All Disney Live-Action Remakes in Development
Walt Disney Pictures recently announced its latest live-action adaptation of a cinematic classic…and the title proved rather surprising.
Disney will remake Moana as a live-action film starring Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, which may cause you some déjà vu.
Photo: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP
Yes, The Rock already portrayed Maui in 2016’s Moana, but it was an animated title at the time. Now, the actor will play the role “for real.”
Over the past several years, Disney has committed to reinvigorating some of its animated classics this way.
Photo: CNBC
In fact, a shocking number of projects are in development. Here’s a list of all Disney live-action remakes in the pipeline.
Peter Pan & Wendy – April 28th, 2023
In 1953, Disney produced Peter Pan, a mesmerizing journey to Neverland.
Photo: Disney
Two years later, when Disneyland opened, Peter Pan’s Flight captivated audiences with its sensation of flying.
For generations since then, children have closed their eyes and imagined a return to Neverland. Now, we’ll get one on Disney+ in a matter of days!
The Little Mermaid – May 26th
Here’s the next big test for Disney live-action remakes. Disney’s homegrown talent, Halle Bailey of Grown-ish, will take on the iconic role of Ariel.
Nobody on this planet can out-sing Bailey, which makes the soundtrack an almost certain blockbuster.
As for the film, you can decide for yourself on Memorial Day Weekend!
Snow White – March 2024
Speaking of actresses blessed with stunning voices, Rachel Zegler already wowed Disney fans with her performance in West Side Story.
In less than a year, Zegler will take on a more iconic role as Sleeping Beauty in a live-action remake of Disney’s first feature-length animated film.
Photo: People
Due to the historical significance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the expectations for the remake will be off the charts.
Thankfully, Zegler unmistakably possesses a star quality. Disney has cast its live-action Princesses extraordinarily well thus far.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Photo: Disney
Obviously, we already watched the live-action remake of The Lion King.
The 2019 remake grossed a staggering $1.66 billion, $700 million more than the original.
Photo: Washington Post
Sequels and remakes rarely surpass their predecessors. So, Disney has chosen to create a standalone prequel film.
We can all question the necessity of such a project. However, anyone old enough to remember The Lion King 1 1/2 realizes it doesn’t matter.
Photo Credit: Disney
There’s money to be made here. Disney is gonna make it. On the plus side, the 2024 release stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., who sings like this:
And this:
If nothing else, the Mufasa soundtrack will be stellar.
Lilo & Stitch
Photo: Hollywood Insider
From this point forward, the projects become a bit more nebulous.
Yes, Disney is remaking Lilo & Stitch as a live-action film.
Photo: Disney +
If you’re wondering how Disney will accomplish that, I’ll gently remind you of Jungle Book and The Lion King.
We’re deeper into the process with Lilo & Stitch than the other titles here in that Disney has cast Lilo. That’s a strong sign that filming is nearly ready to begin.
Photo: Covered Weekly
Also, as a Lilo fan, I must say that Disney couldn’t have cast a more realistic child to play the role. She passes the eye test as Lilo come to life. It’s remarkable.
Moana
Photo: The Direct
I mentioned this one already, but it’s true. Disney will remake Moana, a film that isn’t even seven years old!
While the decision seems bold, all the metrics suggest that Moana is right there with Frozen as Disney’s most successful new animated story of the past decade.
Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty
We’re already getting a Frozen sequel in the pipeline. So, the live-action version of that one will wait for a while longer…but probably not that much longer.
In the interim, Disney has decided to create a live-action version of Moana while The Rock is still capable of playing Maui. It’s a smart move.
Cruella 2
The pandemic disrupted the success and awareness for 2021’s Cruella.
However, the film earned stellar reviews and an A Cinemascore, a sign that audiences adored it.
Collider.com
Disney quickly committed to a sequel that will further explore Emma Stone’s iteration of Cruella de Ville.
Stone has already signed a contract for this film. In fact, that happened 18 months ago. So, this project could move forward anytime now.
Photo: Disney
Also, some reports have hinted that Cruella 2 will be…a musical?!
Tink
Photo: Disney
Yes, Disney is developing not one but two live-action retellings of Peter Pan.
In Tink, we’ll watch the story unfold from the perspective of the smallest character, Tinkerbell!
Photo: Variety
Disney apparently intends to highlight this character more. A recent Imagineering demonstration revealed a character interaction coming to the parks.
A life-sized (i.e., tiny) Tink holds court with guests. Presumably, this film will make the character even more iconic.
The Aristocats
Photo: Disney
Multimedia magnate Questlove, the Oscar-winning musician/director recently confirmed that he will remake The Aristocats.
Deadline describes the project as a “hybrid” live-action title, which hints that it may include some animation as well.
Photo: IMDB
We’ll learn more about the plan for The Aristocats in the coming months.
Other Films in the Pipeline
Photo: AMC
Okay, everything we’ve discussed thus far is definitive, barring something unforeseen.
However, seven (!) other live-action projects remain distinct possibilities. I don’t mean random internet rumors, either.
These potential remakes are ones that Disney has discussed or the various trades have mentioned over the past few years.
For example, when Aladdin’s live-action version performed so well, the film’s star, Mena Massoud, said that a sequel was happening.
Photo: Disney
That statement came out more than three years ago, and we’ve heard little movement about the project since then.
That’s presumably because director Guy Ritchie is a very busy filmmaker. The director recently described the possibility of Aladdin 2 as a “wait-and-see.”
Deadline has also confirmed that actor/director Sarah Polley has entered the early stages of development for a live-action Bambi film.
Polley is the reigning Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay. At the age of 44, she’s a 34-year Hollywood veteran and an excellent choice for Bambi.
We’re tracking plenty of that with potential Disney+ projects. In fact, The Jungle Book 2 had been confirmed.
Then, Disney asked director Jon Favreau to switch his focus to The Lion King remake followed by The Mandalorian.
Image: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.
Does Favreau even have time for another big-budget film right now? I’m dubious.
Other Remakes in Some Stage of Development
Perhaps the weirdest rumor came out in 2020. News broke that Disney planned a live-action remake of…The Black Cauldron!
Nobody saw that coming. Since there has been little recent movement, this project is either a long way from happening or dead in the water.
Photo: Disneymovies.com
I suspect Disney really wants to make a good version of the movie to rewrite its legacy, though.
Other live-action projects in some stage of pre-production include Hunchback (based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Bambi, Hercules, and Robin Hood.
Photo: Disney
Also, I try not to get my hopes too high, but Disney also announced a remake of my favorite film growing up, The Sword in the Stone.
Disney hired a director for this project in 2018 and again in 2021. Nothing has happened since then, though.
In short, making a live-action version of a beloved animated classic is harder than it sounds.
Image: MickeyBlog
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