Even with mega-brands like Marvel and Lucasfilm under its umbrella, Disney isn’t lacking in other places to mine potential feature film franchises, like its theme park rides. It worked out well for the Pirates of the Caribbean, so perhaps it’ll do well for their latest adaptation, Tower of Terror.

The popular elevator drop ride from its theme parks in Florida, Anaheim, Tokyo, and Paris will get a silver screen adaptation from Big Fish screenwriter John August. The script already has a treatment ready, and Disney is searching for another screenwriter to turn that into a finished script. The new take on Tower of Terror was said to have come from Jim Whitaker, who is producing the film with August.

While the Tower of Terror theme park ride is branded with The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling’s likeness, and voice artist Mark Silverman’s uncanny Serling impersonation, none of that will be retained for the new movie. The Twilight Zone cinematic rights are over at Warner Bros., as that studio has plans for a new film as well.

The premise for the new film will center on the origin story of the ride, as a lightning strike at the hotel causes five people in the elevator to completely vanish. Long time Disney fans (or theme park visitors) may recall that this is not the first time Disney has tried to adapt this ride into a movie. Behold the poster for the 1997 made-for-TV movie version of Tower of Terror starring Steven Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst:

That movie is actually available to buy on DVD in the Tower of Terror gift shop as you get off of the ride.

Disney fans, are you eager to see the studio take another crack at the Tower of Terror? Check in to our comments section below and let us know!

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HT: Deadline
Image Credit: Disney