Official Thread for Disney's "Haunted Mansion"

[Mouse Skywalker]

This thread will have the official information from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures regarding Disney's "Haunted Mansion"

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS AND GUILLERMO DEL TORO DEVELOPING DISNEY’S HAUNTED MANSION

Del Toro Set to Write and Produce Film for Disney

From Walt Disney Studios Press Release:

Guillermo del Toro is currently developing a new film for The Walt Disney Studios based on the classic Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion.

“Dark imagery is an integral part of the Walt Disney legacy. After all, Disney himself was the father of some really chilling moments and characters - think Chernabog from Fantasia or Maleficent as the Dragon or the Evil Queen in Snow White,” said del Toro. “I couldn't be more excited to be a part of my own adaptation of the original theme park attraction Walt envisioned and that remains- for me- the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world!"

“Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like they’ve never experienced before.”

Since August 1969, foolish mortals have dared to trespass on the macabre grounds of Disney’s Haunted Mansion. A hallowed landmark in Disneyland’s New Orleans square, it’s the dwelling place of 999 happy haunts dying to meet new visitors each day. The plantation-style of the mansion’s facade is a sweet deception for visitors. Inside, ghostly doom buggies line the hallways. Since its construction, the mysteries of the mansion have transcended the attraction with stories surfacing about horrifying encounters with the supernatural. Versions of the daunting edifice have been built at other Disney theme parks in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Wow! This is FANTASTIC news!!

I *love* Guillermo del Toro's work (especially Hellboy I and II, and Pan's Labyrinth)!

I think his style is a good fit for Disney, as he shares the same incredible attention to detail that you see in work of the best Disney imagineers!

I was floored by the Special Features featurette on the "Troll Market" in Hellboy II ... there was so much going on in every shot (so many little tiny details that couldn't possibly have mattered in the movie)! It would have been amazing if that set could have been preserved to visit as an attraction!

 

[Chernadan]

I have to say I'm really surprised by this news. While I am a huge fan of all things Disney I am also a fan of Del Toro and those two just don't seem a natural fit to me. Granted both have immaculate attention to detail and passion for their work but Disney always colors the darkest of stories with hope and Del Toro doesn't always do that. Makes me nervous.

The finished product will be rich, dark, visually stunning but will it really be Disney?