The Bourne Stuntacular Is a Huge Nod to Universal Orlando’s Original Look and Feel
When Universal Studios Florida opened just over 30 years ago, the theme was “ride the movies.” In addition to rides based on favorite films like Back to the Future and Jaws, the park was also filled with shows that gave a glimpse into the world of movie-making or provided a behind-the-scenes look at how some of Hollywood’s most famous scenes were created. The new Bourne Stuntacular appears – at least in some ways – to be a return to that original motto: ride the movies.
Longtime Universal fans will remember Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies, Murder She Wrote Mystery Theater, the Ghostbusters Spooktacular, and even live productions held at Nickelodeon Studios. With the addition of the Islands of Adventure park and the CityWalk entertainment area in the late 1990s, Universal became known more as a typical theme park, with greater emphasis on thrill rides and less on theater shows, with many of the park’s original attractions falling by the wayside over the years.
While the park evolved in its presentation, rides, and areas based on popular film franchises remained, with popular showstoppers from the likes of Harry Potter, Transformers, Jurassic Park, and even some Marvel properties.
Shows, however, were de-emphasized. Despite the park’s new direction, one show that remained a mainstay during this period was Terminator 2 3-D. This attraction lasted from 1996 to 2017. Three years later, it was replaced by The Bourne Stuntacular, a film-live stunt show hybrid that’s unique to the theme park world and serves as a tribute to the shows of Universal’s past.
A Perfect Fit for the Whole Family
The Bourne Stuntacular provides a respite from the hustle and bustle (along with the heat during most times of the year) as an indoor attraction the whole family can enjoy, allowing everyone to sit in air-conditioned comfort for around 20 minutes.
If you’re familiar with the franchise, then you might be scratching your head at “fit for the whole family” – after all, the Jason Bourne movies are not exactly kid-friendly! However, with the way this attraction has been put together, guests of all ages can marvel (excuse the pun there, Spiderman) at stunts and technological advancements that make you feel like you’re watching an action blockbuster play out in front of your very eyes!
Mixing Stunts With Film
If you’re familiar with any of the retired shows or stunt shows at other theme parks, such as the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you know these stunt shows take place with actors on physical sets that are rotated out, similar to a well-done Broadway production.
However, the Bourne Stuntactular uses the giant screen (we’re talking 28-feet tall and 130-feet wide) technology and lighting that was in place for the Terminator 2 3-D attraction as a base for the action. The show mixes physical sets with lifelike backgrounds on the huge screen which allows guests to lose themselves in the action, viewing the show like a live movie folding out before them.
“It was important for us to make sure this show blurred the lines between what was on the stage and what was on the screen,” Deb Buynak, vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando, told the Orlando Business Journal prior to the attraction’s opening in June 2020. “Between the extreme stunts, groundbreaking technology, and practical effects, we needed all of it to come together and feel as real as possible for our guests.”
Mission accomplished!
Groundbreaking Effects
In addition to physical effects like fire, smoke, and wind from a helicopter, the Bourne Stuntacular has eight moving set pieces, including a tower in a marketplace in Tangier, the front entrance of a mansion in Washington, D.C., an apartment complex in Dubai, and several cars and motorcycles.
One truly immersive scene in the Bourne Stuntacular is a car chase that totally blurs the lines between film and reality, as the cars and other physical set pieces move around in concert with the way cinematography takes place on the big screen. Another part of the adventure takes place along rooftops in Tangier, where the physical sets are in sync with the action on the big screen, allowing guests to lose themselves in the action.
A Three-Year Journey
The Bourne Stuntacular was in production for nearly three years and was delayed slightly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Universal’s parks reopened in early June 2020, after closing in mid-March, and this attraction opened on June 30.
Despite the technological additions, the performers and technicians make the stunt shows what they are, just like they did 30-plus years ago. The Bourne Stuntacular features 11 performers and 13 technicians to make the entire process go smoothly.
The film itself was created by Universal Pictures, with several key members of the franchise producing the story, as well as the same fight coordinator from The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum creating fight scenes for the attraction.
Finally, to give the show more credibility for fans of the franchise, actress Julia Stiles reprised her role as Nicky Parsons in the Bourne Stuntacular’s preshow. The story calls for Parsons to be unable to accompany Bourne into the field, so you are serving as her eyes and ears throughout the adventure. This fun plot device is yet another way the Stuntacular brilliantly immerses its viewers into an action-packed world of chaotic car chases and dare-devil deeds.
It’s certainly worth taking time out of your day at Universal to catch the Bourne Stuntacular – the crew have gone above and beyond to make sure this show is a truly heart-pounding one!
For more information on the Bourne Stuntacular, including accessibility information and operational hours, check out Universal Orlando’s website.
Have you seen the Bourn Stuntacular? What are your thoughts about the show? Please let us know in the comments below.
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