Genting SkyWorlds

Genting SkyWorlds is a movie inspired theme park project at Resorts World Genting, Genting Highlands, Malaysia. The theme park will open in the second quarter of 2021. The park was formerly called 20th Century Fox World but changed after reaching a settlement with 21st Century Fox and The Walt Disney Company.[1]

Genting SkyWorlds
Genting SkyWorlds logo
LocationResorts World Genting, Pahang, Malaysia, Malaysia
Coordinates3.4219212°N 101.7944919°E / 3.4219212; 101.7944919
Theme20th Century Studios properties
OwnerGenting Group (under license from The Walt Disney Company)
Operated byGenting Group
OpensQ2 2021
Previous namesGenting Outdoor Theme Park (closed September 26, 2013 (2013-09-26))
Area25 acres (10 ha)
Attractions
Total25
WebsiteOfficial website
StatusUnder construction

Theme park history
20th Century Fox World logo
20th Century Fox World entrance concept art

20th Century Fox World was first announced on 26 July 2013 and commenced its construction on 17 December 2013 with a cost of estimated RM1 billion.[2] The park was going to be the only functioning 20th Century Fox theme park in the world and the first in Asia.

The project was part of a major 10-year master plan of development, expansion, enhancement and refurbishment of hotels, theme park and infrastructure at Resorts World Genting.[3][4] It replaced the previous Genting Outdoor Theme Park[5] which was closed on 1 September 2013.

The theme park is 250 acres in size and would feature roughly 25 thrill rides and attractions based on diverse films and franchises like Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age and Rio, Life of Pi, Night at the Museum, Planet of the Apes, Alien vs. Predator, Titanic and Sons of Anarchy.[6][7]

Once expected to open in 2016, the opening was delayed to 2019 due to its weak currency. However, in 2018, Fox Entertainment terminated their agreement with Genting. The Genting Group is still planning to open the park in the future, but the opening date is postponed while the operator considers various options, including rebranding the park.[8]

Lawsuit

On 26 November 2018, Genting Malaysia filed a $1.75 billion lawsuit against Disney and Fox, accusing Fox of trying to back out of the deal for licensing the theme park. In the suit, Genting Malaysia alleges that Fox has taken steps to cancel the contract. The suit also names Disney as a defendant, contending that Disney executives, following the company's then-pending acquisition of Fox, were "calling the shots" on the project and that they were opposed to the park because they would have "no control" over its operations and that it would be adjacent to a casino, which would go against Disney's "family-friendly" image.[9] Fox, in turn, referred to the suit as "without merit", stating that their reasons for withdrawing from the deal were due to Genting consistently not meeting "agreed-upon deadlines for several years" and that Genting's attempts to blame Disney for Fox's default were "made up".[1]

Fox filed a $46 million countersuit against Genting on January 23, 2019. In the suit Fox stated that the reason for their termination of the project was "Genting alone", blaming Genting's "incompetence, inexperience, and rank indifference to its contractual obligations" as the reason the project fell through.[10] Fox alleged that Genting changed agreed-upon plans "at the whim" of Genting Group chairman Lim Kok Thay and that Genting would construct "buildings that were too tall for the themed facades constructed to house them, built parade floats that were so large that they left no room on the street for spectators, built an attraction without including the designed (or any) evacuation route, and routinely had to retrofit, if not tear down, its prematurely built structures".[11] Genting responded by stating that Fox's countersuit was filed to "divert attention away from its own incompetence and inexperience" and went on to say that the company "will prove that Fox’s termination was both unfounded and improperly directed by Disney and Fox’s parent company, Twenty First Century Fox."[12]

On July 26, it was announced that Fox and Genting had settled their respective lawsuits. As part of the deal, Genting would be given “a license to use certain Fox intellectual properties”, and that non-Fox intellectual property would make up the rest of the attractions in the park. The outdoor park would also no longer be referred to as 20th Century Fox World, but instead would be named Genting SkyWorlds.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. "Disney & Fox Accused In $1.75B Suit Of Taking Theme Park Developer For A Ride". Deadline Hollywood. 26 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  2. Lee, Justin. "3 Theme Parks That Genting Could Replace 20th Century Fox World With". MSN. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  3. "GENTING MALAYSIA BERHAD - RM5bn Integrated Tourism Plan Unveiled". klse.i3investor.com. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  4. "Genting resort to get new theme park in $2b masterplan". stasiareport.com. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. Jayne, Tamara (27 November 2018). "20th Century Fox World Theme Park In Genting May Be Delayed Again. Here's Why". SAYS.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  6. "Twentieth Century Fox theme park announced". edition.cnn.com. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  7. "20th Century Fox Breaks Ground on Theme Park Business with First Resort in Malaysia". variety.com. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  8. "Theme park plan still on, timing unclear: GEN Malaysia". GGRAsia. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  9. "Disney, Fox sued in U.S. for $1 billion over Malaysia theme park". Reuters. Reuters. 26 November 2018. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  10. "Fox Countersues Over Contested Malaysian Theme Park Deal". Deadline.com. Deadline. 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  11. "How a Kuala Lumpur Theme Park Became a Fox-Themed Fiasco". Variety.com. Variety. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  12. "Fox Countersues Developer of Failed Malaysian Theme Park for $46 Million". HollywoodReporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  13. "Genting Malaysia to rightsize workforce, management offered pay cut". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
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