All The Live-Action Disney Remakes In Development

Attachment 11327

Disney has seen huge success with its live-action remakes of classic animated movies - so it's little wonder that the studio is heavily invested in making more. In 2017, Beauty and the Beast grossed over $1.2 billion at the global box office, while The Jungle Book was met with very favorable reviews upon its release in 2016 and pulled in an impressive $966 million worldwide. Cinderella, Maleficent, and Pete's Dragon have also seen success, and while initially the thought of Disney remaking nearly their entire back catalog was worrying, most of us are now looking forward to seeing our favorite characters again. Which is just as well, since Disney currently has a whopping seventeen live-action remakes in the works.

We've already seen trailers for Christopher Robin, the tale of Winnie the Pooh's best friend all grown up and played by Ewan McGregor, and Dumbo, the retelling of the tale of a giant-eared baby elephant. Beyond those two movies are more than a dozen more live-action remakes, spinoffs and sequels in various stages of development. Here's everything that's on the way from the House of Mouse.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

Attachment 11328

Christopher Robin arrives in theaters this summer, and while it's not strictly a remake, it's making this list because it's bringing previously animated characters to a live-action movie. An adult who is immersed in his working life, Christopher Robin has forgotten all about his childhood friends in the Hundred Acre Wood - but they haven't forgotten about him. The trailer for Christopher Robin is just magical, and it definitely looks like one to watch with the whole family. Ewan McGregor stars as Christopher Robin, alongside Hayley Atwell as his wife, Evelyn. Jim Cummings provides the familiar voices of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Marc Forster directed from a screenplay by Alex Ross Perry and Allison Schroeder.

DUMBO

Attachment 11329

A Dumbo remake was actually announced way back in 2014, but details were scarce for a while, but the movie is now slated to arrive early in 2019. In recent weeks, we've gotten our first look at the movie in the form of a short teaser and poster, and not only does it look like a heart-warming tale, it also looks to be a total overhaul of the original story, which is Disney's shortest animated movie. There are no talking animals, for a start, and the humans play a much larger role. Dumbo, of course, is still as cute as ever. Tim Burton directed from a script by Ehren Kruger, and Dumbo could well be a huge hit, reuniting several of Burton's regular casting choices. Colin Farrell stars as circus hand Holt, alongside Eva Green as aerial artist Colette. Danny DeVito plays ringmaster Max Medici, while Michael Keaton takes on the villainous role of V.A. Vandevere. For those wondering, Dumbo's drunken dream scene, with the "Elephants On Parade," will also be recreated.

ALADDIN

Attachment 11330

Disney's second live-action remake of 2019 is one of its best-loved animated movies, Aladdin. Directed by Guy Ritchie, Aladdin will still be a musical, and will feature two new songs by Greatest Showman composers, Pasek and Paul. There's no reason to assume that a live-action Aladdin wouldn't work (the story has been well-received on Broadway and in the West End), but the remake has been dogged by several white-washing controversies which could potentially harm its box office chances. Not only that, but the thought of anyone else taking on the iconic role of the Genie, even if it is Will Smith, is something that many aren't happy with. Mena Massoud stars in the titular role, with Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) as Princess Jasmine. Additions to the character line up include Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders, another suitor for Jasmine to contend with. Filming wrapped on the movie back in January, so expect a first look fairly soon.

THE LION KING

Attachment 11331

Another favorite of many, The Lion King will be the third Disney live-action offering of 2019. Directed by Jon Favreau, who enjoyed great success with The Jungle Book, The Lion King features an all-star voice cast and, just like Jungle Book, it's not technically live-action, but CGI. Donald Glover voices Simba, with Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timon, respectively. Chiwetel Ejiofor lends his voice to Scar, John Oliver is Zazu, and Beyoncé voices Nala. James Earl Jones reprises his role of Mufasa, because it simply couldn't be anyone else. Hans Zimmer is set to score the movie, with a new song from Beyonce and Elton John included. If Favreau pulls this off, The Lion King could well end up being one of the most successful movies of all time.

MULAN

Attachment 11332

The next Disney live-action remake will arrive in 2020, and it could well be another smash hit. Mulan has been delayed a few times, from 2018 initially to 2019 and now 2020, but if that means they get it right then we're all for it. Niki Caro directs, and what was initially going to be a non-musical movie is now all-singing and (we hope) all-dancing after an outcry from fans. The cast is all Asian, with Yifei Liu in the titular role, Jet Li as The Emperor, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, and Yoson An as Chen Honghui, Mulan's love interest. The character of Li Shang, Mulan's original love interest, will not feature, although An's character sounds remarkably similar.

MALEFICENT II

Attachment 11333

Not strictly a remake, Maleficent II follows on from the 2014 hit, Maleficent, which retold the tale of Sleeping Beauty from the wicked fairy's point of view. Angeline Jolie reprises her role - one she played with great relish the first time around. Joining her will be Elle Fanning as Aurora, and Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Leslie Manville as the good fairies. Sam Riley will also be back as Diaval. Maleficent II will pick up several years after the events of the first movie, with Aurora soon to become Queen and trying to form an alliance with Maleficent. New characters include Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith, Ed Skrein as a villain, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as a rumored romantic interest for Maleficent. Joachim Rønning directs from a script by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster. Filming on Maleficent II has started at Pinewood studios, but the movie hasn't been given a release date as yet.

PINOCCHIO

Attachment 11334

A live-action Pinocchio has been talked about for several years, and at one point Sam Mendes was attached to direct. That's all changed now, though, and Pinocchio looks set to be moving forward with Paddington director Paul King at the helm. Jack Thorne, probably most well-known for writing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is said to be rewriting the script after Pete Hedges and Chris Weitz collaborated on a previous draft. There are no actors attached to the project yet, and no release date set, but production is said to begin this fall. If that is the case, then realistically we could see Pinocchio on our screens in the latter half of 2020.

OLIVER!

Attachment 11335

Technically this isn't a live-action remake, since Oliver! always was a musical with humans in it. Disney put their own spin on things, though, in 1988 when they turned Oliver into a little orange cat and gave us Oliver and Company. This remake won't be centered around felines, but rather a new take on the Charles Dickens tale, with a hip-hop twist. Details are vague, but Ice Cube is signed on to produce and star as Fagin, and Danny Strong is writing the script. The movie has a director attached in the form of Hamilton's Tommy Kail, and La La Land's Marc Platt is also producing. There's no release date set for the movie at this early stage.

PRINCE CHARMING

Attachment 11336

Disney announced way back in 2015 that there would be a live-action movie based on the life of Prince Charming - the one true love of Cinderella, whom we never really learn much about. There's been precious little in the way of updates since then, though, but the movie does seem to be still in development. In November 2017, Disney revealed that Stephen Chbosky is attached to write and direct and, although it will center on Charming, the story will be told from his brother's point of view. Given the success of Maleficent, this could well be a smart move. With no further updates, though, it's impossible to know when this one could arrive.

JUNGLE BOOK 2

Attachment 11337

It's no surprise that Disney want a follow-up to the critically acclaimed live-action Jungle Book, released in 2016. Don't expect a release date set anytime soon, though; director Jon Favreau will return, and right now he's focused on The Lion King. Given the massive amount of work involved with the CGI process, this one could take a while to reach our screens, but Disney remain adamant that Jungle Book 2 is in development. The movie is said to delve further into Rudyard Kipling's work, and also to use some discarded ideas from the 1967 animated version of Jungle Book.

CRUELLA

Attachment 11338

Emma Stone is already attached to star in this 101 Dalmatians remake, told from Cruella DeVil's point of view. On paper, it sounds like it could be a great movie, but we don't know anything more about Cruella at this stage, other than the vague rumor that it might be set in 1979, and tied to Punk Rock-era London. The script has reportedly undergone some rewrites, so let's hope things get moving soon.

LADY AND THE TRAMP

Attachment 11339

Lady and the Tramp is arguably deserving of a live-action remake. The 1955 animated classic is cute and adorable, but is often ignored in favor of bigger, blockbuster titles. Lady and the Tramp is one of the live-action remakes that Disney plans to release via its upcoming streaming platform, and Charlie Bean (The LEGO Ninjago Movie) is attached to direct. The remake will be a live-action and CGI hybrid and, while there's no release date set, it's likely to tie into the release of Disney's streaming service, which is expected to be late 2019.

THE SWORD IN THE STONE

Attachment 11340

The Sword In The Stone is another live-action remake set to debut on the Disney streaming service when it launches. As well as reruns of ABC series, Disney plans to release four to five original movies on the platform each year, and it seems as though its looking to its back cataolg for some remake ideas. It seems unlikely The Sword In The Stone will get a theatrical release, but that doesn't mean it won't be popular; take a look at Descendants as an example. The Sword In The Stone is due to start filming in Ireland this September, with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo attached to direct.

TINK

Attachment 11341

If Maleficent and Cruella can get their own movies, then why not Tinkerbell? Tink has been in development for a long time now, with Elizabeth Banks at one point attached to star. Now it's allegedly Reese Witherspoon, but she's now tied up with Legally Blonde 2, so who knows when Tink will see the light of day?

PETER PAN

Attachment 11342

David Lowery did a great job directing the live-action Pete's Dragon, so Disney must view him as a safe pair of hands to be trusted with Peter Pan. First released in 1953, Peter Pan has amazing characters, but the movie drags in places, so hopefully Lowery can overcome that. There's been many iterations of the Peter Pan story told over the years, but it sounds as though Lowery will be taking the classic tale and turning it into a live-action adventure movie that has the potential to be really fun.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Attachment 11343

The Little Mermaid has also been in pre-production for a while now, and it has some impressive cornerstones already in place. Rob Marshall is rumored to be directing, returning to Disney once more after directing Mary Poppins Returns, which is sure to be a smash hit this Christmas. The Little Mermaid is also said to contain new music from Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda, a huge coup and one sure to delight fans of the original movie. There's still no release date set or actors attached, but hopefully The Little Mermaid gets made sooner rather than later.

SNOW WHITE

Attachment 11344

All had gone quiet regarding this remake until a couple of months ago, when a rumor surfaced that Disney are eyeing Brie Larson for the role of Rose Red. That's right; the live-action Snow White won't actually focus on the warbling princess at all, but on her sister. The movie is said to pick up moments after Snow White bites the poisoned apple, leaving Rose Red to embark upon a quest with the Seven Dwarfs to find a cure. With nothing confirmed, the Rose Red movie is very much a 'wait and see' situation.