My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses: Disney's Live Action Adaptations of Their Animated Features: The Realization of Bringing Animation To Life (Litterally)

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.

Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.

And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize

Being pretty much in the middle of it, it`s perfectly appropriate to discuss a new and very relevant aspect of Disney; Their Live Action Adaptions of their animated Classics.

Yes, magic can come to life. Not only by a pixie dust ;)

When most people think about Disney, they usually think about their Animation department. Despite that Disney is a diversified company with many divisions, it's still the animation facet the company is mostly associated with. Which is after all fair, since it's been what Walt Disney and his staff originally wanted the focus to be on.

Despite this, Walt also deliberately wanted to diversify his company at his time. Yet also partly for economical reasons after the World War II. However, it's well known that Walt's interest in animation was fairly smaller during his last time of his life. As he was rather focusing on Documentaries, Television (when it was labeled as a threat to Cinema at the time) and last, but not least Disneyland.

Yes, I have the Peter Pan syndrome :)

There's plenty of space for ya here :)

The Staple of Disney`s Animated Classics

However, if we're going to scrutinize Disney's animation staple, it would normally mean that their animated TV-series should also be taken into same consideration. However, it`s still fair to state that the Full-Length Animated Features is still what Disney is mostly known for with.

In fact, while each period or feature has faced their own criticism at their time, most of them have managed to been cherished in their own right. Which has after all given them the staple of a Classic. But since we live in a World that purism exists, it's needless to say that many people perceive them as Immortal and Untouchable. That's why there`s been havoc when these classics have been disgraced in any form. Whether it's been in the form of the long deceased Direct to Video-cheapquels or other ways. But there's been another way to duplicate thsese classics that has seen the light of the day; And that is the Live Action Adaptations of these features.

The Stigma Against The Live Action Remakes

But space were given to other
creatures and not only
rodents :)

At least we're trying
to imitate art ;)

It would be easy to scream foul regarding these remakes. And considering them as pure blasphemy for being manufactured. However, their existense is not something that should come across as a surprise.
After all, Disney is a company that actually executes such ideas, so it's not strange by any means (and also adding fuel to the staple of Hollywood being lost for ideas). But of course it's not strange to see why purists or any would be offended by the idea of remaking them. Of course Disney haven't been the only company who's transferred Animation to Live Action (Alvin and the Chipmunks, anyone?). But while those remakes have the tendency to serve as franchises, at least Disney gets the honor of actually riding of a legacy of animated features with them.

The Genesis of the Live Action Remake Trend

This Live Action trend is far from new. It originated during the 1990`s. Supported by Sean Bailey, president of Motion Picture Production at Walt Disney Studios (overseen by CEO Bob Iger). But let's take the time to take a look at these individual darlings, one for one. And just so you know, this entry will look at the original remakes, not their sequels, prequels or spinoffs.

Rudyard Kipling`s The Jungle Book & Mowgli`s Story

It would've been tempting to include 1994's The Jungle Book with Jason Scott Lee in this pantheon. But that idea didn't hatch at Disney first, so we'll leave it at that. However, Disney did eventually make another live action version of The Jungle Book with the direct-to-video-made Mowgli's Story, which really sets the mark for what type of movie it is. So we'll leave it at that.

101 Dalmatians


I'm not Flynn Rider, but I can make a smolder :)

The one who truly started it all was 1996's remake of 101 Dalmatians with Glenn Close. Perhaps adapting Dalmatians wasn't the biggest stretch, considering how the 1961 predecessor was a genuine hit. David Vogel, then-president of Walt Disney Pictures, thought Dalmatians would work perfectly because of the possibilites with the technology. Released 35 years after it's animated counterpart, Walt's version was a rare picture that took place in the current time (at the time). While the 1996 remake was updated to take place in the then-current time.

The humans parts were changed to make Cruella Anita's employer. While Roger (Jeff Daniels, despite how Hugh Grant was offered the part), who's the only American in the movie, was upgraded to a computer game designer (and sure folks, not coincidentally it's based on his own dalmatians, which the last section inspired the 101 Dalmatians: Escape From DeVil Manor game). The animals, however, were real and voiceless animals, which acting of theirs were helped by some CGI (and having raccoons to this British Kingdom). Which was a conscious choice from director Stephen Herek, who wanted the audience to like the animals for their animalness (and who did the job for his young daughter). With animal trainer from Birds & Animals, the owners of Hollywood animals. Who had those to Homeward Bound II, the aforementioned The Jungle Book and even Frasier.

Overall, 300 puppies and 8 adults Dalmatians were trained and overall 450 animals starred in the production. And the training started with the puppies when they were 6 weeks old, having only 14 weeks to train them.
But despite their intelligence, dalmatians were said to be really stubborn to work with (while the dalmatian who was Pongo, Bailey, had no trouble to learn). Jim Henson Creature shop and Industrial Light and Magic were also responsible to create animatronics and CGI. Since it was produced by John Hughes, it had several nods to Home Alone (proven by it's second half). It was Hughes' most profitable part, because of his contract with merchandising profits.

Even though we're not dwarfs,
we can be at a mine :)

At least sort of,
since it's a picture.
Duuuh :)

While Cruella (who was initially offered to Sigourney Weaver) was designed to be cartoony, she had to be realistic at the end. Despite that one intention was not to make her too real. Glen had to wear corsets and high heels and was not being able to sit. Still she insisted that the coats were fake. But Glen actually did her own stunts in the movie (and due to her allergy to tobacco, she smoked fake cigarettes). And Cruella was originally going to die in the tub, but survived (Glen actually managed to scare the puppies while being dressed up as Cruella, as well as Jeff Daniels). Close was Golden Globe nominated for Best Performance.

While following the storyline of it's original predecessor closely, this remake was pretty much it's own movie and happened to have it's own tone and feel. Despite that lines from the cartoon were put. Despite the critics weren't exactly estatic, this remake became a hit earning $ 136,189,294 Domestically and $ 320,689,294 Worldwide, against it $ 75 budget. Yet the film was never shown on pay-television until 2016 on HBO and Cinemax. And created a huge hysteria for people to yearn for dalmatians. And it also made 101 Dalmatians to become a franchise of it's own, by getting it's own animated series. Of course it's not strange that 101 Dalmatians got a sequel with 102 Dalmatians 4 years later on. And the Cruella prequel with Emma Stone in 2021.

Alice in Wonderland

We're the Garden of Eve
in a Pink version :)

We're a dysfunctional
friendship :) Underland is
weird, anyway :)

It would be easy to mention Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland into this list. While it technically would serve the mold, it's technically not a live action adaptation and morea continuation story. Seeing it's light of day 14 years after 101 Dalmatians and serving the same purpose as Hook, which the protagonist relives the same experience as an adult. And since it was a Burton-property, his fans had some different expectations to than with a standard Disney fare (which is a reason why Burton-fans were lukewarm to this film, anyways).

This non-musical adaptation of the story had Burton's recurrent cast, as Helena-Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp (cast in 2008) playing another eccentric parts. And having also Anne Hathaway as the Queen. Danny Elfman was the composer (and Avril Lavigne making the end credit single, being her first participation in a Disney movie).

Mia Wasikowska (also cast in 2008) had her breakthrough role in this, playing a modern, feminist Alice who stayed single. Filmed in St. Austell, Cornwall, England, shooting began in September 2008, in about 40 days and finished in December. It was shot without 3D.

Alice in Wonderland was heavily promoted back on it's release. And despite how you put it, it's fair to say that it's stuck with a lackluster stamp. Many Burton-fans claimed it was mostly shaped by Disney (yet Burton and Linda Woolverton stated that they wanted to give the story an emotional side to it).

However, the movie still became a hit, regardless of it's reputation ($ 1,025,467,110 Worldwide). And though I personally never went gaga for Wonderland, I still found it to be a very good and well-made film. It also warranted an inferior sequel which flopped.

Maleficent

I've spend too much
time with Eminem :)

It would take another four years before we got another remake. This time a fictional version of Maleficent. Which is was at least closer of being an actual remake (at least sort of). A story about a villain always seems fanficky, but it wass made for redeeming the villain. And making her more sympathetic.

We're pretending to be real
life Pixies :) We've been too
influenced by Pixie Hollow :)

This adaptation starring Angelina Jolie was a huge hit (earning 758,539,785 Worldwide). But as with Wonderland, it was still stuck with a lackluster reputation. Written by Disney veteran Linda Wolvertoon and overseen by Brad Bird and Tim Burton. While Robert Stromberg (who's impressive credit being a special effects/matte painting to Avatar, Games of Thrones, The Hunger Games, just to mention a few) made his directorial debut. Elle Fanning starred as Princess Aurora. Maleficent's success still warranted a sequel that was released in October 2019, named Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Cinderella

I can pretend to fly even if
I lack wings :) Imagination
is free, nonetheless :)

With those bad stamps, it was easy to fear the worst for the upcoming live action adaptations! But fortunately fate had different plans! In March 2015, Kenneth Branagh's version of Cinderella saw the day and it became both a Critical and Commercial Hit (while it made less money than it's aforementioned juggernauts, it still earned $ 543,514,353 worldwide). And frankly I find the praise to be deserved!

Even Europeans can
have fans :)

While it would be easy to give all credit to Branagh for the result

(Mark Romanek was the original director before leaving the project in 2013, because of creative differences), it certainly was an adaptation made with genuine affection and care towards the fairy tale genre (yes, let's skip the Princess staple this time, shall we?). Which is evident by this Cinderella being more enchanting and magical than the previous remakes.

The idea

started in 2010 and while it was meant to be the definitive version of the story, it's still remarkable that it was made to be a non-musical version (despite having a brief singing of Sing Sweet Nightingale). Originally the story was quite different, having our Cindy being cast stop a wedding that was political import to the kingdom, being left for dead and and befriending a rogue knight. With the story having been remixed various times before, the team realized they should adapt it straightly.

The creative team had a challenge to make the magic to blend with the reality of the film. Yet paradoxically they wanted go for as much reality with it anyways. The costumes needed to be faithful to those from the animated version, but also updated to stand on their own and present a timeless '30s and '40s look. Inspired by Visconti's The Leopard, Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence, and Amélie.

Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter were cast due to their strengths (Blanchett was interested in the kinds of female cruelty between women that comes in different kinds).

Carter

's condition to do the part was only if she had wings (having promised her daughter that), while her costume designer, Sandy Powell, disagreed at first. But Carter's ideas of wings were bold at first, as was hair and makeup designer Carol Hemming's as well. Wanting to evoke a maverick Marie Antoinette, cast a few centuries into the future. And a hint of Jean Harlow, too. At least the movie gives Cinderella's name a logical origin. Despite that the story is not being particularly progressive or feminist (which yeah, has irked the naysayers, but let's leave that discussion for now), it's still haven't been completely attacked for it. With Downtown Abbey's Lilly James played our cinder lead (her waist being digitally shrinked) and Games of Thrones' Richard Madden was her dashing Prince Charming (and both were put by Branagh for a stage production of Romeo and Juliet).

The Jungle Book

Even a bigger success and reception was given to Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book in 2016! It would be easy to groan to the idea, since it's already been adapted twice at the studio (sort of). Still at least this adaptation could differ from them both. Originally scheduled for a October 2015 release, it was released six months afterwards.
It's hackneyed to state this, but at least it was made by genuine love and affection for Walt's film. And managing to be it's own remake. And frankly, I think the movie succeeded with that!

Don't do this at home, kids :)

In my blog entry for Walt's version of Jungle Book I've discussed it's already loose way of handling a story. So the 2016 version was ,at least screenplay-wise, an improvement by it's predecessor, by being more smart and clever (and originally being more violent). But perhaps the biggest surprise was the good quality of the movie and how genuinely well made it was. It swapped a solid effort Theatrically ($ 966,550,600 Worldwide) and had the second largest April opening at the time! And yes, it's warranting sequel will use ideas that were originally discarded!

And sure, folks, if we're going to be technical about it, it's legit to claim that this version is basically an animated movie. Since most of it's elements are CGI (the animals created through innovative new motion-capture techniques). But despite not being an actual musical, it still implements two of it's most integral songs, The Bare Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You (which also was a deliberate choice, to distinguish from the Warner Bros/Netflix version).

We're waiting for Wolverine,
not She Wolf/Shakira :)

It's the book for
freaks. Nuff said :)

It's also notable that Mowgli comes across as a different character. Being younger and less rebellious and more ingenious (which in fact Disney's Tarzan also was). The buffalo stampede in it is of course reminiscent of an stampede from a certain feline movie. And yes, 2016's Jungle Book ends with a closing of the original book from the animated version (which Disney themselves were at first apprehensive about), which truly shows the affection. The movie was shot in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse. The visuals claims were to making certian shots less beautiful and look at pre-DI (digital intermediate) analog photography as reference. Favreau loves to work with big movies and was the first director to hire Lupita Nyong’o after her Oscar win. After that, Nyong’o has mostly played computer-generated or motion-captured characters. The types of Mo-Cap used mostly were positional mo-cap for blocking. And putting the whole movie together as an animatic, to figuring out the layout and how to place cameras.

With a cast as Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Bill Murray as Baloo and Christopher Walken as King Louie (who's now not an orangutan, but an Gigantopithecus, which were natives to India, since orangutans weren't). Scarlett Johansson played Kaa (her performance were filmed with three reference cameras, like they did with Gollum in Lord of the Rings) and Idris Elba as Shere Khan (who originally auditioned for Gaston for the following Beauty and the Beast).

Pete`s Dragon

The tree wasn't wide
enough :) Blame it,
not me :)

2016 also saw the remake of another Disney property, Pete's Dragon. The buzz around that film was not particularly huge and it actually never made a huge profit ($ 143,659,338 Worlwide). Perhaps it could be because the fate of the original Pete's Dragon. This remake still differed from it's 1977 predecessor. Having Bryce Dallas Howard as the biggest name here and Oakes Fegley as the lead (being found pretty quickly). Directed by David Lowery, who was experienced by with childs before, but never someone that was a lead. WETA were behind the special effects, yet the desire was to have very little of them and CGI. Not much were cut in post-production, so it's fair to say that this remake has been dismissed.

Beauty and the Beast

In March 2017, the much anticipated remake of Beauty and the Beast was released. For us Disney nerds who researches are fully aware of the
animated Beauty being Disney's most beloved film. Given how much praise it has received from critics and audiences alike. So Disney didn't have a small task when they were doing this adaptation.

But probably out of all of the early remakes, Beauty comes across as being almost a carbon copy of it's animated version. And that's probably not such a strange thing in hindsight. In my opinion it wasn't a bad thing, since it enhanced the strengths of the original. Beauty earned the best PG-rated opening and having the biggest March opening at the time.

What distinguishes Beauty from it's Live Action predecessors was it that was allowed to be a full blown musical (despite how it was conceived to be a non-musical first). With three new songs from Alan Menken (revisiting the property again for the third time) and some newly discovered lyrics by Howard Ashman (Days in the Sun was written in 2007. And when Bill Condon came on board, he liked it enough to keep it).

This remake was originally going to be darker take from the Beast's point of view. But that idea was shelved when Frozen came along. In fact, Frozen was a reason for reviving it (yet the idea was to adapt the Broadway show as a film).

Running 129 minutes, it's at least the longest of these live action remakes from now. Directed by Dreamgirls, Twilight and Chicago's Bill Condon, who loved the original animated movie and having his own desire to make a Disney feature. Condon loves musicals and wanted this remake to be traditional and big musically. The newly added piano character Cadenza could've been easily labeled as a nod to Maestro to the Enchanted Christmas cheapquel.

In what could've been cited as a cunning casting, Emma Watson stars as Belle. The Hobbit's Luke Evans stars as Gaston, Downtown Abbey's Dan Stevens (who had worked with Condon priorly on The Fifth Estate and Condon chosed him for his ability to sing). The rest of the cast includes Frozen's Josh Gad as LeFou, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Maurice (who learned to fix music boxes to his role), Ian McKellen as Cogsworth (which is given an original name, Henry) and Ewan McGregor as Lumiere (who apparently didn't knew Be Our Guest. And sounded Mexican when he first did his accent, so he spent time with a coach). Ariana Grande and John Legend recorded the title song (and they were the first choices to do so, which both quickly agreed). Josh Groban was a late addition, but Menken knew him priorly. Both Luke Evans and Josh Gad had experiences with musicals earlier (Evans experienced that people always sang the Gaston song to him).

Yes, the right side is a
costume :) Otherwise I've been
too heavy. Duuh.

However, the characters has been somewhat given more depth; Beast is given a tragic backstory (and also a cruel parent), while Gaston is now a former warhero (Evans had to wear a wig). And LeFou becomes sympathetic at the end, who secretly crushes on Gaston. And lo, let's not forget the homosexual controversy. Which there was little to make a fuzz about, but places as Russia, Malaysia and Alabama went crazy about it. But Disney refused to edit (despite how the film did well in Russia, after all). The inclusion of homosexuality came from Condon, who's openly gay himself (but said that Disney didn’t know about it at first).

The film was shot at the Oscar®-winning Shepperton Studios outside London. The creative team were influenced by the Jean Cocteau version, at least by the designs. Watson had originally turned down Cinderella (because she resonated lesser than Belle did) and La La Land because of scheduling conflicts. However, taken from the Broadway version, Belle and Beast bonds over their love of books. While the marketing launched this movie as a smarter take on the film, it certainly filled that bill. It truly filled some of the gaps that has plagued naysayers for these years (yes, sorry to say this, fanboys). Belle's backstory was something that the creators took a great pain of creating. At least Belle's village is given a name, of the author, Villeneuve (who was built on a square and was built in 3D before). And both trailers had their record breaking views through YouTube (the first one having 127.6. million views).

No more Arthur
stories for me :)

While it was mostly given favorable reviews, the critics and audiences vpraised Beauty less than it's previous Live Action Remakes. Yet it's Box Office numbers said otherwise. While it was predicted to be the second biggest movie of 2017, it ended surpassing it's animated counterpart ($ 1,263,521,126 Worldwide). It even premiered on Blu Ray and DVD only three months after it's theatrical release (a quite short time span)! There are currently no plans for a Beauty sequel or spinoff, but Bailey haven’t closed the book on the idea, and said there’s a possibility of another story set in that world or a spinoff.

Christopher Robin

We're not movie stars, we're
just chillin at the beach :)

2018 saw the release of Christopher Robin. Perhaps the idea of making a Pooh movie isn't as surprising, since it's a universe that Disney has frequently visited (and milked). But it may seem somewhat odd to adapt in live action.
However, the invigorating thing is that this movie centers around Robin's adult and Pooh's relationship with him (call it a new version of Hook, if you will). The timeline is after World War II, 1949 (and is a storyline that is entirely Disney's property, not having anything to do with A.A. Milne's storyline).

While the idea was announced as it could've been a belated April's Fool's joke, it was announced in 2015. Although it was originally pitched in 2003 by producer Brigham Taylor, the timing wasn’t right back then. Having already Disney veteran Ewan McGregor cast as Christopher Robin for his likability and versatility, but also because of his Chaplin-esque quality with his physical comedy.

Yes, it's odd to play such a
game :) But we're oddballs
anyways :)

Hayley Atwell from Agent Carter and Brannagh's Cinderella plays Robin`s wife. Who had worked with McGregor priorly on Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream (originally Prince of Persia's Gemma Arterton was going to be cast). However, Jim Cummings voiced Winnie the Pooh himself and Tigger, too (yes, ignore this pun, guys). While Dustin Hoffman Alan Tudyk, and Martin Short were all considered for the voice of Tigger.

Nutcracker and the Four Realms' actor Nick Mohammed voices Piglet.

Everybody Loves Raymond‘s Brad Garrett voices Eeyore (which he's done before on a Valentine’s Day Special and cites that he was born to play the part due to his non-positivity). Being his 15th voice role in a Disney movie and seventh time voicing a character in a live action film. Owl is voiced by Toby Jones (Dobby from Harry Potter) and Roo is voiced by Wyatt Dean Hall, who voiced the character since 2011's Winnie the Pooh.

Ignore the title :)

While the designs may not be identical to their established former animated selves, at least they do resemble them (but were modeled to resemble the original toys). Which director Marc Forster (The Kite Runner, World War Z, Finding Neverland and Quantum of Solace) recreated (and it didn't influence the voice actors). While Rabbit and Owl has been actual animals, as they were in the book. However, the creators looked at the drawings for the original books. Produced by The Jungle Book-producer Brigham Taylor, Robin was shot the summer of 2017. The wood scenes were shot at Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England. Close to the Milne estate, out where his original house was in Suffolk. Some of the shooting was also done in London.

The simplicity of the story was deliberate due to Pooh's nature. Regardless of this movie's anticipation, it seems as it wasn't as huge as for other of Disney's Live Action works. Robin was rated PG for some action, being the first Pooh film to be so. Richard and Robert Sherman were honored with an eponymous soundstage at The Walt Disney Studios at the world premiere. It's also been the longest Winnie the Pooh film (to run at 104 minutes) and the first one to be shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. And it's earned a completely okay $ 197,744,377 Worldwide.

Dumbo

But wait folks, there's more! 2019 saw the release of three remakes! First up was the one of Dumbo by Tim Burton (who was affected by Walt's Dumbo as a child). Penned by Transformers writer Ehren Kruger. And having Colin Farrell (who's worked with Burton twice before on circus films), Michael Keaton (as the villain, despite not thinking that he would do a movie again and keeping some of the props of the movie), Danny DeVito (who've worked with Tim four times before), DeObia Oparei (Game of Thrones), Joseph Gatt (Z Nation) and Alan Arkin (who was the reason for Keaton to do this movie). Danny Elfman was the composer. The plot is about Holt (Farrier) taking care for Dumbo and how his flying will take him to stardom. The story is set during the Great Depression and adds a family story that parallels Dumbo's journey. Burton was chosen for his understanding of outsiders.

Dumbo

Look at this,
Linkin Park :)

was filmed entirely in England, both at Pinewood and Cardington Studios. The visuals were mix of CGI and live action, using state-of-the-art visual effects to the animals. Yet the sets were a blend of real sets and CGI. Production designer Colleen Atwood didn't use traditional circus colors. With real people on the crowd scenes. To make Dumbo easier for the kids to act to, an actor impersonated him before the animation began (and the actor knew elephant movements). Dumbo's eyes had to be moved forward to communicate. Dumbo landed on theaters March 29, 2019, but unfortunately had an underwhelming liftoff at the Box Office and earned $353,284,621 Worldwide.

Aladdin

At least it's a close at
being imitated :)

2019 also saw the release of Aladdin by Guy Ritchie, chosen in 2016 for his skills of movies about Street Hustlers (his own acceptance to the project was a surprise to him). A Guy Ritchie musical was invigorating, as he`s never done a musical before. And therefore receiving hesitations from tweets (his involvement even surprised Will Smith). Yet Ritchie was still intrigued by making a children's movie (and loving the process) and also was the screenwriter. The Lego Movie‘s Dan Lin was among the producers.

The film was shot in July 2017 to January 2018 in UK, Longcross studios in Surrey, not far from London (while Ritchie and his team considered Morocco for location, they realized it could hinder them from creating a fictional Agrabah. So it was also shot in Jordan). Yet some scenes had to be reshot, for not looking authentic enough (and too much like a Bollywood film).

And yes folks, b

oth Disney and Ritchie had to tackle how to update Aladdin and its cast to avoid the cultural inaccuracies and insensitivities that the animated version fell into (which is why Ritchie was assisted by many cultural advisers on set).
However, this movie is a hybrid of Middle Eastern cultures, rather than a specific one and a Quasi-fantastical Middle Eastern-Oriental world. And yes, guys, apparently Caucasian extras have been in darker-toned makeup in this film.

Will Smith is the Genie (suggested by Ritchie himself) and his performance has been compared to Fresh Prince of Bell Air and Hitch (and got positive notes by test screenings, despite citing that he was terrified doing the Genie after Robin Williams). And recorded his own version of Friend Like Me on the first day he met the music team. Which was the first song he recorded, on a day that wasn’t even scheduled.

He infused the character with a timeless version of himself and taking cues from his self-created arc from 1990 to 1996 (director Richie wanted a muscular 1970s dad and Genie's ego was something warranted by Ritchie). And also added a little hip-hop flavor to him (and a little bit of an James Brown). Genie hasn`t been made up of any CGI nor motion-capture and even looks human at certain points. The realization of the Genie was the biggest challenge to this film.

Tom Hardy was rumored to play Jafar, but it was squashed. While Alan Menken is once again the composer, La La Land's songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have been lyricist, having written a new song to the piece. A solo song for Jasmine called Speechless. Yet of course most of the songs from the original Picture have been included (Ritchie worked on A Whole New World on three weeks, where Massoud and Scott were strapped to a carpet 30 feet in the air, wind machine on max and 34 points of hydraulics pitching and rolling the ride. A Whole New World is also the end credit single by Zayn)

After a long search, Mena Massoud (Jack Ryan) and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers and Disney Channel`s Lemonade Mouth) were cast as Aladdin and Jasmine (Massoud performed his stunts for the film and bonded with Smith off screen). Billy Magnussen is Prince Anders, a suitor from Skånland, which has made it's own controversy. Homeland actor Navid Negahban plays the Sultan. The animal sidekicks, Abu, Rajah and Iago, are also in this film (while Iago was originally not supposed to speak, it's waschanged). Abu is voiced by his original voice actor, Frank Welker, while he's been brought to life in CGI (Massoud worked with puppeteers for weeks to get the movements down and how it felt it to have a monkey on him)

As with it's Renaissance Remake predecessor Beast, Aladdin has filled certain story points and taken consideration to the feminist aspects. Jasmine is a fighter for the freedom of her people and wants to be a leader for admirable reasons. With members from Logan, Wonder Woman and Thrones among the crew. While the teaser from February was not well received, the final trailer made up for it and even had users apologizing the havoc. Still, Aladdin had positive test screenings in advance and was released May 24th, 2019 (despite it was released earlier in other countries). And had stellar start at an estimated $31 million on Friday. Overall, it's earned $1,050,693,953 Worldwide. While I was initially repulsed by it at first, it eventueally grew on me later on. Still it`s not as mesmerizing as it's animated predecessor.

The Lion King

And last, but not least, 2019 also saw the release of The Lion King, who's also been under Jon Favreau's helm. But technically it`s not a live action remake, since the photorealistic characters has been created by CGI after all. By using virtual reality technology, but no motion capture. But still having photo-real shots of the landscapes, shot on a soundstage and using virtual reality tools. To keep the human touch, the photography wasn't computerized. The cameraman operated a real camera linked to the virtual reality program. Production began in May 2017 and Favreau worked on both The Jungle Book 2 and Lion King back-to-back (having previously worked on two superhero movies the same way).

James Earl Jones reprised his role as Mufasa (and asked Favreau for instructions to how to play the role, but was urged to be himself). Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen played Timon and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella joked about "how he let Rogen borrow the role", despite how Pumbaa was hard to cast). Last Week Tonight's John Oliver voiced Zazu. While rumors were swirling online about Hugh Jackman playing Scar, it was just a rumor. Alfred Woodard voiced Sarabi (having voiced Plio in Dinosaur). Rafiki was played by Captain America: Civil War's John Kani.

Elton John was on board, having composed a new song, Never Too Late. Otherwise, all of the beloved songs are in the movie. Hans Zimmer also returned to compose and Beyonce was a part of it as well (by voicing Nala), with a new song, Spirit. The Circle of Life was cited to be identical to it's original long before it's premiere. Scar has a new look to him, with a lighter skin tone. Which has (unsurprisingly) created some fuzz and controversy.

While the remake is a carbon copy to it's 1994 counterpart (one of Favreau's processes was making a list of everything he remembers from the original without looking at it), the critics weren't raving about this new remake.

The first teaser trailer dropped on Thanksgiving Day 2018, generating 224.6 million global views, making it the second most-viewed trailer in history within 24 hours (Disney also owned the No. 1 title for the trailer of Avengers: Infinity War). The overall running time is 1 hour and 58 minutes long, which was 29 minutes longer than the animated predecessor. It`s release date was July 19,2019. The opening gross was another record, making an estimated $185 million and quickly making $1,663,250,487 to date. Being the best opening weekend ever for July at least until then, beating 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. It also surpassed the March 2017 debut of Beauty and the Beast.

Lady & The Tramp

2019 also saw the release of Lady & The Tramp. Released November 12, it was the first original property released for Disney Plus (which was a deliberate choice). Directed by Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) and produced by Brigham Taylor (2016`s The Jungle Book), this modest release pretty much followed the storyline of it`s animated predecessor, While of course making it for a current audience (and having people of color on it`s cast, despite it`s historical inaccuracy). Filming began in September 2018 in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia (which was chosen for it`s historic district and being perfect setting for the movie’s “nostalgic romance"). It's budget was over $80 million.

Justin Theroux (who loves Walt`s Lady and dogs) is Tramp (Chris Evans was offered but passed). Thor:Ragnarok's and Men in Black International`s Tessa Thompson voiced Lady (Zoe Saldana was offered the part, but passed). Jim and Darling`s child is now a girl. While Jock is now a female named Jackie. About 500 real dogs were used, which has been resuced and started training about various months before shooting (and most of them having now found a new home). The Siamese Cat Song was replaced by a new song by Janelle Monae, as were the Siamese cats. Joseph Trapanese (Oblivion, The Greatest Showman) is the composer. The dog actress for Lady, Rose, was the first one cast (for her soulful eyes and floppy ears). Tramp`s dog actor (Monte) was rescued from a kill-shelter in New Mexico by and adopted by Lady`s animal trainer, Mark Forbes.

The trainers

were creative enough to use sunglasses with lenses removed and attaching a plastic fork around the nose piece. Making the dog to look at in the eyes instead of the hand. Over time, the dogs learned the commands, so the gadgets and treats were removed. While digital doubles been now and then, CGI was used to when the dogs talked and emoted. And yes, the classic spaghetti moment was captioned the old fashioned way, as they had Lemon Licorice in it. Rose and Monte spent months rehearsing for their romantic rendezvous, learning how to stare and nose meatballs across a plate (for the actual “kiss,” cooked pasta proved too breakable. Rose originally just got on top of the table and sat down). And they both chewed on the last meatball. And yeah, for the stigma against these remakes, Theroux himself stated that "We're not changing, we're not modernizing, we're not super updating, It's just a different way of telling a wonderful story."

Mulan

2020 saw the release of Mulan, which was a drastic departure from it`s animated predecessor. While originally slated for a November 2018 release, it was headed for a Disney + release in September 2020 because of a certain Pandemic. Yet this Mulan remake has faced a lot of controversy. Originally Mulan was given a white love interest, which fans gathered more than 19,000 signatures and the hashtag #MakeMulanRight). Shang was deleted and been split into two new characters; commander Tung (played by Star Wars Rogue One`s Donnie Yen) and Chen Honghui, who`s her love interest. Shang`s dismissal has created havoc among fans (thanks to #MeToo movement, which made a commanding officer being the love interest very uncomfortable and unappropriate").

Mulan`s male name is no longer Ping, but Hua Jun. Mushu has also been discarded, due to his negative reception in China (Disney wanted Eddie Murphy to reprise his role, which he turned down). The invaders have now been Rouran. Led by Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee) and a witch (Gong Li). Jet Li plays the Emperor. Chinese actress Liu Yifei plays our titular lead. Even Ming-Na Wen has a brief cameo. What`s remarkable about this remake is the absence of songs (which has enraged fans). Yet Caro didn`t think that songs would fit a war epic. And that she couldn`t find a place to use them. Despite how the songwriters were called in to work songs after test screenings. Yet both Tom and Tony Bancroft (director of the first Mulan and Mushu`s animator), supported the changes.

Mulan was written by Jurassic World-writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver and directed by Niki Caro. Disney were only considering Chinese and Asian filmmakers at first. Ang Lee was first approached, but passed. Produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Harry Gregson-Williams is the composer (who wanted the job, but was urged to not be influenced by Jerry Goldsmith`s score). Gregson-Williams co-wrote the end-title song Loyal, Brave, True (Williams loves the original, but banned his children to see the original while scoring the film). Mulan was shot in China and New Zealand. The film was made in only 84 days, which was a tiny number of days for filming at it`s size and scale. The visual effects were provided by Sony Pictures Imageworks and Weta Digital.

The controversies, besides the aforementioned ones, have been about racial scrutiny, but also about mixed geographic elements. And filming in Xinjiang, where Turkic citizens are located. Still, it`s premiere was held on March 9, 2020. The 24-hour numbers on Mulan made it the No. 7 trailer launch at the time! While Mulan didn`t made much at the Box Office ($69,109,580 Worldwide), it still had 68% increase in subscribers for Disney +. While it did fine with critics, it was still met with a shrug by Disney fans. Which is understandable. Mulan just happens to be the blandest and worst of this live action brand (sorry to those who worked on this movie).

Pinocchio

Don`t worry, you`re not
burning, Figaro :)

As to this date, the latest Live Action property to see the light of day is Pinocchio. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, who`s Pinocchio was his favorite Disney movie), Pinocchio is a Disney Plus release (just like Lady and the Tramp), premiering September 8th. Starring Tom Hanks (Woody in Toy Story) as Geppetto (who proposed himself to Zemeckis), Joseph Gordon-Lewitt (Jim Hawkins in Treasure Planet) as Jiminy Cricket, Luke Evans (Gaston in Beauty and the Beast) as the Coachman and Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari in The Lion King 2019, who didn`t act with the rest of the cast) as Honest John. Alan Silvestri (Lilo & Stitch) is the composer and Glen Ballard (who worked with Alanis Morissette) has written the new songs of the movie.

Don`t ask me (Donald) why
I`m here :)

Just like Tramp, Pinocchio is pretty much a carbon copy of it`s original predecessor in storyline and execution. By even having Pinocchio look like his animated counterpart. Unsurprisingly, there has been some mandatory racial casting, as having the Blue Fairy being a Woman of Color. But some story gaps have been covered, of Pinocchio`s school part. Even the Easter eggs in Geppetto`s clocks have been quite overtly. However, the remaining songs in the picture has been Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee and I've Got No Strings, while When You Wish Upon a Star has only been used sparsely. However, there`s been a couple of new characters: Sofia the Seagull and Fabiana (one of Stromboli`s dancers) and her puppet Sabina.

I don`t want the light to take
away my green color :)

While development started in 2015, it took seven years before it would ever grace the screen. The idea of turning Pinocchio into a Live Action Property was mentioned already in 1985 with Jim Henson. Sam Mendes and Paul King were considered to direct the film, but declined. Hanks was in early talks to play Geppetto, but passed on the project after King's departure and he rejoined in August 2020. Photography began on March 17, 2021, in Cardington Film Studios, England, under the working title Mahogany. Alongside in Pinewood, UK and Italy. It`s budget was $150 million. Struggling to find digital artists was difficult for the team. How Jiminy`s skin texture was going to be was also a challenge. However, the overall consensus from audiences and critics has been that it`s basically just "meh". As for me, I can pretty much say the same. This new version was fine, but nothing outstanding or spectacular. It certainly could`ve seen a Theatrical release, since it had the flair and grandure of one.

Upcoming Remakes

I won't see Big no
more from now on :)

So yeah, in other words, we've gotten a whole bunch of them! Whether it`s due to creative bankrupt or Disney's genuine interest to remake them, it's another case. While the studio were considering to adapt both Aladdin and Peter Pan back during the release of Dalmatians, they were postponed. But even Chip and Dale got a semi-live action rendition of Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers. But as for upcoming remakes, we'll soon seeing live action reboots of The Little Mermaid (Condon suggesting Lindsay Lohan would be in it). Lin-Manuel Miranda will be co-writing in Mermaid, as well as producing it, being a huge fan of the Disney undersea fable (even naming his son Sebastian). The music will be orchestrated as "a remix of pre-existing

songs" from the classic. And the songs from the Broadway musical is rumored to be in. It's was rumored that Zendaya will star as Ariel, but it was just rumors for now. But it's clarified that the cast will be some people of color (Menken wanted Harvey Fierstein as Ursula), since Chloe x Halle's singer-actress Halle Bailey will play the role of Ariel. And while it was rumored that her dear Prince Eric would be no other than One Direction's Harry Styles, he eventually turned down the part. Rob Marshall will be the director and production is expected to take place in Puerto Rico and Cape Town.

The Sword in the Stone (written by Games of Thrones' producer Bryan Cogman) is to debut on Disney Plus. Peter Pan (by Pete's Dragon director David Lowery) was originally expected in 2018, but will also head to Disney Plus, with it's $60-$85 million Budget.

It was rumored that Tinker Bell would have her own feature, but it's been put on hold. With Reese Witherspoon as both starring and producing and Finding Dory-writer Victoria Strouse (and occurring at the Peter Pan timeline).
Even an adaptation about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is on the way. With new songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and some songs from the original included as well (produced by Mary Poppins Returns producer, Marc Platt). And one spinoff by Snow White’s sister, Rose Red, is being planned and incorporating elements from Snow White. With Brie Larson suggested as the main lead and Kristin Gore from SNL as the main writer). Even a own movie of Prince Charming is being planned (being a comedy about his brother)!
And yes, folks. Believe it or not, but Disney announced that The Hunchback of Notre Dame will get an live action update. With both Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz as composers. It's been rumored that Josh Gad will star as Quasimodo, but it's just a rumor.

The Purpose of These Remakes

Of course this issue of these remakes is something that`s temptingto discuss to death. But the real question is if these updates are actually needed and if they serve their animated counterparts justice?

Well, as aforementioned, it would be easy to label them as pure blasphemy for aforementioned reasons. But if they're actually good products that honors their animated predecessors and captivates their audience, they're more than welcome. Cause it's impossible to dismiss their commercial intentions.

What's even more remarkable that several of these updates are awaiting sequels, unsurprisingly enough (in The Jungle Book's case, the studio was so confident in it that they greenlit the sequel before the first one even hit theaters). But since we live in the era of the Internet, there has been a lot of fanmade trailers and even pictures of these remakes, long before their releases.

Are the Remakes Replacing Their Animated Counterparts?

But another relevant issue regarding these remakes is if they should`ve been perceived as equal to their animated predecessors. Which is a fairly interesting question. While the purpose is to bring something new to the table, the team also wants to remind the audiences the trademarks they love from the animated counterparts. Which is a selling point to lure people to watch these remakes anyways, to appeal to their nostalgia.

Of course the nostalgia issue doesn't only apply to Disney, but to every remake in general, regardless of which studio. But there`s been some theories of how these remakes are a hip and quick way to appeal to those who considers their animated versions as dated. And while I'm sorry to say this folks, it's a legit thought, despite how it`s also provocative.

However, Sean Bailey's have said this; "So we thought we can re approach these stories with the very best talent and the very best technology available, and we can try to make them reflect the world around us a little more". No matter what, at least for now an unwritten rule that the films must be at least twenty years old to remake them. Which means that we're not seeing a live-action Frozen nor Tangled for this time (despite how it will probably eventually happening sometime in the future). However, let's not forget that the classic staple is something that`s given to other live action features from Disney. And not the remake ones.

Some Opinions About This Trend

Yet it's needless to say that the opinions regarding these remakes have been varied. But if we're going to look at valid opinions from those who supports it, we could take a look at this article from Daniella Hanson from 2016. Where she confirmed the appreciation for nostalgia and childish things was hip again and therefore making these remakes were hip.

However, to bring a legit opinion from one who`s against it, Knut-Eirik Lindblad, a Norwegian journalist, labeled this wave as depressing and a evidence of Disney's lack of original ideas (and yes folks, use Google Translator for reading this article). But hey, that`s Hollywood in a nutshell for ya.

Epilogue

However, folks, no matter what could be said about these remakes, we'll just have to accept the inevitable fact. They're here to exist! For those who don't mind them, have to just welcome them with open arms! And for those who hates them has to remmeber that they`re not going to replace their original predecessors. And making them worth to honor their animated counterparts. And yes, since we're heading for many live action updates now on, this entry will be frequently updated in the future.