‘Vertical theme park’ to feature Hunger Games and Twilight attractions

Some of Lionsgate’s most popular film franchises from The Hunger Games to Twilight will be brought to life when the studio opens what it calls the world’s first vertical theme park in China this summer.

Lionsgate Entertainment World will offer several adventures including a virtual reality motorcycle ride based on Twilight, a maximum-security prison breakout like in Escape Plan and a replica of The Capitol lobby from The Hunger Games, complete with shops where guests can fashion themselves in the film’s distinctive couture.

More than 25 rides and virtual reality experiences will pack a sleek, futuristic-looking bean-shaped building that stands 10 storeys high.

The theme park, which will also include attractions based on films such as Divergent, Now You See Me and Gods Of Egypt, is scheduled to open in July on Hengqin Island in Zhuhai.

“We found a way to create this theme park experience inside of one box over multiple floors,” said Jenefer Brown, senior vice president of Global Live and Location Based Entertainment at Lionsgate.

“We created experiences that are immersive, that tell stories and are organic to the brands,” she said. “It’s a mix of all the cutting-edge attractions that you’ll find in entertainment right now.”

Ms Brown said Lionsgate decided to create its first theme park to expand its international brand into China where films like Twilight and Gods Of Egypt are popular.

She said the studio hopes to capitalise on Zhuhai’s emerging status as a tourist destination and its proximity to Macau, which is considered the “Las Vegas of China”.

She said the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai has already drawn tens of millions of people.

The US company expects to have around 1.5 million park goers this year.

The theme park will be a part of a large destination called Novotown, a multi-phase project that includes a hotel and office towers along with retail dining and entertainment.

Future phases include plans for National Geographic Ultimate Explorer and Real Madrid interactive experiences, as well as an international school offering British-based education.

Here are some of the theme park’s features shown to the Associated Press:

– Flying and fashion in The Hunger Games

Based on the four-part film series starring Jennifer Lawrence, park goers will journey through a motion simulator 3D ride called The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Flight Rebel Escape. It starts on the streets before riders board a vehicle that gets picked up by a hovercraft that flies through The Capitol.

Guests will also have the opportunity to venture around the lobby area of The Capitol where they can get their hair, make-up and even nails done to look like a citizen of the films, including the look of chaperone Effie Trinket.

Restaurants will feature a themed menu with dishes inspired by the film’s various districts.

– Biking with wolves in Twilight

Guests will have a chance to spend time in Forks, the town where author Stephenie Meyer based her vampire novels before they were turned into movies.

Midnight Ride offers a chance for four to hop on a motorcycle and take a virtual ride with Jacob Black and a pack of wolves on a dirt-bike adventure through the moonlit woods while an evil creature roams the area looking for blood.

Guests will control their bike’s speed, which path it takes and see other riders during the excursion.

Bella’s Journey will be an indoor amusement ride that highlights key moments from the films including Bella Swan’s relationship with her vampire husband Edward Cullen and encountering The Volturi, the most powerful coven of vampires.

– Soaring with the Gods Of Egypt

Gods Of Egypt: Battle For Eternity will be a virtual reality rollercoaster based on the 2016 film about Egyptian deities. Riders on the high-speed train ride will don headsets and soar through ancient Egypt during an epic battle between good and evil.

– Plotting an Escape Plan

About 20 people work together to break out of a maximum-security prison in Escape Plan: Prison Break. The group faces a climbing challenge course and crawl through tunnels to escape to freedom.