Disney’s Haunted Mansion is hosting its premiere at Disneyland on July 15, regardless of what transpires concerning the SAG-AFTRA strike. Disney says the red carpet premiere will become a “fan event” if the guild calls for a strike. LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Daniel Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chase W. Dillon, Hasan Minhaj, Marilu Henner, and Lindsay Lamb are among those who star in the film, all of which could strike if the negotiations continue. The film also features Winona Ryder in an undisclosed role and Jared Leto as the famous villain from the Disney attraction, the Hat-Box Ghost.
What remains to be seen is if the film’s director, Justin Simien, producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, executive producers Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman, and composer Kris Bowers would walk an actor-less red carpet if Disney decides to roll one out. No matter what happens, Disney plans to host 2000 guests for the premiere, many of which will be dressed in costumes likely inspired by the film. The festivities start at 5 p.m. with food and drinks before a 7 p.m. screening at the Hyperion Theater.
Scripted by Katie Dippold (Ghostbusters), the film has the following synopsis: In this mysterious adventure, a doctor (Dawson) and her 9-year-old son (Dillon), looking to start a new life, move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans, only to discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest (Wilson), who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned-failed-paranormal expert (Stanfield), a French Quarter psychic (Haddish), and a crotchety historian (DeVito).
Disney’s Haunted Mansion opened in 1969 after years of toil and compromise for the frightful yet funny theme park experience. The premise for the ride involves guests of the park going inside a spooky manor where they encounter ghosts, ghouls, and other members of the undead community. As you venture through the manor, the building warps and changes its appearance several times. The experience eventually ends with an unforgettable ghostly encounter that will have you think ghosts are following you back to your hotel.
Disney’s Haunted Mansion starts terrifying cinema audiences on August 11, 2023. What do you think will happen with the Haunted Mansion premiere? Let us know in the comments below.