The Jungle Cruise is getting their own movie? Can we get a new Haunted Mansion movie now?

It has been announced that there will be a Jungle Cruise movie based on the legendary Disneyland attraction The Jungle Cruise. All we know so far is that the amazing Dwayne Johnson is going star, hopefully as a skipper. No matter what direction the film takes, I feel it is going to be a success. Now, I do love The Jungle Cruise. It’s one of my favorite rides and I’m very excited to see this as a film, BUT… can we get a new Haunted Mansion movie?!

My favorite attraction as a kid, and still today, is The Haunted Mansion. It’s one of Walt’s greatest achievements and really sets the tone for New Orleans Square. And part of what makes the Haunted Mansion fun is that its story is open to interpretation. The very first video I watched of Fresh Baked was the secrets and history of the Haunted Mansion. I loved every moment. Besides the video telling us how the ride was built, it was also telling us about the characters and how they have their own story and how that story comes together. That’s what I wanted from the first film.

Instead we got the Eddie Murphy comedy 2003. It was fun, but it was not what I wanted as the very first interpretation of my favorite attraction at Disneyland. Yes, I will admit it was very true to the attraction with Madame Leota, the attic, the ballroom and the mansion itself (which looked a lot like the mansion at Walt Disney World).

Here’s what I imagine: Set in New Orleans during the 19th century, just as we see it in the park. The tone of the film would be a lot like Pirates, dark but not scary and filled with action and mystery. For example, the hanging man in the beginning of the ride would be Gideon Gorelieu, with The Bride his….bride. As originally conceived, Gideon catches his bride in the attic, discovering his secret; that he is in fact, the notorious pirate Captain Gore. Gore kills the bride, and she haunts him as a result, leading to his committing suicide. We visually see the ride become a real place. We’d see the pet cemetery, greenery and everything else that we love about the Haunted Mansion and New Orleans. Can I have this movie? Can director Guillermo del Toro give me what I want?

Director of Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak, Guililermo del Toro has made some pretty decent films. BUT can he remake The Haunted Mansion? It has been said since 2010 that he has been wanting to do this film. Both he and Ryan Gosling (who would be featured in the film) have been seen at Disneyland, perhaps doing more than just having a good time. del Toro has said he would include the Hatbox Ghost and that the movie will be “fun and tense” just like the ride.

Of course there are more directors out there who could possibly do better than del Toro. Tim Burton, Henry Selick (known for Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas), and Gore Verbinski who directed the first three Pirates movie. Regardless who will produce or direct, I just want the perfect Haunted Mansion movie. We got Pirates, why can’t someone do EXCATLY that with Haunted Mansion?!

With this being said, you never know, del Toro JUST MIGHT pull through and give the audience what we have been craving. Then again, it was said that this was coming out by 2017 and it will be 2018 before we know it. OR is it just better to leave Haunted Mansion alone and enjoy the ride? As for today, will the new Jungle Cruise movie be a win like Pirates or a fail like Haunted Mansion? Only time will tell. In the mean time, I will see the new Jungle Cruise movie because Dwayne Johnson is in it and that’s good enough for me!





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