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Disney has a hit on its hands with the live-action version of The Little Mermaid. What other live-action remakes of animated Disney films are on the way? Here's what's up next, courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes.
Snow White (2024)
Release Date: March 22, 2024
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Martin Klebba, Andrew Burnap
After falling asleep for several years, the live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves has risen with West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler set to lead and Gal Gadot as the evil queen. Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson wrote the script for the film, which will be directed by Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man).
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
Release Date: July 5, 2024
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani
The Hollywood Reporter wrote in 2020 that Jenkins was planning a prequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 live-action version of The Lion King. Jenkins confirmed to Variety in 2022 that plans were still in the works and that “kings aren’t just born, they aren’t just made. They have to become who they are.” The film was officially announced and given a premiere date at Disney’s September 2022 D23 Expo. So far, the only casting that has been announced is that Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and John Kani will reprise their roles as Pumbaa, Timon and Rafiki from the first live-action movie.
Robin Hood Live-Action Movie
Director: Carlos López Estrada
Starring: TBD
Another classic animated Disney film to get the live-action/CGI treatment is 1973’s animated musical Robin Hood. In April 2020, Disney announced that Lopez Estrada would be directing a new adaptation of this movie with Lady and the Tramp’s Kari Granlund writing the script. The film will air on Disney+.
Live-Action The Aristocats
Director: Questlove
Starring: TBD
Not to be confused with the Paul Provenza comedy documentary The Aristocrats, this film will be a live-action reimagining of the 1970 film about Parisian cats who suddenly learn they have inherited a fortune from their owner. Deadline reported in 2022 that Will Gluck and Keith Bunin were writing the script.
Aladdin Spin-Off
Director: TBD
Starring: Billy Magnussen
Variety reported in 2019 that Disney had hired Jordan Dunn and Michael Kvamme to write a spin-off of its live-action version of Aladdin that would focus on Magnussen’s smarmy Prince Anders. Magnussen will reprise his role in the film, which is set to air on Disney+.
Live-Action Hercules
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: TBD
Guy Ritchie, who directed 2019’s live-action take on Aladdin, is helming this project. It was first announced in 2020 with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings writer Dave Callaham handling the script and Avengers filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo producing.
Live-Action Lilo & Stitch
Director: Dean Fleischer-Camp
Starring: TBD
After languishing in various stages of development, it was announced in 2022 that Marcel the Shell with Shoes On director Dean Fleischer-Camp would helm this live-action take on the animated musical about a Hawaiian orphan and her newfound best friend: an alien who crash-landed on the island.
Live-Action Moana
Director: TBD
Starring: Dwayne Johnson
Director: TBD
Starring: Dwayne Johnson
In April, Dwayne Johnson announced at a Disney shareholders event that he plans on starring in an upcoming live-action remake of the 2016 animated film Moana, reprising his role as the mythological being Maui. There is, however, at least one Moana star who will not be returning for the remake, as Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced the role of Moana, has confirmed that she is “truly honored to pass this baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent.” Cravalho, who is now 22, will instead serve as one of the executive producers on the Moana remake.
By RT Staff and Whitney Friedlander
