Disney+ Orders Sci-Fi Pilot for ‘Spaceship Earth’ Inspired by EPCOT Attraction

Disney+ is continuing its trend of transforming theme park attractions into screen adaptations by ordering a pilot for a new series titled ‘Spaceship Earth,’ inspired by the iconic dark ride located within EPCOT’s renowned 18-story geodesic sphere. This announcement highlights the entertainment giant’s ongoing efforts to convert its cherished theme park experiences into original scripted content for streaming audiences.

The forthcoming science fiction series will take a different approach from the attraction’s original concept. Instead of replicating the leisurely journey through the history of human communication that guests experience on the ride, the TV adaptation will utilize time travel as a framework for an original adventure narrative.

According to the official description, when a mission to prevent an impending global disaster goes awry, a small group of teenagers from both Earth’s past and future must unite to tackle a threat as vast and enigmatic as time itself.

The creative team behind this project boasts significant talent from various sectors of the entertainment industry. Jason Fuchs is writing the pilot and serving as showrunner, drawing from his experience with HBO’s acclaimed horror series ‘IT: Welcome to Derry.’ Fuchs has also recently established his own production company, Five Ten Productions, alongside his wife, producer and actress Alexandra Fuchs, through which he will executive produce the project.

Working alongside Fuchs on the pilot script is Michael Waldron, the head writer of Marvel’s Loki and the screenwriter for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, who is also attached to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Waldron will serve as an executive producer through his Anomaly Pictures banner.

The pilot will be directed by Lee Tolant Krieger, known for his work on You, Riverdale, and Shadow & Bone. Krieger will also take on the role of executive producer for the pilot. Additional executive producers include Adam Fishbach, recognized for his contributions to ‘Love, Victor’ and ‘The Other Black Girl,’ and Adam Fasullo of Anomaly Pictures.

Produced by 20th Television, the studio division responsible for numerous television projects, the series is anticipated to premiere on Disney+ in 2027 or 2028, pending approval for a full series order following the pilot.

The ‘Spaceship Earth’ attraction has been a staple of EPCOT since the park opened in 1982. This 15-minute slow-moving dark ride showcases the history of human communication and has undergone updates over the years, with the most recent refresh occurring in 2007, continuing to attract millions of visitors annually.

This initiative is part of Disney’s broader strategy to adapt its theme park attractions for film and television. The most successful of these adaptations is the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which has grossed billions worldwide. Other adaptations have included various Haunted Mansion films, Jungle Cruise, and Tomorrowland, each achieving varying degrees of commercial and critical success.

The casting process for the teenage ensemble central to the story is currently in progress, although no names have been officially attached to the project yet. Given the impressive creative team assembled for this pilot, industry observers will be keenly watching its development as Disney continues to broaden its range of theme park-inspired content for the streaming era.

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