Sony pictures
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Next month, Sony Pictures is launching an immersive entertainment destination called Wonderverse at the giant Oakbrook Center mall near Chicago, featuring attractions from the studio’s movies, TV series and video games, including Jumanji, Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, Zombieland and Uncharted.
The 45,000-square-foot indoor space will host “a hybrid of physical and immersive multimedia experiences, interactive installations, dynamic attractions and themed dining experiences,” Sony said, from escape rooms and virtual reality and bumper car racing simulations. It’s a first for Sony. All of its other projects are licensing deals, including Jumanji with Merlin Entertainments, Columbia Pictures’ Aquaverse in Thailand and an Uncharted ride at PortAventura in Spain.
“Wonderverse is an exciting extension of Sony Pictures’ growing location-based entertainment experiences,” said Jeffrey Godsick, Sony Pictures EVP of Global Partnerships and Brand Management and Head of Location Based Entertainment. “Experiences like Wonderverse allow audiences to enjoy our brands in new ways by immersing themselves in some of their favorite stories.”
Highlights include Uncharted: The Pursuit; Ghostbusters Virtual Reality Academy: Pacific Playland; Zombieland Bumper Cars; Jumanji: Reverse the Curse; Bad Boys Racing Club; The Ghost Trap; and 21 Jump Street Pop-Up Bar.
The Commissary Bar, led by Pernod Ricard mixologist Jane Danger, will serve specialty cocktails and mocktails and light bites. Commissary Restaurant, led by veteran chef Scott Donaldson, will offer a full menu.
Guests can preview Wonderverse from December 2023 ahead of the official opening in January 2024. Admission is free with attractions “priced for everyone to enjoy,” Sony said. Wonderverse will be an adults-only experience at 8 p.m
“We are thrilled to be the first location for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Wonderverse and to have it as our largest entertainment option,” said Tim Geiges, Senior General Manager of Oakbrook Center. “We often hear from guests how they love our mix of entertainment, so we’re excited to offer a whole new experience for them to enjoy, especially as we approach the colder months.”