“It’s A Small World, After All! It’s A Small World, After All!”

Remember when people initially chuckled at the idea of Disney turning its Pirates of The Caribbean ride into a movie? I’d say that one worked out for them. Then they did it again with their Haunted Mansion attraction. That one? Not so much. It turned a modest profit, but it didn’t lead to much else. Well, now Disney is at it again. They’re planning a feature film adaptation of their It’s A Small World ride. That’s not all. They’ve hired a director, and they intend this to be a franchise.

Jon Turteltaub, he of the National Treasure movies and last year’s sleeper hit Last Vegas, has been tapped to helm It’s A Small World. Deadline is reporting that he’s also producing the film, along with Dan Lin of The Lego Movie. The move makes sense considering Turteltaub has been a good company man for Disney. Aside from the Treasureflicks, he’s also directed The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and The Kid for the mouse house.

According to the Deadline report, the film isn’t happening all that soon. It has a script, written by Jared Stern (Wreck-It Ralph), but it still requires plenty of development if it is to spawn the franchise the studio is envisioning. Also, Turteltaub has all ready committed to directing a third Treasure movie, so It’s A Small World will have to come after that.

SOURCE: Deadline