Georgia's Lionsgate theme park plans 'on hold indefinitely' after funding fails to materialise
by Tom Anstey | 13 Dec 2016
Plans for a US$750m (€707m, £590m) Lionsgate theme park in Georgia, US, have collapsed after the project team failed to finance the multi-million dollar attraction.
First announced in March last year, the 700-acre (2.8sq km) Avatron development at Lake Allatoona near Atlanta has been put on hold "indefinitely”, according to the developers.
The plan had been to license Lionsgate IPs including The Hunger Games, Step Up, Divergent, Twilight and Now You See Me, with an opening date of 2019. The park proposal would have included rollercoasters and other rides based on the brands, with The Hunger Games – filmed primarily in Atlanta – anchoring the development.
A technology-driven experience was planned for the park, with promises of a 3D avatar to accompany each guest and immersive and interactive experiences including 3D video, motion capture, 4D sensory technologies, holograms, and augmented reality. Interactivity with RFID wristbands and Kinect sensors was also touted to “transform reality into an intriguing quest of characters, folklore and legends.”
“One of our key partners had to suspend its participation,” said a statement from Avatron CEO David Garrett III, indicating financing the project was the main stumbling block.
“While many would encourage us to look at this as simply a timing situation, we are of the shared belief that no more time can be given or pushed back. Therefore, the Avatron project is being placed on hold indefinitely.”
The failed project was part of Lionsgate’s plan to gain a stronger footing in the theme park market by licensing the Hunger Games and its other film franchises to under-development theme parks. These include a 22,000sq m (236,800sq ft) entertainment centre in Macau, the upcoming Motiongate Dubai and the seemingly failed Georgia project.
Georgia Atlanta visitor attraction theme park Avatron Hunger Games Motiongate Twilight Now You See Me Step Up
A technology-driven experience was planned for the park
05 Nov 2015
Lionsgate uses Hunger Games to feed theme park ambitions
01 Jul 2015
Hunger Games travelling exhibition makes debut in New York
01 Apr 2015
Hunger Games confirmed for Motiongate Dubai as part of Lionsgate Zone
12 Aug 2014
Lionsgate 'deep into conversation' over Hunger Games theme park
Plans for a US$750m (€707m, £590m) Lionsgate theme park in Georgia, US, have collapsed after the project team failed to finance the multi-million dollar attraction. First announced in March last year, the 700-acre (2.8sq km) Avatron development at Lake Allatoona near Atlanta has been put on hold "indefinitely”, according to the developers. The plan had been to license Lionsgate IPs including The Hunger Games, Step Up, Divergent, Twilight and Now
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