Fast & Furious: From Street Racing Article to Universal Attraction (Ep.93)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 6 March 2026

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick off a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast while preparing for an upcoming trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, they dig into current park news, new Wizarding World treats, and construction updates affecting CityWalk. The back half of the show dives deep into the surprising origin story of the Fast & Furious franchise and how it eventually made its way into Universal’s theme parks. NEWS • King Kong 360 3D on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour temporarily closes for refurbishment through March 14, meaning some guests may miss the massive Peter Jackson–inspired attraction sequence featuring Kong battling V-Rex dinosaurs. • Sidewalk and infrastructure construction is underway at Universal CityWalk Hollywood near the security checkpoint as the resort continues repositioning its entrance and preparing space for a future on-site Universal hotel. • Butterbeer Season expands across Universal parks worldwide, bringing themed treats like butterbeer waffles, cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, candy apples, and new merchandise including Butterbeer spirit jerseys. • Wizarding World snack lineup grows with new Hogwarts house-themed “ice lollies” (popsicles) available at Diagon Alley’s Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Counter and the Hopping Pot area. • Jim and Eric discuss planning tips for first-time visits to Universal Studios Hollywood, including how the CityWalk layout and security process differ from Universal Orlando. FEATURE • The unexpected origin of the Fast & Furious franchise, inspired by a 1998 Vibe magazine article about illegal street racing in New York City. • How the first film’s $38 million budget turned into a $200+ million worldwide hit and launched one of Universal’s most valuable film franchises. • Why Vin Diesel initially refused to return for the sequel despite a $25 million offer and how the franchise nearly shifted direction without its biggest stars. • The surprising role Universal Home Entertainment played in pushing for additional sequels after massive DVD and VHS sales. • Early theme park integration of the franchise, including the short-lived Fast & Furious Extreme Close-Up Experience on the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour. • How that stunt demonstration used early KUKA robotic arm technology, which later powered Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Planning your next theme park vacation? The experts at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you plan the perfect trip to Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney destinations, cruises, and more. Get started today at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to mention the Epic Universal Podcast. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast. I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news, rumors, and history. And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey. And we are recording this. What is it on March 3rd? Third day of the third month. How is March going for you so far, Eric?
0:23.8	Well, let's just put it this way. I have my son has his first ever sleepover. So there is an
0:29.3	eight-year-old, two eight-year-olds upstairs. So we'll see how things go. I mean, if you have any
0:34.7	idea of what that would be like. So, yeah, it's a fun night tonight.
0:38.9	And we'll see how many breaks we're going to have to take for me to break up their battling and stomping and all that and whatnot.
0:45.9	So fun times.
0:47.3	Okay.
0:48.1	You know, it's one of these moments where, you know, you want to swing by the San Diego Wild Animal Park just before things get started. You know, get one of those dart guns, you know, just sort of, if they get out of hand, you just, you know, take them down, then tag them and release them. You know, I mean, you do have to explain, you know, to the parents at next morning. It's like, why do you, what does he have a number tag hanging from his ear? And I think, well, long story.
1:15.1	So, yeah. Instead, Lauren decided to give him Dr. Pepper. So that's the exact opposite.
1:19.7	Oh, speaking of stories, we should make you take some books. And again, we're under, you know,
1:26.3	we're contractually obligated to talk about wicked folks.
1:29.5	On Monday, I picked up a book. This book, Eric, is called Faces and Places of Oz. And it actually,
1:38.8	it looks like it came out last year with the first wicked movie. But the reason I bring it up is it's one of these
1:48.4	things I was just sort of paging through it. And it's like, oh, dear Lord, this is literally what
1:54.6	the folks at Universal Creative are going to have on their desks when they go to make the Universal
2:00.0	land. I mean, if you look at this book, this is exactly what Mark Woodbury is talking about.
2:06.4	It literally looks like a theme park you want to go to.
2:10.6	Just the, they have this amazing section that shows all of the sets and things for the Emerald
2:17.1	City. Likewise, Munchkin land.
2:19.8	And again, I'm just, do we have any news yet about what's going on with Poseidon's Fury?
2:28.6	I mean, is it still behind construction walls?
2:30.9	What's going on there?
	...

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