Dear White People’s Justin Simien to direct new Haunted Mansion movie

While fans are patiently awaiting the fourth season of the acclaimed series, Dear White People, there is some news about its director, Justin Simien. Recently The Kingdom Insider reported that he’s signed on to direct another project: the new Haunted Mansion movie.

Simien is no stranger to the horror-comedy genre, as he directed the movie Bad Hair. It’ll be interesting to see what he does with the new Haunted Mansion movie.

Will it be a horror-comedy?

Well, truth be told, it’s early days. We don’t know a lot about the new movie yet. Except, of course, who the new director will be.

Justin Simien to direct new Haunted Mansion movie

We also know who the writer will be, Katie Dippold. She replaces Guillermo del Toro, who had announced at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2010 that he was writing and producing a new Haunted Mansion movie based on the beloved Disney ride.

However, Dippold was brought on board when, as Collider reported:

"“That incarnation of the project proved to be a little too scary and intense for younger audiences, prompting Disney to turn to Dippold to find the right tone.”"

Her background sort of specializes in comedies with TV shows like MADtv and Parks and Recreation. She’s also written a couple of comedy movies, including The Heat and the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot.

Speaking of reboots, a lot of people are already wondering if the new Haunted Mansion movie will resurrect and redo 2003’s Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy.

According to Deadline, “Insiders say this will be a completely different take as a film that stands on its own.”

One other thing we know is that Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, the same team who produced the live-action Aladdin movie, will also produce the new Haunted Mansion one.

But as far as plot, cast or even the movie’s official title? Nope. We don’t have any of those details yet.

However, with Simien and Dippold’s backgrounds, it’s safe to say it’ll probably be a blend of comedy mixed with a dash of family-friendly horror much like the ride that’s inspiring it.