"Guillermo del Toro made a surprise announcement at Disney's panel for Tron Legacy that he will next co-write produce and [possibly] direct a 3D The Haunted Mansion reboot.
A teaser was shown with a very brief narration about the haunted house over animation that looked to be either done by Mike Mignola or Mignola-inspired. Mignola, the creator of Hellboy [which del Toro directed two blockbuster films based on Hellboy], also illustrated a poster for Guillermo del Toro's [Oscar-winning] Pan's Labyrinth.
'We are not returning Eddie Murphy's calls,' del Toro said, making a surprise appearance onstage, '...and we are not making it a comedy... We are making it scary and fun, but the scary will be scary.'
The story will be built around the Hatbox Ghost and del Toro hopes that he'll be reintroduced to the ride as well.
Here's the official announcement from the studio:
'Guillermo del Toro surprised the 6,500 fans gathered today at Comic-Con with the announcement that he is currently developing a new film for The Walt Disney Studios based on the classic Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion.
'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,' said 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.'
Since August 1969, foolish mortals have dared to trespass on the macabre grounds of Disney’s Haunted Mansion. A hallowed landmark in Disneyland’s New Orleans square, it’s the dwelling place of 999 happy haunts dying to meet new visitors each day. The plantation-style of the mansion’s facade is a sweet deception for visitors. Inside, ghostly doom buggies line the hallways. Since its construction, the mysteries of the mansion have transcended the attraction with stories surfacing about horrifying encounters with the supernatural. Versions of the daunting edifice have been built at other Disney theme parks in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris."
So del Toro's doing the first modern Disney horror film. I say modern because Disney once before dabbled in the world of horror - The Watcher in the Woods.
But del Toro himself said, "We won't be returning Eddie Murphy's calls."
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