Universal's Classic Monsters Are Coming to Halloween Horror Nights!
I've always thought it would be awesome if one year Universal Studios transformed their entire park to represent the classic movie monsters that helped launch the studio. I guess the next best thing would be to see a creepy maze and attraction that pays tribute to these Universal monsters, which is exactly what they are doing. Except for the fact that it will put a contemporary twist on the classic horror icons. I don't know why they feel they need to do that, but they are.
The new maze will also feature an original score that was produced and composed by Slash, who, as you know, is one of the best electric guitar players of all time. Here are the details on the maze:
At its core, “Halloween Horror Nights” is an extension of the horror film legacy originated by Universal Pictures and introduced to audiences in the 1920s…with a staple of classic Universal Monsters that dominated the silver screen, including Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein’s Monster and The Wolf Man.
“Halloween Horror Nights” continues to pay homage to these creatures of the night in this new maze by reawakening more than a dozen of these iconic classic Monsters. The essence of the maze will underscore each of their unique attributes and reimagine them into terrifying modern day characters. At a glance, resurrected monsters will include The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, Dracula’s Bride, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Mummy, to name a few.
By giving each character a unique, complex composition, SLASH’s original score will add a haunting dimension to the experience and help define each of the characters.
Slash had this to say in a statement:
"As a fan of horror movies and of ‘Halloween Horror Nights,’ I jumped at the chance to once again collaborate with Universal Studios Hollywood to produce what might be interpreted as a soundtrack for the maze. Similar to the way music affects a film, I wanted to compose a score for the legions of infamous characters featured in the maze to elicit a greater sense of terror for the guests. In the end, the goal is to ultimately make the guests feel as if they are playing an integral role in a classic Monster movie.”
John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights, added:
“This maze is the ultimate melding of two of history’s greatest icons – classic monsters and the top guitar player of all time. SLASH’s intuitive understanding of the characters’ struggles brings enormous depth to the maze to epitomize a living-movie experience for our guests.
“This is the second time we’ve had the great fortune to collaborate with SLASH on a ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ maze and it is a distinct honor to bring his expertise to the event where guests can enjoy a truly exclusive opportunity.”
The Classic Monsters maze will join the previously announced haunted attractions which include Stranger Things, Trick 'r Treat, The Walking Dead, The First Purge, Poltergeist, The Horrors of Blumhouse, and the Terror Tram.
"Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.
Halloween Horror Nights begins on Friday, September 14, 2018. I can't wait to go!