DVDizzy Forum

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - As its fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film races to the billion-dollar mark at the worldwide box office, Disney is developing an adventure movie based on another theme-park attraction.

This time it's the Matterhorn rollercoaster ride, also known as the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which has been part of Disneyland's Fantasyland section since 1959.

The studio has hired Jason Dean Hall to write a script for the project, which has a working title of "The Hill." The idea is to do a thrilling, fast-paced movie centering on five young adventure seekers who, for mysterious reasons, are called to the top of the mountain and encounter a Yetis on the journey down.

The Matterhorn ride was inspired by Walt Disney's desire for a toboggan-themed roller coaster as well as thoughts he had after an extended trip to Switzerland, the site of the famed mountain. The ride, a centerpiece of the park, was refurbished in 1978, with one of the upgrades being the addition of three automatronic Abominable Snowmen (a.k.a. Yetis) who growl at riders.

Adapting Disney rides into film franchises is clearly a priority for the company. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is the most successful of the rides-turned-movies, generating $3.7 billion worldwide over four films. A movie was made out of the Haunted Mansion, and another is being developed with Guillermo del Toro producing. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was a Disney film, then a theme park ride, and is now being rebooted as a David Fincher directing vehicle. The ultimate theme park movie might be "Disney's Magic Kingdom," which is set entirely in the park. That project is being developed by writer Michael Chabon and director Jon Favreau.

Hall is best known for writing the 2009 indie drama "Spread," starring Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche. But he has worked on action-oriented projects that are in various development stages, notably "Robin Hood 2058," set up at Warners, "Grand Theft Auto," and sci-fi actioner "Blacklight."

carlossilva wrote: Hey, They could do a movie based on Splash Mountain !!!

Oh, wait...

UmbrellaFish wrote:Yeah, I thought that prospect was promising but when I came to that title I was like, "Wha??"

monorail91 wrote:There already is "The Hill"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k2ojlPfJN0

Very funny spoof of "The Hills", done by UCLA students!

Writer Ehren Kruger, whose recent work includes "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" and "Scream 4", has been tapped to work on Disney’s untitled explorers movie project. First-time feature director Brian Beletic is attached to helm the film, whose first draft was written by Jason Dean Hall. Justin Springer is producing the project.

The story centers on five young adventure seekers -- an action sports guy, travel guide, cartographer, archeologist and escape artist -- who venture into the Alps for mysterious reasons and face Yetis that guard a secret. The project formerly was associated with the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland but its scope has since been broadened.

The studio is hoping to keep part of the movie grounded in hardcore adventuring and has brought on Brain Farm Cinema, the boutique production house that is known for filming extreme sports, as production consultants.

When the Disneyland Resort opens on April 30th, the iconic snow-capped Matterhorn Bobsleds will remain closed for refurbishment. We can now report that the bobsled ride’s facelift is not the only Matterhorn project Disney is planning to reveal in the near future.

According to our sources, the Walt Disney Company is developing a feature film for Disney+ based on the Matterhorn Bobsleds. The working title for the project is The Hill and Disney is currently in talks with writers for the film. This project has been in early development limbo for over a decade, but we can now report that the feature film is being developed for Disney’s flagship streaming service, Disney Plus.

This leads to an important question, why now? If this project has been lingering for 10+ years, what sparked this renewed interest in a film based on a park attraction? According to sources, Disney was overwhelmed by the extremely positive feedback focus groups gave the upcoming Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt action comedy Jungle Cruise. While Disney was confident the film would be well-received, the test audiences confirmed that they have a potential blockbuster franchise on their hands. This has reenergized the Matterhorn project for Disney, as both films will be based on a Disneyland attraction.