Earlier this week, Walt Disney pictures announced plans to film a live-action remake of Aladdin. If it sounded like familiar news, there’s a reason. Disney has been greenlighting live-action remakes of its animated classics left and right lately. With the success of Maleficent, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book, Disney has clearly found a formula that works.

So exactly how many live-action remakes have been announced? Probably a lot more than you realize. In fact, it’s far too many to fit in one article. So let’s take a look at a few of them, starting with the next to actually hit theaters:

Beauty and the Beast

This one is already in the can and on its way to a theater near you. Harry Potter‘s Emma Watson is taking on the role of Belle. Meanwhile, Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens will be the growling prince known as the Beast. The new Beauty and the Beast will hit theaters (in 3D no less) on March 17, 2017. Here’s a look at the teaser trailer:

Cruella

While most of the announced live-action Disney films seem to be straightforward adaptations, the one that started it all was quite different. 2014’s Maleficent with Angelina Jolie was more than a remake of Sleeping Beauty. It flipped the script to put the focus on the villain, rather than the heroine.

In 2013, Disney announced a similar project focused on the villain of 101 Dalmations. There haven’t been a lot of details released since then, but Glenn Close (who played the role in the original live-action remake) is executive producing. More recently, actress Emma Stone has signed on to play the lead role.

Dumbo

In 2014, Disney announced a live-action version of the 1941 animated classic, Dumbo. Longtime Disney collaborator Tim Burton is attached to direct. Transformers screenwriter Ehren Kruger is writing the script.

Mulan

Walt Disney Pictures has actually been pursuing a live-action remake of Mulan for years. Only recently have plans come to together enough for Disney to formally announce it. Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver wrote the script, with the film to release in 2018. A worldwide casting search is now underway for a Chinese actress to play Mulan.

Pinocchio

Early last year, Disney announced plans to remake one of it’s most iconic films, 1940’s Pinocchio. Peter Hedges, the writer behind What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and other esoteric fare, is writing the script. Famed director Guillermo del Toro is also planning a stop-motion version of Pinocchio for a rival studio.

Peter Pan

Would you believe Disney is developing not one, but TWO different live-action Peter Pan remakes? First, there’s a straight adaptation of Peter Pan in the works from director David Lowery and screenwriter Toby Halbrooks. Lowery and Halbrooks collaborated on the Pete’s Dragon remake for Disney earlier this year.

In 2015, Disney also announced Tink, a new live-action film about Peter Pan’s fairy companion, Tinkerbell. Actress Reese Witherspoon is signed to star as the titular character. Finding Dory screenwriter Victoria Strouse is writing the script.


Whew, that’s a lot of remakes! But we’re not done yet. Be on the lookout for part two of this article where we’ll share even more Disney live-action remakes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

The Walking Dead: Michael Traynor and Katelyn Nacon on Nicholas and Enid

The stars behind The Walking Dead’s Nicholas and Enid talk about what could’ve happened with their characters and what’s next for them.

There’s More to Johnny Galecki Than The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory wasn’t Galecki’s first success in television.  Most people…

5 Memes Starring ‘Crying Daryl’ That You Definitely, Have To See…

There are lot of funny Walking Dead memes out there, but no image has inspired more hilarity than poor Norman Reedus’ face in the “Crying Daryl” memes.