KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 ― Movie studio Twentieth Century Fox has broken ground and released preview images of its first theme park in Malaysia, which will feature kid-friendly attractions and thrill rides themed after some of the brand’s blockbuster titles like “Ice Age” and “Night at the Museum.”

When the Twentieth Century Fox World park opens in 2016, it will span 25 acres and include 25 rides and attractions based on films like “Rio,” “Alien vs. Predator” and “Planet of the Apes.”

It’s a strategic move for the studio to open their first theme park in Malaysia, one that aims to attract visitors from China and Southeast Asia, and establish a growing presence in the region.

“The creation of a world-class entertainment destination in a vital market like Asia is a landmark step in FOX’s global theme park strategy, extending our brand and engaging audiences in new and exciting ways,” said spokesman Greg Lombardo in a statement.

The bioluminescent world of Avatar. ― File pic

The US$300 million (RM977 million) park, first announced this summer, will be developed by Genting Malaysia, which owns and operates casinos and resorts around the world.

Meanwhile, some of the studio’s biggest blockbuster films like “X-Men” and “Avatar” will be noticeably absent, given that these are licensed to other parks, points out Variety magazine.

The highly anticipated Avatar-themed attraction, for instance, is currently being built at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and will open in 2017. ― AFP-Relaxnews