It appears that Disney has a new obsession with using IP it owns. This means it's a perfect time to merge a long-gone attraction with one of the hottest movie franchises ever!
As much as many Disney purists may dislike it, it can't be denied that Disney is focused on using IP in the parks. The D23 announcements proved that and while some can argue it's better to stay away from it, Disney is determined to utilize the IP they own to the utmost. That includes the stuff they bought from Fox, which does lend itself to some theme park attractions.
Perhaps notable among those is a property one wouldn't normally associate with Disney: Alien. The 1979 original is one of the most groundbreaking films of all time as Ridley Scott directed this fantastic mix of sci-fi and horror that made Sigourney Weaver a star. In 1986, James Cameron's sequel was a stunning action piece that boasted better FX.
Since then, the franchise has seen ups and downs, with Scott returning for a couple of films, some crossovers with the Predator franchise, and now Alien: Romulus another box-office success that looks to set the franchise on a new path.
Given the incredible popularity of the franchise, it could lend itself to a theme park attraction, although it may seem bizarre for fans to see it in a Disney park. Of course, in a way, it already was and it was glorious.
The forgotten Alien attraction
It's been a few years yet it's still sad to see the Great Movie Ride gone from what was once the Disney-MGM Studios. The original landmark attraction when the park opened in 1989, this classic dark ride boasted some of the best Audio-Animatronics Disney has ever put together to take guests on a journey through famous movies.
To many, the high point was midway through as the trams made their way through a recreation of the Nostromo. They passed a robot of Weaver that looked so real from her terrified reaction to what looked like sweat on her brow.
Then, lunging out from a nearby alcove was a recreation of the infamous Xenomorph. Thanks to strobe effects, it truly looked horrifying, with saliva dripping from its huge jaws, screeching hard and lunging at guests who almost always jumped back in fright. Another version would slide down at them, too. Even if it was brief, it was memorable.
Disney wasn't too much into scares yet one attraction would become a classic in its own right in that regard.