According to the Wall Street Journal, Universal is in the early planning stages of building a theme park in Saudi Arabia.

The report indicates that the park will likely be financed by a Saudi government-backed entity as part of a licensing deal with Universal, which is not out of the norm for themed entertainment projects in the region.

Universal and their parent company Comcast have not responded to any requests for comment at this time.

The CEO of Comcast Brian Roberts did travel to Saudi Arabia for an investment conference last month. Reportedly, he visited the entertainment and sports mega-project Qiddiya.

This would not be the first attempt at building a Universal theme park in this area of the world though. Universal Studios Dubailand was announced in 2007 and scheduled to open in 2010 before it was abandoned.

Of course, Disney announced a deal to bring a theme park to Abu Dhabi in the UAE earlier this year, so it only makes sense that their greatest rival would seek to make a foothold in the region as well.

We will continue to cover this story as it develops.