In an interview today, Scarlett Johansson, star of the upcoming “Tower of Terror” film, gave an update on the film’s production process as well as a fun tidbit about her experiences with the ride.
The former Marvel Cinematic Universe star appeared on this morning’s edition of “Live! with Kelly and Mark” to discuss, among other things, her upcoming “Tower of Terror” film project with hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
She noted during the interview that filming was about to begin on “Tower of Terror,” which has no release date or plot details out yet. Johansson also joked that she loves the ride, but can only go on it once and that’s it, “no rerides.”
Johansson is currently set to produce and star in the movie, which was previously cancelled while Johansson was embroiled in a lawsuit with Disney over the release of “Black Widow” on streaming and her subsequent very public fallout with then-CEO Bob Chapek and the company at large.
No director has been attached although rumors have swirled of Taika Waititi directing and “Toy Story 4” director Josh Cooley helping write the script. This would not have been the first attempt at a Tower of Terror film adaptation. As part of The Wonderful World of Disney, a TV movie called “Tower of Terror” starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst aired in 1997. In December 2020, screenwriter John August shared details and illustrations from his pitch for a new film that he presented in 2015.
Let us know if you’re excited for the “Tower of Terror” film in the comments below!
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios) in 1994, based on the iconic sci-fi horror show “The Twilight Zone,” spawning a series of attractions both cloned and modified around the world.
On the attraction, guests step into a glitzy Golden Age hotel, The Hollywood Tower Hotel, abandoned in 1939 after an actor, a singer, a child star, her nanny, and a hotel bellhop vanished from the elevator, along with an entire wing of the building, during a lightning strike. Legend says these five were transported to The Twilight Zone. Now with the help of iconic host Rod Serling, you can step into an episode of the iconic series yourself to find out what really happened that fateful night.
The version in Paris is a clone of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror built at Disney’s California Adventure in 2004 (later Disney California Adventure). That version closed in 2017 to become Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT, featuring the characters from the iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe trilogy. In that ride, guests visit an exhibition held by The Collector from the first film, ready to show off his latest acquisition — the Guardians of the Galaxy. But one of them, Rocket, escapes, and he enlists the help of guests visiting to help bust his friends out and escape the museum.
Meanwhile at Tokyo DisneySea, guests experience a completely original story fitting to its home in American Waterfront. This version opened in 2006 and tells the story of eccentric collector Harrison Hightower III, who traveled the world pilfering artifacts from cultures and societies to display at his New York City hotel. After an expedition to Africa, he brings home a cursed idol of death, Shiriki Utundu, whose curse he mocks by burning a hole in the statue’s head with his cigar. On the evening of December 31, 1899, he starts to bring the idol up to his private penthouse, when the idol comes alive, drops the elevator, and causes Hightower to disappear without a trace. Now guests are invited to a tour from the New York City Preservation Society, making a case to preserve the abandoned hotel rather than see it demolished. But the curse of Shiriki Utundu still looms over the hotel.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.