Terry Crews has joined the cast of Epcot's new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Walt Disney World revealed today.
The "Brooklyn Nine Nine" star will star as "Centurion Tal Marik, Commander of the Starcharter and close advisor to Nova Prime," Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Portfolio Executive Zach Riddley said today. Crews will join Glenn Close, who plays Nova Prime, in the attraction's cast.
We will be at Walt Disney World next week for the press preview of the new indoor roller coaster. Disney last week revealed the six songs that will compose the "Awesome Mix" that guests will hear on the new attraction. ("September" by Earth, Wind & Fire was our readers' pick as the one they most want to hear.)
On the ride, Crews' character will call on the Guardians to come to rescue when Eson, a Celestial from the original 2014 film, decides "to right a wrong in a big way" that's likely going to mean doom for Earth and Nova Corps' home planet of Xandar - and everything else in between.
Cosmic Rewind will be Disney's largest indoor roller coaster and its first to feature a reverse launch. The coaster will use unique cars that will rotate to focus riders' attention on the attraction's various show scenes, leading Imagineers to dub the ride a "storycoaster."
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens officially to the public on May 27.
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Is this an attempted "dig" at Universal? Not only does GotG:CR represent WDW's first Marvel attraction, encroaching on IOA's leased IP, but now they're using an actor almost exclusively known for his work on NBC/Universal shows (AGT and Brooklyn Nine Nine, which NBC purchased from Fox).
Early spoiler-free reviews have indicated that this may be the best attraction in WDW, which would unseat RotR.
I could be wrong, Russell, but I believe Universal's rights to Marvel IP in Florida only extends to certain Marvel IP (Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, X-Men, etc.), and not to Guardians of the Galaxy. Disney wouldn't have created this attraction if it violated Universal's rights. It would be silly of Disney to get themselves sued for a hefty amount of money, and I'm sure Disney's lawyers have been through the terms of Universal's rights with a fine toothed comb.
There’s nothing illegal in Disney signing an actor who has worked NBCUniversal productions. That happens all the time in Hollywood. The studio system is long gone. And there’s no Marvel issue here, either. I see no dig or other issue here. Just Disney casting a popular actor for a new role.
That said, does this mean Crews is coming to the MCU now in this role? It’s been a while since Disney has cast name talent for parks-only roles.
I know that Universal's Marvel license is very narrow, but I do think it's interesting that Disney's first use of a Marvel property in Florida utilizes an actor most commonly connected with current NBC/Universal products. While actors (and directors) no longer work for studios like they did in Hollywood's golden age, I find this casting pretty notable. While Chris Pratt stars in both Jurassic World (arguably NBC/Universal's top movie franchise right now) and Guardians/MCU, those are studio decisions, whereas this is a theme park decision where licenses and contracts are a bit more murky.
We've all seen how Universal digs at Disney all the time, particularly on social media, so I would not be surprised if this casting was strategic to further blur the lines for the GP who have little understanding of the licensing of IP in theme park attractions.
What I wouldn't give for a ride through Ellen's Energy Adventure right now.... ;_;
Hey, within the MCU multiverse, anything is possible, right?
By the way, I will be looking for the inevitable Ellen/Universe of Energy callback easter eggs in the new attraction when I visit next week.
@Robert, I was wondering the same thing. I think an actor such as Crews would fit in quite seamlessly with the wacky irreverence of the Guardians sector of the MCU.
@Russell: that is an interesting take on the whole casting thing. I personally don’t associate Crews so strongly with a studio such as NBC/Universal as I would someone like say Jimmy Fallon, but admittedly I am far behind on viewing regular cable programming…
I kind of agree with Robert. Having Crews in the role might allude to this character / involvement in the next Guardians film next year (or even the Guardians upcoming holiday special)
Otherwise it would seem odd to cast name talent, who isn't in the MCU, for an MCU based attraction...
Maybe somebody feeling impish at WDI has snuck in an obscure Captain EO Easter Egg…
The two CMs living in my home have ridden GotG:CR (sans preshow).
Review #1: "It was cool but I prefer 'Flight of Passage'"
Review #2: "Oh ... My ... God!"
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Bring it baby!