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A Live-Action Haunted Mansion?

A new one, obviously, not that ridiculous Eddie Murphy movie from 2003. Disney has been looking for 10 years for a way to produce a new Haunted Mansion film. At long last, there is hope on the horizon. The producer duo of the live-action Aladdin, Dan Lin and Johnathan Eirich, will be returning to create this Haunted Mansion feature. Considering the huge success that Aladdin was, I am excited to see what they can do with this story. They are also slated to bring us a live-action Lilo and Stitch, whatever that will look like. The script, while not publicized just yet, is currently being penned by Katie Dippold, a writer well-versed in comedy. Having worked on the Parks and Recreation TV show and movies like The Heat, Ghostbusters(2016), and Snatched, there is some debate as to whether the movie will take on a comical storyline, like its predecessor. The storyline, a mystery, is supposed to be a stand-alone film with the potential for sequels, based on the 1969 Haunted Mansion attraction at the Disney Parks.

For those of us Foolish Mortals who have not experienced it first-hand, the premise is that you are going on a tour through an abandoned antebellum manor, which is believed to be haunted. Only the house is not abandoned, it is the home to 999 “happy haunts,” but there is always room for one more. You are led through the house by a disembodied voice, known only as the Ghost Host. There are many characters, well-known and beloved, any of which could be the star of this brand new film. Who can we expect? The Ghost Host? The Hatbox Ghost? The Bride, Constance Hatchaway? Or someone entirely different?

As previously mentioned, Disney did produce a live-action film about the Haunter Mansion in 2003. The premise was that an overzealous realtor is supposed to take his family on vacation but stops at the Gracy Mansion, which is being offered up for sale. Many wild things occur, causing the family to work together against an unknown enemy. For the full story, go watch it: The Haunted Mansion, 2003, Eddie Murphy. (I’ll wait.) This version of the story, while a nice story of its own, was not well-received by Haunted Mansion fanatics. There was a lot of elements from the attraction, but they were sloppily thrown together on the face of an Eddie Murphy comedy. Many believed it to be a disgrace to the classic attraction. So Haunted Mansion fans, while excited by the idea of a new movie, are also leery of what will come of it.

The original premise of the walk-through attraction morphed out of the mind of Imagineer Ken Anderson: a ghostly sea captain who killed his nosy bride and then hung himself, a family home for an unfortunate family, and a ghostly wedding party with well-known Disney Villians and spooks. Imagineers Rolly Crump and Yale Gracey got to recreate this attraction at WED Enterprises. Other ideas were brought to the table, and Walt decided he wanted a “Museum of the Weird,” featuring items like coffin clocks, candle men, talking chairs, man-eating plants, and gypsy wagons. This idea was eventually scraped and the story was solidified by X Atencio to be a journey from dark and foreboding into a “spirited entertainment.” After Walt’s death, the ride took on a huge change. It was decided a walk-through attraction was not realistic and there was a brand new technology developed for a defunct attraction from Tomorrowland. Labeled Doom Buggies, the semi-enclosed cars were on a continuous chain that did not stop. The cars could rotate in any direction, allowing the experience to be completely dictated by the Imagineers. This attraction was an immeadiate fan favorite and continues to draw in crowds to this day. Although not specifically designed by Disney, the story of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion is that the mansion belongs to Constance Hatchaway, a black widow, who married for wealth before killing her spouses. However, the Imagineers never actually embedded a single storyline, allowing the guests to each form their own conclusion. There are bits and pieces that lead to all sorts of storylines: Capt Bartholomew Gore, killing his young bride to keep his secret; a black widow Constance Hatchaway married a George Gracey and her soul became trapped in the mansion after she murdered him; Constance and the Hatbox Ghost are husband and wife; Constance pushes you out the window so you can become the 1000th happy haunt; the house is merely a retirement home for spirits alike... none of which are verified by Disney. The only set story is Constance was a gold-digging serial bride, with a penchant for axing the groom. The rest is up for negotiation.

What do you think is the true story? Comment below and let us know!

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