Disney has remade several classic animated films, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King, in live-action.

Disney's remakes are driven by nostalgia, aiming to capitalize on fond memories of older audiences and introduce the stories to a new generation.

Nostalgia drives Disney's live-action remakes, tapping into audiences' existing emotional connection to the original stories.

Disney's live-action remakes aim to update stories and characters to modern standards, making them more relatable to contemporary audiences.

The company has made significant changes to the original stories and characters, making them more nuanced and complex.

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid made Eric more restless and gave him and Ariel more time to bond, making their romance more satisfying.

The live-action remakes include more diverse casting and modern themes.

The remakes have been criticized for lacking the magic and charm of the originals.

The public reaction to the adaptations has been mixed, with some praising the updates and others preferring the originals.

Disney's live-action remakes have been commercially successful, grossing hundreds of millions of dollars.

The company's films, like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, feature diverse leads and supporting casts.

Disney's live-action remakes have sparked debate about prioritizing nostalgia over representation and diversity.

Others argue that remakes allow Disney to reimagine stories in a more inclusive way.

Disney's live-action remakes are driven by nostalgia, commercialism, and a desire to update stories for modern audiences.

Disney's live-action remakes, like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, have grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

The company's live-action remakes prioritize inclusive stories with diverse representation and authenticity.

Visual effects in live-action remakes, like Avatar: The Way of Water, create realistic characters and environments by pushing motion capture technology boundaries.

Collaboration between visual effects companies like Industrial Light & Magic and WETA Digital has been essential in creating realistic environments and characters in live-action remakes.

AI and machine learning algorithms have improved visual effects, enabling more subtle facial nuances and realistic character movements.

Disney's live-action Little Mermaid remake has a $250 million budget.

The film's marketing included interviews with Halle Bailey and a D23 Expo teaser, with production costs reportedly at $250 million.

Disney has remade several animated classics into live-action films in the past decade, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and others.

Disney's live-action remakes are driven by nostalgia and a desire to update classic stories.

The changes made to the original stories and characters in remakes vary from faithful to significantly altered.

The public reaction to the adaptations has been mixed, with some receiving acclaim and others criticism.

Nostalgia plays a significant role in Disney's live-action remakes, tapping into older audiences while introducing stories to a new generation.

The financial performance of live-action remakes can be impacted by production costs, marketing, and public reaction, resulting in varying degrees of success.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny cost $387.2 million to produce, but lost $134.2 million after earning $384 million at the box office.

The first three Indiana Jones films outperform Dial of Destiny when adjusted for inflation, sparking scrutiny of Disney's leadership.

Live-action remakes of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast each grossed $1 billion globally.

The Little Mermaid live-action remake is expected to debut with $200 million globally, including $80 million overseas.

Marketing strategies for live-action remakes include showcasing diversity, adapting stories to contemporary times, and utilizing social media and digital platforms.

Disney measures success with box office numbers and streaming performance.

The company uses a 30-45 day theatrical window before streaming.

Box office numbers are key for Disney's live-action remakes, as seen in Shang-Chi and Free Guy.

Disney's decision to release films in theaters follows successful releases that attract customers to theater chains.

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid debuted in 2023 under Disney's cinema-first release strategy.

Disney measures success by achieving profitability in its streaming business through four key growth opportunities.

The company assesses properties for long-term growth to increase film output and improve economics.

Disney targets growth in its parks business based on future growth potential.

The company aims to build ESPN into a dominant digital sports platform amid its struggling stock.

Disney's live-action remakes measure success by box office performance.

The Little Mermaid had a $250 million production budget and was expected to gross $120-130 million over a four-day weekend.

The Little Mermaid has a 66% Rotten Tomatoes score and is also measured by global box office performance.

The Little Mermaid remake grossed over $550 million globally.

The film surpassed the original's box office earnings.

Disney's remakes, like The Little Mermaid, prioritize representation and diversity, particularly for young girls of color.

Disney evaluates success by cultural impact, standing firm against racist backlash.

The company measures success by revenue and profit growth, with operating profit increasing by 50% year-on-year.

Disney's net profit rose 53% to $1.4 billion, beating analysts' expectations.

The theme park segment saw a 74% revenue increase, while Disney+ subscribers rose to 152.1 million, a gain of 14.4 million.

Disney measures success by box office performance and streaming views.

The Little Mermaid and Elemental broke Disney+ records, with the latter garnering 26.4 million views in five days.

Haunted Mansion struggled at the box office due to competition from Disney+ releases.

Disney's live-action remakes face backlash, but Pixar's Elemental was Disney+'s most viewed 2023 premiere.

Disney's streaming service boosts movie performance after cinema release, prompting the company to consider new distribution strategies.

Disney measures success through box office performance and audience reception.

The company plans to turn most of its animated catalog into live-action movies.

Sequels and spin-offs are in the works for some live-action remakes, to be streamed on Disney+.

Disney measures success through earnings results and cost-cutting measures.

The company's stock has a 25.19% upside potential to $135.

Disney has remade several classic animated films, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King, in live-action.

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Back to the old: 9 Disney game remakes that are in development right now
As practice shows, nostalgia sells well.
At the moment, Disney is developing a lot of animated remakes, including with live actors.
This is not surprising given the success of the recent rework of their classic animated films.
It seems that Disney will continue to explore the genre and offer unique interpretations of favorite projects.
Peter Pan and Wendy
Release date: 2022
The remake of the new “Peter Pan ” was directed by David Lowry, who previously worked on the film adaptation of“ Pete and his dragon ” in 2016.
It is reported that the shooting of the project has already been completed, but the exact date has not yet been announced.
It is known that the basis of the film “Peter Pan and Wendy ” is the original story about a boy who did not want to become an adult, and the magical country of Neverland.
The exact date of the premiere of the project has not yet been announced, but is expected in the second half of 2022.
Pinocchio
Release date: September 8, 2022
The animated film “Pinocchio ” with live action was shot by Robert Zemeckis according to his own script in collaboration with Chris Weitz.
The Wooden Boy was originally voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth.
Its creator, Gepetto, was played by Tom Hanks.
Also in the remake took part Cynthia Erivo, Luke Evans and others.
The premiere of the fantasy musical is scheduled for September 8, 2022.
Not only Disney: 8 amazing cartoons that are worthy of a game remake
Little Mermaid
Release date: May 26, 2023
About the rethinking of the “Little Mermaid ” rumors have been around for a long time, and after the announcement of the actress for the main role, dark-skinned Holly Bailey, fierce disputes began.
Nevertheless, the film adaptation decided to finish and announced the premiere date - May 26, 2023.
The plot will tell the original story of a mermaid who fell in love with an earthly prince and asked the witch for legs to please him.
The beloved underwater princess in the film adaptation was played by actor John Hauer-King.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Release date: 2023
The exact date of the premiere of the remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has not yet been announced.
The story is taken from the fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm, and adapted by screenwriter Greta Gerwig.
The project is directed by Mark Webb.
The role of the beauty of Snow White will be played by Rachel Zegler, and the evil witch will be embodied on the screen by the vander woman Gal Gadot.
The premiere is expected presumably in 2023.
Hercules
Release date: not announced
The director of the film adaptation of “Hercules ” will be the author of“ Gentlemen ” Guy Ritchie.
He will direct a full-length film with live actors based on the 1997 cartoon.
The script was adapted by the author of “Shan-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ” Dave Callham.
The cast of the film about the adventures of Hercules on Olympus has not yet been officially announced.
It is reported that the musical accompaniment of the picture will work Alan Mencken, the author of the compositions “The Little Mermaid ”,“ Aladdin ” and other cartoons.
Bambi
Release date: not announced
The film "Bambi" about a deer who is forced to learn to live independently in the forest after the death of his mother, will be created using computer technology.
The story is taken from the eponymous film adaptation of 1942.
Previously, similar technologies were used in the remake of The Lion King by John Favreau.
Genève Robertson-Dworet and Lindsay Beer will be scripted, and the director will be announced later.
The date of the premiere is not yet known.
Hunchback
Release date: not announced
Work began on a reimagining of the cartoon "Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1996.
The story, taken as the basis of the original and remake, was written by Victor Hugo in the novel “Notre Dame de Paris ”.
The remake will be playable, but the cast has not yet been announced.
Also, the director ’ s chair is not yet occupied, and David Henry Hwang is already working on the script.
The date of the premiere has not yet been announced.
The Sword in the Stone
Release date: December 13, 2024
The 1963 film adaptation based on the legends of King Arthur will also receive a new adaptation.
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
The start of production of the new “Sword in the Stone ” started back in 2018, but due to financial problems it had to be suspended.
It is reported that due to the small budget of the picture, the project will be released exclusively for the Disney + streaming service.
There is no information yet about the actors who will take part in the film adaptation.
The project will be released on December 13, 2024.
Robin Hood
Release date: not announced
"Robin Hood" will get a hybrid version with live actors for the Disney + platform.
In development is a remake of the animated classic of 1976 with director Carlos Lopez Estrada at the head.
CGI technologies will be used in the project.
About the casting, the potential release date and other details are not yet known.
The script will be written by Kari Granlund, who previously worked on the remake of Lady and the Tramps.
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More than any psychotraining: 7 new inspiring films about finding yourself Read more 25 July 2022
Test: only a real superhero will guess 11 of the 11 Marvel movies in just one frame Read more 23 July 2022
Alexander Gorbatov shares a personal list of his favorite films and TV series specifically for the Movie poster Read more 25 July 2022
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Related video

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

Disney's remakes are driven by nostalgia, aiming to capitalize on fond memories of older audiences and introduce the stories to a new generation.

Title:

Content: Those live-action remakes continue as Disney is currently working on an updated version of Snow White. The classic 1961 animation is a favorite among Disney purists, but since it was announced, the company has been met with backlash. First, it was shared that Colombian-American actress Rachel Zegler would star as the famed porcelain-skinned Disney princess, causing some to bombard the West Side Story star with racist insults.

The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs live-action remake is being criticized once again, but this time, it comes from Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage who can't believe Disney even considered drudging up the storyline for a second go-round. The acclaimed actor has a common form of dwarfism called achondroplasia.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff / Getty Images

"Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you're still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Dinklage said while on Marc Moron's WTF podcast. "Take a step back and look at what you're doing there. It makes no sense to me."

"You're progressive in one way, but then you're still making that f*cking backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*ck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox?" he added. "I guess I'm not loud enough. I don't know which studio that is, but they were so proud of it. All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing. But I'm just like, what are you doing?"

It isn't much known about the development of this film, but Dinklage isn't totally opposed to it moving forward. "If you tell the story of Snow White with the most f*cked up, cool, or progressive spin on it? Let's do it. All in." Meanwhile, next up on Disney's schedule seems to be their live-action take on The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey.

[via]

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

Nostalgia drives Disney's live-action remakes, tapping into audiences' existing emotional connection to the original stories.

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How Disney's The Little Mermaid Live-Action Remake Is Changing the Narrative

Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has made a significant impact by surpassing the original's box office earnings, offering representation to young girls of color, and standing firm against racist backlash.

BNN Correspondents
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In a world where representation matters more than ever, Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has set a new benchmark. The film, which grossed over $550 million in global ticket sales, has surpassed the original's box office earnings, making a significant financial and cultural impact. Beyond merely being entertaining, the film has become a beacon of hope for young girls of color, seeing themselves represented in a fantasy world for the first time.

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Reimagining Inclusion in Fantasy

The casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel sparked controversy even before filming began. Detractors used AI to alter her features to resemble a white woman, reflecting a narrow view of what a mermaid, or a princess, should look like. Despite the racist backlash, Disney stood firm, challenging the status quo and reimagining inclusion in fantasy. The film's success underscores the necessity of diversity in storytelling, proving that audiences are hungry for fresh perspectives and narratives that resonate with their own experiences.

Standing Firm Against Racism

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The release of the first teaser at D23 Expo was met with enthusiasm and anticipation. The beautiful shots of Halle Bailey's Ariel in the ocean, accompanied by the iconic Part of Your World, were a powerful assertion of Disney's commitment to diversity. The film, directed by Rob Marshall and released in May 2023, also features Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Noma Dumezweni in an undisclosed role. Each casting choice was a testament to the company's determination to stand against racist attacks and uphold the importance of representation.

Attending to Details for Authentic Representation

With its Reimagine Tomorrow initiative, Disney is leading the way in promoting diversity and inclusion across its productions. By paying meticulous attention to details, the company ensures authentic and inclusive representation both on-screen and off-screen. The success of The Little Mermaid underlines the significance of these efforts, and the film serves as a potent reminder that stories have the power to inspire change.

In conclusion, the journey of The Little Mermaid offers valuable lessons for leadership and the power of storytelling. It highlights the importance of standing firm against critics, especially in the face of racism. It also emphasizes the necessity to reimagine inclusion in fantasy and the significance of paying attention to details for authentic representation. These lessons are not just applicable to film-making, but are relevant in all fields where leaders have the opportunity to challenge hate and inspire change through their work.

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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 live-action remakes aim to update stories and characters to modern standards, making them more relatable to contemporary audiences.

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The Little Mermaid live-action remake actually fixed the right character

The biggest story changes aren’t for Halle Bailey as Ariel

Whenever a new Disney live-action remake of an animated classic comes out, there’s always a hullabaloo about what, if anything, changed from the source material. Specifically, fans question whether the latest remake updates anything to take modern standards into account, or a creator boasts that it does — whether it’s giving LeFou an “exclusively gay moment” in 2017’s Beauty and the Beast or canning the Siamese cat song in 2019’s Lady and the Tramp.

For whatever reason, though, most of the filmmakers behind these projects seem determined to also “fix” the stories’ main heroines — usually losing what made them so appealing in the first place. The most nefarious case in point is Beauty and the Beast’s Belle, a character beloved by young bookworms everywhere. Making her a book-lover wasn’t enough for the 2017 remake, which also turned her into an inventor for some reason — and then did absolutely nothing with that plot point.

But in the case of the new Little Mermaid, director Rob Marshall and screenwriter David Magee actually picked the right character to update.

That isn’t Ariel, who for the most part keeps pretty much the same personality she had in the original, though she certainly gets more moments to flesh it out. Ariel is a beloved heroine, and Marshall and Magee understand what made her so appealing in the original animated Disney film. She’s curious, passionate, and idealistic, and the 1989 movie takes great care to highlight those things, while also embracing her faults, like her absent-mindedness and stubbornness. Halle Bailey’s stellar performance as Ariel in the live-action version bolsters all of those points. Even with some added moments, her Ariel is pretty much recognizable. She isn’t the one who needed to undergo a modern makeover, after all.

The character who really needed a change was Eric.

The original animated Eric is a hero of his era. He meets the minimum requirements to be a Disney Prince, in that he’s handsome and brave, and not much else. In the 1989 film, Ariel sees him on a ship, playing with his dog, and immediately falls in love with him. That’s pretty true to the original Hans Christian Andersen story — not to mention the Disney fairy-tale movies that came before — but in 2023, we need more evidence that this is a man worthy of Ariel’s time, and worthy of her giving up everything to try and be with him.

The 2023 live-action version of Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, isn’t just a hunk. He feels restless in his palace, and he wants to explore the world beyond his island nation, but he feels trapped by his mother’s rules. That’s a direct parallel to Ariel’s story, so it makes sense that she would relate to him. Her bargain with Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) is more about her desire to escape her father’s controlling rules about her being in love. (Ariel’s “Daddy, I love him!” line doesn’t make the cut in this version.) There’s a sense of comfort in knowing that there is at least one person on land who would understand her choice to leave the ocean. In Eric, she sees more of a kindred spirit than a soulmate.

The new Little Mermaid also gives Ariel and Eric more time to get to know each other. Instead of the dinner scene where Ariel bungles basic social interaction, now Ariel and Eric bond over Eric’s vast collection of trinkets he found on his adventures. As it turns out, they’re both total nerds when it comes to their interests, and they’re both just squirming to talk about what they love with someone. Ariel still can’t talk because of Ursula, but she’s still an active participant in the interaction, showing Eric a thing or two about his treasures from the sea, and eagerly poring over his maps. All their interactions are fueled by an awkward yet adorable attraction that just makes their romance all the more believable, and worth rooting for.

There are some superfluous changes to the live-action movie that don’t really add anything meaningful. For instance, Ariel’s sisters are rulers of their own seas, not Triton’s decorative choral singers, but they still don’t contribute much to the plot. Ursula has added motives, but that doesn’t come up beyond her introduction. Scuttle the seagull (voiced by Awkwafina) raps for a bit, because sure, why not? If you think too hard about some of the more consequential world-building changes in 2023’s The Little Mermaid, the movie begins to unravel.

But what makes The Little Mermaid isn’t whether the fish look good, or what exactly fuels Triton and Ursula’s feud. It all comes back to Ariel and her journey, which is fueled by the central romance between her and Eric. Just because Ariel falls in love doesn’t mean she’s not a strong and beloved protagonist, and just because Eric is a handsome and dashing prince doesn’t mean he lacks the substance behind that charming smile. By updating their romance, the 2023 Little Mermaid makes the love story more satisfying — and resonant for a new generation.

The Little Mermaid swims into theaters on May 26.

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The company has made significant changes to the original stories and characters, making them more nuanced and complex.

According to John Musker, what should Disney prioritize in its remakes?

How does Disney's live-action Pinocchio modernize the story according to Robert Zemeckis?

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid made Eric more restless and gave him and Ariel more time to bond, making their romance more satisfying.

The live-action remakes include more diverse casting and modern themes.

How does Peter Pan and Wendy enhance inclusivity?

The Lost Boys are portrayed as diverse
Tiger Lily avoids stereotype

What controversy did Disney's The Little Mermaid spark globally?

Debate over both Ariel's casting and racial representation.

The remakes have been criticized for lacking the magic and charm of the originals.

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Content: The original "Little Mermaid" director can 't stand it! The real version of the irony: the zoo crab expression is even richer
Reporters Lau Wan-yan / Comprehensive Report
Disney has created countless moving animated films, accompanied by many people to grow up, such as "Snow White", "Sleeping Beauty", "Beauty and the Beast" and other classic films, in recent years, these classic animations have been remade as live-action versions, but Disney has been criticized for pursuing excessive "political correctness", while trying to convey specific ideas, ignoring the story itself. And the depth of the role, deeply criticized by the outside world.
The real version of "Little Mermaid" was criticized.
(Courtesy of Disney)
According to foreign media reports, the director of the "Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" animation, John Musk, publicly pointed out that Disney should revise the line, focusing on the "entertainment" and "story attraction" of the work, "the concept" should be placed on the secondary, bluntly, "they should revise the line", and added that "it is not necessary to completely put the concept into, but until then, the most important thing is to create the audience. It's a role that captures the eyes of the audience."
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The director of the animated version of "Little Mermaid" believes that the live-action version should be more about the relationship between father and daughter.
(Courtesy of Disney)
John Musk emphasized that Disney ’ s classics were never born out of preconceived ideas, but rather immersed the audience in the world built by the story and the characters.
He believes that while it is not necessary to completely abandon the concept, before that, you should first create characters that the audience can feel and feel attracted to.
As for Disney ’ s frequent remakes of old animations into live-action versions, he believes that this is to make the audience like things, and then sell them again, and he obviously does not agree with this practice.
Disney ’ s remake of the classic animation, apart from Aladdin, has a mostly bad reputation. John Musk pointed to the 2023 live-action version of “The Little Mermaid ” and bluntly said:“ They don ’ t put much ink on the story of their father and daughter, that ’ s the core of the whole movie. ” The lions in the Lion King are much richer.
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What has been the general critical response to most Disney's live-action remakes?

The public reaction to the adaptations has been mixed, with some praising the updates and others preferring the originals.

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Peter Dinklage Has Every Right to Be Outraged Over the Live-Action Seven Dwarfs Movie Planned by Disney

Disney is finding itself in the hot seat after actor Peter Dinklage called them out for their upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It seems that the film company was patting themselves on the back for casting Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, as Snow White while not giving much thought to how the seven dwarfs would be portrayed.

Dinklage started the conversation on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, sharing his displeasure with how Disney has handled the situation from the get-go. “Literally no offense to anyone,” he said. “But I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White — but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The four-time Emmy winner is right about this because without the seven dwarfs, there is no story. At the same time, the depiction of the characters doesn’t hold up in 2022.

“Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me,” Dinklage explained. “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f**king backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together? What the f**k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.” Disney heard him loud and clear, but they were a bit vague in their response to The Game of Thrones actor’s concerns.

“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,” the statement to The Hollywood Reporter read, “We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.” It sounds like they are having to do a hard pivot before they begin filming. Did they really give the dwarfs any thought before Dinklage’s comments were heard on the podcast? It seems like the characters were just an afterthought until Dinklage’s call to action woke Disney up from a deep sleep on their societal contributions as to how the dwarfs are portrayed in the media.

Before you go, click here to see all the nostalgic hits getting movie and TV reboots.

How did audiences react to the 2020 Mulan live-action remake?

Some positive reactions praising both changes and additions

Disney's live-action remakes have been commercially successful, grossing hundreds of millions of dollars.

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 company's films, like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, feature diverse leads and supporting casts.

Disney's live-action remakes have sparked debate about prioritizing nostalgia over representation and diversity.

Others argue that remakes allow Disney to reimagine stories in a more inclusive way.

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

Disney's live-action remakes are driven by nostalgia, commercialism, and a desire to update stories for modern audiences.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

Disney's live-action remakes, like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, have grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

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

The company's live-action remakes prioritize inclusive stories with diverse representation and authenticity.

How does Peter Pan and Wendy enhance inclusivity?

Tiger Lily avoids stereotype
Down syndrome child included

Visual effects in live-action remakes, like Avatar: The Way of Water, create realistic characters and environments by pushing motion capture technology boundaries.

Title:

Content: Avatar Waterways ｜ Disney + exclusive production of special two-machine facial expression capture more delicate
Author: Xu Yumin
Published: Updated:
Avatar: The Way of Water, a sci-fi stunt created over a decade by James Cameron, is now available exclusively on Disney +. Disney + has an exclusive production team building Pandora ’ s precious production process to decipher how directors and actors can bring their best special effects and storytelling skills to audiences. An immersive viewing experience.
A spectacular scene, made entirely of reality and CG. (Screenshot from Avatar ’ s Waterways)
Avatar: The Way of Water: Building the World of Pandora, Avatar: The Way of Water: Capturing Pandora, Avatar: The Way of Water: Capturing Pandora, and Avatar: The Way of Water: Stunts. Whether it is the art and visual effects of building Pandora ’ s world, the delicate and authentic acting skills of the actors, or the beautiful and meticulous costumes, every detail is not harsh at all.
The first episode was captured on a single machine. This episode has evolved to a dual machine.
Compared to Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water has become more mature in image capture technology. Avatar uses a single standard camera to capture facial expressions. This sequel uses two high-resolution cameras, more advanced equipment and more mature technology to capture the actors' various delicate performances, making the illusory characters more vivid. As if the real existence! The crew has prepared suitable props, so that the actors can participate in the joy and sorrow of the characters, and take a more realistic performance under the advanced equipment.
It ’ s easier for actors to get involved when shooting live scenes. (Screenshot from Avatar ’ s Waterways)
The director is very obsessed with capturing the actor 's expression. The actor will be arranged in a space equipped with infrared camera, wearing a helmet with camera, wearing a bodysuit to detect the action. The advanced equipment captures every detail of the actor' s eye, expression, behavior, and different personality. The warm and emotional “Pando Laxing Man ” makes the fantasy world more real and emotional!
Very careful in terms of props. (Screenshot from Avatar ’ s Waterways production feature)
As for the most important underwater world in this episode, the production team personally explored many tropical islands and surrounding oceans in similar scenes, using real world species and geographical location as indicators to make the complete marine ecology of a fictional new planet more convincing and closer to the "Earth", making it feel that this is not only a paradise for the production team, but a "real place"! The crew created a variety of scenes in the plot, so that the presentation of the image is not limited to CG special effects, so that the audience can follow the characters and feel more real emotions!
In fact, people don ’ t recognize the actors who are in the role.
In the film, many scenes of water fights and underwater racing are filmed by teams, actors or stuntmen. Even if you have to jump from a height of 9 meters, or even stop in the water for 11 minutes, the actors will put the characters in a virtual scene close to the real world, with the vast ocean, so that science fiction fusion is real, and enter a new era of science fiction film!

Collaboration between visual effects companies like Industrial Light & Magic and WETA Digital has been essential in creating realistic environments and characters in live-action remakes.

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Content: James Cameron: visual effects in Marvel movies and next to no Avatar 2
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“Avatar: The Way of the Water ” used a more advanced system of capturing movements and conveying emotions on the faces of the characters than in all Marvel films.
James Cameron thinks so.
At the same time, the director admits that the famous superhero film universe stimulated the development of visual effects throughout the film industry.
Obviously, the big comic book movies have contributed to the growth of the industry.
The development of technology unites us, generating wonderful creators and giving more technological tools.
According to Cameron, Industrial Light & Magic, which creates special effects for Marvel and Disney films, is doing a great job.
But WETA Digital, responsible for Avatars, is able to create more convincing and emotional facial expressions.
News on the topic
“It ’ s about emotions. ”
James Cameron on why Avatar 2 lasts more than three hours
“Avatar: The Way of Water ” will be released worldwide on December 16, but not in Russia.
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AI and machine learning algorithms have improved visual effects, enabling more subtle facial nuances and realistic character movements.

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Digital Domain VFX supervisor Matt Butler is no stranger to visual effects transformations, and his north star is always to ensure the actor’s performance and idiosyncrasies come through. In this case of the new superhero film “Morbius,” Butler had to make sure audiences could still see elements of Jared Leto’s transformation, while staying true to the character seen in Marvel comic books. “It had to be physically plausible and believable,” Butler says.

In the film, Leto immerses himself in the part of Dr. Michael Morbius, a biochemist who inadvertently turns himself into a vampire when a life-saving scientific experiment goes wrong. Butler and his team were responsible for transforming Josh Brolin into Thanos for the “Avengers” movies, and he wanted to top that. “What does his full monster look like? That wasn’t a simple question or answer because there were different phases,” says Butler.

They knew they needed to give him pale skin, but not cover him in white paint. Says Butler, “We wanted to give him translucent skin because it had to feel and look like skin. We had to believe it was Jared. So, we went with this very pale English skin and pretty much drained all the blood out of him.” The team sculpted and worked on the skin texture and shades, adding in veins, influenced by the artwork they had pulled from.

Butler explains they knew how important eyes were in reading emotions. “We didn’t want to go full neon bold eye,” Butler explains. “We went with a solution where it was putty much just the iris that was red.”

In transforming Leto’s Morbius, Butler says he didn’t want to make it look cheesy. “He’s struggling to constrain this in a demon so there were moments where he blooms and relaxes back into it,” Butler says.

With no visual clue to hearing or what sound would look like, it was director Daniel Espinosa who had the idea of having flutes of tissue in his ear. “We know bats use echolocation so we said, ‘Let’s indicate that there’s some Pulsewave going out.'” So Butler and his team settled on the theme of wavelength properties to show hearing and sound.

Technology-wise, Butler placed tracking markers on Leto’s face. “That gave us the ability to track Jared’s head in 3D, but we didn’t put those markers on to capture the actual facial performance.” Advances in machine learning algorithm tech meant there is less of a need to overly constrain the face. He says, “We did reserve the right to go and do some pickup work at the end of the shoot for certain specific behaviors where we really wanted to make sure that we were grabbing some very subtle nuances, especially when it related to dialogue.”

Butler used facial ADR in post, a riff of dialogue ADR, to capture those nuances “We made a list of all our key performances and dialogue performances, and we would go back in with Matt Smith and Jared. He would have a helmet-mounted camera. We built an ADR session, we would have playback, there would be lights and the audio. We actually captured audio at the same time too. And we let our director direct Jared again.”

Disney's live-action Little Mermaid remake has a $250 million budget.

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Content: Disney's Little Mermaid live action remake ditches 'weird' Ariel feature for Halle Bailey over worries about 'real bodies'

A designer for Disney's Little Mermaid live action remake has revealed why they ditched a 'weird' Ariel feature from the original animated movie.

Colleen Atwood is a prolific designer who helped with hit shows such as Netflix's Wednesday, Into the Woods and Beetlejuice 2, which is due to be released next year.

In an interview with Harper's Bazar, she revealed why they decided against dressing star Halle Bailey in the famous purple shell bra from the original film.

She said that they 'walked away' from the shell bra in the cartoon, which came out 34 years ago in 1989.

Coleen said: 'I just think we wanted to have a more fishlike quality to the girls.

Colleen Atwood, prolific designer, said they did not use a shell bras because they wanted to 'have a more fishlike quality to the girls'. Picture Halle Bailey in the new remake

Atwood added that they went for a bralette that still had aquatic characteristics but wasn't as 'aggressive' as a shell brassiere. Pictured: Original cartoon from 1989

'Having them all plonk seashells on their breasts seemed like a weird way to go.

'And when you start putting shells on real bodies, it's hard to make them look good, believe me.'

She added that they went for a bralette that still had aquatic characteristics but wasn't as 'aggressive' as a shell brassiere.

Disney had a budget of $250 million for the film, which is more than was spent on the Titanic.

The remake was filmed primarily at Pinewood Studios in Slough, and on the island of Sardinia, Italy.

Halle, 23, stars in the film as Ariel and was originally faced with backlash from some individuals because Halle is black while the cartoon Ariel was originally white with red hair.

The actress spoke to Glamour about the black representation in the film.

During the chat, Halle touched on the emotional videos of young girls seeing a black woman as a Disney princess and how she managed to keep her own identity during filming for the remake.

When asked about the videos, Halle said: 'When I saw those for the first time, I just cried. I was sobbing uncontrollably.

Halle Bailey stars in the film as Ariel and critics praised her performance. Pictured: Bailey at the UK premiere

The film will hit cinemas in the UK today after being in the works for around four and a half years

'The fact that these babies are looking at me and feeling the emotions that they're feeling is a really humbling, beautiful thing.'

The live action film recieved mixed reviews from critics who praised Halle's performance as Ariel - but claimed the remake 'can't escape its animated legacy'.

Felicia Wade from DiscussingFilm wrote on Twitter, '#TheLittleMermaid makes it pretty close to being the best live action Disney movie, however it still struggles in the villain department.

'Halle Bailey IS Ariel and I had literal chills throughout her performance. This is a little mermaid retelling like you’ve never seen before.'

Erik Davis of Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes agreed, 'Disney’s #TheLittleMermaid is definitely one of the better live-action adaptions.

'Halle Bailey pours incredible emotion into Ariel and I got chills watching her, while Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula and Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian steal scenes all day.'

But Kirsten Acuna from Insider wasn't so impressed, tweeting: '#TheLittleMermaid is filled with a few great performances from Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, but it's a mostly paint-by-numbers remake that's isn't as good as the animated masterpiece.'

The film will hit cinemas in the UK today after being in the works for around four and a half years.

Disney's Little Mermaid live action remake ditches 'weird' Ariel feature

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The film's marketing included interviews with Halle Bailey and a D23 Expo teaser, with production costs reportedly at $250 million.

Disney has remade several animated classics into live-action films in the past decade, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and others.

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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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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 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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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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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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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 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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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 live-action remakes are driven by nostalgia and a desire to update classic stories.

Title:

Content: As Disney suffers through its latest box office bomb, another flop celebrates 20 years

Image via Walt Disney Pictures
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On November 28, 2022
Last modified:November 28, 2022

Summary:

What makes the efforts of marketing so interesting is that it often plays a key role in determining how many people end up seeing your movie. As one of the most powerful entertainment corporations on the planet, one can imagine that Disney would be privy to a nuance like this. Why, then, has the Mouse neglected promotion for Strange World?

There could be multiple answers for this, some of them more malicious than others, but the end result is still a disappointing performance for Disney’s latest animated venture, reportedly making a mere $18.6 million in the five days since its release. With a reported budget as high as $180 million, Strange World is in for the fight of its life—a fight that’s projected to result in a $100 million loss.

History is a whimsical little prankster, it seems. As Strange World gasps for breath at the box office, the ghost of another Disney financial flop haunts the halls of cinemas 20 years on.

Indeed, on this day 20 years ago, Treasure Planet was under the very same duress that Strange World is bearing at the moment, with the 2002 sci-fi film having famously lost Disney $30 million at the box office.

Where Strange World seems to have mostly suffered from a lack of marketing, the theories on the heavily-advertised Treasure Planet‘s failure seem to stem from skepticism around its animation to its deviation from the stories that Disney often told. One must also consider, of course, that Treasure Planet is simply not a good movie. To this day, B.E.N.’s presence awakens something quite violent in many a viewer.

Alan Bergman, if you’re reading this, these are the films that you should be focusing your live-action remakes on. We don’t need a reimagining of already inch-perfect films like The Lion King or Aladdin; give those chances to the more lackluster members of your library that are desperately in need of fresh eyes and a second chance. In the case of Strange World, try not to drop the ball on letting people know that it exists next time.

Strange World is currently playing in theaters.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

The changes made to the original stories and characters in remakes vary from faithful to significantly altered.

The public reaction to the adaptations has been mixed, with some receiving acclaim and others criticism.

How did audiences react to the 2020 Mulan live-action remake?

Some positive reactions praising both changes and additions

Nostalgia plays a significant role in Disney's live-action remakes, tapping into older audiences while introducing stories to a new generation.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

The financial performance of live-action remakes can be impacted by production costs, marketing, and public reaction, resulting in varying degrees of success.

Title:

Content: Cultural dinosaurs and creative exhaustion

Infidel talks about the costly flops by the movie making behemoth executives and brought to us at our nearby Big Screen theater only to be disappointed and bored whichever comes first. Hopefully, there is good buttered popcorn . . .

Infidel753: Cultural dinosaurs and creative exhaustion, Infidel753 Blog

It’s no secret that American movies are in the doldrums.  By a recent estimate, all of Disney’s last eight big films flopped, losing a total of nearly $900 million, and the upcoming Indiana Jones fiasco will probably push that total to well over a billion.  Nor is it just Disney.  DC’s stuff, notably The Flashhasn’t been doing well either.  Hardly anything has.

Part of the problem is the insane costs of modern special-effects-laden behemoths.  $200 million isn’t an unusual budget for a major movie these days.  And that doesn’t mean that it breaks even once it grosses $200 million.  First, there are huge marketing costs that also need to be earned back.  Second, the studio generally gets only about half of the revenue of tickets sold (the theater keeps the other half).  Thus, for example, if a movie costs $200 million to make plus $100 million in marketing, it has to gross $600 million just to break even.  In fact, it’s worse than that since in China, the second-biggest film market after the US, the share passed on to the studio is usually only 20% or 25%.  Like dinosaurs so huge that they need more food than their environment can easily provide, modern film blockbusters seem to be headed for extinction via sheer bloat.

There is also a problem of creative exhaustion.  Almost everything seems to be franchises and superheroes and remakes and reboots.  With such massive amounts of money at stake, taking a chance on something original seems too risky.  The remakes are usually duds because the people who make them don’t understand the meaning and essence of the originals.  (Instead of remaking great movies from the past, maybe they should try remaking movies that weren’t so great, in hopes of actually producing something better rather than merely an inferior knock-off of a classic.  Just a thought.)  Almost everything is full of preachy woke messaging that turns off mainstream audiences.  There’s the dull, ugly, gloomy visual look that’s so pervasive these days.

The deteriorating theater experience probably plays a role.  Ticket prices are ridiculously high; you get more than a quarter-hour of commercials before the movie; jackasses in the audience chatter or consult brightly-glowing phones throughout; the dominant chain where I live now requires you to choose a specific seat when you buy a ticket, rather than just going in and sitting wherever you like.  But the fact that some major streaming TV projects like The Rings of PowerWillowVelma, and She-Hulk — with the same kinds of creative flaws discussed above — were similarly rejected by audiences, suggests that theater-related irritants aren’t the main problem.

This video explains some further issues, notably the covid pandemic and competition from internet-based entertainment:

A very few recent movies have managed to succeed with audiences in spite of all these obstacles — Top Gun MaverickSuper Mario BrosAvatar 2 — so it can be done.  But even there, in the case of Mario, the Japanese company that owns the original material had to put its foot down and stop Hollywood from lacing it with all the usual junk which would probably have made it just another flop.

It’s interesting that as American movies are losing appeal world-wide, Japanese anime is growing in popularity everywhere, including within the US.  It generally has fresh and original content, often genuinely intellectually thought-provoking, and there’s almost never preachy social messaging.  It offers what American movies once did, before the age of the formulas and franchises.

But always remember that the fruits of those better days haven’t gone anywhere — they’re still with us.  DVDs are cheap, or free at the library.  There are specialist companies that sell older movies and TV shows for every niche interest.  Most people now have big high-resolution home computer monitors, or even bigger TVs.  The streaming services are starting to take some older films out of circulation, or vandalize them Orwell-Ministry-of-Truth-style to fit current fads on what is or isn’t “acceptable”, as is already being done with older books — but once that DVD is on your shelf, no one can take it away from you or change it.

Someday the current creative dark age will end, and our native film industry will grow daring and original again.  But until then, we’re well provisioned to survive the cultural wasteland.

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

Worldwide revenues exceeded one billion dollars

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny cost $387.2 million to produce, but lost $134.2 million after earning $384 million at the box office.

Title:

Content: Indiana Jones Is A Mega-Millions Loss For Disney, Franchise Getting Put On Ice?

By Charlene Badasie | Published

Indiana Jones has captured audiences’ imaginations for decades with his thrilling escapades. However, even the legendary archaeologist is not immune to box office failure. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the latest installment in the adventure franchise, fell short of expectations, leaving Disney with a massive financial burden.

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny Fails

According to recent financial statements, the film failed to cover its exorbitant production costs, leaving the studio with a staggering loss of $134.2 million.

Despite Harrison Ford reprising his role as the titular hero alongside a star-studded cast including Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny struggled to resonate with audiences.

Critics Panned The Film

Critics were quick to pan the film, citing lackluster storytelling and an over-reliance on spectacle over substance.

While audience ratings were slightly more forgiving, it wasn’t enough to offset the film’s underperformance at the box office. One of the film’s standout features was its dramatic train chase sequence, featuring a digitally de-aged Harrison Ford.

Bad At The Box Office

But even this impressive feat of visual effects couldn’t attract enough moviegoers to recoup the film’s astronomical budget.

With a total production cost of $387.2 million, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny faced an uphill battle. With diminishing financial returns and mounting losses, Disney may be forced to reconsider its plans for future installments.

Dial of Destiny brought in $384 million at the box office, a mere 49 percent of the earnings of its predecessor, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008. While the newest film may be comparable to the first three Indiana Jones movies regarding box office takings, those films were released in the 1980s.

When adjusted for inflation, their earnings far surpass Dial of Destiny.

Disney’s Issues

The broader context of its struggles in the entertainment industry adds to Disney’s woes. The acquisition of Lucasfilm, the production company behind Indiana Jones, has yet to yield the expected returns. Coupled with losses from streaming platform Disney+ and the lackluster performance of other major franchises like Star Wars, the studio’s financial outlook appears increasingly uncertain.

The dismal performance of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has also reignited scrutiny of Disney’s leadership, particularly CEO Bob Iger, who spearheaded the acquisition of Lucasfilm. Activist investors like Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management have been vocal in their criticism of Disney’s management, calling for significant changes to the company’s strategy.

First Introduced In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Created by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg, viewers were first introduced to Indiana Jones in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The story followed Indy (Harrison Ford) on a quest to find the fabled Ark of the Covenant before Nazis get to it during World War II. The film was a critical and commercial success, spawning a franchise that became a pop culture phenomenon.

Indiana Jones Franchise

Following the success of Raiders of the Lost Ark, three several follow-ups were released, including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023. With the franchise’s future hanging in the balance, only time will tell if Indy can find fortune once more.

Source: Forbes

The first three Indiana Jones films outperform Dial of Destiny when adjusted for inflation, sparking scrutiny of Disney's leadership.

Live-action remakes of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast each grossed $1 billion globally.

Title:

Content: Disney’s The Little Mermaid is looking to deliver one of the top Memorial Day weekend debuts ever, after grossing $38 million on Friday, including over $10 million from Thursday previews. The live-action remake of the classic animated film is expected to generate $104 million across the traditional three-day weekend, and around $125 million across the extended four-day holiday weekend, coming in ahead of expectations. This beats the $116.8 million that the House of Mouse’s live-action Aladdin remake grossed across the same frame in 2019.

If these estimates hold, The Little Mermaid’s Memorial Day bow will be among the top five of all time, behind Top Gun: Maverick ($160.5 million), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End ($153 million) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ($152 million). Directed by Rob Marshall and starring newcomer Halle Bailey in the titular role, The Little Mermaid was produced on a reported budget of $250 million, and is currently tracking to gross around $80 million from overseas markets by Sunday, which should put its global debut above $200 million.

Aladdin legged it to over $1 billion globally, as did the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, and considering the top-tier source material, The Little Mermaid has certainly set itself up for a similarly excellent lifetime haul with this debut. The reviews have been mostly positive, with the film currently sitting at a “fresh” 67% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and earning an excellent A CinemaScore from opening day audiences. Collider’s own Ross Bonaime called it “one of the rare live-action remakes that manages to capture that Disney magic” in his review.

RELATED: Everything 2023's 'The Little Mermaid' Changes From the Original Disney Classic

Last week’s number one film, Fast X, is eyeing a hefty drop in its second weekend. The 10th installment in the long-running action franchise is continuing to display diminishing returns domestically, despite generating sustained interest in overseas markets. Fast X added $6.3 million on its second Friday, taking its running domestic total to $91 million. By Sunday, the film will pass the $100 million mark stateside, and by Monday, it is expected to hit around $113 million. Globally the film has made more than $500 million, but it still has a long way to go before it can compare with some of the franchise’s top-grossing movies, two of which — Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious — have made more than $1 billion worldwide.

A Handful of New Releases Opened Low

Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 slipped to the third spot after four weekends in the top two. The superhero threequel added $5.4 million this Friday, and is expected to make around $20 million across the weekend. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 had a relatively soft $116 million opening in the first week of May, but it managed to deliver one of the top holds in Marvel Cinematic Universe history in its second weekend. The movie quietly stayed afloat over the next couple of weeks, and will pass $300 million domestically and $700 million worldwide by Sunday. Anything around or above Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s lifetime haul of $863 million should be considered a win, considering that the movie was marketed as the emotional closing chapter for a beloved trilogy.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is expected to narrowly claim the fourth spot this weekend, despite being available on digital for a couple of weeks. The mega-hit animated movie added $1.6 million on Friday, and is expected to generate over $8 million across the four-day extended weekend. This should take its running domestic total to $560 million. The sole newcomer to debut in the top five this week is The Machine, starring Burt Kreischer and Mark Hamill. The action-comedy made $2.2 million on Friday, and is expected to gross around $7 million across the extended holiday weekend. Two other new releases — the Gerard Butler action vehicle Kandahar and the comedy film About My Father, starring Robert De Niro — are expected to debut outside the top five.

You can watch our interview with The Little Mermaid star Bailey here, and stay tuned to Collider for more box office updates over the weekend.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

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

The Little Mermaid live-action remake is expected to debut with $200 million globally, including $80 million overseas.

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

Marketing strategies for live-action remakes include showcasing diversity, adapting stories to contemporary times, and utilizing social media and digital platforms.

Disney measures success with box office numbers and streaming performance.

Title:

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Disney (DIS) Sets Exclusive Theatrical Debut for 2021 Films

Disney (DIS) announces exclusive theater-first debuts for its movies slated for release in 2021, building hopes for cinema chains across the United St...

By
This story originally appeared on Zacks

The Walt Disney Company DIS recently announced that its remaining 2021 slate of films will be released exclusively in theaters before being released on the Disney+ streaming platform.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto will release on Nov 24 with a 30-day exclusive theatrical window before appearing on Disney+ on Christmas Eve. The rest of the slate will each have a 45-day theatrical release window including The Last Duel (Oct 15), Ron’s Gone Wrong (Oct 22), Eternals (Nov 5), West Side Story (Dec 10), and The King’s Man (Dec 22).

Besides, Disney revealed that Marvel Studios has blocked off four release dates throughout 2024, Feb 16, May 3, Jul 26, and Nov 8. While movies scheduled for release on these dates have not been officially announced, Fantastic Four reboot, Blade and Deadpool 3 could be contenders as they are already in various stages of production.

- Zacks

Disney’s Cinema-First Release Strategy Builds Hopes for Theater Chains

Disney appears confident that consumers are ready to return to cinemas and that the future of its blockbuster features is on the big screen, despite COVID-19 spikes caused by the Delta variant. Theater chains including AMC Entertainment AMC, Cineworld Plc, and Cinemark Holdings Inc CNK are counting on the big fall and winter releases to attract customers back.

Disney’s decision follows the successful 45-day theater-first releases of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Free Guy. Shang-Chi topped $71.4 million in its Labor Day weekend release, the second-biggest opening haul for films released theatrically during the pandemic while Free Guy, from Disney's 20th Century Studios, contractually obligated to be released only in theaters, has grossed $239.2 million globally.

Although the entertainment giant chose to release a series of big productions such as Black Widow, Jungle Cruise, and Cruella on its Disney+ platform simultaneously, the upcoming slate of releases beyond 2021 is encouraging for traditional theater owners.

Although Spider-Man: No Way Home was not included in this list, it will also likely have an exclusive theatrical release.

Among the new movie release dates recently announced, Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley has moved to a wide release on Dec 17 from Dec 3. The Bob's Burgers Movie, based on the animated television series of the same name, will release on May 27, 2022 while Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid will debut in theaters on May 26, 2023.

Other major studios have been closely watching this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company to determine whether they should also resume in-theater debuts. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

AT&T’s T WarnerMedia owned Warner Bros inked a deal with AMC earlier this month for a 45-day theatrical window in 2022. It had previously signed a similar agreement with Cineworld. Universal Pictures and its Focus Features were the first to deal, agreeing to a 17-day exclusive theatrical window with AMC back in July 2020.

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

The company uses a 30-45 day theatrical window before streaming.

Box office numbers are key for Disney's live-action remakes, as seen in Shang-Chi and Free Guy.

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

Disney's decision to release films in theaters follows successful releases that attract customers to theater chains.

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

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid debuted in 2023 under Disney's cinema-first release strategy.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

Disney measures success by achieving profitability in its streaming business through four key growth opportunities.

Title:

Content: November 29, 2023

Disney CEO Bob Iger ‘never anticipated’ decision to withdraw

Disney (DIS) CEO Bob Iger is satisfied with his decision to return to the company – despite the many challenges he has faced so far.

“I knew I would face a myriad of challenges coming back,” Iger said during a town hall with staff Tuesday. “I wouldn’t say it was easy, but I never thought about the decision to come back and it still feels great to be back.”

The conversation came exactly a year to the day when Iger held his first town hall since his dramatic return as CEO. Since that time, Disney’s stock has fallen to multi-year lows, while activist investor Nelson Peltz has launched another fight against the media giant. This time, he is pushing for multiple board seats.

Furthermore, the company’s parks business is slowing, its linear TV division is declining, and its streaming business is still not profitable. There have been more failures than hits at the box office as investors question whether Disney has lost its magic.

Disney shares, which were down about 2.5% on Tuesday, have risen about 6% since the beginning of the year — significantly underperforming the S&P (^GSPC)’s 18% gain over the same time period. Still, Iger said there are reasons to be optimistic about its future.

“At Disney we have real reason to be optimistic, and that starts with the fact that we’re Disney,” he told employees. “And Disney, as you know, is a brand in its own right, but it’s also an umbrella company that has many properties and many great brands. So, that’s the number one reason to be optimistic.”

Iger previously said the company would focus on “four key building opportunities” going forward, including “achieving significant and sustained profitability in our streaming business, building ESPN into the dominant digital sports platform, growing the output of our film studios and “That would involve improving the economics.” , and turbocharging growth in our parks and experiences business.”

To meet those goals, Iger said he would assess the long-term potential of all Disney properties, with a particular focus on future growth.

“As with all of our businesses, which we must fundamentally serve the shareholders, are we looking at the future of all of our businesses with an eye on whether these businesses are going to grow?” He said. “Will they stay the same or possibly lose value? And if so, what should we do about it?”

Overall, the executive said Tuesday that the past year has been spent “fixing a lot of things,” but the company has “come out of a phase of fixing a lot of things and into a rebuilding mode.”

He quipped, “I can tell you that building is a lot more fun than repairing.”

Source: finance.yahoo.com

The company assesses properties for long-term growth to increase film output and improve economics.

Disney targets growth in its parks business based on future growth potential.

The company aims to build ESPN into a dominant digital sports platform amid its struggling stock.

Disney's live-action remakes measure success by box office performance.

Title:

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‘The Little Mermaid’ swims to No. 1 at box office with $38 million opening day

Disney's live-action remake of the classic animated musical hit over 4,000 theaters nationwide Memorial Day weekend.
/ Source: Variety

Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” is making quite the splash at the domestic box office this weekend, with an opening day total of $38 million.

The fantasy, which is opening in 4,320 theaters, is expected to gross between $120 million and $130 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend.

The musical remake, starring Halle Bailey as the mermaid princess Ariel, took in $10.3 million in previews on Thursday, ranking as the seventh-highest haul for a movie rated G or PG. That puts the film on track to gross well over $100 million over the holiday weekend. With a $250 million production budget, “The Little Mermaid” must bait box office success in order to make a reasonable return.

Fast X,” the tenth installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, debuted last weekend to a cool $67 million Stateside. This weekend, it’s estimated to bring in about $28 million over the four-day holiday weekend, which clearly puts in second place after “The Little Mermaid.”

“Fast X” is expected to cross the $500 million mark at the global box office this weekend, making it the third-highest grosser of the year globally.

“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Rob Marshall and also stars Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish and Awkwafina as Scuttle the seabird. It’s received mixed reviews, currently holding a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety‘s Peter Debruge, however, raved in his review that “Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic.”

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 Little Mermaid had a $250 million production budget and was expected to gross $120-130 million over a four-day weekend.

The Little Mermaid has a 66% Rotten Tomatoes score and is also measured by global box office performance.

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

The Little Mermaid remake grossed over $550 million globally.

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

The film surpassed the original's box office earnings.

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?

Disney's remakes, like The Little Mermaid, prioritize representation and diversity, particularly for young girls of color.

What controversy did Disney's The Little Mermaid spark globally?

Debate over both Ariel's casting and racial representation.

Disney evaluates success by cultural impact, standing firm against racist backlash.

The company measures success by revenue and profit growth, with operating profit increasing by 50% year-on-year.

Title:

Content: Finances
Disney pleased investors with a strong report
American entertainment giant Walt Disney has published its figures for the third fiscal quarter (April-June 2022).
Immediately after that, its quotes added 10.9%, reaching $120.1 per share.
LBLV analysts will talk about what market players liked so much about the company ’ s reporting and what its prospects are in the current year.
Photo: LBLV
What do the numbers say?
The volume of funds raised by Disney for the last fiscal quarter amounted to $21.5 billion (an increase of 26% compared to the same period last year).
Experts had expected that this figure would be $21 billion.
The firm ’ s operating profit increased by 50% year-on-year to $3.6 billion, and its net profit increased by 53% to $1.4 billion.
Disney's earnings per share were $1.09, exceeding analysts' expectations of $0.98, and its free cash flow slipped 65% to $187 million.
Revenue growth was recorded in all divisions of Disney.
The theme park segment reported a 74% increase to $7.4 billion.
At the same time, its operating profit reached $2.2 billion against last year's $356 million.
According to the financial director of Disney, the demand for entertainment parks has increased greatly.
She said that if the situation in the economy worsens, the company can introduce a reservation system, increasing the number of visitors on certain days, but now the level of demand is higher than the number of available seats.
As for the streaming segment, for April-June, the number of Disney + subscribers increased by 14.4 million, reaching 152.1 million people (an increase of 31% year-on-year).
Quarterly growth of this indicator also surpassed analytical forecasts, which spoke of 10 million.
At the same time, the number of subscribers to ESPN + and Hulu increased by 53% and 8%, to 22.8 million and 46.2 million, respectively.
The total audience of Disney streaming services in the quarter reached 221.1 million, according to LBLV.
The future of Disney +
In early December 2022, the main streaming service of the corporation will receive support for advertising integrations in the United States.
As a result, the cost of a monthly subscription without advertising will increase by $3, to $10.99.
The old subscription price of $7.99 will be available to those who are willing to watch ad blocks.
An important factor in the development of Disney ’ s streaming division remains the company ’ s ability to regularly add new content to it that will retain viewers.
According to its CFO, Disney has slightly reduced the estimated size of its costs for the production of new content in the current fiscal year (from $32 billion to $30 billion).
At the end of 2020, the corporation said that it intends to increase the size of the Disney + audience to 230 − 260 million by 2024.
In the new reporting, these limits were reduced to 215-245 million.
Dmitry Ermakov, financial analyst at LBLV.
Source: MinFin
Materials on the topic
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Disney's net profit rose 53% to $1.4 billion, beating analysts' expectations.

The theme park segment saw a 74% revenue increase, while Disney+ subscribers rose to 152.1 million, a gain of 14.4 million.

Disney measures success by box office performance and streaming views.

Title:

Content: “Wokeness” Is Driving Disney Movies Away From Cinemas

in Disney, Movies

Credit: D23

With disastrous performances and early releases on streaming platforms, is it time for Disney to consider withdrawing its movies from cinemas?

Disney has been under fire for allegedly promoting a “woke agenda,” with many, including national media representatives, accusing the company of “pushing woke garbage in our faces.” The Walt Disney Company’s stance in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion has caused several problems for the company, the most notorious being the legal and political crusade Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is carrying out against the House of Mouse.

But recent results show that Disney is being severely affected by this “woke crusade,” possibly driving the company away from cinemas for good.

Movies and series being released by the studios that belong to The Walt Disney Company, including Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Walt Disney Studios, have faced severe backlash for promoting “woke” ideologies by including LGBTQIA+ characters in stories and seeking to provide representation for minorities like the Black and Hispanic communities.

And while most audiences have applauded Disney’s efforts, the company continues to struggle with the box office performance of its most recent releases.

Related: Op-Ed: Disney Needs Johnny Depp to Create Another Hit Franchise

From Pixar’s Lightyear (2022) to Disney’s Strange World (2022), Disney has faced severe backlash and criticism, with audiences promoting boycotts of the company’s latest films, which has inevitably harmed the box office performance of several Disney movies.

And the upcoming premiere of Disney’s live-action adaptation, Snow White, is causing strongly polarized opinions, sparking rumors of the movie’s cancellation.

The latest examples of this have been the live-action adaptation of the beloved Disney movie The Little Mermaid (2023), Pixar’s Elemental (2023), and this year’s Haunted Mansion, inspired by the iconic Disneyland ride.

Related: Disney Star Served $1M Lawsuit Following Box Office Bomb

However, the performance of these films has proven to be wildly different after their premiere on Disney+, Disney’s streaming service, with The Little Mermaid shattering records that had previously changed Disney+.

The recent premiere of Pixar’s Elemental on Disney+ has, once again, proven that Disney movies are having a better performance on the streaming service than in cinemas, as Elemental now holds the title of “most viewed premiere on Disney+ of 2023.

According to Disney, the movie has earned 26.4 million views in its first five days of streaming, becoming the most viewed animated movie premiere since Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red was released in March 2022, as well as the most viewed Disney+ movie premiere of all time in Latin America, ahead of Turning Red.

Related: DeSantis “Woke” Wars Blamed for ‘Elemental’s Box Office Performance

And while it is exciting to hear the news, these results could be driving Disney movies away from cinemas, as the company could analyze new ways to distribute its content, achieving higher revenue.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney adopted Disney+ Premier Access, a pay-per-view-type system, to release movies like Mulan (2020), Cruella (2021) starring Emma Stone, Marvel’s Black Widow (2021) with Scarlett Johansson — resulting in a multi-million-dollar lawsuitRaya and the Last Dragon (2021), and Dwayne Johnson’s Jungle Cruise (2021) on Disney+. However, the system was ditched after The Rock’s Jungle Cruise.

Related: Dwayne Johnson Takes Over the Role of ‘Aladdin’s’ Genie

Following rumors of Disney drafting plans to sell parts of the company, it is possible that Disney could analyze new strategies to release upcoming movies or shows directly on its streaming service at an additional charge. However, as of this article’s publishing, this remains purely speculative.

Disney’s summer blockbuster, Haunted Mansion, struggled at the box officepartly due to its proximity to the premiere of the Barbie movie — and is slated to premiere on Disney+ on October 4, 2023. It is yet to be seen if Haunted Mansion will perform better on the streaming platform, further cementing speculation on the company’s need to seek new strategies for its upcoming movies.

Should Disney consider withdrawing its movies from cinemas? How could the company solve its problems in box office performance? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below!

in Disney, Movies

Be the first to comment!

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

The Little Mermaid and Elemental broke Disney+ records, with the latter garnering 26.4 million views in five days.

Haunted Mansion struggled at the box office due to competition from Disney+ releases.

Disney's live-action remakes face backlash, but Pixar's Elemental was Disney+'s most viewed 2023 premiere.

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

Disney's streaming service boosts movie performance after cinema release, prompting the company to consider new distribution strategies.

Disney measures success through box office performance and audience reception.

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

The company plans to turn most of its animated catalog into live-action movies.

How has Disney leveraged nostalgia in recent years?

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

Sequels and spin-offs are in the works for some live-action remakes, to be streamed on Disney+.

Disney measures success through earnings results and cost-cutting measures.

Title:

Content: Market News

Disney (NYSE:DIS) Gains Ground as Analysts Expect Turnaround

Story Highlights

If things look dark at Disney, just look to the analysts. They see a clear bright side afoot for Disney coming up.

Hope springs eternal in the human breast, and that’s just what turned entertainment giant Disney (NYSE:DIS) around today. While the last few months have been a litany of disasters—parks declining, strikes crippling content production, entire state governments fighting them—there’s word that a turnaround may be in the making, and for some analysts, potentially even this quarter. That was enough to give Disney over 4% extra at one point in Thursday afternoon’s trading.

Leading the charge was Jessica Reif Ehrlich, analyst with Bank of America. Ehrlich kept her Buy rating on Disney in place, and also kept the $135 price target as well. Ehrlich cited Disney’s “solid” results with its latest earnings round, and called the outlook on full-year 2023 figures a “new area of optimism,” one of several that would emerge. The upcoming price hikes on Disney+ service will likely help, somehow, as well. Several other analysts stepped in on Ehrlich’s sid, calling attention to cost-cutting measures and potential sales of linear television properties.

In fact, Bob Iger’s return as Disney’s CEO brought with it a range of changes that should, with any luck, prove beneficial to the company and the stock by extension. Creativity was made a new priority, though the impact of that is hard to tell as we wait for the newest remake of “Snow White” to emerge. Further, the cost-cutting measures are actually on track to save more than the $5.5 billion originally projected. That should be a much more concrete aid to keeping Disney in play. Further augmenting of direct-to-consumer operations have already brought in an extra billion dollars in less than a year of being up.

And for the most part, analysts are on board. With 14 Buy ratings, six Hold and two Sell, Disney stock is considered a Moderate Buy by analyst consensus. Further, with an average price target of $113.95, Disney stock offers investors a 25.19% upside potential.

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The company's stock has a 25.19% upside potential to $135.

The company's stock has a 25.19% upside potential to $135.

The company's stock has a 25.19% upside potential to $135.