![]() ![]() While this version of the film would never materialize, the Hatbox Ghost is set to be a prominent part of Justin Simien's Haunted Mansion film, where he is set to be played by Jared Leto. He stated that, in his version of the ride's story, The Hatbox Ghost will be a pivotal character. In July 2010, director Guillermo del Toro, participating in a panel discussion at Comic-Con, announced his involvement as cowriter and producer in a new film based on The Haunted Mansion attraction. In addition, The Hatbox Ghost was the official "spooksperson" for Disneyland Resort's 2009 O-pin House pin trading event and Haunted Holidays celebration. Artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily crafted their version of a life-sized replica of The Hatbox Ghost that was auctioned for $9,400 at the first D23 Expo, held in September of the same year. In 2009, the Hatbox Ghost appeared repeatedly in art and souvenirs created for the 40th anniversary of The Haunted Mansion, in response to fan interest in the character. In the 2003 House of Mouse episode "House Ghosts", he appears to scare the daylights out of Pete along with the Hitchhiking Ghosts, the Lonesome Ghosts, the Executioner, the Skeletons from The Skeleton Dance, and the Bride. One report claims that its parts were recycled into one of the Eagle Sam audio-animatronics used in the America Sings attraction which opened at Disneyland in 1974, but this seems unlikely, in view of the simplicity of the design and construction of the Hatbox Ghost figure. While a definite record of what became of the Hatbox Ghost figure has not been published, there are speculations as to its fate. And on the DVD, " Disneyland Resort: Imagineering the Magic," Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering Tony Baxter displays an attraction maintenance slip that lists the original Hatbox Ghost. A photo of the figure in situ is featured on the website. Attempts were made to remedy technical problems, but the effect wasn't convincing enough, and the ghost was decommissioned after a few months. Almost immediately, it became apparent that the effect had failed, as ambient light in the attraction's attic scene prevented the specter's face from disappearing fully, despite its designated spotlight going dark. The Hatbox Ghost figure was installed inside The Haunted Mansion and in place for cast member (park employee) previews on the nights of August 7 and 8, 1969. A light inside the hatbox he held would rhythmically illuminate and hide the head in the hatbox, while, in tandem, the actual head on the ghost's shoulders would be hidden by extinguishing the black lighting." The ghost's head was illuminated by black lighting. According to Imagineer Chris Merritt in an interview with, the effect was never completely successful due to the illusion's close proximity to the ride vehicles: The idea behind the Hatbox Ghost figure was for its head to vanish from atop its shoulders and reappear alternately inside the hatbox, in time with an adjacent bride figure's beating heart. ![]()
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