Disney has had mixed successes in the past when adapting their popular theme park rides into films, to say the least. While their PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films have been unequivocal successes, the less we say about Eddie Murphy's HAUNTED MANSION, the better, and this year's TOMORROWLAND capsized at the box office.
Not to be deterred, they've just announced production on an adaptation of their Tower of Terror ride, which itself is based on the classic television series The Twilight Zone, basing itself around an elevator in a haunted hotel. Though a film adaptation was rumored and scrapped all the way back in 2009, things are finally moving forward. Frequent Tim Burton collaborator John August provides the story outline, though he will not be penning the script.
This will actually be the second adaptation of the ride, following a 1997 TV movie written and directed by D.J. MacHale, who also penned the popular young adult series The Pendragon Adventure. It featured Steve Guttenberg and Nia Peeples, (both of whom were recently featured in Mike Mendez's LAVALANTULA) as well as a young Kirsten Dunst, and between you and me, it wasn't half bad.
No release date is planned yet, but the film is set to be in the style of Tim Burton. Considering that Burton himself doesn't seem too interesting in creating that style right now, it's rather comforting to know that at least somebody is trying it out.