Film composer Danny Elfman is writing original music for Dark Universe, one of five themed lands in Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park.
In an Instagram story posted on 24 June, Elfman confirmed: “The Universal monsters have always been such a big part of my life.
“I’m grateful and honored to have been chosen to compose the music for the new Dark Universe in [Universal Orlando]. I can’t wait to go.”
Elfman is known for his creepy collaborations with Tim Burton, including The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Batman (1989), and Edward Scissorhands (1990). He also wrote the themes for Desperate Housewives and The Simpsons.
Last year, Elfman teased the news when he told Deadline he was creating “monster music” for a theme park in Orlando.
Universal and Elfman are yet to confirm where the composer’s music will feature in Dark Universe, which is an immersive land dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters.
Attractions on offer are called ‘Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment’ and ‘Curse of the Werewolf’.
The former is described as Universal Orlando‘s most terrifying attraction to date, a state-of-the-art dark ride where guests must escape monsters like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Universal Epic Universe opens in 2025
The latter is a spinning family coaster based on The Wolf Man (1941) where guests board wagons and venture into the forest and attempt to avoid werewolves.
Highlights in Dark Universe also include a monster makeover experience set in the old lab of Dr Pretorius (Bride of Frankenstein, 1935), and character interactions with monsters such as the Invisible Man.
Dark Universe also includes themed F&B and retail experiences, like the Burning Blade Tavern and Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities.
As well as Dark Universe, Universal Orlando has unveiled Epic’s Super Nintendo World, Isle of Berk and Celestial Park.
Images courtesy of Universal
