Resort and casino operator, Genting, will open the doors to its long-awaited SkyWorlds theme park in Malaysia during 2021.

First announced in 2013 and initially scheduled to open in 2016 at the Resorts World Genting near Kuala Lumpur, the park was first delayed due to an economic downturn, then legal battles over its IP and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.

The park was originally meant to open as an entirely Twenty-First Century Fox-branded attraction, but the relationship between Genting and the US media giant – now owned by Disney – deteriorated and eventually led to Genting filing a lawsuit against Disney and Fox, followed by Fox countersuing Genting.

Genting has since settled the matter with Disney and under a new deal, the park will feature some former Fox IPs, such as those from the popular Ice Age animation movie.

Believed to have cost around US$800m and covering 10 hectares (100,000sq m), the park will feature nine themed lands – Central Park, Studio Plaza, Eagle Mountain, Epic, Liberty Lane, Robots Rivet Town, Andromeda Base, Ice Age, and Rio.

There will be more than 25 rides and attractions.

According to Genting, the company is now putting "finishing touches" to the park.

"Genting SkyWorlds is targeted to open by the middle of 2021," Genting said.

"The theme park is a key growth initiative for the Group in Malaysia.

"Inspired by international movies and original Genting creations, each world tells a captivating story that fuses unique rides, delicious dining, fun retail, and exciting live entertainment in an immersive journey from start to end."