Guillermo del Toro announced today that he is developing a film based on the Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion.

Having recently stepped down as director of "The Hobbit,'" del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy") confirmed at Comic-Con International that he will now write and produce a film on the park's popular attraction for The Walt Disney Studios.

Since 1969, The Haunted Mansion has offered a whimsical and horrifying mix of supernatural mayhem for park visitors. In addition to Disneyland, the ride is featured at Disney's parks in Orlando, Fla., Paris and Tokyo.

Dark imagery is an integral part of the Walt Disney legacy,"  del Toro said. "After all, Disney himself was the father of some really chilling moments and characters -- think Chernabog from 'Fantasia' or Maleficent as the Dragon or the Evil Queen in 'Snow White.'

"I couldn't be more excited to be a part of my own adaptation of the original theme park attraction Walt envisioned and that remains -- for me -- the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world!"
 
 Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro, said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like theyve never experienced before.