She's visited the world's greatest chocolate factory and taken a trip to Terabithia, but AnnaSophia Robb is about to find herself between a Rock and a hard place, MTV News has learned, as the precocious 13-year-old joins Dwayne Johnson and director Andy Fickman as the female lead in "Witch Mountain," Disney's upcoming "remake" of the 1975 classic.
"Not remake," Fickman corrected. "We didn't want to come in and just simply do a remake of a movie that we all really liked growing-up. It's a new chapter within the world of Witch Mountain. I think that for people who have seen the original, they're going to be very happy with the direction were going. And with people who've never seen it, I think it'll be an exciting ride for them [as well]."
According to Fickman, the biggest difference may be one of tone. "The original book is a very cool dark thriller. We're pulling elements from that," he revealed. "It's a much darker movie than in the 70s when they did 'Escape to Witch Mountain.'"
The original followed two alien kids with supernatural abilities as they're pursued by the megalomaniacal millionaire Aristotle Bolt, who wants to exploit their powers. Nothing against the old cast, Fickman laughed, but all original kids had in the way of capture was Eddie Albert.
That's about to change big time, he enthused.
"Listen, if you're lost on this planet and you're being chased by everybody and you could pick one guy to defend you, you pick the Rock, let's be honest," he said. "In your list of people who I would like, I want one guy, I choose the Rock. I think the kids choose wisely."
"It's going to be a pretty bad-ass ride," he promised.
