It has been nearly 15 years since Disney started transforming its cherished animated favorites into live-action films.

From big-screen hits like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, to the classic Cinderella and the
Little Mermaid
, many of its most renowned pieces have been reinterpreted for contemporary viewers.

However, if countless fans believed that the remakes would allow them to reconnect with beloved characters, they have surely experienced disappointment.

In an attempt to foster diversity, the worldwide entertainment behemoth has found itself at the heart of a ‘
woke
Backlash has emerged, with critics accusing them of stripping away the cherished warmth from the original movies by mutilating conventional storylines.

And Disney’s most recent project, a musical adaptation of the 1937 film “Snow White,” has similarly faced criticism leading to executives deciding to cancel it.
London
launch despite concerns about potential criticism.

The $300 million remake has faced criticism for abandoning the conventional ‘sexist’ love story and recasting the Seven Dwarfs as a varied ensemble of ‘magical beings.’

Rachel Zegler
, who co-starred with Gal Gadot in the film, faced criticism after dismissing David Hand’s original animated movie as ‘highly antiquated.’

Furthermore, Disney faced accusations of incorporating ‘woke elements’ into its 2023 reboot of The Little Mermaid.

In the 1989 film, Scuttle was portrayed as a male seagull but has been changed to a female gannet in the updated version. Additionally, King Triton, played by
Javier Bardem
, developed environmentalist leanings.

Now, let’s explore some beloved classics being considered for a Disney reboot, which might face another wave of criticism as a result.

Bambi

One of the rumored live-action remakes being considered by Disney is “Bambi,” which has been a beloved family film.

While no release date has been set, critics already fear that any new version of the 1942 classic will be too ‘woke’.

Earlier reports suggested that the film could potentially omit its notoriously tragic moment—the demise of Bambi’s mother.

Piers Morgan labeled the movie as “the latest casualty of the wokeness battle” during his program “Piers Morgan Unfiltered,” questioning whether this represents an outbreak of anxiety.

Nevertheless, journalist and author Ernest Owens contended that approaching the death of Bambi’s mother with sensitivity would be a ‘wise decision’.

Previously, Variety had stated that Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer would be penning the script.

Hercules

Hercules is yet another Disney classic, expected to be adapted into a live-action version.

The filmmakers behind Avengers: Endgame, Joe and Anthony Russo, are set to produce a movie for Disney. They confirmed back in April of the previous year that they were still awaiting a script.

Previously, the brothers mentioned that the live-action version of Hercules would be more experimental and influenced by TikTok.

“I believe they are enthusiastic about discovering what each of us can contribute to it in a manner that goes beyond simply reinterpreting the animated movie,” Russo stated during an interview with Variety in 2022.

Nevertheless, this method faced criticism from admirers of the legendary 1997 movie.

A user expressed frustration on Reddit stating that the chosen directors declared their intention to “modernize” the narrative as thoroughly as feasible. They also mentioned wanting to draw inspiration from TikTok to transform Hercules into a musical comedy.

They plan to draw inspiration from TikTok for a new version of Hercules? Really? What sort of CROSSOVER concept is this?

What’s the connection between social media and a tale inspired by Greek mythology? This combination seems quite concerning to me; I wonder what kind of outcome we can expect from this film.

Lilo & Stitch

In February 2020, plans for a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch were unveiled, with the movie scheduled to be released in theaters this May.

The trailer was unveiled earlier this week, however, fans have already expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming it seems like a ‘hasty remake.’

The movie, inspired by the 2002 animated gem, tells the tale of a solitary Hawaiian girl named Lilo and her special connection with Stitch, an entity designed initially for destruction.

Someone shared on social media: ‘Disney should cease reviving old classics and start producing fresh films instead; we’re pleading for this.’

Another comment read: “I’m still confused about why this had to become a thing. The original was flawless. I wonder what a remake could possibly enhance?”

While it is not clear yet what changes have been made to the plot line in the new version, there was outrage over tweaks made when the film moved to Disney+.

Online users mentioned that in a particular scene, Stitch’s hiding spot was altered from being inside a tumbling dryer to within a pizza box.

They assumed this choice was made once the producers understood it might be risky if kids began imitating what they witnessed on television and climbing inside dryers.

Aladdin 2

In February 2020, it was reported that Disney was contemplating producing a follow-up to their 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin.

The movie is expected to have an entirely fresh storyline and won’t borrow any ideas from the subsequent installments of the original series such as “Return of Jafar” and “Aladdin and the King of Thieves.”

The 2019 rendition of Aladdin achieved significant success at the box office and was helmed by director Guy Ritchie.

Nevertheless, there have been speculations that the recent reboot could potentially be canceled.

The original star Mena Massoud stated in 2023: “Although they had been attempting to launch it for quite some time, I am not aware of its current status.”

It has been six years since we completed filming and finished the project. At some stage, I realized that life simply moves forward.

Moana

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been cast as one of the leads in an upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana, set for release next July.

The actor who played The Red One, aged 52, portrays Maui, a Polynesian demigod, in this movie — which is based on the animated feature from 2016.

The production of Moana started in August, and exclusive images were shared by MailOnline in November, offering the initial look at the remake.

Johnson was accompanied by his principal co-star, Catherine Laga’aia, aged 17, who plays the character of Moana in the fantastical musical production.

To get deeper into character, he opted for a green, traditional ti leaf skirt and went without a shirt to display his well-defined muscles and numerous tattoos.

Moana represents something of a personal endeavor for The Rock, as he holds Samoan citizenship through his mother’s heritage, states IMDb.

“This tale represents my heritage, symbolizing the elegance and martial prowess of our community. I embrace this culture with pride, both in my heart and etched upon my body,” he stated regarding Moana.

‘No finer universe exists for us to celebrate the tale of our community, our fervor, and our intent than within the sphere of music and dance, which lies at the heart of our identity as Polynesian individuals.’

The Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Quasimodo

A live-action adaptation of the 1996 film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was announced in 2019.

Josh Gad, the actor, disclosed that he has taken up directing for the new project and ventured to Paris to gather information for the movie.

The original film, with Kevin Kline portraying Phoebus and Demi Moore as Esmeralda, stood out as unusually grim for a Disney animated movie.

This release was among their most contentious as well.

Although potential cast members have been hinted at and a release date has been suggested, the actual premiere of the movie still seems uncertain.

Tangled

A live-action adaptation of the 2010 musical success Tangled was reported to be in development last December.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is apparently penning the screenplay, having previously written Thor: Love and Thunder and the forthcoming remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer.

In the 2010 original version, Mandy Moore voiced Rapunzel, Zachary Levi portrayed Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy lent her voice to Mother Gothel.

Once it became known that a new adaptation was on the way, enthusiasts demanded that Sabrina Carpenter should be chosen for the role of the fair-haired princess.

“Tangled” narrates the tale of Rapunzel, a princess possessing magical locks capable of granting everlasting youth.

As an infant, she was abducted by an elderly woman called Mother Gothel, who confines her within a tower to utilize her abilities for maintaining youth.

However, when a man called Flynn Rider stumbles upon her unexpectedly, they embark on an adventurous journey together and uncover her real identity throughout their travels.

Star Wars

After five years since the previous Star Wars film graced the big screen, Disney is reportedly poised to revisit that cherished universe from a galaxy far, far away with a reboot.

According toDeadline, Disney has appointedwriter andproducerSimonKinberg(X-Men,Deadpool)towriteandproduceanewStarWarstrilogy.

The report cited sources stating that this trilogy will consist of Episodes 10 through 12 of the main Skywalker Saga, which began with the original “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” from 1977.

Although Disney has been busy creating Star Wars material for itsDisney+ streaming platform, there hasn’t been a major theatrical release sinceStar Wars:EpisodeIX–TheRiseofSkywalkerin 2019.

The studio planned an entirely new film trilogy penned and produced by Rian Johnson, who wrote and produced “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.” However, details on this initiative have remained scarce ever since its announcement in 2017.

Many people think it has stopped being developed, particularly since Johnson and his production collaborator Ram Bergman inked a two-film agreement with Warner Bros. way back in March.

The upcoming Star Wars film screening will feature “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” set to debut on May 22, 2026. This movie extends the narrative of the television series where Pedro Pascal plays the lead role.

Read more