We’ve been seeing a lot of live-action remakes of Disney movies in the past few years.
We’ve seen The Lion King, Mulan, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, and Aladdin. Did you know there are several more remakes in the works? We’re going to rank these upcoming movies based on how YOU voted!
We’re breaking this down into 5 upcoming theatrical releases and 6 releases slated only for Disney+. Let’s get into it!
Upcoming Theatrical Releases
Bambi
In January of 2020, Variety confirmed that this remake of the 1942 animated film is happening. Bambi will not have actual live deer, rabbits or skunks, and will instead use photo-realistic CGI like The Lion King and The Jungle Book.
According to our readers, you’re not super excited for a live-action Bambi. Like, do we really need to see Bambi’s mom die in hi-def CGI??
There’s no word on Bambi‘s director yet, but we do know that one of the screenwriters, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, worked on Captain Marvel. A release date is not yet set.
Check out the NEW Bambi mini Loungefly backpack here!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Deadline confirmed in January 2019 that The Hunchback of Notre Dame was greenlit by Disney for a live-action musical adaptation, with Josh Gad attached as a producer. So far we know that Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, who worked on the 1996 animated film, will be writing the music again, and Tony-award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (who also worked on the Broadway musical based on Disney’s Tarzan) will be writing the script.
In January of 2021, Josh Gad tweeted in response to a question about casting for Hunchback, particularly the role of Esmeralda, and seemed to confirm that we’re getting closer to a cast list.
You, dear readers, are more excited about Hunchback than Bambi. We’re looking forward to learning more about this musical remake!
Some rumors have swirled that Josh Gad may be cast as Quasimodo, but Disney has yet to confirm any casting choices.
Click here to see the NEW Hunchback of Notre Dame collectible item!
Snow White
Though we’ve seen quite a few Snow White adaptations, Disney has yet to make their own Snow White remake. Deadline confirmed in June 2021 that Latina actress Rachel Zegler, who will play Maria in the upcoming Steven Spielberg West Side Story remake, has been cast as Snow White, which further demonstrates Disney’s efforts at diversifying Disney princesses.
Our readers voted and there’s some excitement for a new Snow White adaptation! We are a bit interested to see Disney’s take on a live-action musical version of Snow White.
This musical adaptation will feature new music written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are the team behind the music of La La Land, The Greatest Showman, and Dear Evan Hansen, and the story will reportedly expand upon the original 1937 animated film. Production will begin in 2022. And with a musical duo like that, we can’t wait to see what catchy tunes they inspire!
Here’s a VIDEO of the new Snow White’s Enchanted Wish ride in Disneyland!
Hercules
The 1997 beloved animated film Hercules is getting a remake! In April of 2020, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that an adaptation was in the works. We don’t know a ton about this remake yet, but we do know there might be a Marvel influence because the directors of Avengers:Endgame, Joe and Anthony Russo, are attached as producers.
Inside the Magic reported that Disney is apparently seeking to diversify the casting of Hercules, though no cast members have been announced yet. The Russo Brothers have not confirmed whether the Hercules adaptation will be a musical or a closer to shot-for-shot remake like The Lion King. There’s a LOT of excitement for a live-action Hercules!
We aren’t sure if we want a non-musical Hercules though because we can’t imagine it without the singing Muses! And even if it isn’t a musical, we’re sure to be singing “Go the Distance” in our heads when we watch it!
Read more about the live-action Hercules remake here!
The Little Mermaid
Surprising no one, our readers are EXCITED, and we are too for this next one! Filming for The Little Mermaid live-action adaptation is already completed, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel.
What are we NOT excited about for this?! Alan Menken, who worked on music for the 1989 animated film, is back as the film’s composer and Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton wrote lyrics and produced. Melissa McCarthy is playing Ursula, Daveed Digs of Hamilton is voicing Sebastian, and Awkwafina is the voice of Scuttle!
Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins Returns) is set to direct. We have BIG hopes for this remake — and it seems you do too!
Check out this interesting detail about the live-action The Little Mermaid here!
Upcoming Disney+ Releases
Some of these upcoming Disney+ exclusive releases have very little information, but if you’re familiar with their original animated films or shows, you may already be excited (or not!) for these live-action remakes.
Pinocchio
Robert Zemeckis, of animation/live-action movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, is directing the live-action adaptation of the 1940 animated film, Pinocchio. Pinocchio will be a CGI/live-action hybrid, and the cast is quite impressive.
Tom Hanks will star as Geppetto, Joseph Gordon-Levitt will voice Jiminy Cricket, Keegan-Michael Key will be the voice of Honest John, and Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Our readers are not really into this upcoming release. We aren’t sure what to expect, but the cast is a strong indicator that this movie may be better than we anticipate.
We can’t say we needed this live-action remake, but with this cast and director, it’s possible that this may be one of Disney’s best live-action films yet.
Read more about the Pinocchio live-action film here!
The Sword in the Stone
The 1963 animated story of King Arther, The Sword in the Stone, is being remade as a musical live-action film. So far, we know that filming has already begun, and writer Bryan Cogman of Game of Thrones wrote the script, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Disney has not released any details about the cast.
Our readers are about 50/50 for a Sword in the Stone live-action film, and we can’t say we’re super excited yet for this musical remake. Though the idea of seeing a live-action Merlin pack up his whole house into a tiny carpetbag does seem magical.
The Sword and the Stone will reportedly be released on Disney+.
Read more about the King Arthur Carrousel makeover in Disneyland!
Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers
The Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers TV series is receiving a live-action adaptation, and the casting is promising! Like Robin Hood, Chip ‘n’ Dale will also be a CGI hybrid, combining live-action and CGI. Comedians John Mulaney and Andy Samberg will play Chip and Dale, respectively.
The story will reportedly be self-referential and meta, as opposed to a remake of the TV series, according to SlashFilm. Our readers are kind of excited? We’re interested to see what they do with this new story!
Filming has already begun and Chip ‘n’ Dale is set to arrive on Disney+ in Spring 2022. FINGERS CROSSED the original theme song plays a role!
Click here to read more about Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers!
Robin Hood
The 1973 animated film Robin Hood is getting a remake, according to The Hollywood Reporter in April 2020. Apparently, this adaptation will a combination of live-action and CGI and is still in early development, but we do know that Carlos Lopez Estrada of Blindspotting will direct, and Lady and the Tramp writer Kari Granlund will pen the script.
The remake will be a musical, and our readers are fairly excited. We aren’t sure if we need another CGI adaptation of an animated film, but the premise is intriguing!
If you’re excited to see CGI anthropomorphic animals singing alongside non-CGI characters, stay tuned for more updates about this Disney+ release!
Learn more about the Robin Hood remake here!
Lilo & Stitch
Yes, Disney+ is planning to remake the 2002 animated film, Lilo & Stitch. This will mark Disney’s first live-action remake of a post-Disney Renaissance-era film, and it will be another live-action CGI hybrid.
We don’t know much yet, but we do know that Chris Sanders, the original voice of Stitch and one of the writers and directors of the animated film, will reprise his role. The story will mostly be the same as the animated film’s, according to The DisInsider. Our readers are semi-excited, and we have to wonder if you are all as nervous about what CGI Stitch might look like as we are. Will he be terrifying or cuddly?!
We’re excited (and a little scared) to see how Stitch turns out in CGI!
Check out this new Stitch mug here!
Peter Pan & Wendy
Like Snow White, the character of Peter Pan has seen a lot of film and stage adaptations. Disney+’s Peter Pan & Wendy will not be a direct live-action remake of Disney’s 1953 Peter Pan, but rather a film more grounded in realism. Alexander Molony (making his film debut) and Ever Anderson (you might recognize her as playing the young Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow) will play Peter and Wendy.
According to Variety, Jude Law will play Captain Hook, comedian Jim Gaffigan will play his sidekick Smee, and Yara Shahidi (from Black-ish) will play Tinkerbell. Alyssa Wapanatâhk has also been cast as Tiger Lily, and her character is being reimagined for this film. Our readers are super excited! We’re pretty curious about Jude Law as Captain Hook and the new Tiger Lily storyline.
Currently, Peter Pan & Wendy is projected to be on Disney+ sometime in 2022.
Read about the NEW Peter Pan float in Disney World here!
And those are the upcoming live-action remakes coming out either in theaters or on Disney+! What do you think? Are you excited about any of these new movies? Here at DFB, we will keep you updated on all the upcoming Disney films!
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