Every Disney Live-Action Remake in the Works

Disney’s animated movies have been delighting children for generations, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 1937 through to Turning Red in 2022. With so many classics, it only makes sense for Disney to want to repackage these movies for a new generation. Live-action adaptations give audiences a chance to revisit their favourites again in an all new way. Here’s every new live-action adaptation that we know to be in the works right now.

Audiences are already excited for The Little Mermaid, directed by Rob Marshall who has achieved success with Chicago. This bold reimagining and the animated classic has audiences buzzing online. Halle Bailey takes on the coveted role of Ariel, beating out Lindsay Lohan, Ariana Grande and Zendaya. The cast also includes Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daved Diggs as the crab Sebastian, Awkwafina as the seagull Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as the fish Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton and Melissa McCarthy as the sea-witch Ursula. Noma Dumzweni will also appear as Queen Selina, Eric’s mother, an exciting addition to the story that could break the Disney curse of orphaning characters.

Snow White, directed by Marc Webb of Amazing Spider-Man fame, will feature Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot in the surprising role of Evil Queen. Stage actor Rachel Zegler will be joining her in the role of Snow White. The most intriguing casting is Andrew Burnap as a new original character known as ‘Jonathan’.

Fans of The Lion King are not being forgotten however. Barry Jenkins has been announced as the director of Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel movie that will focus on Mufasa, the original lion king, and has been likened to The Godfather Part II. Fans are waiting to find out if the stars of The Lion King will return. Conversely, a cast of relative newcomers make up the cast of Lilo and Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Fans will be excited to see Tia Carrere as new character Mrs. Kekoa, especially as she played Nani in the 2002 original animated film.

Of course, one of the biggest recent announcements that excited fans of the 2016 movie Moana, a Polynesian musical adventure with a popular soundtrack. Disney revealed that a live action remake of Moana is in the works and will reunite Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson with co-star Auli’i Cravalho in the roles of Maui and Moana. With the producing power of Dwayne Johnson behind the project it won’t be role before a director and full cast will be announced.

Guy Ritchie won’t be returning to the world of Aladdin, with a Will Smith led prequel titled Genies having been cancelled for reasons unknown. Fans of Guy Ritchie can look forward to Hercules, with the cast unconfirmed. This is expected to be followed by Hunchback, a remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is confirmed to have a screenwriter. Comments from Alan Menken, however, suggest that such a film will not be made due to ‘modern sensibilities’.

With the ground-breaking computer effects used in the creation of The Lion King we’re going to see all manner of animals recreated on our screens. Bambi, directed by Sarah Polley and The Aristocats, directed by Questlove are also in the works with no casting yet announced. These animals adventures will be rounded out by Robin Hood, with Carlos López Estrada, director of Raya and the Last Dragon being attached to direct. This project would be of particular interest to James aka Mr. Sunday Movies, who finds Maid Marion sexually attractive. Yes, the fox one. No doubt he can’t wait to see his love brought to life in glorious hi-def.

With the live-action remake train showing no sign of slowing down, we will no doubt be seeing Zootopia, Frozen and Big Hero 6 getting added to the schedule soon.