At long last, Disney is welcoming guests back to the Haunted Mansion, a fresh take on one of the company’s signature rides.
It was revealed back in July that comedian Tiffany Haddish (Night School, Bad Trip) and Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out, Death Note, Knives Out, Uncut Gems) will star in the film, according to THR, with Justin Simien, who previously helmed Dear White People and Bad Hair, making his big-budget studio debut.
While story details are basically invisible, it will follow a family that moves into the titular mansion.
But what about the 999 happy haunts that reside in the Haunted Mansion?
That Hashtag Show got their hands on a new casting call, which breaks down several of the ghosts that will haunt the new mansion – all of which are a tribute to the popular dark ride, including the stretching room ghosts! Could we see all 999 at some point?!
PRACTICAL GHOSTS
“Casting for the following ghosts describes the roles as appearing throughout the film, but in a non-scripted capacity,” explains the site. “They will also appear in wall portraits.”
William Gracey + Gracey’s Wife: A wealthy Creole couple in their early 30s, the Graceys are free people of color from 19th century New Orleans.
The Mariner: An older, weathered 19th-century sailor. Gruff on the outside, but with a winning smile and an underlying warmth to him.
The Butler: Another Victorian-era older gentleman, serving as the butler to a wealthy family. He’s described as a thin man with hollow eyes.
The Bride: A 30-something Victorian woman who’s gained a reputation for beheading her husbands a few times. (Okay, five times…)
Dueling Ghost: Pretty self-explanatory – a 19th-century male ghost who participates in a duel. This one has a fairly open age range, with potential casting running from 30s-60s.
TALKING HEADS
“Casting for the following roles specified they will take up the mantle of ‘talking portrait,’ including a motion-capture performance to be translated digitally. These come directly from the Disney ride, so you may have spotted their portraits before!”
Woman with Rose: An older woman who may have played a part in her recent widowing…
Man in Dynamite Suit: An older bearded man preparing to take a formal picture… but he doesn’t realize the flash of light will be a bit more intense than expected.
Quicksand Man: Another one that’s pretty self-explanatory – a guy sinking in quicksand.
The Ballerina: A young and nimble dancer, anxious as she balances perilously above a creature below…
As for the aforementioned Tiffany Haddish and LaKeith Stanfield, they are playing some interesting roles in Haunted Mansion.
“Stanfield would play a widower who once believed in the supernatural but is now a rather lifeless tour guide in New Orleans’ French Quarter,” and “Haddish would play a psychic hired to commune with the dead.”
Could this be somewhat of an origin tale where Stanfield becomes the iconic “Ghost Host”, a disembodied voice that acts as the guests’ “private guide through the cadaverous realm of an eerie haunted estate”?
And then Haddish’s role sounds extremely in line with the even-more-iconic Madame Leota, a headless entity of a psychic who’s encased in a crystal ball. Child’s Play franchise star Jennifer Tilly played the role in the 2003 adaptation.
The project is set to shoot in Louisiana this fall. More soon.