ANAHEIM, Calif. — A new alien sci-fi mystery from the filmmaker behind the “Get Out” and “Us” horror movies features a fictional theme park at the center of the story that draws inspiration from Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Trailers for Jordan Peele’s new “Nope” movie, now in theaters, focus on the Jupiter’s Claim theme park with a California Gold Rush town that plays a key role in the film.
A promotional website created for Jupiter’s Claim describes the film’s amusement park in terms that sound strikingly similar to Knott’s and Magic Mountain.
Jupiter’s Claim theme park is run by Ricky “Jupe” Park, the former child actor star of the “Kid Sheriff” television show, according to the film’s promotional website.
“I’m thrilled to have you drift on into the dusty claim I’ve staked in these here parts,” Jupe says on the website. “Jupiter’s Claim is the bestest darn California Gold Rush theme park in the Santa Clarita/Lancaster area.”
Magic Mountain is located in the Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita. The park’s Gold Rusher roller coaster dates from when Magic Mountain first opened in 1971.
The Gold Rush town at the heart of Jupiter’s Claim includes a general store, saloon, blacksmith shop, assay office, livery stable, train station, graveyard and gold panning. The Calico ghost town at Knott’s in Buena Park features a virtually identical lineup of 1880s Wild West shops and businesses.
Universal Studios Hollywood has added the original Jupiter’s Claim theme park set from “Nope” to the park’s studio backlot tour. The permanent installation on Universal’s Studio Tour debuts on Friday — the same day the new horror film hits theaters.
The Jupiter’s Claim theme park set created by production designer Ruth DeJong was disassembled on location during post-production and reconstructed on Universal’s backlot with its original props.
The Winkin’ Well just inside the front gate of Jupiter’s Claim is expected to play a key role in the “Nope” alien horror film.
“Look down into the well. Look up toward the skies above. Whatever you may wish, it will not change anything. It cannot be undone. It cannot be unseen,” reads the Winkin’ Well entry on the promotional Jupiter’s Claim website. “If you fear the darkness that lies ahead, peer into the well and pray you may be spared.”
Comments in the website guestbook also hint at the supernatural properties of the Jupiter’s Claim wishing well.
“I looked deep within the Winkin’ Well this afternoon and saw something I could never forget,” according to the guestbook entry. “This is no typical amusement park.”
Trailers for “Nope” show Jupiter’s Claim proprietor Jupe, played by actor Steven Yeun, speaking to a sparse crowd in a horseshoe-shaped theater at the remote theme park.
“What if I told you that today you’ll leave here different,” the Jupe character says in the movie trailer. “Right here, you are going to witness an absolute spectacle.”
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