‘Haunted Mansion’ premiere: Director Justin Simien talks SAG-AFTRA strike as Disneyland event goes without actors

Justin Simien Talks Haunted Mansion

Paras Griffin/Getty Images / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy The Everett Collection

The world premiere of Haunted Mansion at Disneyland was the first major film premiere to be affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike. None of the screen talent were present at the event, but director Justin Simien addressed the elephant in the room.

“Obviously we are in a strange time in the industry. “There are some people who aren’t here,” he said before the screening, then joked that he was referring to “the multiple strikes by RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars.”

Simien later paid tribute to writer Katie Dippold, adding, “Trust me if you’re a nerd and you love this ride, this is the nerd you want in the space.”

The director said that when he first read Dippold’s script he thought it was “a brilliant and fresh, funny, heartfelt, important and meaningful take on this ride.” It was really important to me to protect her vision and she was that good as possible.”

Simien also thanked the cast who helped make Haunted Mansion a reality by crediting each member by name.

Haunted Mansion is inspired by the classic Disneyland Resort theme park ride. The film’s story follows a woman and her son who hire a ragtag crew of so-called spiritual experts to rid their home of supernatural squatters.

The 2023 Simien film is based on a screenplay by Katie Dippold. The film’s cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota, Jared Leto as the Hatbox Ghost and Winona Ryder. Hasan Minhaj and Dan Levy also appear in the film.

Haunted Mansion hits theaters on July 28th.