Research Project: Seattle Destruction Scenarios in Fiction

Predictive Programming Compliation Part 1

Tim Ozman

May 26, 2026

We’re going deep.

I’m making a video this week so we can introduce the purpose of the upcoming trip.

The research is ongoing in the Discord server. Here are some of our initial findings:

this first one has an “8/4” reference that many of you will find interesting.

The Parallax View (1974) - Director: Alan J. Pakula. A tense chase and assassination attempt unfolds on the observation deck of the Space Needle, highlighting its precarious height and isolation.
Life After People (2008) - Director: Various (documentary). The Space Needle corrodes and collapses after 200 years without maintenance, showing structural failure over time.
10.5 (2004) - Director: John Lafia. The Space Needle (spelled “Spaceneedle”) dramatically crumbles and topples during a massive earthquake in this miniseries.
Chronicle (2012) - Director: Josh Trank. Teens with superpowers cause chaos near Seattle landmarks, with the Needle visible in shots implying potential for aerial destruction.
Seattle Superstorm (2012) - Director: Jason Bourque. A weather catastrophe triggered by a crashed object leads to the Space Needle being struck and collapsing in Syfy-style CGI disaster.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) - Director: Zach Lipovsky & Adam B. Stein. A flashback opening scene set in 1968 at a fictionalized Space Needle depicts a deadly disaster and collapse during its early days.
Comic Books/Graphic Novels Featuring the Destruction of the Seattle Space Needle Here is a list of comics where the Space Needle is explicitly shown or described as being destroyed. Unlike movies, there are far fewer direct examples in comics. Godzilla (Marvel Comics) #2 (September 1977) Writer: Doug Moench | Artist: Herb Trimpe Godzilla rampages through Seattle and famously destroys the Space Needle (often depicted as biting or smashing through the top of the tower like a “cheeseburger”).
This is one of the most iconic comic depictions of its destruction. Secret Warriors #20 (2010) Writer: Jonathan Hickman | Artist: various In the Marvel Universe (Earth-616), the Space Needle is destroyed during the war between Hydra and Leviathan. Leviathan bombs a Hydra base located underneath it, leveling the landmark in a major explosion and causing widespread destruction in downtown Seattle

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 While chasing criminals in the streets of Seattle, Sonic throws bombs into the sewers causing explosions and a flood. His reward is a $100 bill

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The Century Project The Century Project was the largest renovation in the Space Needle’s history. Launched in 2017 and completed in its main phase in 2018, it aimed to modernize the landmark (built in 1962 for the World’s Fair) for its next 50+ years while preserving its iconic look. Key features added in the Century Project: Dramatically increased glass for 360° views (floor-to-ceiling glass barriers). The Loupe — the world’s first rotating glass floor (a 90-foot diameter spinning glass disk at the lowest observation level). Open-air outdoor observation deck with glass benches.
New stairways, interiors, and seismic retrofits. LEED Gold sustainability upgrades. The project was designed by Olson Kundig Architects and cost around $100 million (privately funded). It kept the tower open to visitors during construction. The New Elevator (Opened in 2025) The elevator modernization is considered the final major component of the Century Project. In May 2025 (Memorial Day weekend), the Space Needle debuted the Skyliner — North America’s first double-deck, floor-to-ceiling glass outdoor elevator. Each cab is fully glass, giving riders panoramic views of Seattle and the inside of the tower structure during the 41-second ride. It is a double-decker (two levels in one cab). The first cab (north-facing) opened in May 2025. The other two elevators are scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2028.
The Crack in the Floor This refers to the Loupe (the rotating glass floor introduced in 2018). In early July 2025, a viral video showed what looked like a crack in the glass floor, sparking safety concerns online. The Space Needle quickly clarified that it is not a structural crack.
The visible “crack” is only in the top protective scuff plate (a sacrificial top layer designed to take shoe scuffs and scratches, similar to a phone screen protector). There are multiple layers of structural glass (at least 10 layers) beneath it that remain completely intact and undamaged. This top layer is routinely inspected and replaced twice a year. Officials emphasize the floor is “absolutely safe,” undergoes daily checks, and was engineered far beyond normal safety standards (it can handle much higher loads than typical building floors).
Connection to Final Destination: Bloodlines and the “Cracking Floor” Theme The timing and visuals created strong online buzz and Final Destination-style memes in mid-2025: Final Destination: Bloodlines (released in 2025) opens with a premonition sequence set in 1968/1969 at a fictional “Skyview Tower” — clearly inspired by the Space Needle. In the scene, a chain-reaction disaster causes the glass floor/dance area to crack and shatter under dancing guests, followed by explosions and the tower’s partial collapse. Many people fall to their deaths through the breaking glass. Just weeks after the Skyliner opened, in early July 2025, a viral video showed what appeared to be a visible crack in the Loupe (the Space Needle’s rotating glass floor, installed in 2018). Social media immediately exploded with jokes and concerns linking it directly to the movie — “Final Destination is coming true,” “Don’t step on the glass!”, etc.

Skyliner Elevator Ride Videos

Official Space Needle Instagram reel (short, clear view of the new double-deck glass elevator in action):

KOMO News full segment (good overview with riders experiencing the Skyliner):

TODAY Show segment (shows the elevator and overall renovation): https://www.today.com/video/inside-the-100m-renovation-of-seattle-s-iconic-space-needle-240104517930

Viral Crack in the Loupe Glass Floor Footage

KOMO News report on the viral video (includes footage of the crack and official explanation):

Visitor’s original Instagram reel (the one that went viral in early July 2025):

Final Destination: Bloodlines – Opening Scene (Skyview Tower / Space Needle-like collapse)

Best available full opening scene clip (the cracking glass floor + tower disaster sequence):

This scene shows people dancing on a glass floor that starts cracking, followed by chaos and the tower’s partial destruction — which fueled all the memes when the real Loupe crack video appeared. These should give you a perfect side-by-side comparison of the real Skyliner + Loupe events versus the movie’s dramatic take. Let me know if you want more!

YouTube

KOMO News

Space Needle unveils North America’s 1st Skyliner elevator in $100M...

TODAY.com

Inside the $100M renovation of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle

The Space Needle, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and a signature part of the Seattle skyline, is undergoing a massive $100 million renovation that includes floor-to-ceiling glass elevators, a revolving glass floor in the restaurant and adding 176 tons of glass to the observation decks, giving visitors they’re floating abov...

YouTube

KOMO News

Danger or cosmetic? Crack discovered in rotating glass floor of Sea...

Life After People

YouTube

Unofficial Life After People

Life After People - Space Needle

Here are the best available video links for the dystopian (or dystopian-adjacent) movies featuring the Seattle Space Needle:

1. Trouble in Mind (1985)
- Official Trailer (shows the dystopian Rain City atmosphere with Space Needle vibes):
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1. Chronicle (2012)
- Final Battle / Space Needle Chaos Scene (highly recommended – shows the tower prominently):
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- Psychic Pranks Clip (earlier scene with the group):
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1. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
- Full Opening Scene – Space Needle / Skyview Tower Collapse (the most relevant dystopian disaster sequence):
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