Disney’s 100th Anniversary year brings The Haunted Mansion to the big screen!
A supernatural horror comedy film directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People) from a screenplay by Katie Dippold (Parks and Recreation) and Guillermo Del Toro (Shape of Water). Simien is a former Disneyland cast member and knows the beloved attraction well. “Anytime I wasn’t working on the ride I was supposed to, I’d ride Pirates and my favorite ride, Haunted Mansion, said Simien.” From what was shown at their presentation at 2022’s D23 Expo, it’s looking like a promising adventure-horror-comedy hybrid (herere’s the teaser).
Starring LaKeith Stanfield’s (Sorry to Bother You), Owen Wilson (Loki), Danny Devito, Rosario Dawson, Wynona Ryder, Jared Leto, Tiffany Hadish (Solar Opposites) and Jamie Lee Curtis. Official summary:
“A single mom named Gabbie hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest, and a historian to help exorcise their newly bought mansion; after discovering it is inhabited by ghosts.”
Jamie Lee Curtis says ‘Haunted Mansion’ hits “the sweet spot” of scary and funny. The trailer shows Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her young son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) as they enter their new home – the titular Haunted Mansion. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that the home is beset by ghosts, leading to them to an ambitious priest (Owen Wilson), a down-on-his-luck tour guide (LaKeith Stanfield), and a wise medium (Tiffany Haddish) to uncover the mystery of the Mansion. Also seen in the trailer are some iconic ghosts from the ride, such as the Black Widow Bride and the Hat Box Ghost (Jared Leto). Photos below, after the video.
The Walt Disney Company began adapting its original theme park attractions into feature films in 2003 with the Pirates of the Caribbean series. That year also brought The Haunted Mansion, starring Eddie Murphy. These were followed by Tomorrowland (2015), and Jungle Cruise (2021). The current HM began development in 2010. Official site here.
The ghosts come out to socialize July 28th, 2023.
-30-
David Raiklen wrote, directed and scored his first film at age 9. He began studying keyboard and composing at age 5. He attended, then taught at UCLA, USC and CalArts. Among his teachers are John Williams and Mel Powel.
He has worked for Fox, Disney and Sprint. David has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2004 American Music Center Award. Dr. Raiklen has composed music and sound design for theater (Death and the Maiden), dance (Russian Ballet), television (Sing Me a Story), cell phone (Spacey Movie), museums (Museum of Tolerance), concert (Violin Sonata ), and film (Appalachian Trail).
His compositions have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the first Disney Hall. David Raiken is also host of a successful radio program, Classical Fan Club.
