Like a lot of kids who grew up in the 1970’s, I have happy memories of watching Disney’s 1975 science fiction semi-thriller Escape to Witch Mountain. Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann were Tony and Tia, two orphans with supernatural powers on the run from men who wanted to use their powers for their own gain. I’m not sure how well the movie holds up, but when I was eight, it was pretty freakin’ cool.

As we noted about six months ago, Dwayne Johnson is going to star in a remake, or “reimagining” as it is now being called, of the Disney property, changing the title to Race to Witch Mountain. HR is reporting that Carla Gugino and Gary Marshall have joined Johnson in the cast. Gugino and Marshall will both play scientists and UFO experts who help a Vegas cab driver, Johnson, protect siblings (relative newcomer Alexander Ludwig and Bridge to Terabithia’s AnnaSophia Robb) who have special abilities.

Calling it a “reimagining” probably will allow the filmmakers to hold onto the basics of the story and the name while trying to “update” the movie for Harry Potter raised tweens. Of some concern is that the director will be Andy Fickman, whose two most recent films, The Game Plan and She’s the Man have been less than excellent. Johnson and Gugino make a nice team and Robb is a pro, so this might be a fun brainless light action movie. It starts filming this month and we should see who wins the race in early 2009.