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A definitive list of all the upcoming Disney live-action remakes

Can you keep up?

A definitive list of all the upcoming Disney live-action remakes

Can you keep up?

Advertisement
A definitive list of all the upcoming Disney live-action remakes

Can you keep up?

1. Mulan (2020)After years of will-they-or-won’t-they, Disney finally confirmed in October 2016 that a live-action version of Mulan was in the works and that it was on the global search for a Chinese actress to play the title heroine. Niki Caro, who gave the world the gorgeous Whale Rider in 2002, will sit in the director’s chair for Mulan. In November 2017, Chinese actress Liu Yifei officially joined the cast as the title character. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a team of casting directors met with nearly 1,000 candidates in five continents. Liu has appeared in films including The Forbidden Kingdom, Outcast, and The Chinese Widow, and has been a brand ambassador for Dior, Tissot, Garnier, and Pantene.Disney’s remake is not to be confused with Sony’s live-action version, which promises production in China with a “mostly” Chinese cast.In March 2018, Disney announced that the release date of Mulan had been pushed back to March 27, 2020 (from its original release date of Nov. 2, 2018).2. Aladdin (2019)Sean Bailey, president of Motion Picture Production at Walt Disney Studios, told Vulture that director Guy Ritchie will bring a “highly energized” musical to the table with his remake of Aladdin and Jasmine’s love story. During the annual D23 Expo on July 15, Disney announced the cast for the film: Canadian actor Mena Massoud will play Aladdin, with Naomi Scott taking on the role of Princess Jasmine and Will Smith portraying Genie.In 2015, it was reported that Disney also had plans for a prequel called Genies, but that idea seems to have returned to the lamp.3. The Lion King (July 19, 2019)Jon Favreau, who most recently directed the live-action remake of The Jungle Book in 2016 (and is currently working on the sequel), was announced as The Lion King’s director in September 2016. Donald Glover joined as Simba five months later, and in November 2017, DzԳé officially joined the film as adult Nala.James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Simba’s dad Mufasa, while Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will star as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. John Oliver (Zazu) and Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari) round out the cast.On July 15, 2017 Disney screened the first footage from the live-action remake to a crowd of 7,000 during D23. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the clip included “jaw-dropping photo-real shots of African landscapes and many types of animals (including elephants and, of course, lions) and ended with the iconic moment in which Rafiki introduces an adorable young Simba on Pride Rock as ‘Circle of Life’ plays.”4. The Little Mermaid (TBA)Don’t be surprised if Ariel breaks into a rap or two while combing her hair with a fork, because Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney vet Alan Menken are set to write new songs for the film. Don’t worry, the classics will still be there, so you can still sing along to “Under the Sea” or “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” which by the way, is a great karaoke song. Sofia Coppola and Chloë Grace Moretz were previously tied to the project, but have since dropped out. (FYI, this remake is not to be confused with this one starring the great Shirley MacLaine). 5. Dumbo (March 29, 2019)Tim Burton’s remake promises a “unique family story," featuring a script from Transformers writer Ehren Kruger. Following months of rumors, Disney confirmed that Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton will star in the film, along with newcomers Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins, reports Variety.6. Snow White (TBA)Fresh from their work on La La Land, songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will create new tunes to accompany a script from The Girl on the Train writer Erin Cressida, so expect things to be scary and dark (or not, if you didn't think the movie was scary or dark enough). In March 2016, The Hollywood Reporter also revealed a spin-off movie called Rose Red, which will focus on Snow White’s estranged sister. It’s basically like reality TV but with a poison apple! According to THR, Rose is actually a “key player” in story, as she goes on a quest with Grumpy and company to break the sleeping curse and bring dear sis back to life. 7. Pinocchio (TBA)Nearly three years after Disney announced plans to make a live-action version of Pinocchio, Paul Helmer, who most recently gave the world the Paddington films, joined the project as a director. Production is slated to begin in the fall of 2018. On the non-Disney front, Warner Bros. has been working on a remake of its own with Robert Downey Jr. starring and Ron Howard directing. 8. The Sword in the Stone (TBA)Like Pinocchio, not much is known about who’s involved in retelling BB King Arthur’s story, except for the fact that a Game of Thrones writer-producer will be behind the script. Fingers crossed this will lead to a cameo from a Stark or Lannister.9. Peter Pan (TBA)Jeremy Sumpter’s 2003 Peter Pan remake will soon have a successor if and when this movie ever gets off the ground. Pete’s Dragon director David Lowery is attached and promises a straightforward adaptation of the classic. Bonus: Though not a remake, Disney is also rolling out Tink, a live-action film based on Tinker Bell. Reese Witherspoon was announced to play the teeny-tiny fairy, but not much has been revealed as of late.10. Winnie the Pooh (TBA)In November 2016, it was announced that Marc Foster (World War Z, Finding Neverland) was hired to direct Christopher Robin, a live-action film that will tell the story of Pooh’s BFF as an adult. One Variety source says it's basically a family-oriented version of Seth MacFarlane’s Ted, sans dirty jokes.11. Lady and The Tramp (TBD)Per The Hollywood Reporter, Disney announced in March 2018 plans for a live-action/CG hybrid version of Lady and The Tramp, with Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) serving as director. The remake will be part of Disney’s upcoming streaming service set to launch in fall 2019, but no official release date for Lady and The Tramp has been announced.Bonus:Cruella (2018)Technically, this is not are-make as it will center on one major character (and Glenn Close already did a live-action remake in 1996). Nevertheless, Cruella is happening and will tell the backstory of the villainess who can't resist a good coat. Emma Stone was previously announced as the lead.Prince Charming (TBA)It’s unclear whether or not the handsome prince here is from Cinderella or Snow White but know that the film will probably be good. Mandeville Films/TV, who most recently worked on Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson, will produce Charming. Fantasia (TBA)In 2015, Disney announced plans to make a live-action adaptation of Fantasia’s closing sequence “Night on Bald Mountain,” which featured an iconic winged creature who raised spirits from the dead. Think Maleficent, but scarier, because Fantasia is arguably the scariest Disney movie ever.

1. Mulan (2020)

After years of will-they-or-won’t-they, in October 2016 that a live-action version of Mulan was in the works and that it was on the global search for a Chinese actress to play the title heroine. Niki Caro, who gave the world the gorgeous Whale Rider in 2002, will sit in the director’s chair for Mulan. In November 2017, . According to , a team of casting directors met with nearly 1,000 candidates in five continents. Liu has appeared in films including The Forbidden Kingdom, Outcast, and The Chinese Widow, and has been a brand ambassador for Dior, Tissot, Garnier, and Pantene.

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Liu Yifei
Getty

Disney’s remake is not to be confused with , which promises production in China with a “mostly” Chinese cast.

In March 2018, Disney announced that the release date of Mulan had been pushed back to March 27, 2020 (from its original release date of Nov. 2, 2018).

2. Aladdin (2019)

aladdin
Disney

Sean Bailey, president of Motion Picture Production at Walt Disney Studios, told that director Guy Ritchie will bring a “highly energized” musical to the table with his remake of Aladdin and Jasmine’s love story. During the annual D23 Expo on July 15, Disney announced the cast for the film: Canadian actor Mena Massoud will play Aladdin, with Naomi Scott taking on the role of Princess Jasmine and Will Smith portraying Genie.

Mena Massoud
Getty
Mena Massoud, your new Prince Ali.

In 2015, it was reported that Disney also had plans for a prequel called , but that idea seems to have returned to the lamp.

3. The Lion King (July 19, 2019)

lion king
Disney

Jon Favreau, who most recently directed the live-action remake of The Jungle Book in 2016 (and is currently working on the sequel), was announced as The Lion King’s director in September 2016. joined as Simba five months later, and in November 2017, officially joined the film as adult Nala.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Simba’s dad Mufasa, while Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will star as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. John Oliver (Zazu) and Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari) round out the cast.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

On July 15, 2017 Disney screened the first footage from the live-action remake to a crowd of 7,000 during D23. According to , the clip included “jaw-dropping photo-real shots of African landscapes and many types of animals (including elephants and, of course, lions) and ended with the iconic moment in which Rafiki introduces an adorable young Simba on Pride Rock as ‘Circle of Life’ plays.”

4. The Little Mermaid (TBA)

little mermaid
Disney

Don’t be surprised if Ariel breaks into a rap or two while combing her hair with a fork, because Lin-Manuel Miranda and Disney vet Alan Menken are set to write new songs for the film. Don’t worry, the classics will still be there, so you can still sing along to “Under the Sea” or “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” which by the way, is a great karaoke song. Sofia Coppola and Chloë Grace Moretz were previously tied to the project, but have since dropped out. (FYI, this remake is not to be confused with starring the great Shirley MacLaine).

5. Dumbo (March 29, 2019)

dumbo movie
Disney

Tim Burton’s remake promises a “," featuring a script from Transformers writer Ehren Kruger. Following months of rumors, Disney confirmed that Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton will star in the film, along with newcomers Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins, reports .

6. Snow White (TBA)

snow white
Disney

Fresh from their work on La La Land, songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will create new tunes to accompany a script from The Girl on the Train writer Erin Cressida, so expect things to be scary and dark (or not, if you didn't think the movie was scary or dark enough). In March 2016, also revealed a spin-off movie called Rose Red, which will focus on Snow White’s estranged sister. It’s basically like reality TV but with a poison apple! According to THR, Rose is actually a “key player” in story, as she goes on a quest with Grumpy and company to break the sleeping curse and bring dear sis back to life.

7. Pinocchio (TBA)

pinocchio
Disney

Nearly three years after Disney announced plans to make a live-action version of Pinocchio, Paul Helmer, who most recently gave the world the Paddington films, joined the project as a director. Production is slated to begin in the fall of 2018.

On the non-Disney front, Warner Bros. has been working on a remake of its own with Robert Downey Jr. starring and Ron Howard directing.

8. The Sword in the Stone (TBA)

sword in the stone
Disney

Like Pinocchio, not much is known about who’s involved in retelling BB King Arthur’s story, except for the fact that a will be behind the script. Fingers crossed this will lead to a cameo from a Stark or Lannister.

9. Peter Pan (TBA)

peter pan
Disney

Jeremy Sumpter’s 2003 Peter Pan remake will soon have a successor if and when this movie ever gets off the ground. Pete’s Dragon director David Lowery is attached and promises a straightforward adaptation of the classic. Bonus: Though not a remake, Disney is also rolling out Tink, a live-action film based on Tinker Bell. Reese Witherspoon was announced to play the teeny-tiny fairy, but not much has been revealed as of late.

10. Winnie the Pooh (TBA)

winnie the pooh
Disney

In November 2016, it was announced that Marc Foster (World War Z, Finding Neverland) was hired to direct Christopher Robin, a live-action film that will tell the story of Pooh’s BFF as an adult. One Variety source says it's basically a family-oriented version of Seth MacFarlane’s Ted, sans dirty jokes.

11. Lady and The Tramp (TBD)

lady and the tramp dogs
Disney

Per , Disney announced in March 2018 plans for a live-action/CG hybrid version of Lady and The Tramp, with Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) serving as director. The remake will be part of Disney’s upcoming streaming service set to launch in fall 2019, but no official release date for Lady and The Tramp has been announced.

Bonus:

Cruella (2018)

Technically, this is not are-make as it will center on one major character (and Glenn Close already did a live-action remake in 1996). Nevertheless, Cruella is happening and will tell the backstory of the villainess who can't resist a good coat. Emma Stone was previously announced as the lead.

Prince Charming (TBA)

It’s unclear whether or not the handsome prince here is from Cinderella or Snow White but know that the film will probably be good. Mandeville Films/TV, who most recently worked on Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson, will produce Charming.

Fantasia (TBA)

In 2015, Disney announced plans to make a live-action adaptation of Fantasia’s closing sequence “Night on Bald Mountain,” which featured an iconic winged creature who raised spirits from the dead. Think Maleficent, but scarier, because Fantasia is arguably the scariest Disney movie ever.