FORREC, a leading entertainment design specialist, has designed two new attraction narratives for Motiongate Dubai’s expanded Lionsgate Zone, which opens to the public today, 21 January 2022.
Working with Dubai Holding Entertainment and Lionsgate, FORREC developed the creative vision, direction, storyline, and planning for the new Lionsgate Zone at Motiongate Dubai. Thanks to two new coasters, the expanded area at Dubai Parks and Resorts is now home to the world’s tallest free fly and most revolutions of any spinning coaster.
The Lionsgate Zone covers 16,200 square metres and includes 730 square metres of Now You See Me covered street storefronts as well as a 590 square metre Now You See Me attraction, plus overflow queue, load and unload. It also features a new 655 square metre John Wick-themed ride, plus overflow queue, load and unload.
The expansion is themed around a New York street with branded retail, new F&B, and iconic moments inspired by the films. The immersive experience also includes large 2D forced perspective murals and a multimedia LED canopy.
Bringing much-loved IPs to life
“FORREC is proud to have played a vital role in the creation, design, and development of these new experiences at MOTIONGATE Dubai,” says Cale Heit, president and CEO, FORREC.
“We are fortunate to have great partners at Dubai Holding Entertainment and Lionsgate; Dubai Holding Entertainment is incredibly well-seasoned in working with popular IPs and always have the guest experience top of mind, while Lionsgate spares no effort in bringing their IPs to life in the most impactful way possible.
“Working with both partners on John Wick: Open Contract and Now You See Me: High Roller was an exciting process filled with diverse perspectives and we’re excited to see guests’ reactions with these new, thrilling coasters.”
John Wick: Open Contract
From today, guests at Motiongate Dubai can enjoy a unique new coaster inspired by Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise – the first attraction to be themed around the hit film series and the world’s tallest 4D free fly coaster.
John Wick: Open Contract is a 4D free spin, 10-story high roller coaster with a 310-metre long track and a maximum speed of 64 kilometres per hour, delivering up to 2.8 G-force. The experience begins in the Continental hotel, a key location in the films, before guests begin an action-packed ride down the 4D track with forward and backward freestyle pins.
Riders will have a choice of two different experiences, depending on which queue they choose. They will either be challenged to fulfil a blood oath and protect John Wick, or they will become an assassin tasked with bringing him down.
The immersive experience begins during the queue with a pre-show that brings the story to life, walking guests through a version of The Continental, branching into the two queue options and touching on key moments in the film, before the lines come together in the War Room and board the coaster for their battle.
FORREC was asked to create engaging experiences that brought the world of the John Wick universe to life in a meaningful way, while also being mindful of the space available and the need to create a sense of intimacy in a large area.
To achieve this, the team made a strategic design choice to use the ride buildings as architectural infrastructure, helping create a sense of density and close quarters. While the coaster is 34.65m high, the team wanted to make the building appear taller.
“It is such a satisfying process to love the content, immerse oneself in the IP and for FORREC the opportunity to be the first to recreate these magical and iconic movie moments in Theme Park environments, we can all walk through and experience time and time again,” says Eric O’Rourke, senior director, theme parks, FORREC.
“The FORREC team was incredible and strove for design excellence at every step. Our objective was to be mindful and deliver on both Dubai Holding Entertainment’s and Lionsgate’s best interests and expectations.”
Now You See Me: High Roller
This new coaster was manufactured by Maurer Rides, designer and manufacturer of innovative roller coasters and transport solutions for theme parks and cruise ships. It echoes the misdirection and magic of the popular Now You See Me films as riders must race to evade security and reveal a criminal mastermind.
The setting is a casino, giving a Las Vegas feel, with a queue that walks guests through the lobby as they prepare to take part in a heist by the Horsemen, having been recruited to help the illusionists rob the hotel’s vault and return the money to its owners.
The new attraction breaks the record for most revolutions of any spinning coaster in the world, all on a freely rotating ride vehicle and has top speeds of 70 kilometres per hour. It features a 20m first drop, non-inverted loops, and Immelmann turn sections, as well as a full 180-degree turn after a half-loop section of the track, followed by a half twist.
FORREC’s aim with this narrative was to give guests the feeling of being ‘transported’ between cities and immersing them in one of the film’s iconic heists. Riders approach the casino ride façade under a large arched canopy that covers an urban-themed promenade complete with interactive storefronts and fountains. This results in both an immersive pre-show space and a shaded amenity, featuring lights embedded in the facades and LED canopy.
When guests reach the ‘rooftop’ of the hotel, they board a spinning coaster that transports them to New York, allowing them to disembark having evaded the security teams in pursuit.
“Exceptional, authentic experiences”
“Dubai continues to be a leader in the travel and tourism sector, with a reputation for delivering pioneering projects and landmarks,” says Fernando Eiroa, chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment.
“The opening of the world’s first John Wick rollercoaster and the world’s fastest spinning rollercoaster are an example of the breadth and diversity of entertainment experiences in Dubai. We are confident that these new offerings will contribute to further enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness as one of the leading international tourism destinations in the world.”
“We are immensely proud of the exceptional, authentic experiences we were able to craft for Lionsgate’s popular John Wick and Now You See Me film franchises,” says Jerry Sabatini, vice president, creative of global live and location-based entertainment at Lionsgate.
“The heart-pounding thrill of the new world’s-first rides are delightfully counterbalanced by rich storytelling, deeply immersive interior spaces, and vibrant environments. In collaboration with our partners at Motiongate Dubai and FORREC, we developed clever ways to weave interconnected storylines in and around a dazzling-built world that is both grandiose in spectacle and intimate in detail.
“We cannot wait for guests around the world to experience the new Lionsgate Zone at Motiongate Dubai.”
Last year, FORREC wrote for blooloop on the rise of surf parks in experiential design, exploring what the future holds for the surf park trend.
