Director Justin Simien talks about some of the Easter eggs hidden in his Disney film THE HAUNTED MANSION

This year’s Disney movie The haunted mansion it was a super fun version of the classic Disneyland attraction. The film told a modern-day story of a mother and son who moved into the mansion, but became stranded as anyone who set foot inside was haunted by its ghostly inhabitants, even if they left. They invite a group of misfits to take on the ghoulish ghosts, and it’s a really fun journey! Each scene pays homage to the fan-favorite theme park with references and Easter eggs, but not all of the hidden gems were widely noticed or discussed.

The director of the film, Justin Simiencaught up with ComicBook to talk about some of his fun additions to the film, especially the painting that almost no one has talked about since the film’s release.

“People don’t talk much about the painting on the door of the Seance Room, but it’s a period from May to December. It’s a painting that was in the Haunted Mansion and went away and came back, but it gets older as the movie progresses, and it’s a little thing that people don’t always notice. Also, there are a lot of faces on the journey. There are a lot of hidden faces, eyes and things, and you definitely feel that a little bit in the backgrounds. I think you see it in the door handles and things like that. But it was something that was a bit like the hidden Mickeys at Disneyland. We were constantly working on strange things that just gave you the feeling of being watched or that’s there’s something staring at you, but maybe it’s a bit in the subconscious. But I have to say the fans are pretty excited, so there’s very little they haven’t found yet.”

The May to December painting shows a woman who ages as time passes. In the film, that painting is on the door to the Seance Room. If you pay attention as the film progresses, you will notice that the woman in the painting ages every time she is shown to the camera.

The Hatbox Ghost, played by Jared Letois the main antagonist of the Haunted Mansion film, which is an interesting choice given the small part he plays in the ride itself.

Longtime fans of the Haunted Mansion attraction have helped popularize the Hatbox Ghost over the years, despite the fact that it hasn’t appeared on rides in a long time. Simien went on to say that the love fans had for the character is why it made so much sense for him to feature him in a prominent role.

“There were these images, these framed photos of him floating around, and people over the years became obsessed with him and he entered the canon, and you always have to pay attention to things like that in fandom because that’s where it happens always the magic. There’s always a creative intention, but then when the audience realizes that and starts to separate things and refine them, it’s the excitement that he’s a character that actually came before him. the way we understand it.”

I really liked this movie and I hope Simien manages to make another one. At Comic-Con he said he would also really like to remake the 1978 film, The magician. I would have come down to see it! Haunted house is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. The film is also available for streaming on Disney+.