In recent years we have been able to enjoy numerous Disney classics in live action remakes ; that is to say, films that many of us have grown up with and that have returned to the screens starring flesh and blood actors.
Thus, we have laughed with Will Smith and his surprising interpretation of the genie of Aladdin, moved with Emma Watson in her role as Belle or with Yifei Liu as Mulan, and terrified with Angelina Jolie in her role as Maleficent. The adaptations of films such as The Lion King, Pinocchio, Dumbo or The Lady and the Tramp have also been surprising .
It is clear that live action remakes and spin-offs are in fashion, and that their success is assured among young and old. For this reason, in the coming years we will see the resurgence of endearing classic Disney characters, such as Peter Pan and Wendy, The Little Mermaid, Hercules or the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
We tell you what the most anticipated Disney remakes are and when we can enjoy them .
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‘Peter Pan y Wendy’
JM Barrie’s classic tale is intended to be faithful to the Disney animated film , and take us back to Neverland at the hands of Wendy and her brothers.
There we will meet Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up, his inseparable fairy and the evil Captain Hook. A real action remake full of adventure, magic and love.
Cast : Alexandar Molony is Peter Pan, Ever Anderson (Milla Jovovich’s daughter) is Wendy, and Jude Law is Captain Hook. The role of Tinkerbell will be played by the young African-American actress, Yara Shahidi.
Release date: Although there is no exact release date yet, the production company has already confirmed that it will be this year and will be released directly on Disney + .
‘Pinocchio’
The story of ‘Pinocchio’ narrates the adventures of a wooden puppet that comes to life . The original story was written by the Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1881, and in 1940 it became popular throughout the world thanks to the Disney adaptation, which made it one of the most beloved classic films by children .
Since then there have been several versions that have been made for film and television. Less than two years ago we were able to enjoy a great adaptation starring Roberto Benigni, and very soon we will be able to surprise ourselves with the new remake directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Cast: Oscar winner Tom Hanks plays the old Gepetto, while the young British actor, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, will be Pinocchio.
Release date: The film will premiere in the fall of 2022 on Disney+ .
‘The little Mermaid’
Much is being said lately about the live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’, one of Disney’s most mythical films and the most successful.
The reason for so much expectation is found in its leading actors and in its soundtrack, which will feature both the original songs from the film, as well as new versions. The film has been shot almost entirely on the island of Sardinia.
Cast: Actress and singer Halle Bailey plays Ariel, Javier Bardem will be King Triton and Melissa McCarthy will play the sea witch, Ursula.
Release date: May 26, 2023.
‘Cruella 2’
If only a year ago we knew the dark origin of Cruella, the evil villain of ‘101 Dalmatians’, very soon we will be able to tremble with fear again with a second part .
‘Cruella 2’ has already begun to be produced, although there are still not many details on how the story of this popular villain will continue.
Cast: Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are expected to reprise the roles of Cruella de Vil and The Baroness, respectively.
Release date: It is unknown when we can enjoy ‘Cruella 2’, and if the producer will decide to release the film in theaters and on platforms simultaneously, as it did with the first part.
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’
Just as Cinderella and Belle had their versions with flesh and blood actors, Princess Snow White will also have her own live action movie , with a musical structure.
The film includes changes from the 1938 animated film . For starters, the male role will be neither a prince nor a hunter. In addition, the company has announced that it will give a different approach to the characters of the seven dwarfs, after harsh criticism from the actor of ‘Game of Thrones’, Peter Dinklage.
Cast: Rachel Zegler will be Snow White and Gal Gadot will be the Queen.
Release date: The film is scheduled to start shooting this spring, so the release date is still a long way off.
‘The Jungle Book 2’
The first real-action remake of the animated classic “The Jungle Book” was so successful that Disney confirmed almost immediately after its premiere that a sequel would be made , although at the moment we do not know details of its history.
Cast: Actor Neel Sethi will return to play Mowgli. Jon Favreau and Justin Marks will also repeat as director and screenwriter.
Release date: 2024, predictably.
‘Aladdin 2’
The remake of Aladdin has been one of the most successful films in its category , thanks mainly to the magnificent performance of Will Smith in the role of Genie. For this reason, it was to be expected that after the success achieved, Disney would consider a second part.
At the moment, little is known about its history, although it has been confirmed that it will have nothing to do with the animated sequel ‘The Return of Jafar’. Predictably it will be based on one of the stories of ‘The Thousand and One Nights’.
Cast : although it is to be confirmed, it is expected to have all the protagonists of the first installment; Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Yasmine, and Will Smith as the Genie in the Lamp.
Release date : 2023-2024
‘Hercules’
Another of the great Disney movies will also have its version with flesh and blood characters. Since the remake is at a very early stage, many details are unknown, although it is expected to be a faithful adaptation of the 1997 animated classic.
Only brothers Joe and Anthony Russo have been confirmed as producers (both creators of the last two Avengers movies, Infinity War and Endgame ) and Dave Callaham as screenwriter.
Cast: The cast that the film will have is unknown, although in social networks the name of the singer Ariana Grande sounds strong to play Megara, and Ryan Gosling for Hercules.
Release date: we will still have to wait a long time to enjoy this movie.
‘Bambi’
‘Bambi’ could not miss out on the resurgence that Disney is making of its animated classics , especially after the success of the animated remake ‘The Lion King’, a film that unlike others has not featured flesh and blood actors .
Thus, for the remake of the story of the tender fawn, the same hybrid technique of combining live action with computer generated images and hyperrealism will be used.
Release date: unknown.
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
This 1996 animated classic, considered one of the most adult films of the Disney factory, will also have its own remake in real action, although the details are unknown .
For now, Disney has only confirmed that the film will be produced by Josh Gad, the actor who played Le Fou in ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Cast: We do not know who will be the actors who will give life to Esmeralda, Quasimodo or the controversial Frollo, although the name of Josh Gad resonates strongly in the main role.
Release date: unknown.
‘Robin Hood’
Robin Hood, the animated classic from the 1970s, will return to the screens with a hybrid musical and technical structure that combines live action with computer-generated images and hyperrealism, as we could already see in ‘The Lion King’ or ‘The Jungle Book’.
The project is still in its early stages of development so we know few details, except that it will be directed by Mexican-American Carlos López Estrada and produced by Justin Springer.
Cast: unknown.
Release date: unknown.
Other live-action remakes
In 2018, a live -action remake of the animated classic ‘Merlin the Charmer’ was announced , a film that narrated the adventures of a young apprentice and the magician Merlin in an England without a king. Since then, hardly any details have emerged, except that the film will be directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
Also that same year we learned of Disney’s intentions to prepare a remake of ‘Lilo and Stitch’, which will bring together both human actors and animated characters to bring the mischievous alien to life.