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“World of Cinemagic” to close doors permanently July 26
Back to the Future Special Effects Stage erases from existence
Just as we had been forewarned months ago, it appears that those earlier reports were indeed true: Universal Studios Hollywood will be closing the "Back to the Future Special Effects Stage" at the end of this month.
 We spoke recently with a source within the theme park who chooses to remain nameless regarding these reports, and our fears became reality with the following news which backs up reports given to us earlier by other park sources:
"A drop in attendance this year over last summer has forced us to close The World of Cinemagic, which houses the Back to the Future Special Effects Stage forever after July 26. The decision was recently made to close three of the park attractions. Besides Cinemagic, the Shrek Live stage show will close on July 22, and the Rugrats Magic Adventure show will close in September."
"The final performance at The World of Cinemagic will be Thursday, July 26. Anyone wishing to see the show one last time before everything (including all the original props from Back to the Future Part II) is put into storage, has only a matter of days."
As for the future of Sound Stage 32 (where Cinemagic is performed), we are looking at opening a brand NEW attraction in Spring 2002. Tentively, it will be an informative attraction about how movies are made and/or a history of movies. It is still in the very early planning stages, so something entirely different may end up there.
It's a pity that the BTTF portions of the Cinemagic show couldn't be preserved or upgraded to continue running, but it's had an extensive run and I know that it's just everyday business to Universal. Times & tastes change, and when there's not a lot of room for expansion, you've just got to clear out older attractions that may not be packing them in like they used to. The Back to the Future Special Effects Stage has been a part of Cinemagic for the last 11 years of the 20-year-old attraction. Too bad most of us won't get another chance to check it out one last time before it closes its doors permanently 10 days from now.
For those who cannot take in the attraction one last time, we've got the next best thing — close-up behind-the-scenes photos from the attraction. Check out our exclusive photographs in the Media Gallery.
Elsewhere in the park, I'm also told that the BTTF Courthouse Square will be seen in a couple of upcoming movies. Apparently Pay or Play, starring Frankie Muniz from Malcolm in the Middle filmed there a couple of months ago. Portions of this movie apparently takes place at Universal Studios Hollywood, so many of the backlot sets will be seen as well as the trams and several areas of the theme park.
Another movie that filmed in the same location about a month ago is DreamWorks' remake of The Time Machine with Guy Pearce and Mark Addy. It actually filmed one street over from Courthouse Square on Brownstone Street, but cameras were set up on one side, so we might be able see the building that housed the Cafe '80s, but from a different angle.
Project updates
5-25-77:
Christopher Lloyd cameos in this independent film about the day Star Wars opened in theaters in 1977. Directed by Patrick Read Johnson, who also directed Lloyd in the upcoming telefilm When Good Ghouls Go Bad, the story is a biopic based on the director's childhood memories & events surrounding the day he tried to see Star Wars on its opening day. Also stars actress Carrie Fisher. [Thanks to "Pete" for pointing the way! Originally appeared at FilmForce.]
UNTITLED HAUNTED LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT:
Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson reteam once again in the currently shooting 70mm 3D film based on R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse. The film is being directed by Joe Dante and will premiere at Sea World & Busch Gardens sometime next spring in specially equipped theaters capable of untrasensory special effects such as water, smell, moving seats, etc. Michael McKean, Rachel Hunter and "Weird Al" Yankovic also star. This marks Lloyd & Thompson's sixth film together, however, the pair have only shared one scene together in the very first Back to the Future film. (in addition to the two BTTF sequels, they were also cast in Dennis the Menace and The Right to Remain Silent). [Thanks again to "Pete" — Originally appeared at AICN.]
— 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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