The public reaction to recent live-action remakes of Disney classics has been mixed, with some audiences expressing disappointment and frustration with the changes made to the original stories and characters.

The live-action remakes have been criticized for prioritizing political correctness and ideas over storytelling and character development, leading to poor word-of-mouth and film ratings.

Despite the backlash, the box office has favored reproducing the classics, indicating a strong financial demand for live-action remakes.

The son of the original Snow White director has called the upcoming Disney remake a 'disgrace' and 'insulting', criticizing the new concept and the portrayal of the seven dwarves.

Disney's live-action Snow White remake will not feature the seven classic dwarfs, instead replacing them with 'magical creatures' to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.

The decision to create live-action remakes of classic Disney films is driven by the company's focus on reimagining its animated films for a new generation, with a focus on diversity, representation, and progressive storytelling.

The live-action remakes often feature big-name stars and involve a significant amount of planning and production, with some films taking years to develop and produce.

Disney's strategy to localize content and invest in content is expected to drive growth in international markets and increase profits.

The company's use of nostalgia in its theme park rides and merchandise drives financial profits by attracting visitors who are familiar with the classic stories and want to relive their childhood memories.

Timeless stories like fairy tales are adapted for modern audiences through live-action remakes with modern twists, such as the American fantasy drama series Once upon a time.

A successful remake can only be created when it answers the critical artist's question, 'Why now?', and says something fresh and different in a way that pays proper tribute to the original.

The public reaction to recent live-action remakes of Disney classics has been mixed, with some audiences expressing disappointment and frustration with the changes made to the original stories and characters.

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Content: Home Movies

Thought the brand of hatred Brie Larson suffered for ‘Captain Marvel’ is over? Well, version 2.0 is here

'The Brie Larson Treatment' comes for another performer with the gall to have opinions.

Image via Marvel Studios

Social media, am I right? What started out as a means for the world to communicate instantly, bringing people together from across the planet, has since metamorphosed into that slime from Ghostbusters 2 that feeds on anger.

And now we’re stuck, knee-deep in a bog of the loudest opinions, all being digitally shouted by everyone that never figured out their internet inside voices. We’ve been here for a while. We all know what it looks like. Arguably, it all boiled over around the time that Captain Marvel came out.

That’s when Brie Larson became angry-boy-Twitter’s favorite place to drag their knuckles, thanks to the way she voiced outlandish opinions like “I don’t have to smile when strangers tell me to” and “I should get treated the same as my male co-stars” and, if we’re being honest, mostly because she was a pretty lady on the internet who wasn’t going out of her way to make strange dudes feel like she’d love to meet them for coffee sometime and really get to know them. The rage was ubiquitous. You couldn’t swing a dead flerken on Twitter without hitting six burner accounts telling Larson how to be an actress.

But that was what, four years ago? We’ve probably moved on as a species, right? If nothing else, I’m sure Twitter has become a more thoughtful public square since Elon Musk took over – I can’t do it, sorry. I’m kidding. Everything is still the exact same kind of bad, only this time the boys are mad about princesses, actress Rachel Zegler playing Snow White in the upcoming live-action to be precise.

The ghost of Brie Larson’s past is making the rounds on Twitter again

The latest target for social media’s putridity is Rachel Zegler, star of Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Snow White. In a recent interview with Variety, Zegler discussed some of the changes that the new film would make to its story – specifically, the lead character is driven by a desire to lead now, she is “not going to be saved by the prince and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love.”

The merits of Disney remakes aside, they’re changes that make sense. As Zegler puts it, storytelling has changed since 1937. People don’t pay to see feature-length movies about women eating fruit, taking naps, and being awoken by non-consensual kisses anymore. But not everyone agrees.

What happened next will shock you, especially if you just now got your America Online disk and you’re logging onto the internet for the first time: People got mad. Tikitok and Twitter sprayed their musk all over the story, calling Zegler’s takes “pseudo-feminism” and accusing her of “single-handedly destroying this movie.” The rhetoric was hyperbolic. It was acidic. It was, you know, Tuesday. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed a pattern.

There’s a lot that stings about the story. It’s rough, knowing that film Twitter might never stop being a free box of megaphones for everyone with a one-way brain filter and a “No Girls Allowed” sign on their bedroom door. It’s also a little bit gutting to know that conversations about live-action Disney adaptations are always going to swing back around to accusations of surreptitious political agendas and the formation of parasocial disgust targeted at opinionated female performers.
Like, these remakes (mostly lacking originality) are often pretty bad on their own merits, guys. Maybe focus on arguments that actually hold water.

About the author

Tom Meisfjord

Tom is an entertainment writer with five years of experience in the industry, and thirty more years of experience outside of it. His fields of expertise include superheroes, classic horror, and most franchises with the word "Star" in the title. An occasionally award-winning comedian, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his dog, a small mutt with impulse control issues.

What criticisms did the live-action Little Mermaid face from reviewers?

Adding redundant and uninteresting elements

What has been the general critical response to most Disney's live-action remakes?

The live-action remakes have been criticized for prioritizing political correctness and ideas over storytelling and character development, leading to poor word-of-mouth and film ratings.

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Content: Alert
Operation Blue Bird continues … 30,000 people surround the Legislative Yuan in the evening to protest against the delay of the Beijie Red Line and the Blue Line for 15 minutes.
“If you can ’ t afford it, don ’ t give birth to me ” … A middle school student laments that his parents will not be able to pay their tuition fees after remarriage.
Mobile signal analysis crowd provoking... Wang Yichuan shouted "Christmas City also did" blue committee exposed the New Taipei City government 's statement
Can't you watch it from your own family?
"Little Mermaid" director points to Disney's problems
Disney has been the first brand of American animation, bringing many beautiful memories to children around the world, including the early years of "Snow White", "101 loyal dogs", as well as described as the "Renaissance" period of "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" and so on.
However, the recent Disney animation or live-action film, there is a big problem: each time in the casting and plot direction of the controversy, many people complain that too much "political correctness", or to put some ideas into the story arrangement, character layout and other basic details are put aside, turned into an alternative "educational film".
With such a big change, audiences can ’ t fail to feel that last year ’ s five most expensive movies, Disney Group accounted for four, even celebrating the centenary of their own animation as “Star Wish ”, both at the box office and in word of mouth have lost.
Recently, the director of "Little Mermaid", "Aladdin", "Hercules", "Treasure Island", "Ocean Strange" and other famous Disney animation director John Musk admitted at the seminar on animation and special effects, video games: "I think they should carry out a part of the course correction, put the concept of the secondary, the entertainment of the film, the story and whether the characters attract people should be more important." "
In John Musk ’ s eyes, the traditional Disney classic is not a concept that you want to put in, but rather an audience into the story and the characters and the world in the film, which he believes should still be the core of the current Disney film, “You don ’ t have to completely put aside the idea of putting in, but before that you have to create characters that the audience can empathize with and feel eye-catching. ”
"He said.
John ’ s past Disney animations also included “The Princess and the Frog, ” the first black princess to be the main character. Even so, he said the film was not built to promote an“ awakening culture, ” although he could understand the criticism.
As for the past few years, Disney has become more and more frequent remakes of old animations into live-action versions, he believes that the film companies are always looking at how to reduce the risk, and when they see that the audience likes something, they are thinking, is there a way to change the appearance and sell it to them again, or even do it better than the last time?
Just a few Disney classic animation remakes, audience word-of-mouth or film ratings are not as good as the original animation, based on their own history, John Musk did not take last year caused a lot of controversy of the live-action version of "Little Mermaid" to open: "They do not ink on the story of the father and daughter, that is the core of the whole movie, and that crab, you can see the real animal in the zoo, They all have a much richer expression than the ones in the movies, and so does the Lion King."
Extended reading
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According to John Musker, what should Disney prioritize in its remakes?

What approach makes Disney's classics successful according to John Musker?

Immersing audiences in story-driven worlds rather than pushing preconceived ideas.

What controversy arose from Disney's casting and updates in The Adventures of Pinocchio?

What has been the general critical response to most Disney's live-action remakes?

Despite the backlash, the box office has favored reproducing the classics, indicating a strong financial demand for live-action remakes.

Title:

Content: A new part of The Lion King.
The story of Mufasa as you never knew it.
About five years after the release of The Lion King in 2019, Disney is offering a live-action version of the film, Mufasa: The Lion King, a new story that takes audiences back to the familiar tale of the film, as Simba explores the history of his father, Mufasa, and his father ’ s relationship with his younger brother. Reer Scar.
The film also comes on the 30th anniversary of the original Lion King, released in 1994, as part of Disney ’ s experiments in turning animated films into reality, such as Cinderella, The Mermaid, and Aladdin.
It is a safe strategy to ensure a financially successful product, without risking capital in new experiences that may not generate revenue.
The film is expected to be released on May 5, 2024.
Simba explores the history of Mufasa
The first real-life version of The Lion King in 2019 grossed nearly $1.6 billion worldwide.
The new version of The Lion King is expected to surpass the previous film because it explores an old story never presented before, while retaining all the reasons for the success of the original film, the story of the evil brother "Scar" and his relationship with his brother "Mufasa", a focal point in the main film, and the audience always wondered about the causes of the great evil inherent in the character "Scar".
Disney is looking to make an artistic epic, or a series of films as a result of the film ’ s manifold story, which carries more than one story, especially if its makers can find clues to the stories, because despite the worlds of Disney and its large production of films, it has never produced a major series like Star Wars, for example, and the story of the Lion King can be the beginning of movie series, especially as it moves narrative between the past and present....
Heroes of the New Story
The film was officially announced by Barry Jenkins, and Jeff Nathanson, the screenwriter of The Lion King (2019), completes his role as the writer of the new work "Mufasa".
Genghis said that there are many familiar characters will appear in the next film, and that the version will include new stories about the characters that the audience knew and associated with, and the story will go back in time with the heroes, to know the audience history and how they became what they are in the end, as the film tells how "Mufasa" came out of a modest life to reach the top of power, after he was a young cub roaming alone in life.
The film includes some changes to the voices of the heroes from the previous film, where the voice of young "Mufasa" will be performed by Aaron Pierre, while the voice of Mufasa was provided in the previous film, and in the older film of 1994 James Earl Jones.
Familiar voices that won ’ t change include John Kanye, who will cast Mandrel Reviki, Billy Eichner, who will cast Timon, Seth Rogan, who will cast Pumbaa, Kelvin Harrison, Jr., who will cast Scar, and Beyoncé, who will cast Nala.
Why is Disney bringing back the old stories?
Although audiences on social media complain about reproducing Disney ’ s classics, the box office always favors reproducing the classics, and there are many reasons for audiences to watch animated films in their real-life versions, including the attraction of old fans and the desire of the new generation to explore the modern context of the tale.
From here, such films have a double audience, especially in that story that touches on fatherhood, family, friendship, love and life. Mufasa remains one of the most famous Disney characters, and did not explore his story as befitting his fame and the story of his sad death in the original film, which separated the audiences against their will.
Source: Al Jazeera + Websites

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

By turning classic animations into live-action films with major stars

How successful was the 2019 live-action version of The Lion King?

Worldwide revenues exceeded one billion dollars

What motivates Disney to keep producing live-action remakes despite mixed reviews?

The son of the original Snow White director has called the upcoming Disney remake a 'disgrace' and 'insulting', criticizing the new concept and the portrayal of the seven dwarves.

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Content: Snow White director’s son calls Disney remake a “disgrace”

Disney

The original Snow White director’s son has slammed the upcoming Disney remake as “insulting” and a “disgrace.”

Disney has recently recreated several of its classic films into live-action adaptations. Past examples include The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, and Pinocchio. However, these recreations have generated backlash for various reasons.

For example, Halle Bailey’s role as Ariel wasn’t universally agreed upon. This is due to haters complaining that the princess should have been white like in the 1989 animated movie.

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Now, the upcoming remake of Disney’s Snow White starring Rachel Zegler has been under fire for its controversial portrayal of the seven dwarves among other reasons. Here’s what the son of the original Snow White director had to say about the film.

Son of Snow White director criticizes upcoming Disney remake

In an interview with The Telegraph, David Hand, who worked as a Disney designer in the 1990s, admitted his negative feelings toward the Snow White remake. Hand’s father, also named David, served as one of the directors of the 1937 film.

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“It’s a whole different concept and I just totally disagree with it, and I know my dad and Walt would also very much disagree with it,” 91-year-old Hand said. He continued by calling the movie a “disgrace” and discussed Disney’s “radical thoughts.”

“They’re making up new woke things and I’m just not into any of that. I find it quite frankly a bit insulting [what] they may have done with some of these classic films,” Hand remarked. “There’s no respect for what Disney did and what my dad did. … I think Walt and he would be turning in their graves.”

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The Snow White remake has finished filming and is scheduled to premiere on March 22, 2024. Other Disney live-action projects in the works include Lilo & Stitch, Moana, and Mufasa: The Lion King.

You can find out more about Zegler’s Snow White controversy here.

Related Topics

Disney's live-action Snow White remake will not feature the seven classic dwarfs, instead replacing them with 'magical creatures' to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.

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Content: Disney's Seven Dwarfs Replacement: Will Snow White Remove the Dwarfs from Live-Action Movie?

By Sam Hargrave Posted:

Disney will release its live-action Snow White remake in 2024, but will the movie feature the seven classic dwarfs?

Continuing the train of Disney's live-action remakes of animated classics, Snow White will hit theaters in 2024, starring Shazam! Fury of the Gods' Rachel Zegler as the titular lead while Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen.

The remake and Zegler have become enthralled in controversy recently after comments resurfaced from September 2022's D23 Fan Expo in which the actress panned the 1937 classic as outdated, teasing major changes for the modern update.

Will the Snow White Remake Include Seven Dwarfs?

Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs released in 1937 as an adaptation of an 1812 German fairy tale written by the Brothers Grimm. The story sees the young Snow White cross paths with seven dwarfs - who live in a woodland cottage and work in nearby mines - who accompany her on her adventures.

Arguably Hollywood's most famous dwarf actor Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) commented on Disney's live-action Snow White remake in an interview with Marc Maron's WTF podcast, via The Wrap

The actor explained how he was "taken aback" by the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler as Snow White while they are "still telling" the original story:

“Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White. You’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”

Dinklage commented on how Snow White has been "progressive in one way" by casting a Latina actress in the leading role, but called the seven dwarfs' role in the original story "f***ing backwards:"

“You’re progressive in one way and you’re still making that f—ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f— are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.”

To avoid any controversy over the iconic and titular seven dwarfs, Disney has opted to omit the dwarfs from Snow White altogether. According to a casting sheet that was seen by The Wrap, the live-action remake will instead fill the seven dwarf companion roles with "magical creatures."

A statement shared with the outlet by Disney confirmed they will be taking "a different approach" to "avoid reinforcing stereotypes:"

“To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

A leaked set photo from the remake's production revealed a look at Zegler's Snow White with these seven "magical creatures."

Every Major Change Confirmed for Disney's Snow White Remake

During an interview with Variety at the D23 Expo, Snow White's Rachel Zegler and the Evil Queen's Gal Gadot noted how the filmmakers have brought a "modern edge" to the story as it's "no longer 1937" - when the original movie was made.

The pair confirmed Snow White is "not going to be saved by the prince" this time around, nor will she be "dreaming about true love." Instead, she will be "dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be."

Speaking with ExtraTV in September 2022, Zegler noted how the original Snow White saw a "love story with a guy who literally stalks her," which they have opted to change. While the movie does have a Prince Charming actor, Andrew Burnap, the actress remarked "all of [his] scenes could get cut" as this movie will very much not be a love story akin to the 1937 animated movie.

These changes combined with the omission of the iconic seven dwarfs certainly paint the picture of a rather different Snow White story to the ones that multiple generations have known and loved for almost 100 years.

Snow White hits theaters on March 22, 2024.

The decision to create live-action remakes of classic Disney films is driven by the company's focus on reimagining its animated films for a new generation, with a focus on diversity, representation, and progressive storytelling.

The live-action remakes often feature big-name stars and involve a significant amount of planning and production, with some films taking years to develop and produce.

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Content: Skip to Content

A Definitive List of All the Disney Live-Action Films

From Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid to the live-action Moana to sequels galore.

By Delia Paunescu and Amy Mackelden

Most of us grew up watching Disney movies, and for better or worse, we wondered what it might be like to be a Disney princess. In recent years, Disney has cleverly played into that nostalgia by transforming its classic animations into live-action movies filled with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Following the success of big-budget adaptations like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, Disney has committed to turning the majority of its animated catalog into cinematic treats. From Angelina Jolie’s star turn in Maleficent to the upcoming live-action version of Moana, fans will be spoiled for choice. Here, we round up all of Disney’s live-action movie adaptations to date, as well as some of the rumors about what’s to come.

1

Maleficent (2014)

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Disney's Maleficent - Official Trailer 3
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Loosely based on Sleeping Beauty, Angelina Jolie’s wicked witch arrived when lots of evil queens were getting their own feature films (Remember Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsman?). Elle Fanning’s turn as Princess Aurora put her on the map as an A-lister to watch. The film even launched a Maleficent makeup collaboration with M.A.C., which we adored.

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2

Cinderella (2015)

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Disney’s dreamy live action remake of Cinderella cast Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother, with Bodyguard star Richard Madden playing the Prince. When she landed the title role, Lily James’ most significant part had been as a rebellious cousin on Downton Abbey. Naturally, the fairytale brought James worldwide recognition (and she went on to play young Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia 2).

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3

The Jungle Book (2016)

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The Jungle Book Official Big Game Trailer
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The original Jungle Book features some of the best music in Disney’s catalog, so director Jon Favreau’s 2016 live-action remake had a lot to live up to. Newcomer Neel Sethi masterfully took on the part of the boy trying to stay alive with a vengeful Shere Khan hunting him down.

A sequel has reportedly been in the works since Jungle Book was released, with Favreau rumored to be returning as director, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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4

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

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Beauty and the Beast – US Official Final Trailer
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Few Disney remakes were more anticipated than Beauty and the Beast. It was lavish in its production, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as an all-too-human Beast. Supporting cast members like Stanley Tucci, Emma Thompson, Audra McDonald, and Ewan McGregor were exceptional as the castle staff.

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5

Christopher Robin (2018)

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Christopher Robin Official Trailer
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Honestly, it feels like this movie came and went without anyone, besides die-hard Winnie the Pooh fans, paying much attention. It’s a shame, really, because Ewan McGregor is endearing in the grown-up title role and the Hundred Acre Woods’ animal pals are as warmly fuzzy as you’d hope.

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6

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

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Mary Poppins Returns | Official Trailer
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Emily Blunt steps into Julie Andrews’ cape and brings the magical nanny to life once more. The Devil Wears Prada darling did a terrific job, and was nominated for a Golden Globe as a result. Anyone who grew up loving the cheerily psychedelic musical numbers is bound to appreciate Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda as lamplighter Jack. As if Mary Poppins Returns couldn't get any better, Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Walters, and Angela Lansbury are also all in the film.

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7

Dumbo (2019)

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Dumbo Official Trailer
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Dumbo remains one of the most upsetting stories in Disney’s roster, and 2019’s live-action remake will give you all of the feels. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito, Dumbo re-tells the emotional story of a young elephant with the gift of flight, who finds himself embroiled in some circus drama.

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8

Aladdin (2019)

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Fans were desperate to find out who had been cast in the live-action Aladdin, no doubt because the original movie is so beloved. While Mena Massoud took on the title role, Power Rangers star Naomi Scott transformed into Princess Jasmine. And of course, Will freaking Smith did his very best to fill Robin Williams’ iconic lamp as the Genie.

In 2020, it was revealed that a sequel is in the works, via Deadline. Plus, a spin-off featuring Prince Anders is also in development.

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9

The Lion King (2019)

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The Lion King Official Trailer
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The all-star remake of The Lion King might be the most important thing the house of the mouse has done since they released the original Lion King in 1994. This live-action version cast none other than Beyoncé herself as Nala. She stars alongside Donald Glover as Simba, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa, with James Earl Jones reprising his original role as Mufasa. A sequel (or prequel) is on the way.

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10

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

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MALEFICENT 2: MISTRESS OF EVIL Official Trailer #2 (2019) Angelina Jolie, Disney Movie HD
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Angela Jolie and Elle Fanning returned for the follow-up to 2014’s Maleficent. Jolie’s character continues to wrestle with people’s perception of her as a villain, while Princess Aurora receives a marriage proposal, much to Maleficent’s chagrin. Meanwhile, an endangered species known as the Dark Fae start to rise up.

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11

Lady and the Tramp (2019)

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Lady and the Tramp | Official Trailer | Disney+ | Streaming November 12
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1955’s canine couple du jour were given a live-action/animation hybrid update, which debuted on Disney+ in 2019. Justin Theroux voiced the scampy Tramp and Tessa Thompson played the elegant Lady in this animal romance. Thompson’s BFF Janelle Monáe, and Kiersey Clemons round out the cast of this cute remake.

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12

Mulan (2020)

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Disney casting directors had their job cut out for them with Mulan, reportedly spending a year auditioning nearly 1,000 actresses for the lead. The part ultimately went to Chinese superstar Liu Yifei. Fans finally saw the 31-year-old in full character thanks to this arresting first image. Director Niki Caro told the Hollywood Reporter: “It’s a big, girly martial arts epic. It will be extremely muscular and thrilling and entertaining and moving.” What more do you need to know?

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13

Cruella (2021)

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Disney's Cruella | Official Trailer
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Anyone else think Cruella was woefully misunderstood? Enter 2021’s Cruella, which tells the story of 101 Dalmatians’ villainous diva before she became, well, fully evil. The inimitable Emma Stone won the lead role, infusing the tale with ’80s punk chic. From the eye-catching costumes to the super cute puppies, Disney’s origin story has everything. A sequel is reportedly in the works.

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14

Pinocchio (2022)

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Pinocchio Trailer #2 (2022)
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Tom Hanks as Geppetto? Say no more. It may be 80 years later, but this live-action remake is just as relevant today as the original was upon its release. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a heartfelt performance as Jiminy Cricket, and Pinnochio’s journey to becoming a real boy is brought to life in stunning visuals.

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15

Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

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Peter Pan & Wendy | Official Trailer | Disney+
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There have been numerous adaptations of J. M. Barrie’s iconic story, but Disney promises to delight fans of its 1953 animated classic with the live-action Peter Pan & Wendy. After meeting Peter Pan, Wendy (Ever Anderson) embarks on an adventure to Neverland, where she faces up to Captain Hook. A story that truly never gets old.

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16

The Little Mermaid (2023)

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Ariel’s story of thirst-trapping Prince Eric, after selling her voice to that glorious diva Ursula in exchange for human legs, is ripe for a remake, especially given the 1998 original’s fishy gender dynamics. Halle Bailey wows in the lead role, with Melissa McCarthy embodying sea witch Ursula. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote new songs for the flick, alongside Disney musical genius Alan Menken.

The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26, 2023.

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17

Snow White (2024)

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Disney is bringing its live-action magic to 1937 animation Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. While Rachel Zegler will take the lead as Snow White, Gal Gadot has been cast as the Evil Queen. With Greta Gerwig tapped to write the screenplay, we can expect Snow White to be all kinds of wonderful.

Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 22, 2024, per Deadline.

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18

Moana (TBD)

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Live-Action Moana Announcement
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In April 2023, it was announced that Moana (which was just released in 2016) would be getting the live-action treatment, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as demigod Maui. The original voice of Moana, Auli‘i Cravalho, has signed on as an executive producer. Johnson said in a statement, “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength.” The release date is currently unknown.

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19

Lilo & Stitch (TBD)

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A live-action/CG hybrid remake of the supremely adorable 2002 film about a Hawaiian girl and the alien who befriends her was first announced in October 2018. It is being produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, who were also tasked with the Aladdin remake. A release date is up in the air but it’s possible this will debut on Disney’s upcoming streaming service. The cast includes Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, and newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, per The Hollywood Reporter.

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20

Hercules (TBD)

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In June 2022, Deadline reported that Aladdin director Guy Ritchie had signed on to direct the live-action remake of Hercules. The 1997 animate feature retold the legend of demigod Hercules, who was voiced by Tate Donovan. While details on the remake remain scarce, Hercules is certainly one to watch for Disney fans.

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Delia Paunescu

Delia Paunescu is a writer, producer, and social media consultant based in New York City. She's written for Vulture, Racked, Brooklyn Magazine, New York Post, and amNewYork, among others. Delia also spent two years leading NowThis Entertainment. She'd very much like to shout at you about why Jane the Virgin is the greatest show of all time over on Twitter.

Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.

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How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

By turning classic animations into live-action films with major stars

Disney's strategy to localize content and invest in content is expected to drive growth in international markets and increase profits.

Title:

Content: Disney + to catch up with Netflix? Analyst: kidnap strategy pushed to pay attention to saturation time point
Disney +, a streaming service, added nearly 12 million new subscribers in the latest quarter, narrowing the gap with market leader Netflix (NFLX-US), but industry observers are focusing on the gradual saturation of the streaming market, and Disney ’ s bundling strategy can indeed increase the number of subscribers, but at some point it will reach saturation.
Episodes such as The Mandalorian and Black Widow added 11.8 million subscribers to Disney + in the first quarter, but a closer look at the data reveals that part of the driving force behind the increase was Disney ’ s strategy to bundle Disney + and ESPN + with its Hulu Live service.
Moffett Nathanson analyst Michael Nathanson highlighted that Disney + ’ s 2 million new subscribers are the result of an automatic bundle with Hulu Live, with another 2.6 million coming from Disney + Hotstar, which has an average revenue per user (ARPU) of about $1 per month.
Disney reiterated Disney + ’ s long-term goals and forecast subscriber growth in the second half of the year to surpass the first half, in stark contrast to Netflix ’ s gloomy outlook last month.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, believes Disney may still have room for growth in streaming subscriptions, but at some point it will reach saturation.
After Wednesday ’ s earnings release, Disney closed up 3.35% to $152.16 on Thursday.
Sophie Lund-Yates, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “For now, Disney is defending its competitive position with earlier streamers, but that ’ s not enough for a world-renowned producer with a lot of content. ”
To be sure, Disney ’ s overall subscriber base is still lower than Netflix ’ s.
As of last year, Disney + had 129.8 million total subscribers in its two years of existence, but in the same year, Netflix ’ s total paid membership was about 222 million.
During the earnings call, Disney executives emphasized the importance of localizing content as the U.S. market became saturated.
The company recently appointed Rebecca Campbell to double down on international content.
Netflix has successfully responded to the difficulties of traditional studios with locally produced content, such as Squid Games in South Korea and Paper House in Spain.
Disney is clearly aware of this, and its chief financial officer, Christine McCarthy, said that of the $33 billion in total spending, about a third goes to sports and the rest goes to content.
“Disney + will expand to more than 42 countries this summer, so international growth should be more important than U.S. growth, ” said Joe McCormack, senior analyst at Third Bridge.
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The company's use of nostalgia in its theme park rides and merchandise drives financial profits by attracting visitors who are familiar with the classic stories and want to relive their childhood memories.

Timeless stories like fairy tales are adapted for modern audiences through live-action remakes with modern twists, such as the American fantasy drama series Once upon a time.

Title:

Content: Books

The eternal charm of fairy tales

Bonding over fairy tales Photo:Getty Images/iStockphoto | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Most millennial parents have fond memories of curling up in bed with a book that transported them into a world of flying dragons, talking animals, gingerbread houses, crooked-nosed witches and pumpkin coaches. These stories often made them stay positive and believe that life can change for good.

Do fairy tales still matter to the iGeneration growing up with smartphones in hand and living in a world ruled more by logic than magic? “Of course! Children love to hear stories any day. They need to believe in that magic as magic brings hope for good to triumph over evil.” says Prashanthi Yachendra, principal, Pratyusha pre-school in Secunderabad. She believes the most powerful way to spark children’s imagination is through effective storytelling.

However, some people dismiss fairy tales as unreal. “Even though it is unreal, these tales instil moral values and have an emotional connect with the reader that televisions and high-tech gadgets miss out on,” insists Prashanthi.

Maya, an avid reader who introduced her son to fairy tales last summer, is quite excited as she says “My ten-year old son enjoys reading Big Nate books and feels a surge of adrenaline on escaping a zombie on the Minecraft game but he still finds himself riveted by funny little Rumpelstiltskin thumping his feet and smashing into walls. That is the timeless charm of fairy tales.”

Despite the modern day spooky, witty books and action oriented games, fairy tales still seem to be relevant, if many recent adaptations and books are to go by. While an American fantasy drama series Once upon a time gives it a modern twist, Walt Disney productions continues to enthral the audience with its adaptations. The recent offering Jack and the Beanstalk is on its way to hit the theatres in 2018. Titled Gigantic , the plot is a bit tweaked where Jack befriends a female giant of 11 years old and 60 foot tall.

In their efforts to make the old new again, several filmmakers, authors and grandparents as well, have retold these classic tales with a lot of changes over the years. Filmmakers have twisted some plots with subtle variations to suit modern sensibilities. “The characterisation can be improved to suit the changing scenarios of our society. For example, it is not necessary to always portray the step-mother as an evil woman who poisons the princess. When we retell these stories to kids, we do not deviate from the original plot, we only scrub off a few gory or unpleasant events. But the moral ‘truth will prevail’ is deep rooted,” feels Prashanthi. She further emphasises that the rich form of storytelling provides children with a framework of their own imagination besides enriching social and emotional factors.

Some parents like Malini Karamsetty, a teacher and a mother, feels fairy tales hold importance as essential stories of childhood. She observes “It is more than just a story. It sneaks into the child’s mind and sows the seeds of kindness and develop a natural sense of deviating from incorrect and inappropriate behaviour. Besides, the stories are packed with motivation for sorting out life.” Many parents consider it as a pleasant respite from the current glut of mobile games.

The all-time favourites

Many writers have written stories in the form of fairy tales which were folk narratives with origins in European traditions. Some of them have been changed to numerous adaptations. While Germany’s Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tales is a compilation of collected stories passed down from generations, Denmark’s Hans Christian Anderson’s books are originally written by him. Both these names are synonymous with the fairy tales that all of us are familiar with.

Let us take a snappy peep at a few stories that have stood the test of time.

*Cinderella

*Snow White

*Sleeping Beauty

*Thumbelina

*Little Red Riding Hood

*Hansel and Gretel

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Printable version | Mar 14, 2022 12:30:19 pm | https://www.thehindu.com/books/the-eternal-charm-of-fairy-tales/article19845195.ece

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

By turning classic animations into live-action films with major stars

A successful remake can only be created when it answers the critical artist's question, 'Why now?', and says something fresh and different in a way that pays proper tribute to the original.

Title:

Content: We live in a world of remakes.

Recently, the fourth installment of the Matrix franchise, The Matrix Resurrections was released in theaters. With the natural hype that surrounds the return of a 20-year gone film that has been a reference bearing mecha for years. (How long has it been since you last heard someone jokingly quip, "It's a glitch in the Matrix?")

While producers can count on the profit of a reliable fanbase and commodified nostalgia, the film itself was met with some less-than-rave reviews. It has received a 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes which, while still keeping the film far from any worst-movie lists, pales in comparison to the original film's 85% audience score.

(Photo : Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

While The Matrix Resurrections is the fourth installment of the franchise and not a remake, it incontrovertibly falls under the same umbrella.

One of the top critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal, mercilessly tore the film apart, saying,

"The Matrix Resurrections is a recycling dump of murky effects, indifferent action and a crazily cluttered, relentlessly repetitive narrative. It's Groundhog Day in cyberpunk."

While the harsh language of a critic always needs to be taken with a substantial grain of salt, the crux of the criticism is the exact same sentiment there is behind the re-make problem as a whole.

(Photo : AMAZON)

Remakes are not inherently bad. There are many movies that are successfully remade time and time again. Greta Gergwig's Little Women adaptation from back in 2019 was a smash hit, receiving a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

While the 1994 film, which was already a remake from the 1949, which was a remake of the 1933 (you get the idea), focused more on relationships, specifically Jo's, while Gerwig's 2019 adaptation focused on the role of women in society. With these two unique vantage points, each film serves a fresh and unique purpose in the world's cinematic catalog.

Meanwhile, the remake of Heathers, the cult-classic 1989 film which was met with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, performed dismally, with only a 27% score on the site.

The mistake comes in assuming that remakes are easy: they capitalize on a pre-existing fan base who will come to spend money on the product regardless of its quality. What they neglect to consider is how a bad remake can tarnish a well beloved cinematic masterpiece, alienating true fans from the work.

If a remake is being made, there needs to be a reason for it beyond "It's-been-a-while." A successful and necessary remake can only be created when the new adaptation is able to stand apart from the original with a unique and necessary message that answers, on its own, the critical artist's question, "Why now?"

Here are a few things that a remake does not maketh:

As the technological side of film has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, many seem to believe that higher quality cameras and special effects are enough of a reason to attempt a recreation of a classic film. Oftentimes, when trying to imbue a classic with modern advancements, the product loses some of its heart. Such was the case with Robo-cop.

While the quirky 1987 film was filled with humor and humanity, the 2014 remake was criticized for the lack of, "the humor, the over-the-top violence, and the tongue-in-cheek satire of the 1987 film." As the film had nothing new to say, it relied on the advanced (at that point) technology of 2014 to reignite the fire surrounding the original film. Instead, they stripped it of what made it loveable in the first place.

(Photo : (Photo by Orion/Getty Images))

In this rewatch culture, many older films and television series have returned to the forefront of our societal zeitgeist. Production companies try to take this re-kindled flame and turn it into a profitable remake. In doing so, however, they miss the mark. It is not the concept that is getting a second life; it is the original entity.

Such was the problem with the Heathers television series re-make. In light of the musical Heathers, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2014, the original film was the talk of the proverbial town once again. Mistakenly, the television show tried to ride on the coattails of this renewed popularity, but it fell short, because the plot of the movie is not what people loved about it.

It is not that people became infatuated with the storyline, wanting to see it within a modern context; they were obsessed with the 80s original, in all its dark, twisted, hilarious glory. Simply modernizing it without commenting on anything new is, if anything, more depressing, as it tells the audience that nothing has changed - which is also never true.

(Photo : (Photo by Darlene Hammond/Hulton Archive/Getty Images))

Furthermore, also exemplified by the attempt to remake Heathers, there are angles on certain subjects that tackled at the time they were tackled for a reason. The teen murders laced with a very 1980s sense of humor were created within the confines of a cultural context specific to the time period: There were no phones or social media.

Furthermore, DNA technology was not where it is in the modern day; Veronica and JD would not have gotten away with even one murder had forensic technology been where it is in the 21st century.

Heathers' ability to stand the test of time was due largely in part to its timeless life lessons: Getting rid of the people who wrong you will not solve your problems, but accepting people for who they are will at least make life a bit better. This lesson was taught in a ncontextually specific way in the original film, but by changing the context to the modern day in the television series, the message was lost. Therefore, in a desperate attempt to to maintain the film's heart, the throughline lessons had to be forced in.

The Rotten Tomatoes review condemned the series, saying that its "aspirational angst is let down by its blunt, misguided attempts at social commentary."

The biggest mistake a remake can make is relying on loyal fans rather than on fresh content. Little Women has been adapted for film multiple times, each time with a fresh perspective.

A remake is not, as the industry perceives, an easy job for a filmmaker. In fact, it is far more complicated.

In order for a remake to become a marked success, it must also be a reimagination. It must say something fresh and different in a way that, while new, still pays proper tribute to the old. I'm not telling you not to make a remake. I'm just telling you to be careful when you do.