Epic Universe TV show features star power, its authentic side

[Disney4me]

Outsiders now can go inside Orlando’s latest theme park via a televised special titled “Inside the World of Epic Universe.”

The 45-minute program, which originally aired on NBC, is now available through the Peacock streaming service. It’s hosted by actor Joe Manganiello, who gives a guided tour that includes special guests including Warwick Davis, Bowen Yang and the stars of the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Viewers see director Steven Spielberg multiple times.

If you followed the development of the Universal Orlando park, there’s not much new here. But there’s plenty of colorful footage of the attractions serving as reminders in case it’s been a while since your visit. Still, it’s not a blow-by-blow travelogue. Some rides – including Stardust Racers roller coaster – are limited to quick cameos, and centerpiece Helios Grand Hotel is seen but not heard about. Overall, it’s a positive spin involving Comcast corporate cousins.

The timing might seem odd to Orlandoans since the park debuted three months ago, but farflung possible Epic visitors are probably more of the target audience. There are scenes from the park’s construction era, staged promotional footage, backstage animatronic scenes (barefoot Dracula alert) and the pre-opening, star-studden celebration.

Still, we a few moments of interest to share. (Wait, was that a “real” flying dragon outside?)

Battle-ready

Manganiello and Davis take a walk-through of the queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. They sit down to absorb the surroundings.

“It’s pretty uncanny, really, because this location exactly matches the set we shot on … the scale, the detail. It’s all identical,” Davis said. He also drops the fact about 175,000 custom-made tiles were used in the queue.

Later, viewers see the duo get into the ride vehicle and struggle a little with the seat belts.

Nico Parker (left) and Mason Thames, stars of upcoming 'How to Train Your Dragon,' arrive on the 'celestial carpet' as part of the Epic Universe grand opening ceremonies in May 21. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Berk, big-time

The How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk section of the park gets a lot of real estate, figuratively, during the program. It’s bright, broad and so real-looking that it might look AI-generated.

Mason Thames and Nico Parker, stars of the “Dragon” movie released in June,  were big-eyed after passing through the Berk portal.

“This is way bigger than I thought it would be,” Parker said. They also were enthusiastic about actually being allowed on the rides, and their front-row experience aboard Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster appears in the special. They also spent time with the Toothless meet-and-greet animatronic and at the stage show.

Authenticity again was considered a marvel

“It’s very true to what we were actually in,” Thames said of the park’s Great Hall restaurant.

“It’s like we never left [the set],” Parker said.

Zoinks! Volcano Bay Nights to include Scooby-Doo and pals

Monster mash

Spielberg is interviewed in a screening room and also seen at Epic’s construction site alongside Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences.

“My eyes were pinching themselves,” Spielberg said. “I was humbled just to see it for the first time.”

As creative consultant for Universal Destinations & Experiences, he had a voice.

“I was pushing for some kind of ride experience that would collide every one of these famous monsters together in one huge scary but entertaining experience,” he said, pretty much describing Epic’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

Meeting Ygor

Manganiello, Yang and Matt Roberts (who creates the Las Culturistas podcast with Yang) encounter characters on the streets of Dark Universe, including the Invisible Man and Ygor, carrying a severed hand. The latter also is pivotal in the Monsters Unchained ride.

“Are you the same Igor as Dr. Frankenstein or is this just a generational thing?” Yang asked. (Answer: “The Ygor family has worked for the Frankenstein family for generations.”)

Even more Epic

The program also includes sound bites from stars such as Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh and Bryce Dallas Howard, each of whom have resumes containing Universal franchises.

Just when you’ve heard plenty of Epic wordplay in the past few months, Davis ups the ante in closing. “It should be called Epic Epic Universe.”

Manganiello has the last words: “The most exciting thing … they’re only just getting started.”

Hmmm, what does Joe know?

Peacock isn’t done with its Epic storytelling. A three-part docuseries called “Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks” will be seen on the streamer later this year.

First peek: The Beak and Barrel, Magic Kingdom’s pirate tavern

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

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