11 Disney live-action remakes we actually want to see
Even with its decade-spanning library, Disney might run out of animated films to remake if it keeps up its current pace. Cinderella, The Lion King, and Aladdin are just a few of the Mouse House classics to have gotten the remake treatment, with many more on the way (including Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, and Mulan). Some of Disney's choices so far feel like obvious slam dunks, while others are a bit more baffling. (Was anyone really clamoring for Disney to kill Bambi's mom again?) So we decided to poll the EW office on which animated classics we hope Disney actually tackles next. Some are forgotten gems, some are blockbuster classics, and all would make excellent contenders for the live-action remake machine. Bob Iger, call us: We've got some ideas.
The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan... All of Disney's '90s Renaissance classics have made the jump to live-action, except one. The always underrated Hercules has always been forgotten and abandoned, like a tiny divine baby cast off from Mt. Olympus. With its earworm soundtrack and its anti-damsel-in-distress love story, Hercules has major hit potential. (Cast Lizzo, Janelle Monae, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, and Normani as the muses, and let Danny DeVito reprise his role as Phil.) A stage adaptation premiered in New York in 2019, but a live-action film is long overdue — and that's the gospel truth. — Devan Coggan
Right now, the defining Disney aesthetic is remaking their older beloved movies in a different style. But before that, the zeitgeist’s preferred cultural mode was mixing and matching stories of conflicting genres, which is how we ended up with this mash-up of Treasure Island and Star Wars. In order to work, a live-action Treasure Planet would have to take a step back from the gritty cyberpunk style so common in modern sci-fi and embrace the wonder of the stars — as well as convey alien characters like the feline Captain Amelia and the rock-solid Mr. Arrow in a way that doesn’t remind people of Cats. But most importantly of all, they’d need to make sure the Goo Goo Dolls are available to do the soundtrack again, because is it really Treasure Planet without the Goo Goo Dolls? — Christian Holub
Now that we’ve moved on from thrones, it’s time to pitch the next big fantasy book-to-screen inanimate object: cauldrons. Specifically, 1985’s criminally underrated The Black Cauldron. Weirdly dark for a family movie, this fantasy romp is primed and ready for a 2020 post-Thrones audience. Based inexplicably on the second in a five-book YA series, The Black Cauldron is fit to boil over with live-action fantasy fodder: assistant pig-keepers turned heroes, plucky princesses, roiling kettles that cook up nightmarish armies of the dead, and an endless supply of unpronounceable Welsh names. Cast Timothée Chalamet as scrappy protagonist Taran, and Disney will have everyone chanting, “Thrones, schmones!” — Meg Smitherman
The Princess and The Frog might remain Disney’s final traditional 2D animation film, and it also holds the distinction of featuring their first black princess (even if she does spend more than half her screen time as a frog, sigh). This movie has a stellar score by Randy Newman, ripe for a live action take. It could offer the best of both worlds, with some of the action featuring a full live action cast and some CGI hyper-realistic frogs (even more unkissable most likely). Not to mention, it’d be an incredible showcase for atmospheric location shooting in New Orleans and the surrounding Bayou that lends the story its setting. Add an all-star cast, say Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michael B. Jordan, and we’re almost there. —Maureen Lee Lenker
Some ride for Treasure Planet; my beloved Disney misfire of choice is the utterly fascinating Atlantis: The Lost Empire. With plenty to its credit — some of Disney’s coolest designs, an intriguing mythology, fun supporting characters, a winsome Michael J. Fox performance (is there any other kind of Michael J. Fox performance?) — it’s a shame the movie winds up overly self-serious and pretty forgettable. I’d be first in line for a remake that turned it into a more lighthearted, old-fashioned adventure-caper. — Tyler Aquilina
As much as I don’t want my 4-year-old daughter to watch films about turning her mother into a bear, Brave as a live action film is ripe with possibilities. First, there is the chance to further explore the complex relationship between Merida and her mother Queen Elinor — which if done right could be a great showcase for two actresses. (If Emma Thompson wanted to return as Elinor, I wouldn’t complain.) Brave also showcased one of the most interesting portraits of a Disney movie marriage with the loving, if rambunctious union of Elinor and King Fergus. If they wanted to make a prequel of how these two polar opposites wound up together and found love, it might make a delightfully Scottish-flavored rom-com. Or since exiled Brave director Brenda Chapman just directed her first live action film, they could bring her back and let her finish the story the way she intended the first time. — Lauren Morgan
Two words: Hot Fox. If you cast Andrew Scott as the fox, the internet might just explode. But in all seriousness, we’ve had plenty of failed Robin Hood adaptations over the last few decades, while this animated classic remains one of the best takes on the British folk hero who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Disney could convince me it’d be worth it to take a shot at CGI animals, but it’d be even better if they go the Mulan route and offer a new imagining of this punchy adventure script (and fun music) with a completely human cast. Oo-De-Lally to that, I say. — Maureen Lee Lenker
It may be a cheat to pick a straight-to-DVD anthology of old animated shorts Walt Disney Animation Studios made about tall tales, but dammit if not every one of these legends deserves at least their own Disney+ feature film. My personal favorite is superpowered railroad worker John Henry, one of the rare black Disney animated characters to remain a human throughout the duration of their film. I’m thinking Stephan James or Trevante Rhodes could play him, with Scarlett Johansson playing the steam drill he races against. — Marcus Jones
Well, first of all, any film that could bring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson back to play a live-action version of Maui seems like a no brainer, box office-wise. But the film isn’t named Maui, and Moana herself is hands down the best female character that Disney has ever created. What makes Moana so great? She’s a refreshing change of pace from classic Disney Princesses, more interested in being a good leader for her people and staying true to herself than giving a thought about who she’s going to marry. Along with Johnson, Moana voice actress Auli’i Cravalho would make a winning live-action Moana. Plus, this would give Lin-Manuel Miranda another chance to bring home the O in his inevitable EGOT (if the upcoming In The Heights doesn’t achieve that first). And for that, we could all sing, “You’re welcome!” —Lauren Morgan
Just as its hero transforms into a llama, The Emperor’s New Groove is the perfect candidate to transform into a live-action film. Its magic lies in the relationships and dynamics of the characters: Yes, the emperor becomes a llama and chaos ensues, but more importantly, he meets a stranger, Pacha, and the pair bicker their way to solve the ruler’s big problem. Same goes for the duo of villainous advisor Yzma and her henchman Kronk. Just take a minute to think about all the great potential comedic pairings! Add in the shape-shifting curse, animal antics, and a South American setting, and you have the makings of a gleefully good time. — Alamin Yohannes
Though it was quickly overshadowed by the Frozen frenzy, Tangled is the real gem of Disney’s last decade with its lushly romantic, girl-power driven take on the Rapunzel fairy-tale. Its soundtrack is packed with catchy tunes like “When Will My Life Begin?” and stunning romantic ballad, “I See the Light” that we’d love to see interpreted on the big screen. You don’t even need a new cast — Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, and Donna Murphy would all be brilliant reprising their roles. The very thought of seeing Moore and Levi sending lanterns into the sky from a boat has us swooning. — Maureen Lee Lenker
11 Disney live-action remakes we actually want to see
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11 Disney live-action remakes we actually want to see
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