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Escape to Witch Mountain Remake Plot Details Revealed

by Alex Billington
November 2, 2007

One of the many great Disney live-action classics is Escape to Witch Mountain that originally opened in 1975. It's about two kids who have magical powers that are being chased by a millionaire. Given the state of Hollywood at the moment, a remake was nearly inevitable and one is already in the works from director Andy Fickman (She's the Man, The Game Plan). Titled just Witch Mountain, the film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb so far, and is being called a re-imagining instead of a remake. Dwayne Johnson updates us on a few details about the film.

While promoting Southland Tales, Johnson spoke intently about Witch Mountain, which will be heading into production next March. Although everyone is ready to go, it's taking so long to start up because of all the early special effects prep. How will it turn out? Johnson delightfully boasts about what we can expect:

"It's going to be a great, badass, action, comedy. That's why they call it a re-imagining not necessarily a remake of it because we're going to completely amp things up really in a major way. David Bomba handed in an amazing script yesterday. We're all really, really excited about it."

As for the plot, of course it's being updated for modern times. In this re-imagining it will be set in Las Vegas with Johnson starring as a cab driver.

It's all about the collision of two worlds. My world, I play an ex-con. And my relationships, or lack thereof, only last my fairs. So if you get in and say I need to be taken down the end of the strip, ok you get out 8 dollars later, that's the length of every relationship I have. Well these two children get in my cab, and they're on the run immediately and the chase happens within the first 15 minutes. And then we're off to these races and that collision is these children who, of course are being chased by your Area 51 police then the Vegas police, then it turns into this huge chase and it’s great.

The issue is that it's all coming from the same guy who did The Game Plan this year. Did anyone actually see it? Was it even any good or was it just a happy-go-lucky family flick? From that plot description above it sounds like this could be another fun Disney action flick, but hopefully it won't turn out too over-the-top. It also sounds like it could be an eye-rolling combination of The Game Plan and Taxi all set in Las Vegas.

What about sequels? Dwayne Johnson does confirm that there is a clause in his contract for sequels, but who knows whether they'll actually make them. Given the film isn't even in production, it's way too early to talk about them, but at least we know that if it does well they will be making them.

Are there any of you who are die-hard Escape to Witch Mountain fans?

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George

I'm such a big fan I wrote a script entitlted "Children of Witch Mountain" as part of an application for a fellowship program with Walt Disney Studios. I didn't get the job but I did have fun writing the continuation of the story of Tony and Tia. Almost makes me wonder if my script was good enough to get the folks at Disney to ramp up this version. I'm looking forward to the new vision, er, version!!! I wonder who they cast in the Tony part. Sign me DoubleStar
sarah

my twin brother and i loved watching this movie. it made us feel cool when we usualy got teased for being boy/girl twins. i have not watched it recently but i remember it being really fun, exciting, with some parts being a bit scary to me. (in a good way though) it fueled my growing passion for sci-fi stuff and just weird movies in general. i was excited at first hearing about a new vision/version/etc but after reading the plot and who is starring im afraid. really, the rock?? come on! and as a taxi driver who speeds around with the main characters, now your being silly. sounds like it will bomb, but im always willing to give it a chance. on the bright side though, since the premise is very different from the original it cant hurt it and makes me less irritated. maybe it will just make people go and get the old one. ((just so any hardcore fans dont kill me, i dont hate the rock, i like him. He just needs to stick to what he can do. watching him trying to branch out is almost as painful as vin diesel in the pacifier. stick to the action/fighting stuff dude.))
Polkastria

Hmmmm. I'm a fan of the original movies and I live in Las Vegas now.... I wonder if they are going to be looking for extras..... I do hope that they don't do too much to the original story line. An update makes some sense but if you change too much about the basic plot they'll just lose the feel of the story. Guess I'll wait to see what happens with this one.
http://9thsf-igc.com SHANE D

they are filing this down the street from me........................no rock though
Julie H

I was in Vegas this week and saw them filming this at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and did see THE ROCK!!!!