Could a Carousel of Progress Film Be Coming Soon?

Between The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, Disney fans have become familiar with—and often lamented—live-action remakes. Nostalgia is at the forefront of Disney fandom, and Walt Disney certainly wasn’t cranking out CGI films. The hand-drawn classic Disney characters captured Disney fans from the start of Walt Disney Animation Studios, which is why so many enthusiasts have resented the modern adaptations of the animated artifacts.

But what about Walt Disney World’s iconic rides? With meticulous details, thoughtful theming, and enthralling stories, Disney Rides capture the same magic that the original animated films became famous for. The Haunted Mansion, a certified favorite Disney attraction since 1971, is getting its second ride-inspired film set to hit theaters on July 28.

The film’s cast includes Oscar-Winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis as the famous Madame Leota, and she had an idea for another tried-and-true Disney attraction while promoting Haunted Mansion.

Madame Leota Has a Vision

While promoting the upcoming film Haunted Mansion, the star-studded cast headed to New Orleans to celebrate the Essence Festival. LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and director Justin Simien have been answering questions at panels and brunches about their highly-anticipated film.

While chatting with Disney Studios, Jamie Lee Curtis shared her thoughts on another attraction-inspired Disney film. In the TikTok video by Disney Studios, Curtis was asked, “If you could do another movie based on a Disney ride, what would it be?” This was her response:

So, my favorite ride/attraction was something called the Carousel of Progress, which is only now at Disney World. But it was the GE Carousel of Progress, and I loved it. So I would want to make a movie of the Carousel of Progress, which is basically time travel. It’s sort of about technology, and it’s changed over the years.

@disneystudios

Replying to @Erica There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow! #HauntedMansion #Disney #LaKeithStanfield #RosarioDawson #OwenWilson #DannyDeVito #TiffanyHaddish #JamieLeeCurtis

♬ original sound – Disney Studios

Curtis isn’t alone in her affinity for the ride, which opened to Disney Guests in 1975. Based on the attraction Walt Disney designed for the 1964 World’s Fair, the audio-animatronics show was a smash hit with its revolutionary rotating theater, and it continues to draw fans today.

Sci-Fi Flop?

A means of honoring the past while planning for the future, a Carousel of Progress film could land well with Disney fans. But reflecting the world as it is today would mean incorporating inclusive characters and themes, which has been a controversial initiative for Disney.

The themes around the film wouldn’t be entirely novel, either—Disney already made a Tomorrowland movie in 2015 that was met with a lukewarm reception. Despite featuring superstar George Clooney, the film, directed by Brad Bird, scored a mere 50% on rotten tomatoes. Though its $200 million at the box office is nothing to scoff at, it doesn’t touch the billion-dollar box office hits Disney has set the bar with.

A satirical report went viral about the Carousel of Progress getting some “woke” updates, which Disney fans did not receive well. Transforming nostalgic rides into feature films is no small feat, and if Walt Disney Studios take up Curtis’s idea, it’s safe to say it will come with some backlash.