Bryce Dallas Howard is set to star in a new Disney Plus series adaptation of the 1970s classic Escape to Witch Mountain.
Escape to Witch Mountain, adapted from the 1968 novel of the same name by Alexander Key, was a hit for Disney when it was released in 1975. Chronicling the story of two orphans with telekinetic abilities who must escape a millionaire who wishes to control them, the film spawned two sequels, 1978's Return from Witch Mountain and 1982’s Beyond Witch Mountain. In 1995, Disney remade Escape to Witch Mountain as a television movie for The Wonderful World of Disney. Another adapted and retooled version of the original, Race to Witch Mountain, was released in 2009, starring Dwayne Johnson in the lead role.
According to Variety, Disney Plus has ordered a pilot for a Witch Mountain series starring Dallas Howard (Jurassic World trilogy) that is reportedly set to revive the premise of two teens gifted with strange abilities. The Disney Plus series adaptation will also star Isabel Gravitt (The Watcher), Levi Miller (Streamline), Bianca “b” Norwood (WeCrashed), and Jackson Kelly (Straight Man). The pilot of the new Escape to Witch Mountain series, directed by Augustine Frizzell, was written by Travis Fickett and Terry Matalas, who will also executive produce along with Davis Entertainment and Gary Marsh.
While details on the Witch Mountain series are unavailable, the revival bodes well for this vintage piece of Disney entertainment, particularly since its subject matter and plot are easily updated for new fans and audiences. The original, for older fans, is considered a classic bit of early Disney horror, meaning that nostalgia will no doubt drive interest in the new series. The Witch Mountain trilogy is often compared to another early '80s classic, Watcher in the Woods, which recently got a remake by Lifetime Television in 2017.
Dallas Howard has been a fan favorite since her early roles in The Village and Lady in the Water, as well as her fame as one of the newest Star Wars franchise directors, which means a stellar performance in this promising new adaptation alongside a younger cast. In addition, the Witch Mountain series will no doubt offer a greater range of imaginative storytelling for Disney, making this one to watch among the slew of recent Disney remakes and reboots on the very successful streaming service.
The Witch Mountain films are available on Disney Plus.
Source: Variety