All cards are on the table ahead of the release of Disney’sHaunted Mansion, as new posters have been released showcasing the film’s characters. The film, directed byJustin Simien, boasts a star-studded cast featuring the likes ofRosario Dawson,Jamie Lee Curtis, andDanny DeVito, in the latest attempt to bring one of Disney’s most iconic theme park attractions to the big screen, following 2003’s critical misfire with theEddie Murphyvehicle,The Haunted Mansion.
The upcoming film sees Dawson star as Gabbie, a single mother who moves into a mansion with her son (played byChase W. Dillon) after buying it a steal price, only to soon learn that all is not what it seems. When the house’s ghostly entities make themselves known Gabbie must enlist the help of a team of supposed paranormal experts in the form of a priest (Owen Wilson), a tour guide (LaKeith Stanfield), a medium (Tiffany Haddish), who must unite to rid Gabbie’s home of its unwelcome guests. Joining them in the cast isDanny DeVitoas paranormal enthusiast and professor Bruce, alongside stars such asDan Levy,Jared Leto,Hasan Minhaj, andWinona Ryder.
Far from the first time Disney have looked to theirtheme parks for inspiration,Haunted Mansionjoins the likes of thePirates of the Caribbeanseries,The Country Bears,Tomorrowland, andJungle Cruiseas an adaption of one the company’s staple attractions. Another classic ride,Big Thuder Mountain, is also being taken to the big screen, withHawkeyedirectorsBert and Bertieat the helm, produced by LuckyChap Entertainment and Scott Free. Few would be as equip to bring the experience of Disney’s iconic scare ride to theaters, as Simien previously worked at Disneyland as a cast member. He takes over as the film’s director fromGuillermo Del Toro, who was originally set to lead the project. He is still credited with writing the film’s screenplay however, as well as serving as an executive producer on the film.
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Will the Film be an Improvement?
The upcoming film isn’t the first time the mansion has come to theaters, as 2003 saw the release ofThe Haunted Mansion. Starring Murphy alongsideJennifer Tilly, the movie was a hit at the box office, though spooked critics, receiving a largely negative critical reception. That film’s failings aren’t lost on Simien, who toldEntertainment Weeklythat he “had a little bit of beef with the first film”, and was looking to that film “mostly to see how easy it would be to go awry in certain spots” while working onthe upcoming project, in hopes of ensuring an improvement.
Haunted Mansionhaunts its way into theaters on July 28. you’re able to check out the film’s trailer, and the newly released posters, below:
