Steven Spielberg touts 'Transformers' ride at Universal Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., June 24 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning Hollywood director Steven Spielberg says he can't predict which movies will inspire great amusement park rides.

Spielberg's film classics "Jaws" and "E.T." have both been successfully adapted as rides at Florida's Universal Orlando theme park.

The director-producer recently appeared on the "Today" show to promote "Transformers: The Ride-3D," which is also located at Universal.

Spielberg was a creative consultant on the ride, which was based on a movie franchise he helped produce.

"The ride is designed with the audience in mind," the Orlando Sentinel quoted Spielberg as saying on "Today." "It's all about you. You replace all the stars in the 'Transformers' movies."

Despite his success as a filmmaker, Spielberg confessed he doesn't know which movies will make good rides.

"Somebody on the executive level has to take the financial plunge," he said. "'Transformers' was a big success before Universal determined this would be an enduring franchise and therefore worth taking a shot at putting it here in the theme park."