Disneyland Plans Adventure Movie Based On Its Matterhorn Park Ride

 

I’d wager that a large portion of those among you who have never visited Disneyland don’t even know what the Matterhorn is in relation to the popular theme park. It’s a roller coaster, officially called “Matterhorn Bobsleds,” modeled after the mountain in the Alps bearing the same name. Only one of them exists, at the original Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. It is actually recognized as an official roller-coaster landmark, being the first of its kind to feature a tubular steel continuous track construction. It’s also following the example set by Pirates of the Caribbean with its very own movie.

Jason Dean Hall, writer of the awful Ashton Kutcher-starring 2009 indie Spread, has been tapped to pen a script for The Hill, The Hollywood Reporter reveals. The story, inspired by the ride, is described as “a thrilling, fast-paced movie centering on five young adventure seekers who, for mysterious reasons, are called to the top of the mountain and encounter a Yeti on the journey down.” An animatronic Yeti also features into the actual ride, which is where the connection comes in.

No other information about the project is revealed, but this is only the latest in Disney’s mining of theme park rides for film treatments. The overwhelming success of the Pirates franchise — three of the four movies are all-time top earners — can likely be blamed for that. Or thanked, depending on your perspective.