Disney+ has officially greenlit a pilot for a “Witch Mountain” series, based on the film series. The first film is “Escape to Witch Mountain” from 1975 which is based on the 1968 Alexander Key novel of the same name. This spawned 2 sequels “Return from Witch Mountain” in 1978 and “Beyond Witch Mountain” in 1982. A made-for-television remake in 1995. And, a reboot attempt in 2009 with “Race to Witch Mountain” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a VERY young Alexander Ludwig (“Vikings“).
The planned “Witch Mountain” pilot will reportedly be a more “modern” take on the story of two teens that develop strange abilities. Leading them to discover that their sleepy suburb may not be as idyllic as it seems. It really is a tale as old as time.
Augustine Frizzell (“The Last Letter from Your Lover”) will direct and executive produce the pilot, with a script by Travis Fickett (“12 Monkeys”) and Terry Matalas (“Star Trek: Picard”), who are executive producing as well. John Fox and John Davis of Davis Entertainment will also be executive producing along with Gary Marsh.
The“Witch Mountain” pilot will star Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), with Isabel Gravitt (“The Watcher”), Levi Miller (“Streamline”), Bianca “b” Norwood (“WeCrashed”), and Jackson Kelly (“Straight Man”) set as series regulars.
Gravitt will play Tia, straight-A student who’s regarded by her classmates as “perfect,” though she views herself as flawed. She is plagued by nightmares and fears that her late father’s schizophrenia will begin to manifest in her. Tia is already experiencing “hallucinations” where people step outside their living bodies and voice their deepest/darkest fears, desires, and rages.
Howard will portray Tia’s mother, who is helping her daughter grapple with the death of her father, caused by his mental illness. While she presents herself as a warm and loving mother, nothing in this town is what it seems.
Kelly stars as Peter, Tia’s lovesick best friend, but she is unaware of his feelings. So of course when Tia expresses her concerns about the seemingly impossible happenings around them, he jumps at the chance to help her solve the mystery.
Miller is cast as Ben who is a troubled teen who makes ends meet by writing papers for other students. But his short fuse has him risking expulsion if he hits any more of his fellow students. A problem that is compounded by a recent troubling discovery about himself, he can force others around him to move according to his will. He is also inexplicably being drawn toward Tia, but we think you can venture a guess as to why.
Norwood will play Corey, Ben’s best friend, and co-worker at a local diner. Corey is also an outsider with tattoos but he is mature and often comes across as older than he really is. And while Ben is his friend he does not like it when he tries to act as the group’s protector.
We’ll let you know what we hear about this and other news.
