Shivansh Mishra
Source: DT
Disney has found great success with its live-action remakes of properties like Maleficent, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, among others. So, it is natural that it would have multiple properties in development at any given time.
We have thus collated a list of all the Disney live-action remakes that are set to release in the upcoming years.
Take a gander!
Christopher Robin
Source: CD
Release Date: August 3, 2018
Director: Marc Forster
Writers: Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings (Winnie), Brad Garrett (Eyeore), Nick Mohammed (Piglet), and Mark Gatiss
The movie is a curious one in Disney’s slate of movies as Alex Ross Perry was first attached to write and direct a live-action adaptation of Winnie the Pooh but subsequently plans changed and changed they so much that Mark Forster (Quantum of Solace, World War Z) signed on to direct. This decision was however not met with support as Forster hasn’t exactly been a popular director. But the cast itself is much-loved and very popular and Oscar winning screen-writer Tom McCarthy (Spotlight) has re-written the script. Therefore, there is some hope to be had.
Dumbo
Source: CD
Release Date: March 29, 2019
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Ehren Kruger
Cast: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, Nico Parker, and Finley Hobbins
One of the first live-action remakes announced, Dumbo has had Disney old-boy Tim Burton working hard on the production for more than two years now. Will Smith flirted with one of the human roles before leaving for another Disney live-action remake (more on that later). After Alice in Wonderland‘s stupendous box-office performance, stakes are high for this one.
Aladdin
Source: CD
Release Date: May 24, 2019
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writer: John August
Cast: Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari,Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, and Will Smith
Disney tried to develop a Genie spin-off for a long time but ultimately decided to go with Guy Ritchie’s (Sherlock Holmes) take on a remake for Aladdin itself. Ritchie cast Will Smith as Genie after prolonged negotiations with Kevin Hart fell through and surrounded the super-star with relative unknowns like Mena Massoud for Aladdin and Power Rangers actress Naomi Scott for Jasmine.
The Lion King
Source: CD
Release Date: July 19, 2019
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Jeff Nathanson
Cast: James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Oliver, Alfre Woodard, John Kani, Beyonce
After the super-success of the live-action remake of The Jungle Book, Disney didn’t waste any time in recruiting director Jon Favreau for the remake of one of the most loved properties the Mouse House has ever produced. Favreau brought to the table an incredible cast including Donald Glover (Atlanta) and Queen B, Beyonce herself.
Mulan
Source: CD
Release Date: 2019 or 2020
Director: Niki Caro
Writers: Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
Cast: To Be Announced
A few years ago, a spec script surfaced online for Mulan that caused widespread outrage for its white savior-focused treatment of the story. However, Disney was quick to shoot down the script and the rumors themselves, and instead set the writers of Rise of the Planet of the Apes to pen a new screenplay that will star Chinese actors, true to the story’s origins.
Pinocchio
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: Paul King
Writers: Jack Thorne, Chris Weitz
Cast: To be Announced
The tale of a new cinematic adaptation of Pinnochio is as old as time itself with the movie languishing in development hell for years now. It once had Sam Mendes (Skyfall) attached to direct but now has the director of Paddington and Paddington 2, Paul King set to helm the movie that is looking to start production in the fall of 2018 for a late 2019 or summer 2020 release.
Prince Charming
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Writer: Stephen Chbosky
Cast: To be Announced
Fan-favorite author-turned-director Stephen Chbosky found great success with his two cinematic endeavors The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Wonder. After scripting Beauty and the Beast, he is writing a very different take on the eponymous character popularized in numerous Disney movies through the point-of-view of his brother.
Oliver Twist
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: Tommy Kail
Writer: To be Announced
Cast: Ice Cube
This one is groovy from the sound of it. It has rapper-extraordinaire Ice Cube as Executive Producer and star and Hamilton director Tommy Kail set to direct a new spin on the Charles Dickens story.
James and the Giant Peach
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: To be Announced
Writer: Nick Hornby
Cast: To be Announced
The story of James and the Giant Peach has been adapted previously by 20th Century Fox as Jack the Giant Slayer, which was a flop. Disney will be trying its luck now with the property.
Cruella
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: To be Announced
Writers: Aline Brosh McKenna and Kelly Marcel
Cast: Emma Stone
Oscar winning actress Emma Stone (La La Land) is set to star in the spin-off of 101 Dalmatians that will focus on the character of Cruella de Vil. Multiple writers have taken a swing at the story but there is no release date or director attached so this one might take a bit more time to come to fruition.
Tink
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: To be Announced
Writer: Victoria Strouse
Cast: Reese Witherspoon
Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) was set to star in the Peter Pan spin-off, but now Reese Witerspoon is attached to the lead role. The screenwriter of Finding Dory, Victoria Strouse is writing the script for the movie.
Peter Pan
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: David Lowery
Writers: David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks
Cast: To be Announced
Pete’s Dragon is an underappreciated gem and hence David Lowery was rewarded with another shot at a Disney property that is yet to get a just treatment, i.e. Peter Pan. However, the movie is still ways off.
The Sword in the Stone
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Writer: Bryan Cogman
Cast: To be Announced
Game of Thrones alum Bryan Cogman is writing the script for a new treatment on the King Arthur story with Mexican director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo attached to direct.
The Little Mermaid
Source: CD
All Details: To be Announced
The movie has seen various stages of development over the years with Chloe Grace Moretz once in negotiations to star in the lead role. Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda is set to produce the movie with Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods) in talks to direct.
Snow White
Source: CD
Release Date: To be Announced
Director: To be Announced
Writer: Erin Cressida Wilson
Cast: To be Announced
Disney’s first-ever live-action feature is also getting a reboot with La La Land and The Greatest Showman songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul writing the songs for the movie and the movie itself on a fast-track.
So, which of these movies are you most looking forward to?
Let us know in the comments below!