Corona | Coming Attractions

There was a major unexpected announcement at the Disney panel held today at Comic-Con when Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro appeared on the stage to announce that he is developing a brand new feature film based on the theme part attraction The Haunted Mansion.

It's a little bit of a shock that the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of Pan's Labrynth is making a do-over of the Disney film property. Just seven short years ago the Mouse House released a Haunted Mansion movie starring Eddie Murphy. Aimed at attracting a family audience, the fantasy comedy fairly poorly at cinemas, grossing only $72 million dollars in North America and another $100 mil from international venues.

So why give The Haunted Mansion another go as a movie? Because del Toro digs it.

"Dark imagery is an integral part of the Walt Disney legacy. After all, Disney himself was the father of some really chilling moments and characters - think Chernabog from Fantasia or Maleficent as the Dragon or the Evil Queen in Snow White," explained del Toro. "I couldn't be more excited to be a part of my own adaptation of the original theme park attraction Walt envisioned and that remains - for me - the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world!"

"Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro," said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. "Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like they've never experienced before."

No release date was given for the film nor was any cast members or other creative personnel associated with the project given...but there was logo artwork released!