As you may have noticed in the various trailers and TV spots, Jordan Peele‘s Nope seems to be at least partially set in some kind of theme park, and the film’s official viral marketing website reveals that the park is titled Jupiter’s Claim, the faux park advertised on the website as being “the best darn California Gold Rush theme park in the Santa Clarita/Lancaster area.”
What we’ve gathered from the site is that the Gold Rush-themed Jupiter’s Claim park is the handiwork of child actor/reality TV star Ricky “Jupe” Park, played in the movie by Steven Yeun. Ricky Park was the star of a film franchise titled “Kid Sheriff” – ah ha, that explains a recent Easter Egg in a Nope TV spot! – and the website lets you virtually explore his park.
Navigating around Jupiter’s Claim, you’ll find a bank, a theater, a general store, and a post office, as well as “The Star Lasso Experience” and the mysterious “Winkin’ Well” that seems to be a major component here. In fact, the entire park’s tagline is “We Wish You Well,” and the idea behind the Winkin’ Well is that it allows for your every wish to come true. Interesting…
What’s particularly interesting about the site is that the cheery website enters an ominous “dark mode” at certain points while you’re navigating around, and all of the text changes.
In this more sinister “dark mode,” for example, the Winkin’ Well’s description changes over to the following: “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. If you fear the darkness that lies ahead, peer into the well and pray you may be spared.”
It would seem that Ricky Park may be a sinister figure underneath his friendly demeanor, with the movie seemingly having a lot to do with the idea of wishes being made. Perhaps the film’s extraterrestrial invasion is the result of someone’s wish gone wrong? If you’re asking me, it seems like there’s A LOT more going on here than the trailers have suggested.
There’s also a “Jangle” coin system built into the Jupiter’s Claim website, allowing you to build up coins which you can spend within the site. There’s a lot to see here, and a lot to play with.
Take a virtual trip to Jupiter’s Claim while you wait for the movie to release!
Universal will be releasing Nope in theaters on July 22, 2022. The film is being referred to in official press materials as “a new pop nightmare” and “an expansive horror epic.”
In the film, “Residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.”
Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) will be reteaming with Peele on the mysterious movie, with the cast also including Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead,” Mayhem) and Keke Palmer (“Scream”). Michael Wincott (The Crow), Barbie Ferreira and Brandon Perea also star.
