‘The Lord of the Rings’ Ride Coming to New Universal Studios Theme Park?

A new rumor is surfacing about Universal Studios projects. There has been much speculation that Universal was planning to open a new theme park in Europe, but the specific location and name have not been named…until now.

Universal Studios Great Britain

However, it has been recently confirmed that Universal has purchased land in Bedford, and evidence has shown that Universal has acquired the URLs for the website UniversalGreatBrittain.com and UniversalStudiosGreatBrittain.co.uk.

Universal has confirmed the land purchase!

“We recently acquired land in Bedford [Borough] and are at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park and resort at this site.”

https://t.co/j0ECMPIJcI

— Alicia Stella Nova Resort (@AliciaStella) December 19, 2023

It has been confirmed that the land purchased by Universal outside of London is 240-acres. Reports have also suggested that the new Universal Theme Park would be unique to those in the United States. Meaning, no attractions will be cloned from Universal Orlando in Florida. But what exactly does that mean?

Related: Is Disney Paying For Universal’s NEW Theme Parks?

Most obvious is that it will not include Wizarding World attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Escape from Gringotts.

New The Lord of the Rings Ride and Attractions?

However, this does not mean that it couldn’t pull from rides in Universal Studios Japan or Beijing such as the Kung Fu Panda land. According to some rumors, Universal may be interested in trying to acquire certain intellectual properties (IPs) not at its other theme parks. Specifically theme park rights to James Bond, Paddington Bear, and…The Lord of the Rings.

If Universal is serious about incorporating The Lord of the Rings ride or themed land, they haven’t invested heavily at their domestic parks in Florida and California. The rumor has been circulated before (see below) as possibly coming to Epic Universe.

The Lord of the Rings Rumored for Universal's Epic Universe https://t.co/bkFu0KJ4K3

— Orlando ParkStop 🎢 (@OrlandoParkStop) July 15, 2022

However, that doesn’t mean it still can’t happen. Just as with many Disney attractions throughout the world, not every park has the same rides. In fact, even rides that have the same theme and name may provide a totally different ride experiences.

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The most obvious example is the various versions of Pirates of the Caribbean in worldwide Disney parks and the multiple iterations of the Haunted Mansion – which changed based upon the culture of the country the theme park exists in.

Related: Families Are Flocking to Universal, Finding Disney World ‘Too Complicated’

But what exactly would The Lord of the Rings ride or a Middle Earth themed land look like? Would there be a Frodo Baggins meet and greet or a Mount Doom roller coaster? Perhaps a show inspired by The battle at the Black Gate?

We can only imagine.

We will continue to update this story as more details emerge from Universal Studios.