Disney has looked to their Disney World attractions to inspire films in the past, and they've done so with hit-or-miss precision. Now, the company is gearing up for the release of Jungle Cruise, but they also have a rebooted version of The Haunted Mansion in development, and they have two of Hollywood's most recognizable modern actors in talks to play lead roles in the film.
The previous 2003 version of Haunted Mansion was directed by The Lion King (1994) director Rob Minkoff and starred Eddie Murphy as a realtor taking his family to the titular mansion in an effort to give them a good vacation while also evaluating the mansion's prospects of being sold for profit. Naturally, the family is in for a rude awakening, as the mansion is haunted by spirits that threaten to tear them apart. The film was made on a $90 million budget and barely doubled that amount at the worldwide box office. Discussions of a sequel or reboot (including a potential version by Guillermo del Toro) have been ongoing for years but are only now gaining serious traction.
The Haunted Mansion reboot, which is in development stages at Disney, has eyed none other than Tiffany Haddish and Lakeith Stanfield to play major roles. Haddish is no stranger to comedic material, having enlivened humorous films like Girls Trip and The Secret Life of Pets 2, while Lakeith Stanfield, star of Netflix's anime series Yasuke, has more than enough charisma to carry a major film. Justin Simien, director of Dear White People and Bad Hair, is attached to helm the reboot, while Katie Dippold, writer of the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, is attached to pen the screenplay.
The Haunted Mansion reboot isn't the only theme park-inspired Disney film in the works. The mouse house is also reportedly developing a film based on the Tower of Terror, with Scarlett Johansson starring and Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley attached as a screenwriter. Not much information is known about the project, though Disney reportedly plans to "aim high" considering Johansson's recent Oscar nominations and success in the role of Black Widow.
Needless to say, Disney has picked two great choices to head the cast of their Haunted Mansion reboot. It is currently unknown as to whether legendary comedian Eddie Murphy will return or if the reboot has any connection to the first Haunted Mansion film, but if Jungle Cruise is anything to go by, Disney is more than willing to treat films based on their theme park rides with the utmost care, as evident by their inspired casting choices.
Their Pirates of the Caribbean franchise saw financial success and a plethora of sequels, while films like The Country Bears, Tomorrowland, and the 2003 original Haunted Mansion film all received a mixed reception and modest box office grosses. So, the Haunted Mansion will hopefully follow the success of the Pirates films.
The Haunted Mansion is currently in development.
Source: Deadline