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First Looks at New Haunted Mansion Movie

Posted by: Steven Wilk May 10, 2023

Danny Devito

Disney fans look forward to the upcoming Haunted Mansion (2023) film. Especially after the poor box office performance and mixed reception of the 2003 movie, also based on the same classic Disney ride.

RELATED: Does Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion Have A Storyline?

Movies Based on Rides

Disney is no stranger to making movies based on their popular theme Park attractions, with some such as Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), reaching massive success and spawning many sequels. The upcoming Haunted Mansion (2023) movie hopes to achieve similar success with a star-studded cast, including the talents of Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson, and Danny DeVito.

eddie-murphy-haunted-mansion-movie

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney’s New Haunted Mansion Movie May Be Inappropriate for Children

Madame Leota

The film’s director Justin Simien was in charge of translating the famous Disney ride into a box-office success. Among the many story threads in the new movie, one will focus on Madame Leota— a fan-favorite character. Recently released is a first look at Jamie Lee Curtis as the aforementioned medium.

Madame Leota Jamie Lee Curtis

Credit: Disney

The Director Speaks Out

“She starts off as one of the relics, one of the items, one of the aspects of the house that has to be discovered, but becomes a functional character and a useful ally in the film,” Simien says, referring to Madame Leota. In the movie, she assists a single mother in ridding their home of ghosts.

The film will also feature the signature Hatbox Ghost, played by Jared Leto.

Hatbox Ghost

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Take a Sneak Peek at What’s Coming Soon to Disney World’s Haunted Mansion

Simien has also announced that he pulled other inspiration from the ride, including the “Grim Grinning Ghosts” song, the stretching room, and even some of the paintings. His goal with this film is to try and balance mystery, terror, and lighthearted fun. He also adds that the film includes many other Easter Eggs that hardcore fans of the Disney Parks attraction will notice.

haunted-mansion-disney

Credit: Disney

Disney World and Disneyland Park fans look forward to seeing one of their favorite rides transitioned to the big screen.

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)