Disney has released various live-action remakes of its animated films in the past few years, and more are on their way. While the thought of having another version of the animated films seems exciting, many can’t help but wonder why Disney has been making too many of them.
The trend started in 2010 when Disney released Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. The film was the second highest-grossing film of 2010. Thereafter, numerous live-action remakes followed, including The Jungle Book (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Dumbo (2019), Aladdin (2019), The Lion King (2019), Pinocchio (2022), and the recent one Peter Pan & Wendy (2023).
Some of the Disney live-action remakes did well, but others argue that some weren’t really necessary as these live-action remakes don’t capture the same magic as the original films or the classics.
There have also been controversies on the upcoming live-action remakes, like the casting choices for the upcoming remakes The Little Mermaid and Lilo & Stitch. So, why are there so many Disney live-action remakes?
Why Disney Keeps Remaking Its Animated Films
One reason for the Disney live-action remakes is money. Economic matters are often the reasons for remakes or reboots. Since the animated films are already loved by the audience, remaking the same story is a safe strategy to ensure financial success without taking too many risks.
And since live-action remakes are a way for adults to relive their childhood, it’s most likely that they would still watch the remakes regardless of what critics say. But this time, they can now watch along with their children, nephews, nieces, or even grandchildren.
There have been Disney live-action remakes that rank among the highest-grossing films of all time, including The Lion King (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). Thus, it’s clear that these live-action remakes could actually make more money for Disney.
Second, enhancements to the story and storyline changes. Live-action remakes give filmmakers the chance to do some changes to the original story and fill in some gaps that weren’t addressed in the original version. Take for example the recent Disney live-action remake, Peter Pan & Wendy.
A significant change in the movie involves Captain Hook’s character. The Peter Pan remake provides a backstory for Captain Hook and how he and Peter actually became enemies. Director David Lowery shared with Rotten Tomatoes that “building the tale in a new way and expanding upon it quickly became a facet of the production as he developed it.”
“Let’s see how concise we can make this story because it is so well-told. But then I realized I was robbing myself of my own natural curiosity about these characters, and a better approach was to treat them not as icons, but as human beings you naturally are going to want to know more about,” Lowery said.
Thus, the remake allowed Lowery to explore further Captain Hook’s backstory, something that wasn’t in the 1953 animated film. Additionally, other Disney live-action remakes have done the same.
Maleficent (2014) allows viewers to see Sleeping Beauty’s story from the villain’s perspective, while Cruella (2021) gives us an origin story of 101 Dalmatian’s notable villain.
Third, the remakes are made for the new generation. These remakes introduce the stories of the animated films to the new generation in a different light. Filmmakers get the chance to change parts of the stories and tell them in a way that fits the modern setting now.
Los Angeles Times reported that “in recent years, as Disney has sought to leverage its animated back catalog with new live-action versions, the studio has found that depictions of gender roles that were accepted in decades past may now induce cringes.”
Sean Bailey, Disney’s president of production, shared with Los Angeles Times that they had to deal with gender.
“Obviously we deal with gender and how these stories have changed throughout history quite a bit, whether that’s ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Aladdin’ or ‘The Little Mermaid... You’ve got some real issues you have to dig into and discuss at great length,” Bailey said.
Thus, in Aladdin (2019), Princess Jasmine differs from the original version. While in the original film, Jasmine was mainly concerned with choosing a spouse, in the live-action remake, she’s her own heroine.
“In the original movie, as great as it is that she’s fighting for the choice of who she wants to marry, that’s where her ambition kind of stops. In this movie, she’s more ambitious and she looks outside herself. She’s trying to protect her kingdom against this evil dictator [Jafar]. It’s showcasing that you can lead and you can have love. You can have both, girls, and the two aren’t mutually exclusive,” actress Naomi Scott said to Los Angeles Times.
The same can be said in the recent live-action remake, Peter Pan & Wendy. In the latest film, Wendy is portrayed as a strong female lead, and the film isn’t centered on Peter Pan only.
"It's an incredible change, and I'm so excited for people to see it and for all the little girls that are going to see it. And I love the fact that Wendy, in our version, is active and powerful – an empowered leader – she's really Peter's equal,” actress Ever Anderson said in an interview with GamesRadar+.
Thus, with the Disney live-action remakes, the stories of the classic Disney animated films are adapted in a way that fits for the new generation and the modern setting. At the same time, it could be nostalgic for the older audience.
The Problem with Disney Live-Action Remakes
The problem with Disney live-action remakes is that not all of them actually do good and viewers would actually prefer to keep the classics. Most of the remakes do not have high ratings and are filled with mixed or negative reviews.
Viewers suggest that the remakes will never be as memorable as the originals, and the remakes are something that fans of the original films didn’t even ask for. Further, others say that the remakes offer nothing new, with them having the same plot all over again.
In summary, viewers suggest that it’s better for Disney to go back to creating original ideas or stories instead of live-action remakes. Most remakes are considered a rehash of the original films, with them having the same story and nothing more to offer.
This leads viewers to think that a remake isn’t really necessary. Without creativity or new elements to the remakes, watching them is like watching the same story over again without the magic in the original animated films.
Upcoming Disney Live-Action Remakes
Even though not everyone may appreciate the live-action remakes, they’re here to stay. Disney will continue remaking some of its beloved animated films, especially because it has been proven that they actually make money from them.
Live-action remakes allow Disney to deliver something nostalgic for the older audience and offer something new for the younger generation, most of which are children or grandchildren of viewers who grew up with the originals. Thus, we can expect more announcements of more Disney live-action remakes.
Upcoming Disney live-action remakes include The Little Mermaid (May 26, 2023), Snow White (2024), and Mufasa: The Lion King (2024). Moana, Lilo & Stitch, Hercules, an untitled Aladdin sequel, an untitled The Jungle Book sequel, Hunchback, an untitled Cruella sequel, Tink, The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, an untitled Prince Anders film, Bambi, and The Aristocats are in works but have no release dates yet.
Meanwhile, the latest Disney live-action remake, Peter Pan & Wendy, is now available to stream on Disney+.