Disney is marking the 50th anniversary of “It’s A Small World” this year and part of the celebration is starting development on a film based on the ride and the incredibly catchy tune.
Jon Turteltaub, who just directed the hit comedy Last Vegas for CBS Films, is going to direct the project, reports Deadline. Jared Stern, who pitched his idea for a full-length film based on the ride, has been tapped to write and co-produce with Turteltaub and The LEGO Movie’s Dan Lin. It’s not clear what the plot will be, but Deadline says that the studio pictures it as a future franchise.
Turteltaub has a relationship with Disney, having helmed both National Treasure movies, notes Variety. He has also directed The Watch and The Internship. He is working with Lin on the LEGO Movie 2 script.
“It’s A Small World” was written by brothers Robert and Richard Sherman for Disney’s 1964 World’s Fair exhibit. It impressed visitors at the time for its use of animatronics and is the basis for the ride at every Disney Park. The song was written to be easily translated into different languages.
Disney has made films based on rides before, with the most successful being the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The studio also made a Haunted Mansion movie with Eddie Murphy.