I’m a self-described theme park fanatic and a card-carrying Disneyland annual passholder, so when any film property based on a Disney theme park ride or land is announced, I’m usually excited. But the 2014 announcement that they were developing a movie based on one of Walt Disney’s first rides, It’s A Small World, was met with confusion and dread. The ride is a wonderful piece of art and history, powered by a catchy (possibly too catchy) theme song written by Disney legends the Sherman Brothers. But to say there isn’t much of a story in the ride is an understatement – there is no story. It’s essentially a boat ride showing the many cultures around the world unified through song.
So while talking with director Jon Turteltaub for his latest film The Meg, I had to ask the National Treasure-helmer for an update on this bizarre theme park-to-movie project.
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Walt Disney Pictures has hired new screenwriters to turn Walt Disney’s classic ride It’s A Small World into a big screen movie, but is that a good idea? Hit the jump to learn more about the Its A Small World movie adaptation and read my ridiculous Roger Rabbit meets Avengers pitch for the property.
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Posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 by Angie Han
The world scoffed when Disney first announced plans to turn Pirates of the Caribbean into a movie. But after that experiment proved a big, big success, it seemed like just a matter of time before Disney’s other classic rides got similar treatment. Today, it’s It’s a Small World‘s turn to get a Hollywood makeover.
The studio announced today that it will make an It’s a Small World movie, with Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure) directing. Jerry Bruckheimer, who turned Pirates into such a massive hit, will produce. More details after the jump.
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With movies, rides, updates, and short films, this edition of Theme Parks Bits is jam-packed with goodies. Below, read about the following:
- Brad Bird‘s Tomorrowland finished filming, with the last few days done at Disneyland.
- See some details and video from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coming soon to Walt Disney World.
- A huge Paramount-themed theme park is coming to Spain in 2015 featuring Star Trek, Rango, Grease and Mission: Impossible rides.
- Disneyland Paris is getting a Ratatouille restaurant along with the new ride, plus the composer gets to work.
- The Universal Waterworld stunt show is getting a rewrite.
- Some new details on the Despicable Me ride have been revealed.
- There’s “active development” getting Frozen into Disney theme parks.
- Watch an It’s A Small World web series.
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Disney, Marvel and Universal all get some ink in this edition of Theme Park Bits. Below, read about the following
- Will a Indiana Jones ride open at Disneyland Paris?
- The Ratatouille ride will open in Summer 2014.
- Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige admits to wanting more Marvel rides.
- Get a glimpse of the new Frozen-influenced World of Color show at Disney California Adventure.
- Disney legend Richard Sherman wrote a new song for a show based on the ride It’s A Small World.
- Check out the cover to the Haunted Mansion-inspired comic Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird.
- A Frozen meet and greet is now open in Epcot.
- Read a fantastic interview with the man behind Universal rides like Jurassic Park, King Kong, Terminator and Spider-Man.
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