Jasper actor Creek Wilson has the biggest role of his career so far when Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” hits theaters on Friday, July 28.
Wilson plays the Mariner Ghost in the film, which has an ensemble cast, including Owen Wilson, LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto.
“I’m honored to be listed among the actors in this movie,” Wilson said in an interview with The Community Journal on July 6. “Between the actors that I was able to work with, and the production value of this movie, it’s definitely my biggest so far.”
Since the movie has not premiered yet, Wilson could not give many details about his character other than the fact that he’s the ghost of an old ship captain. Wilson can be seen in the film’s trailer for a moment. When a rush of water comes through a doorway, a large version of Wilson’s face digitally appears.
Wilson said he filmed scenes at Trilogy Studios in Atlanta as well as on location in New Orleans, which is the setting for the movie. Shooting on the film, which had a $125 million budget, lasted from October 2021 to February 2022.
Costuming was a big part of Wilson’s experience in the early stages of the film. Once finished, his costume weighed approximately 50 pounds and cost around $5,000. The costume was designed by award-winning designer Jeffery Kurland, who is known for his work on “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and “Mission Impossible: Fallout.”
“I was back and forth to Atlanta five or six times just to work on the costume,” Wilson said. “It was a long process, but it turned out looking so good. I couldn’t believe it once it was finished.”
Once the costume was finished, Wilson said shooting began, but not before he was signed to a contract with Disney.
“I can’t say that I ever thought I would sign a contract with Disney,” he said. “It was 55 pages. That’s a moment that I’ll never forget. Long story short, I was owned by Disney for about three months, well, actually, until the movie comes out.”
Wilson said shooting “Haunted Mansion” did cost him another role he was offered and excited about, playing the head of the chuck wagon in the Paramount+ series “1883.”
“That’s the prequel to ‘Yellowstone,’ and I really wanted to do it. It filmed in Wyoming. There were some discussions with Disney about it, but it was just a matter of they didn’t want me to get hurt or something filming something else.”
Wilson said he was treated like a “big movie star” while filming “Haunted Mansion.”
“On a call list, they always start with the big stars and work their way down. I was No. 10. With a cast like that, I was pretty surprised to be that high. I wasn’t far behind Danny DeVito.”
“Haunted Mansion” is a 2023 American supernatural horror comedy film directed by Justin Simienfrom a screenplay by Katie Dippold. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback, it is the second theatrical film adaptation of Walt Disney’s theme park attraction The Haunted Mansion, following the 2003 film of the same name.
In the film, Gabbie (Dawson) and Travis (Chase W. Dillon) enlist the aid of a team (Stanfield, Haddish, Owen Wilson, and DeVito) to help exorcise their mansion and destroy the ghosts around them.
Wilson also said he has been told the new ghosts will be added to the Haunted Mansion ride.
“I’ve never ridden the ride, but if I get put in there, that’s when I’ll go give it a whirl,” he said.
Wilson will have an exciting July with another big role debuting on Thursday, July 27 on Peacock in the new television series “Twisted Metal,” based on the video game of the same name. Wilson plays the role of Mr. Slam, which he said is about all he can say about the role until the show airs. The series stars Anthony Mackie, best known for his roles of Falcon and Captain America in Marvel films and television series. It also stars professional wrestler Samoa Joe and Will Arnett.
“I’ve got a good size role in one episode,” Wilson said. “I can’t say much about it other than the role is memorable and it’s not for a young audience.”
