Guillermo del Toro to direct new `Haunted Mansion’

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Guillermo del Toro will direct a new movie remake of Disney’s “Haunted Mansion.”

The Oscar winner made the announcement Thursday at Comic-Con, San Diego’s annual pop culture convention.

Del Toro said his film will be a scary 3-D, live-action take on what he called “the most precious real estate on Earth.”

“We’re making it into an e-ticket ride,” del Toro said. “It will be scary and fun at the same time.”

The new movie will be true to the “spirit, art and aesthetic” of the original Disneyland Haunted Mansion, where del Toro has made an annual pilgrimage since he was 3.

He said he goes on the ride to clear his head and has a Haunted Mansion-themed room at his house.

The film reboot will reintroduce the character of the Hatbox Ghost, whom del Toro described as critical to the Mansion’s mythology.

The director said his movie won’t be a comedy and won’t star Eddie Murphy, who appeared in a previous cinematic take on the popular ride.

“This, to me, is a dream come true,” del Toro said, “and I hope to steal as many props as possible.”

Comic-Con continues through Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center.

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Online:

http://www.comic-con.org

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