Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Scarlett Johansson shares Tower of Terror movie update: Cracking the ride’s mystery is tougher than expected

Scarlett Johansson has confirmed that work continues on the much-anticipated Scarlett Johansson Tower of Terror movie, as she and Disney navigate the challenge of adapting the mysterious story beneath the legendary Disney World ride. The film’s plot remains a work in progress, with Johansson sharing recent updates on the adaptation’s development.

Refining the Haunted Hotel Story

The Tower of Terror movie project, originally announced years ago, is still under active development as Johansson commits to shaping its narrative. During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Johansson explained that turning the haunted hotel concept from a theme park attraction into a compelling film has proven complex. The ride, located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, serves as the basis for the adaptation, drawing loosely on the ideas behind Rod Sterling’s notable anthology series, The Twilight Zone.

“It’s a hard nut to crack. Harder than you think, because the ride itself, there’s some lore to it, but it’s… I don’t want to say thin, but it is, kind of!”

—Scarlett Johansson, Actress

The iconic ride’s story centers on guests who become trapped in an elevator after lightning strikes the Hollywood Tower Hotel, sending five individuals on a supernatural journey into the unknown. However, Johansson notes that the attraction’s plot, while intriguing for a ride, is brief and lacks enough depth to fill out a full Hollywood feature.

Navigating the Challenge of Adaptation

Johansson elaborated on the creative process, echoing how the project presents unique obstacles compared to other film adaptations. She pointed out that most of the narrative is suggested rather than detailed, an element that makes the Tower of Terror’s original mystery both compelling and challenging to expand.

Scarlett Johansson
Image of: Scarlett Johansson

“That’s part of the mystery of the ride. It’s been a fun project to work on, because it’s a blue sky project,”

—Scarlett Johansson, Actress

“It has also proved to be a hard nut to crack. But, we’ll crack the case of it. It’s taking shape!”

—Scarlett Johansson, Actress

According to Johansson, the collaboration with Disney is ongoing and both parties remain dedicated to creating a story that does justice to the beloved ride while crafting a standalone, suspenseful film experience. Development continues, with fans eager to see how the Tower of Terror’s eerie themes will be brought to the big screen.

Legacy of the Tower of Terror Ride

Disney reaffirmed its commitment to the project after resolving a public dispute with Johansson over the release of Black Widow in 2021. The studio issued a statement emphasizing their ongoing partnership:

“look[s] forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”

—Disney, Studio Statement

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror remains one of Disney World’s standout attractions, famous for its 199-foot tower and chilling backstory. Various versions of the attraction have been developed in Disney parks worldwide, each offering slightly different themes: Walt Disney Studios in France, Tokyo DisneySea in Japan, and Disney California Adventure in California have all hosted their own take on the haunted hotel adventure. The California version was notably transformed in 2017 to serve as a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction, reflecting Disney’s ongoing drive to refresh its park experiences.

Fans Call for Preservation Amid Change

As rumors spread about the future of the attraction, figures such as Ariana Grande have made impassioned public requests to Disney not to update or replace the original Tower of Terror ride in Orlando. Grande addressed her plea during an appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast, emphasizing her devotion to the classic experience.

“Please allow the iconic and tremendous Tower of Terror to stand tall, permanently in the name of historical preservation, spooky honor, and good, old-fashioned fun. I hope that you’ll consider this humble plea from a passionate fan,”

—Ariana Grande, Singer and Actress

Her appeal has resonated with lifelong fans of the ride, fueling ongoing discussion about the significance of preserving Disney World traditions alongside modern updates.

A History of On-Screen Adaptations

The upcoming Scarlett Johansson Tower of Terror movie is not the first attempt to bring the eerie elevator story to the screen. In 1997, Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst starred in a Disney made-for-TV film also titled Tower of Terror, which was partially filmed at the original Disney World attraction. However, that version notably separated itself from The Twilight Zone roots, focusing instead on a Hollywood ghost story with a lighter touch.

Further adding to anticipation, Johansson’s ongoing work arrives at a time of resurgence in theme park-inspired cinema, as studios continue to draw on iconic attractions for their next blockbuster projects. Her status as a marquee star, combined with Disney’s backing, keeps speculation alive about how this challenging story will eventually unfold.

What Lies Ahead for the Tower of Terror Film

With Scarlett Johansson leading the creative effort, the Tower of Terror movie promises to delve deeper into the haunted lore that has intrigued generations of park visitors. As the adaptation’s story continues to take shape, the project’s legacy, the involvement of key figures like Johansson, and the collective hopes of passionate fans all add considerable weight to its development. Whether the film will solve the “hard nut to crack” and create a new classic remains to be seen, but its progression is closely watched within both the film and theme park communities.

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