Star Wars theme parks: Harrison Ford 'reluctantly' unveils expansion plans
Han Solo actor announces Disney project with an 'I can't tell if he wants to be here' delivery
Harrison Ford hosted a televised event to showcase Disney's latest theme park project yesterday, revealing two huge 14-acre developments that will house the entertainment company's ambitious new Star Wars attractions.
The actor, who played Han Solo in the sci-fi series, introduced an array of details and concept art for the park with an "I can't tell if he wants to be here" delivery, The Verge said.
"I'm so blessed that I had the opportunity to be a part of it, to walk in these iconic locations," said Ford. "And soon, you will be able to do that as well, not in a galaxy far, far away, but a place close to home."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Even if Ford's deadpan drawl failed to convince the media commentators, some of whom – such as PopSci – found the whole event "godawful", Disney can rightly feel "confident" about the project, The Verge said, after the critical success and more than $2bn (£1.4bn) in ticket sales for the last film in the long-running saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The parks will give visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a "fully realised world, where they can interact with characters, such as humanoids and droids, fly the Millennium Falcon, have a drink at the cantina, and experience a major battle", claims the website Quartz.
Disney CEO Bob Iger originally announced the plans at the D23 Expo, the largest Disney fan event. "We're creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single theme land expansion ever," he said. "Nothing in the land will be out of character or stray from the [Star Wars] mythology."
George Lucas, the creator of the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as its later prequels, sold his production company Lucasfilm to Disney three years ago for $4bn.
Harrison Ford reprised his role as Han Solo in Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens.
Construction in Florida will begin in 2017, while the date for the California exhibit has not yet been set. In the meantime, according to The Independent, existing attractions at the US parks will receive a "spruce-up to highlight the Star Wars theme". These include the Space Mountain ride at both theme parks becoming "HyperSpace Mountain" featuring special effects and imagery from the films.
Disney is yet to reveal the exact cost of the new parks, but the Independent has pointed out that the Californian city of Anaheim, where Disneyland is based, gave the company a tax exemption on ticket sales providing that it invests another $1bn to expand the park.
Disney has also recently announced that it is to spend $5.5bn creating a new theme park in Shanghai, China later this year.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claims
Speed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UK
The Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Shopping trolleys: the new must-have accessory
Speed Read Sales are soaring as new designs help shed that old-fashioned image
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
How 'Star Wars' ripped off 'Dune'
Under the Radar Quite a few people believe that George Lucas ripped off Frank Herbert's sci-fi universe. So does Herbert himself.
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
A former 'Star Wars' actor is at the center of a Disney free speech lawsuit
Under the Radar Gina Carano is suing the Mouse House to try to get her job back on 'The Mandalorian'
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in January, from 'Echo' to 'Griselda'
the week recommends January brings a Queenpin's backstory, the return of Kingpin's apprentice and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
2023: the year of nostalgia
the explainer There was something familiar in the air this year
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in December, from 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' to 'What If...?'
The Week Recommends Spend your December with Mr. D and Dr. Who
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published
-
7 new children's movies to watch this holiday season
Feature Entertain your kids — and yourself — with these family films coming through the end of 2023
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in November, from 'The Marvels' to 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'
Feature From the big franchises to the critically-acclaimed Oscar hopefuls
By Brendan Morrow, The Week US Published
-
The biggest lingering questions after the 'Ahsoka' finale
The Explainer After that cliffhanger, what's next for the show and 'Star Wars' as a whole?
By Brendan Morrow Published