Disney is not one to let sleeping dogs lie, avoid poking the beast, or stay away from revisiting the past. After all, it has already made live-action remakes of The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, and Mulan.
The goliath studio is not stopping there with rewriting, rescoring, and refilming, however, and has planned further live-action remakes in the pipeline. These will range from Snow White, its first-ever animated film, to Moana — which was only released in CGI in 2016.
You can, as ever, expect huge budgets, big-name actors attached, and an almost guaranteed success at the box office — with huge returns already on some of its remade masterpieces, including The Lion King and Jungle Book.
These are the animated classics you could see in flesh and blood form, or live action, as the industry calls it. As you’ll see, some projects are further along than others.
Snow White
Animation release: 1937
Expected live-action release: March 2024
There is less than one year before the next sure-fire hit for Disney, with Rachel Zegler playing the princess and Gal Gadot her stepmother, the evil queen.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Animation release: 1994
Expected live-action release: July 2024
Hot on its heels comes a prequel to 2019’s Lion King remake, which will be directed by Barry Jenkins.
Moana
Animated release: 2016
Expected live-action release: June 2025
Perhaps a rarity in having one of the original cast members making a return, with Dwayne Johnson set to reprise his role of Maui. Auliʻi Cravalho has said she will not be back as the lead.
Lilo and Stitch
Original release: 2002
Expected live-action remake: TBC
The Hawaii-based tale of a lonely girl and an alien creature was a hit 20 years ago and should be back in the near future.
Hercules
Original release: 1997
Expected live-action remake: TBC
This is not anything to do with the 2014 Dwayne Johnson film of the same name but a remake of the 1997 film, with Guy Ritchie set to direct.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Original release: 1996
Expected live-action remake: TBC
Considered one of the darker Disney tales, the Hunchback’s live-action release is set to be stuck in development hell. Josh Gad is reportedly being considered to play Quasimodo.
Robin Hood
Original release: 1952 / 1973
Expected live-action remake: TBC
A story told many times on film is set to be back for at least one more outing, with Chris Evans attached to the titular role.
The Sword in the Stone
Original release: 1963
Expected live-action remake: TBC
The tale of King Arthur’s formative years is said to be getting a reboot but details are scarce.
Bambi
Original release: 1942
Expected live-action remake: TBC
One of the greatest animated films of all time has been given the green light for a remake, with Sarah Polley set to direct.
Others…
A sequel to The Jungle Book, the live-action version, has been on the cards for a few years, as has Tinker Bell from the Peter Pan universe. James and the Giant Peach is also said to be remade, but like with the others, there have not been details for some time.
