
Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion’ (2023) is set to come out on July 28. Based on the classic Disneyland attraction, ‘Haunted Mansion’ is a remake of the previous 2003 hit starring Eddie Murphy. As the film is set to release in a few short weeks, promotion for the film is in high gear.
The cast has become honorary Cast Members at Disneyland, appeared in a commercial with Jake from State Farm, and even posted the mansion on Zillow as a part of their marketing. Now is the red carpet event for the film’s premiere, except the cast was nowhere to be found.
Director Justin Simien went to the ‘Haunted Mansion’ premiere as the representative of the film, while his cast sat out due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
#HauntedMansion director Justin Simien arrives at the Disneyland premiere pic.twitter.com/WFybi5CNQt
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 16, 2023
RELATED: ‘Haunted Mansion’ Cast Takes Over Disneyland Attraction
Who Attended The Premiere
While the cast did not attend the event, Disney felt the show must go on! So in their place was their director Justin Simien and some friendly, not so friendly, known faces. Disney had its classic villains walk the red carpet to fill the two-hour premiere. The Evil Queen, Curella de Vil, and Maleficent held down the carpet as Mickey and Minnie Mouse also made an appearance.
In lieu of the #HauntedMansion stars, who are not in attendance at the world premiere due to the actors strike, Disney has its classic villains walking the red carpet pic.twitter.com/aCc0G30SuK
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 16, 2023
RELATED: Jake From State Farm Joins Haunted Mansion to Help
Director Justin Simien Speaks Out
Simien was not shy about his opinion, ultimately stating he’d like to speak with Bob Iger. “I feel very ambivalent about it, but at the same time, I’m just so proud of this cast, and I’m so, so proud of Katie Dippold, who wrote the script, and so much of why I did this was to honor her words and to honor their work,” Simien told The Hollywood Reporter.
Amid the SAG-AFTRA strike, #HauntedMansion director Justin Simien weighs in on walking the red carpet without his cast, as well as his concerns over AI pic.twitter.com/M5QvvDDXGq
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 16, 2023
RELATED: Haunted Mansion Movie Premiere May Be A Private Fan Event
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Strike guidelines prohibit not only on-camera work but also promotional activity, including premieres, interviews, festivals, FYC events, award shows, and podcasts.” The star-studded cast includes Stars Tiffany Haddish, LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hasan Minhaj, Marilu Henner, and Lindsay Lamb.
While the cast didn’t attend the premiere, I’m sure they are proud of the film they put out. Fans can reserve their tickets now, with the opening date nearing.
Are you attending the ‘Haunted Mansion’?