article will be fully credited.
After a couple of years following the closure of Terminator 2: 3D at Universal Studios Florida, we know now that it is being replaced by The Bourne Stuntacular. HOWEVER! The question we have to ask…What will this new show be?
Set to open in spring 2020, Universal Orlando suggests that the new show will be “cutting edge, edge of your seat live show [which] will blur the lines between stage and cinema in a hybrid form of entertainment that has never been seen before.
So with that being said, we’re moving on!
The Bourne Stuntacular was officially announced by Universal on the 15th October, 2019. Universal defined the attraction1 as an “all-new live-action stunt show” which “will feature thrilling chase scenes, punishing fistfights, death-defying leaps and danger at every turn. It will all happen right in front of you with live performers, interactive props and an immense LED screen – making it impossible to determine where the live-action ends and the screen beings.”
1: This particular description of the attraction came from an accidental post revealing The Bourne Stuntacular.
According to Orlando Park Stop’s Alicia Stella, The Bourne Stuntacular will not be 3D. Instead, this all-new attraction will utilise a substantial LED screen.
Rumours suggest that the company TAIT has been hired to handle the above-mentioned aspect, according to Stella. The company have created special effects and sets for Broadway shows, concerts and other large venue events.
TAIT, according to Stella, specialise in concert lighting and LED effects, cutting-edge motion control systems for background elements and set pieces, robotic systems and more – all essentially working in tandem to produce a memorable experience that try to blend reality.
With the immersive special effects and LED screen background dealt with, the next aspect of the attraction to think about is the (stunt) actors. Nothing like Terminator 2:3D which only included live actors at the start and final portion in the auditorium.
Going by Stella’s wording, “The Bourne Stuntacular is said to include stunt actors throughout the entire performance”.
With that being said, who do you turn to when you want best and the most experience when it comes to stunts and stunt-trained actors? ACTION HORIZONS STUNTS (AHS) is the who you turn to.
AHS are the industry leader for stunt work in film, television and theme park attractions. In case you didn’t know, the team at AHS are behind the much-loved Waterworld show at Universal Studios Hollywood – not forgetting to mention the other Universal theme parks around the world.
RELATED: Training Begins on Bourne Identity Stunt Show Headed to Universal Studios Florida Spring 2020 | Stunt Actors Needed for Bourne Identity Stuntactular at Universal Studios Florida
Lets now discuss the building that will house The Bourne Stuntacular! To make way for this new attraction, significant changes are needed to be made to the theater.
With a substantial emphasis on stunts and live actors, The Bourne Stuntacular’s housing/theater’s structure itself was widened.
Extra wings were added to both the right and left sides of the theater. This essentially will allow for a much bigger stage that can extend out on the above-mentioned sides. It has to be stated also that back of the theater structure was extended as well.
This extension would allow a bit more backstage area for stunt actors and technical personnel.
Permits would suggest an expanded armoury where items like pyrotechnic effects, prop guns and more can be kept. The aerial photograph below with arrows shows where the theater has been expanded.
Staying on the subject of permits (construction), rumours suggested new vents would be installed on the center stage to be used for fire effects, according to Stella.
Several big hoods were installed on top of the attraction’s building as well, which may be used to vent heat, smoke or steam effects. That’s to be determined.
The photo below illustrates the above mentioned vent hoods.
A “deep pit” was dug underneath the main stage, which could either be used to hide an air cushion needed for high fall stunts.
One of the most interesting rumoured elements Stella heard about is a type of treadmill that will allegedly be built into the main center stage.
This could be used in many ways according to Stella, this treadmill could be used to have the actor appear to be running away, or even toward the guests in the crowd, with a moving background showed on the substantial LED screen behind them.
This essentially could be just one of the many ways the show will combine live action and screen elements, as illustrated in Universal’s description.
Additional changes include the finished facade of the attraction. It’s suffice to suggest not much was done to the entrance for the new show since Terminator 2: 3D closed. The façade has received a new paint job, now with a more blue appearance.
In the past several weeks, the marque signage for The Bourne Stuntacular has been unveiled. It is rumoured that much of the existing queue in place exactly as it was from Terminator 2: 3D, Stella suggests.
However, the 3D glasses distribution have been removed, as they will not be required. Stella also suggests that the queue is also likely being repainted.
RELATED: Signage for The Bourne Stuntacular Unveiled at Universal Studios Florida
Another rumour that popped up early when it was announced that Terminator 2: 3D would be closing is that the new attraction would use the Dynamic Attractions Motion Theater technology. Stella said she had not found any confirmation for this rumour.
However, should this rumour be true, it would mean the entire audience area (guests seated) can be rotated to face different elements during The Bourne Stuntacular.
Stella states that it could also use a motion-control base tilt the guests watching in different ways to help emphasis the action. The Dynamic Attractions Motion Theater technology is illustrated in the video below.
It would be suffice to suggest that the Dynamic Attractions Motion Theater technology would be perfect for The Bourne Stuntacular…However we’ll just have to wait and see!
Irrespective of how you feel about the Bourne franchise, the team that Universal has put together in order to create this attraction tells us it’s going to be good.
We’re going to end on that note. HOWEVER!
PLEASE READ Stella’s particular post on the subject matter (LINK BELOW), we’ve purposely left a few things out so you have to read her incredible article.
SOURCE:The Bourne Stuntacular – Everything (We Think) We Know
On a personal note, I cannot thank Alicia Stella enough for her support, wisdom and advice recently.
The whole theme park community has accepted ME, however Alicia has always gone above and beyond for me. I CANNOT THANK HER ENOUGH!
Jamie Simms, Website Lead
[…] RELATED: The Bourne Stuntacular! Everything Orlando Park Stop’s Alicia Stella Thinks She Snows So Far! […]
Is this the only new attraction in 2020? That’s really disappointing. The shows are basically just a waste of time.
Effectively, Universal is stating that there is no new reason to visit the parks in 2020. This is not something that will encourage people to go to the parks, it is just a space filler that will attempt (and fail) to shorten some of the lines for the real attractions.
It’s because of Epic Universe, but you have the unannounced NEW Jurassic Park Roller Coaster being built right now.