Jon Turteltaub Says His 'It's A Small World' Movie Is Not The Ridiculous Concept You Might Imagine

Jon Turteltaub Says His ‘It’s A Small World’ Movie Is Not The Ridiculous Concept You Might Imagine

I’m a self-described theme park fanatic and a card-carrying Disneyland annual passholder, so when any film property based on a Disney theme park ride or land is announced, I’m usually excited. But the2014 announcement that they were developing a moviebased on one of Walt Disney’s first rides,It’s A Small World, was met with confusion and dread. The ride is a wonderful piece of art and history, powered by a catchy (possiblytoocatchy) theme song written by Disney legends the Sherman Brothers. But to say there isn’t much of a story in the ride is an understatement – there is no story. It’s essentially a boat ride showing the many cultures around the world unified through song.

So while talking with directorJon Turteltaubfor his latest filmThe Meg, I had to ask theNational Treasure-helmer for an update on this bizarre theme park-to-movie project.

We haven’t heard much about this project in the last couple years since the screenwriters were announced, so I thought it was about time to ask Turteltaub for an update. Here is an excerpt from my interview with the filmmaker.

One last question for you.I know you were attached to a movie with Disney called It’s a Small World.

It’s still going?

I took my daughter on the ride this weekend actually.Last weekend.We’re still…Anyone who says making a movie based on the Small World ride is ridiculous is completely right.Which is why it’s really tricky to figure it out.Because there is a way where it’s not ridiculous.Where in fact it’s pretty clever and delightful.We’re working on the clever and delightful version and that’s gonna take more time than the really ridiculous, bad version.

What is the logline or you may’t share or…?

I think we know it’s very emotional because it is a world of laughter and a world of tears.

Okay, well thank you very much, Jon.Appreciate it.

Thank you.

As a Disneyland Annual passholder, don’t eff it up.

[laughs] I’ll try not to screw it up for you.

So there you have it. I’m guessing that Turtletaub was hired for this project because of his history withNational Treasureadventure-style movies with Bruckheimer. I really can’t tell if he’s just joking with me when he quotes the Sherman Brothers song, telling me it will be very emotional because it is “a world of laughter and a world of tears.” But the fact that he insists this isnt the ridiculous version of a Small World movie adaptation that you might imagine gives me some hope.

Disney has been trying to recapture the magic of thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise, but it doesn’t look like Guerillmo del Toro’sHaunted Mansionor Jon Favreau’sMagic Kingdomare going to get off the ground. TheSpace Mountainmovie fell off the slate when Disney acquired Lucasfilm, Brad Bird’sTomorrowlandwas widely considered a dud, and John August’sTower of Terrormovie fell into development heck when Disney decided to re-theme the west coast version of the attraction intoGuardians of the Galaxy. However,Jungle Cruisestarring The Rockis currently in production.

But back toIt’s a Small World. The story is based on a treatment byJared Stern, who has worked on Disney animated movies likeBolt, Wreck It Ralph, andThe Princess and the Frog. He also wrote the live-action comedyThe Internshipand created the television seriesDr. Ken.In 2016 it was announcedthat screenwriting duoTim Rasmussen and Vince Di Meglio, whose list of credits includeLicense to Wed, Marmadukeand the in-developmentThree Men and a BabysequelThree Men and a Bride, were hired by mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Turteltaub to pen a big screen adaptation of the popular theme park attraction. Turteltaub will be producing the film alongsideThe Lego MovieproducerDan Lin.

Turteltaub’s history with Disney stretches back decades. His 1992 movie3 Ninjaswas a Disney movie, as were hisCool Runnings,While You Were Sleeping,Phenomenon,Instinct,The Kid,National Treasure,National Treasure: Book of Secrets, andThe Sorcerer’s Apprentice. (The last three of those were produced by Bruckheimer, who’s also done a lot of work with Disney.)

Walt Disney created the original ride with his Imagineering group for the New York World’s Fair in 1964. Most people know the ride because it was rebuilt for the Disney theme parks around the world. The ride was considered highly innovative in its day, featuring over 300 audio-animatronic dolls from all over the world singing the now infamous (and loved or hated depending on the person) song penned by Disney songwritersRobert S. ShermanandRichard B. Sherman.