Thorpe Park announces Saw - The Ride
Posted
[Ed. note: The following is an unedited press release. -J]
The UK’s thrill-capital, THORPE PARK, leading next generation film studio LIONSGATE and TWISTED PICTURES today announced that they will launch SAW – The Ride, the world’s first ever horror movie-themed rollercoaster, in Spring 2009. Based on Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ ‘Saw’ franchise, the most profitable horror franchise in movie history, SAW – The Ride is the scariest ride in the world. The latest installment in the series, ‘Saw V,’ premieres on Friday 24th October, and THORPE PARK will be inviting visitors to ‘Face Your Fears’ on their new terrifying attraction next year.
Like the films, THORPE PARK’s new rollercoaster will test the nerve of all who dare ride it and visitors will be at the mercy of the series’ master manipulator, Jigsaw. The ultimate test of SAW – The Ride will be a ‘beyond vertical’ drop of 100º from a height of 100ft, making it the steepest freefall drop in the world. Riders will also endure three inversions that will add another dimension to a whole new experience of adrenaline-fuelled fun for thrill seekers.
SAW – The Ride continues the growth of the ‘Saw’ franchise as an international cultural touchstone. The original 2004 ‘Saw’ launched a new wave in horror films and introduced a bona fide icon of terror: Jigsaw, the philosophically inclined psychopath with an exacting moral agenda and a genius for gruesome games of survival, ‘played’ with those he believes have ceased to value and appreciate the gift of life. Ratcheting up tension and invention with each successive film, the ‘Saw’ franchise has become a part of the zeitgeist while jangling nerves around the world. To date, the four ‘Saw’ titles have taken in over $550 million in worldwide theatrical box office and their combined gross DVD sales are nearly 24 million units.
Candy Holland, Creative Director for Merlin Entertainments Resort Theme Parks, is the woman behind the ride and arguably has Britain’s scariest and most exciting job. She is an extreme thrill enthusiast and will draw on her extensive background in theme park and theatre set design, working with the project team to make it the scariest ride in the world. Candy was also responsible for the creative development of THORPE PARK’s Stealth ride, Se7en maze, and Oblivion and Air at Alton Towers Resort.
Candy Holland comments, “I’m a huge fan of horror films and am utterly relishing creating the scariest ride in the world. Anybody who has sat through a ‘Saw’ film scared and terrified beyond belief will have some idea of what’s in store for them at THORPE PARK. SAW – The Ride is going to be shocking and intense…both physically and psychologically…and is sure to give you nightmares.
“We have worked in close collaboration with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures on this project to ensure total accuracy of the key elements of the ‘Saw’ films, which when combined with the latest rollercoaster technology will create a phenomenal ride experience.”
Marketing Director of THORPE PARK Carolyn London says, “SAW – The Ride is definitely only for the brave, and will add an element of edge to an already adrenaline packed breadth of thrills on offer. We’re certain the ‘Saw’ theme will set pulses racing and will satisfy the appetite of those in search of the ultimate exhilarating experience.”
‘Saw’ producers and Twisted Pictures principals Mark Burg and Oren Koules remark, “We love scaring people, and SAW – The Ride is a whole new way to do it. The team at THORPE PARK have really impressed us with their grasp of the ‘Saw’ universe and with their dedication to creating a truly edgy attraction.”
Guy Avshalom, Lionsgate COO, and Aubrey McClure, Lionsgate Vice President of Promotions, Licensing & Merchandising, add, “SAW – The Ride is a reflection of how thoroughly the ‘Saw’ franchise has crossed over into pop culture at large. We are delighted to be working with THORPE PARK to continue that expansion with the scariest ride in the world.”
The new ride will be the Park’s fourth major rollercoaster, joining an already impressive portfolio of extreme ride experiences, including Stealth – Europe’s fastest rollercoaster, Colossus – the world’s first ten looping rollercoaster and Nemesis Inferno – the 4.5 G-force experience.
Link: Saw The Ride
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Hopman said:
A good steak: cook it to medium rare, add some salt, pepper, and a good beer, it's perfect.
And you're better off erring on the side of rare.
Or as my Grandpa asks how you want a steak done "Rare or Ruined".
I have a scary theme.
On the first drop, restraints start popping open one by one in a random pattern. Will yours be next, or will you be one of the lucky ones?
The lawyers would be all over it like white on rice. No way it would be come to fruition.
Coaster Junkie from NH
I drive in & out of Boston, so I ride coasters to relax!
LostKause said:
I teeter on this idea.
How did I not notice this before? teeter as in totter, as in see saw. See, it all ties together!
Hoffman, I like your idea... a coaster called "Tomfoolery" where riders get slapped in the face. :)
Well, is it build out of Jesters? What about guys named Tom? Was it even designed by a guy named Tom? Was it even built by guys named Tom? What about the "foolery" part? Are you saying that everyone who rides it is a fool?
Stupid name.
If the ride isn't built out of saws, I say the theme is crap.
Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."
I thought that the ride that slaps you in the face (with a palm tree, no less) was called "Desert Storm".
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
After the "Tomfoolery" theme goes stale, they could re-theme the ride and change the name to "Asshattery." They could even re-use the last 3 letters of the original signage.
Which, of course, will stay faded and weather-worn, while the asshat portion of the sign will be bright and shiny.
Of course, that begs the question - is the ride made out of asses and/or hats?
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