Disney is to produce a movie adaptation of their famous Disneyland attraction, Mr Toad’s Wild Ride, with visionary animator Pete Candeland.
In the loosest possible sense, though, because unlike other instances of theme park rides being turned into movies, this already has source material. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2003), THE HAUNTED MANSION (2003) and THE TOWER OF TERROR (the 1997 made-for-TV movie starring THN favourite Steve Guttenberg) were all based on the original theme park rides, where as the ‘Mr Toad’s Wild Ride’… er… ride, was of course based on THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS by Kenneth Grahame.
Mr Toad’s Wild Ride was one of the original attractions when Disneyland opened in 1955 and remained a visitor favourite until its closure in 1998. Today’s announcement that Disney will be making a movie based on the attraction essentially means that they’re making a new version of Wind In The Willows, which they first brought to the screen in THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR TOAD (1949) on which the theme park ride was based (Still with us?). They will merely give it the name of MR TOAD’S WILD RIDE for the sake of recognition. This happened before when Terry Jones’ 1996 adaptation (starring himself, Eric Idle and Steve Coogan) was renamed MR TOAD’S WILD RIDE by Disney, presumably assuming that audiences would be more familiar with the attraction than the original book (are you sure you’re still with us?)
Pete Candeland is no stranger to Disney, or indeed Mr Toad. Candeland is best known for his superb work animating THE GORILLAZ, the BBC’s promotional material for the Beijing Olympics and his collaborating effort with Sir Paul McCartney for the opening of BEATLES ROCK BAND. He also worked as a lead animator on The House of Mouse’s TV spin-off, ALADDIN and BEAUTY & THE BEAST: THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS as well as, funnily enough, a 1995 animated version of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Candeland is expected to use a mix of live action and CGI for the new version.
Now, try reading that back, and having a drink every time you see the word ‘Ride.’ God speed, Goodspeed.
Source: DEADLINE
