Marvel Studios is in the age of expansion in terms of showcasing its movies beyond the screen. Through the years, a plethora of different attractions that include characters from the MCU has been revealed, taking things to a whole new level. Recently, Disney launched the Avengers Campus at the House of Mouse's California Adventure in Anaheim, giving fans a close-up experience with notable heroes from the franchise.
Epcot also unveiled a Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride based on the MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, a story-coaster that allows fans to help the Guardians in their mission. The fun doesn't stop there, as Disney also announced a "Worlds of Marvel" dining experience on the Disney Wish cruise ship that will feature multiple MCU stars as part of a real-life Avengers mission.
Now, as the MCU embraces another chapter, a brand-new experience for fans has been announced.
Guardians of the Galaxy: The Live Immersive Experience
In a collaboration with Disney, Secret Cinema and Marvel Studios officially announced a new immersive cinematic experience inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
The event show, titled Guardians of the Galaxy: The Live Immersive Experience, is set to "transport fans on a cosmic adventure" starting this summer in London, allowing fans to join the Ravagers for an action-packed adventure "in search of galactic riches and interplanetary fame."
The experience also features notable locations from the Guardians franchise, which includes Contraxia, Klyn, and Knowhere:
"Secret Cinema is set to transport fans on a cosmic adventure this summer in a fully immersive show built on Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The venture marks the first of three anticipated collaborations between Disney Studios and Secret Cinema. This August, at a secret location in London, summon the courage and join the infamous Ravagers. Choose your Ravager Clan, dodge the Nova Corps and set off on an action-packed adventure in search of galactic riches and interplanetary fame. With an awesome mixtape of funk and mischief, eye-popping space spectacle galore, you and your crew can enjoy the thrills of Contraxia, brave the dangers of the Kyln and then hustle, smuggle and bribe your way round, in a quest on the lawless planet of Knowhere. There is glory to be won, legends to be made, and a universe to be saved."
Secret Cinema is an entertainment company in London that focuses on immersive film and television events. The company has been conducting screenings at undisclosed venues in London since 2007, allowing thousands of people to explore different worlds, engage with exciting characters, and become part of the story.
This venture is the first of three collaborations between Disney and Secret Cinema.
The cinematic experience is expected to run from August to December 2022 at a secret London location. Tickets for the event will go on general sale at 10:00 a.m. (GMT) on March 14 at secretcinema.org with early access available by signing up to the waitlist.
Presale tickets are available for O2 priority customers at 10:00 a.m. GMT on March 9. Ticket prices start £47 + booking fees.
Secret Cinema will offer two types of tickets for the event, one for a participatory experience with a screening of the James Gunn-directed sequel and another solely for the immersive experience.
Secret Cinema CEO Max Alexander expressed excitement about the upcoming collaboration with Disney, saying that fans will get to "interact with characters in a storyline unique to them against a backdrop of sensational special effects:"
“Guardians of the Galaxy is an iconic franchise, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the creative teams to bring the spectacular world to life in a new way. Guests will be transported to the far reaches of the galaxy and experience an evening like no other as they interact with characters in a storyline unique to them against a backdrop of sensational special effects. Whether they want to lead their Clan to resounding victory over their scavenger foes, or just to revel in the pleasures to be found on Contraxia, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Marvel Studios Vice President for Franchise Creative & Marketing Sarah Beers also gave the following statement, with the executive proclaiming that this is an "immersive cinematic experience like no other:"
“Marvel Studios strives to build intricate and fascinating worlds that fans can fully engage in, so we are beyond thrilled to be able to work with Secret Cinema on this project to bring the sights and sounds of a cosmic adventure to life in an immersive cinematic experience like no other.”
Will More MCU-focused Immersive Experiences Arrive?
Marvel Studios appears to be going all-in to showcase the MCU like never before, and this latest immersive experience is solid proof of that.
This isn't the first time that Secret Cinema hosted an immersive screening with a popular franchise. In the past, the company showcased unique screening experiences for films and shows such as Back to the Future, Grease, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Stranger Things. Guardians of the Galaxy will soon be added to that impressive list, and it's possible that more MCU movies will be considered as well.
An immersive cinematic experience allows fans to transition from a passive viewer to an active one as they become an integral part of the story.
Given that fans will get to become a member of the Ravagers in the experience, it's possible that they could encounter most or even all Guardians of the Galaxy during their adventure. An incredibly detailed film set is also in store for fans, making them feel that they are part of the sequel's storyline.
All in all, many would agree that this experience is a good sign of things to come for Marvel Studios' expansion of showcasing its films outside the four walls of movie theaters.
