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More details on new BTTF Ride
Refurbishment focusing solely on Florida?
A few more details have emerged since our last report regarding the shooting of a new BTTF ridefilm for Universal's three theme parks. I've continued to nose around trying to find out more information regarding a storyline for the new Ride, as well as which cast members are involved, but so far, still no details of that nature have surfaced.
Interestingly enough, all of the information that has come forth so far is coming out of Florida. Employees down there seem to know a lot more about what's going on, but aren't divulging any specifics at the moment. Nobody at the Hollywood park seems to know anything about replacement plans at the moment, which does make some sense to a degree. Afterall, Florida got the Ride a full two years before Hollywood did. Thus, it may be safe to assume that Hollywood won't get the new film for a couple of years later. I'm still assuming that Japan will not get the existing film at all, but rather will debut next year with the brand new film altogether.
First off, I recieved the following report from "FLUX". I can vouch for the validity of this report, as I've known "FLUX" for a couple of years now, so their report of the following details gives me 100% confidence that the new Ride is without a doubt happening:
 "While chatting over dinner with some friends from Universal Studio Orlando's Park Entertainment last week, I was told in extreme confidence that plans were already in place to update the existing Back to the Future...The Ride with a new ride film and pre-show footage. The department my contacts work with have already been given plans to plan construction on some re-vamps to the ride itself, as well as a new "Coming Soon" billboard while The Ride is updated."
"I was given no details unfortunately on these things, as much as I begged and pleaded. Exact names were not given, but apparently a meeting at the park with Universal Park Entertainment heads and staff working on this new project happened as recently as the last week in May. About the same time that week, Steven Spielberg was seen escorting some personal guests around the new sister theme-park; Islands of Adventure as well as the new Men in Black ride at Universal Studios itself."
Right after this report, another scoop came in over the wire along the same lines. While I don't know this scooper personally, their report completely jives with other pieces of news we've gathered along the way. Here's what "Marty" had to say:
"I was at the Florida Universal last November. I was first in the park and headed straight for the Ride, which had a few 'technical' people hanging around it. They had not started the Ride yet as they were testing 'something out'. We got in a conversation with a couple of the people there and they talked freely about the plans for the 'new' ride."
"At that state, the Ride was still the most popular in the park and believed to be the most popular in Florida. They wanted to keep it that way, and were testing a number of 'concepts' — the most likely was a new film involving the same ride infrastructure. They didn't know when this would be completed by, but there would be major publicity closer to the time. In addition to this, there would be a new range of merchandise aimed at 'die-hard' fans."
With this summer rapidly coming to a close, Universal's running out of development time on this new Ride. All available information still seems to indicate that Universal Studios Japan will open April 2001, so I would assume we'll be hearing a lot more about ...The Ride soon. No doubt, details will continue to surface over the coming weeks and months ahead, and hopefully, it won't be too much longer before we learn who from the cast is involved with this one, and what the storyline entails. Stay tuned. [Thanks to "FLUX" and "Marty" for their intriguing reports.]
“Live! With Regis and Lea”?
CNN's Showbiz Today reported late Friday that Lea Thompson will be one of the celebrity co-hosts in rotation to sit in with Regis Philbin over the next three months while a permanent replacement is sought for the recently retired Kathie Lee Gifford on the popular morning talk show, Live!.
Lea begins a four month stint on Broadway on August 2 as she moves over from the national tour of Cabaret to replace Joely Fisher as "Sally Bowles". Since Live! also originates from New York, the timing is perfect for Lea to give the talk show hosting gig a whirl. Who knows? She may actually be offered the job full-time...
Michael J. Fox honored at Philadelphia gala
 Spin City co-stars Barry Bostwick and Heather Locklear along with other celebrites will co-host a benefit on August 2 in Philadelphia to honor Michael J. Fox and his Foundation for Parkinsons Research. The gala event is presented by The Creative Coalition and George Magazine.
Fox & Locklear will reportedly also hit the campaign trail during the same visit to Philadelphia for the Republican National Convention. Canadian-born Fox, who recently became a U.S. citizen so that he could vote in the upcoming presidential election, portrayed the popular Republican "Alex P. Keaton" on NBC's Family Ties. Fox & Locklear will be joined by other big-named celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Rock, William Baldwin, Gloria Estefan & John Secada at one of the many parties going on during the GOP Convention.
— Stephen Clark
Got a scoop? We're always looking for credible inside sources with information regarding the Back to the Future franchise. Your anonymity is guaranteed, so tell us what you know!
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