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Disney is developing an adventure movie project inspired by the Matterhorn ride and has set Jason Dean Hall to pen the script. Justin Springer (Tron Legacy, Prom) is producing the project, which has a working title of The Hill . The Matterhorn , also known as the Matterhorn Bobsleds, is part of Disneyland’s Fantasyland section. Opened June 1959, the elaborate ride was inspired by Walt Disney's desire for a toboggan-themed roller coaster as well as thoughts he had after an extended trip to Switzerland, the site of the famed mountain. The ride, a centerpiece of the park, was refurbished in 1978, with one of the upgrades being the addition of three automatronic Abominable Snowmen (aka Yetis) who growl at riders. The idea behind The Hill is to do a thrilling, fast-paced movie centering on five young adventure seekers who, for mysterious reasons, are called to the top of the mountain and encounter a Yetis on the journey down. Adapting Disney rides into film franchises is a pri...

Michael Chabon has been tapped to write Magic Kingdom , Disney’s family adventure project that is being directed by Jon Favreau . Heat Vision first reported the author's possible involvement in March, when the Pulitzer Prize-winning author initially talked with Favreau about it but before any meetings with Disney had taken place. Since then, deal-making quietly got under way and an agreement closed this week. Chabon will now begin tackling a story whose details are being kept under wraps but is set in Disney’s flagship theme park and may even be connected to other parks worldwide. Ron Moore, who revived the recent Battlestar Galactica TV series, wrote the initial draft but Kingdom re-routed into a different direction when Favreau came on board. Strike Entertainment is producing Magic Kingdom. Chabon is a big Disney aficionado and spent time at the Anaheim park with Favreau. He worked on the studio’s high-priority Snow White project titled The Order of the Seven as we...

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and scriptwriter Michael Chabon may get the keys to Disney’s Magic Kingdom . Kingdom is the studio’s family adventure project set in its flagship theme park (and maybe even connect to other parks worldwide) that is being directed by Jon Favreau . Ron Moore , who revived the recent Battlestar Galactica TV series, wrote the initial draft but a new direction, as well as a new writer, were sought when Favreau came on board. Chabon has a good chance at being that writer. Chabon and Favreau have talked about the project and a potential team-up on Kingdom. No offer has been made and obviously meetings with Disney execs would need to take place. Chabon already has an in with Disney. The author worked on the studio’s high priority Snow White project titled Snow and the Seven as well as its upcoming adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs book series John Carter of Mars. He is also penning on the book for Broadway-bound Dumbo musical. Chabon is best known for...

Shane Black is in contention to direct Iron Man 3 for Marvel Studios. The writer/director has powwowed with Marvel execs about his take on the third installment in the blockbuster franchise. As of now he is being considered for the directing job, but the assumption is that if he gets the gig, he would also write a draft. Insiders said that Black's involvement is far from a sure thing, and that other filmmakers were being looked at. Marvel is keeping the story direction of Iron Man 3 -- which returns Robert Downey Jr . in the title role -- secret. Disney, which owns Marvel, is scheduled to release the threequel on May 3, 2013. The directing spot recently opened up when Jon Favreau , who directed the first two movies, announced he was departing the franchise, so that he can direct Magic Kingdom for Disney. Iron Man 3 would reteam Black and Downey, who worked together on the well-regarded Kiss Kiss Bang Bang , which Black directed and co-wrote. Black made his name wri...

Favreau Chose Magic Kingdom Over Iron Man 3  Insiders tell Vulture that Favreau has just informed Marvel Studios that he won't direct a third Iron Man film. It's unclear whether the impasse was financial or creative or both. One informed source hears that he was frustrated with Marvel's urge to stuff more of their in-house heroes into the next film in the wake of The Avengers. In a recent interview with MTV News, Favreau explained that based on his conversations with Marvel Studios executives, he had no clarity as to what a third Iron Man film would even be about. “In theory, Iron Man 3 is going to be a sequel or continuation of Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Avengers,” said Favreau at the time, “This whole world … I have no idea what it is. I don’t think they do either, from conversations I’ve had with those guys.” Still other industry insiders look at Favreau's growing price tag and speculate that he was getting too expensive for the frugal Marvel and its equal...

Jon Favreau Got His Mickey Ears On Jon Favreau is in talks to direct Magic Kingdom , the Disney film with the premise that the attractions at the venerable theme park come to life. The studio set the project up nearly two years ago and got a draft by Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore, but a new writer will be set and work on a new draft under Favreau.  Favreau will be signing a development deal, because the project will percolate while he works on other big scale studio films. He just completed Cowboys & Aliens , the DreamWorks/Universal co-production that stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford . Favreau will finish that film for release on July 29, 2011, and he is expected to re-team with Robert Downey Jr . for a third Iron Man . Magic Kingdom is being produced by Strike Entertainment partners Marc Abraham and Eric Newman, and while the studio has previously tapped theme park attractions for films like Pirates of the Caribbean , this is the first time it has created a movie...