‘Haunted Mansion’ Director Justin Simien Tried Having Jamie Lee Curtis Film Her Role From Inside a Real-Life Crystal Ball

Jamie Lee Curtis certainly had a ball portraying Madame Leota in Disney’s upcoming remake of Haunted Mansion, but director Justin Simien revealed to Entertainment Weekly that attempts were made for her to actually film from inside the crystal ball her character is known to inhabit.

“There was a ball on set,” Simien shared. “I think we had it so that if Jamie wanted to get in this thing and suffocate in order to act off of the other actors, it was technically possible, but I don’t think that lasted.”

Although he explained that “it was attempted and possible,” Simien and his crew reverted to CGI to cast Curtis’ ghostly image in the crystal ball.

Curtis told Collider that “the visual effects level is all technology,” including motion capture, which she had “never done” previously in her career.

Haunted Mansion follows Rosario Dawson’s Gabbie and her son Travis (Chase Dillon) as they seek the help of paranormal experts to rid their new home of unwanted spirits. The film is inspired by the Disney Parks attraction of the same name, specifically the one in the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which emulates the city of New Orleans.

The iconic figure of Madame Leota was inspired by Walt Disney Imagineer Leota Toombs Thomas, who began working for the Walt Disney Company in 1940, 29 years prior to the inception of the ride. Interestingly enough, the ride opened on Thomas’ 44th birthday.

According to Deadline, Simien actually worked at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction, which he said was his “favorite ride.” His familiarity with the ride and Madame Leota’s iconic image in the eyes of Disney park goers guided him to craft a “costume story” for Curtis’ character with the help of costume designer Jeffrey Kurland.

“[Even] when she’s not in the ball,” Simien told EW, referring to flashbacks featured in the film, “how do we still create that kind of ball shape around her head? That took us on a journey to very specific headpieces, and we just created a backstory for her that made sense for what we knew about her but made her still feel lived in, but also made her come alive in a way that was a little unexpected.”

Curtis spoke to the “beautiful Russian influence” of her costumes in the film, which also further contributed to her supernatural storyline. She credited Kurland’s design work and Simien’s interpretation for her take on the role.

“I really took my cues from [Kurland] rather than the attraction himself,” she told EW.

The grim grinning stars of the film also include LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny Devito, and more.

Haunted Mansion is materializing in theaters tomorrow, July 28.