The ghosts are in the house.
Disney’s Haunted Mansion–the live-action reboot of the 2003 film that’s based on the iconic Disney theme park ride–reportedly will hit theaters March 10, 2023. And this weekend, director Justin Simien discussed the project at the D23 event, according to a report on Deadline.
Simien said there was “something about that ride I felt was there in the script (from screenwriter Katie Dippold). It was funny and full of characters–but it had a dark edge to it. I just related to it. I felt I knew how to make it.”
Simien added that he once worked at Disneyland, saying “it was the best summer job I ever had. And anytime I wasn’t working on the ride I was supposed to be on, I’d ride my favorite one–Haunted Mansion.”
The director also said the film will have several cameos–from Winona Ryder and Dan Levy to name two–in addition to the previously announced cast of stars. It was recently reported that Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto will appear in the movie–as Madame Leota and The Hatbox Ghost, respectively.
Haunted Mansion follows single mother Gabbie (Rosario Dawson), who moves into “a mysteriously affordable mansion in New Orleans with her son (Chase Dillon), while looking for a new life,” according to the synopsis.
When Gabbie learns the mansion is already occupied by ghosts, she enlists the help of a priest (Owen Wilson) who, in turn, “spins the exorcism into a wild adventure.”
Then, they all turn to “a widowed scientist-turned-paranormal expert (LaKeith Stanfield), a psychic from the French Quarter (Tiffany Haddish) and a crotchety historian (Danny DeVito) for help.”
The original The Haunted Mansion–starring Eddie Murphy and Terence Stamp–was not well-received by critics, but still earned $182 million worldwide on a $90-million budget.
Keep reading Horror News Network for the latest on Haunted Mansion.
