Hello, ghost hunters and Disney aficionados! Today, we’re about to lift the tombstone on Walt Disney Pictures’ “Haunted Mansion”, inspired by the beloved theme park attraction. Let’s venture into the ghostly halls and learn more about this eerie, entertaining film. Are you brave enough to join us?
1. A Director’s Personal Connection to the Mansion Turned Into Cinematic Magic
One of the intriguing facts about the making of “Haunted Mansion” is the personal history of the film’s director, Justin Simien, with the theme park attraction. Not only did he grow up adoring the Haunted Mansion ride, but he also worked at Disneyland during his film school days, spending all his breaks on the ride. Much of his family is from Louisiana and the New Orleans area, granting him an intimate understanding of the location’s rich history. This personal connection and deep understanding of the source material helped him capture the unique tone and visual landscape of the film, adding an authentic touch to the spooky narrative.
Simien ensured cultural authenticity in “Haunted Mansion” by drawing from his deep understanding of Black Creole culture, mirroring the demographics of New Orleans by having a Black lead, and enhancing the film’s cultural setting. Simien’s commitment to preserving the charm of the original ride through practical effects and real-time cast interaction, coupled with a carefully selected ensemble cast, aims to provide audiences with laughter and escapism while subtly transforming their fears about death and grief into something tangible and less intimidating.
2. From Theme Park to Silver Screen
Would you believe that the original concept for “Haunted Mansion” was born in a theme park, not a scriptwriter’s notebook? The film is actually inspired by the legendary Disneyland attraction of the same name. It’s one of several Disney movies—like “Pirates of the Caribbean”—that have their roots in the iconic amusement park. Disneyland, Disney’s storied amusement park, has consistently provided a rich source of inspiration for cinematic narratives, birthing a series of prosperous movies.
Inheriting the spooky allure of its theme park equivalent, the film “Haunted Mansion” stands as the newest addition to a series of movies derived from Disneyland attractions. Notably, the wildly successful “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise also shares a similar origin, having started as a beloved Disneyland ride.
Disney’s talent lies in its capability to craft captivating stories from the most unconventional origins, transmuting a basic theme park ride into an expansive cinematic venture. In its transition from theme park to the big screen, Disney continues to fuse various forms of entertainment, thereby delivering Disneyland’s enchantment and awe to a global audience.
3. Ensemble Cast Brings Unique Characters to Life
Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, the film encapsulates the spirit of Disney’s famous theme park attraction. LaKeith Stanfield appears as Ben, an expert in paranormal activities, with his own experience of the theme park ride inspiring his portrayal. Tiffany Haddish brings to life Harriet, a French Quarter psychic tracing her powerful ancestry. Owen Wilson, acclaimed for roles like ‘Loki’, depicts Father Kent, an unconventional priest with a specialty in exorcisms. Veteran actor Danny DeVito delivers a standout performance as Professor Bruce Davis, a character molded by DeVito’s encounters with the Haunted Mansion ride. Rosario Dawson embodies Gabbie, a physician and mother who relocates to a haunted house, a dream role for the lifelong Disney and Haunted Mansion enthusiast.
In supporting roles, Chase W. Dillon, a young talent, portrays Gabbie’s son Travis, forming close bonds with his co-stars during filming. Daniel Levy, the face of ‘Schitt’s Creek’, enacts Vic, the theatrical owner of a bed-and-breakfast tied to the Haunted Mansion. Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis stars as the iconic Madame Leota, a thrilling role for Curtis who has visited the Haunted Mansion ride numerous times. In a unique nod to Disney’s legacy, the character Alastair Crump echoes the last name of Disney Imagineer Rollie Crump, a key contributor to the original theme park attraction. Cameos from Hasan Minhaj, Marilu Henner, and comedian Jo Koy further enrich the “Haunted Mansion” film, making it a splendid cinematic tribute to one of Disney’s most cherished attractions.
4. Meticulous Set Design Breathes Life into the Haunted Mansion
One of the major highlights in the creation of Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” was the extensive effort put into designing and constructing the film sets, in a successful bid to transport the audience into a world that felt both surreal and true to the original theme park ride. It showcases a remarkable feat of set design, marrying elements of fantasy with authentic details from the original theme park ride. Helmed by an esteemed team including Production Designer Darren Gilford, Academy Award®-winning Set Decorator Victor J. Zolfo, and Property Master Steven B. Melton, the production involved crafting grandiose sets like a two-story façade of Gracey Manor, an expansive dining room, and Madame Leota’s secret séance room.
Disney’s Imagineers were instrumental in the process, providing a detailed guide to the theme park rides’ specifics, which inspired the film’s easter eggs and iconic elements such as the Stretching Room and the giant chandelier. The final product, achieved through detailed touchstones such as wallpaper, door handles, etchings, and dozens of paintings, aimed to reflect the feel of the original ride rather than being an exact replica.The cast lauded the production design for its meticulous details and vast expanses, which significantly contributed to their performances. The film also saw the recreation of the Crump House, modeled after the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, with elements of French and Rococo reflecting Crump’s personality. After wrapping up in Atlanta, the crew relocated to New Orleans, highlighting the city’s unique traditions, like the opening scene’s funeral procession. This synergy between set design and locale made “Haunted Mansion” a truly immersive cinematic experience.
5. The Art of Costume and Makeup Transforms Actors into Spectral Beings
An in-house atelier approach was adopted by Academy Award® nominated Costume Designer Jeffrey Kurland. He meticulously designed costumes that span from the late 1700s to the present day, ensuring authenticity to each period while adding his creative flair. The custom costumes were not confined to the principal cast, as he also brought to life the ghostly inhabitants of the mansion. Notably, Tiffany Haddish’s character, Harriet, was dressed in a blend of Louisiana Creole, Romanian gypsy, and neo-soul styles, enhanced with multi-colored head wraps and custom-made lace-up boots, while Owen Wilson’s character, a hipster priest, was fitted in custom-made black attire with red accents, topped with a vintage-inspired black velvet bowler hat and several talismans. While locked in the mansion, his costume shifted to a black chinoiserie style silk lounge robe worn over cream silk pajamas with a red knit beanie, exhibiting a different facet of his character. The task of transforming Jamie Lee Curtis into Madame Leota was a unique challenge, tackled by a team of dedicated artisans under Kurland, who painstakingly crafted every detail of her elaborate attire.
The realm of special effects makeup was expertly handled by Academy Award®-winning Makeup Designer Joel Harlow. He adapted seven of the original ride’s most memorable ghosts into cinematic characters, with actors spending around four hours each in hair and makeup. He ingeniously integrated a fluorescent pigment into the silicone prosthetics, giving the ghost actors a ghostly glow under the set lighting. Harlow, alongside the visual effects team, ensured a seamless blend of fantasy and reality, encapsulating the magical essence of the “Haunted Mansion.”
So, there you have it—5 spooktacular facts about Walt Disney Pictures’ “Haunted Mansion”. The next time you sit down to watch this film or ride the Disneyland attraction, you’ll have some behind-the-scenes secrets to share. Remember, there’s always room for one more… Are you brave enough to join the 999 happy haunts?
