Wanda’s acquisition of Legendary Entertainment paves way for Jurassic World theme park
by Tom Anstey | 12 Jan 2016
Jurassic World has generated more than US$1.6bn in box office revenue, standing as the fourth-highest-grossing film of all time / Legendary Entertainment
Chinese property and entertainment giant Wanda has announced the US$3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.4bn) acquisition of Legendary Entertainment, opening the door for a Jurassic World theme park in Australia among a host of other future projects.
Producer of films including Jurassic World, The Dark Knight and Godzilla, Legendary’s IPs will now be available to Wanda’s theme park arm, with the company recently revealing plans for a multi-billion dollar theme park development on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Wanda, which is China’s largest property developer, is aiming to surpass Disney as the world’s largest tourism enterprise by 2020. It hopes to welcome more than 200 million people to its worldwide attractions every year, with tourism income in excess of CN¥100bn (US$16.1bn, €14.6bn, £10.3bn) annually.
Concept images show the theme park plan laid out like a traditional zoo. Notable features detailed in the artistic impression include an Aqua Dome, Volcano and Mountain Cave, and multiple natural settings. Although it has not been confirmed, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs would likely roam enclosures, with various rides added to create an authentic Jurassic Park experience.
A recent independent study by CITI equity researchers has said the plans would boost overall Gold Coast theme park attendance by 10 per cent, but would potentially take away a third of trade from the region’s three major existing theme parks.
“Together, Wanda and Legendary will create a completely new international entertainment company,” said Legendary CEO Thomas Tull, speaking on the acquisition. “There is an ever growing demand for quality entertainment content worldwide and we will combine our respective strengths to bring an even better entertainment experience to the world’s audiences.”
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Chinese property and entertainment giant Wanda has announced the US$3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.4bn) acquisition of Legendary Entertainment, opening the door for a Jurassic World theme park in Australia among a host of other future projects. Producer of films including Jurassic World, The Dark Knight and Godzilla, Legendary’s IPs will now be available to Wanda’s theme park arm, with the company recently revealing plans for a multi-billion dollar theme park development on
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