13 Disney Classics Being Rebooted Into Live-Action Movies

Updated on 9/26/2020 at 10:33 AM

It's no secret that Disney has been refreshing its animated classics with live-action reboots like crazy lately. From Robin Hood to Bambi, your favorite childhood princesses, princes, warriors, and talking animals are stepping into the modern world with a whole new look. The latest to join the lineup is Hercules, which will be spearheaded by writer Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), as well as producers Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Endgame). There are plenty more remakes on the way, so keep reading to see which of your Disney favorites will be getting some live-action love over the next few years.

Peter Pan

Originally released: 1953
Current status: The boy who never grows up is getting another live-action reboot! Following Warner Bros.'s foray into a real-life Neverland in 2015's Pan, Disney commissioned Pete's Dragon director David Lowery to helm its own Peter Pan film, titled Peter Pan and Wendy. The movie's release date is still unknown, but it will hit Disney+ rather than theaters.
Cast: Alexander Molony (The Reluctant Landlord) is set to play the title character and Yara Shahidi (The Sun Is Also a Star) is flying into the role of Tinker Bell. Meanwhile, Ever Anderson (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter) will portray Wendy and Jude Law will depict the villainous Captain Hook.

Robin Hood

Originally released: 1973
Current status: The film, which will be released on Disney+, is at the beginning stages of prodcution. Blindspotting director Carlos López Estrada will take the reins as director with Kari Granlund on board as the screenwriter.
Cast: No one is attached to the project yet.

Hercules

Originally released: 1997
Current status: The movie is in early development, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Dave Callaham — the writer for Marvel's upcoming film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings — will pen the script and Avengers directors Joe and Anthony Russo will produce.
Cast: We're hoping Danny DeVito reprises his role as the rough and tough Philoctetes, but there's no official word on who's joining the cast yet. We're also keeping our ears perked for any Muse-related news, because, let's face it, that's what we're all waiting for.

The Little Mermaid

Originally released: 1989
Current status: Rob Marshall, who previously helmed Mary Poppins Returns, will direct. Additionally, Lin-Manuel Miranda has signed on as a producer and a co-songwriter. He'll work alongside the animated classic's original songwriter, Alan Menken.
Cast: Halle Bailey (Grown-ish) will swim into the role of Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King will play Prince Eric. Melissa McCarthy is in talks to portray Ursula, while Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and Javier Bardem have also been attached to the project.

Bambi

Originally released: 1942
Current status: The film is being written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Lindsey Beer (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser) and will be housed by Chris and Paul Weitz's production company, Depth of Field.
Cast: No one has officially joined the lineup yet.

Mulan

Originally released: 1998
Current status: Disney has unveiled character posters and an official trailer for the action-packed remake. The movie was supposed to hit theaters on March 27, but it was pushed to July 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Elizabeth Martin, Lauren Hynek, Amanda Silver, and Rick Jaffa wrote the script, while Chris Bender produced the project and Niki Caro directed it.
Cast: Chinese actress Liu Yifei, who is also known as Crystal Liu, plays the title role of Mulan alongside Rogue One's Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jet Li as the emperor of China, and Gong Li as a witch who serves as the main villain.

Tinker Bell

Originally released: 1953 (in Peter Pan)
Current status: News broke in May 2015 that Reese Witherspoon is set to produce and star in Tink, a live-action film centered on Peter Pan's mischievous fairy friend, Tinker Bell. It's currently listed as still in development.
Cast: Witherspoon is the only actor attached as of yet.

Cruella de Vil

Originally released: 1961 (in One Hundred and One Dalmatians)
Current status: Cruella, Disney's upcoming movie about the number one enemy of Dalmatians everywhere, will be an origin story about the iconic villain. It will reportedly have a "punk vibe" and be set in the 1980s. Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) will serve as director, and Andrew Gunn (Sky High) will produce the film.
Cast: Emma Stone is set to take on the iconic Disney villain, alongside Emma Thompson, I, Tonya's Paul Walter Hauser, and Game of Thrones's Joel Fry.

Pinocchio

Originally released: 1940
Current status: The puppet who wants to be a real boy is getting that much realer. After directors Sam Mendes and Paul King each stepped away from the project, Oscar-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) signed on to direct. Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano are producing, while the script is being written by Weitz and Zemeckis.
Cast: Tom Hanks is in early talks to play Geppetto in the film.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Originally released: 1996
Current status: Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang has signed on to write the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz — who worked on the 1996 film together — returning to remake the score. Josh Gad is also on board as a producer.
Cast: So far, no one has been cast in the film.

Snow White

Originally released: 1937 (in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Current status: The character of Snow White already got a live-action update in Kristen Stewart's badass Snow White and the Huntsman, but now Disney is giving her a new spin. The Girl on the Train screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson has been tasked with penning the script for the project, which will feature new original songs from songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who together wrote the lyrics for La La Land. Marc Webb and Marc Platt are attached to direct and produce, respectively.
Cast: As of now, no actors are attached to the movie.

The Sword in the Stone

Originally released: 1963
Current status: Not much has happened yet, other than Game of Thrones writer Bryan Cogman being tapped to pen the script, with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directing and Brigham Taylor producing.
Cast: No casting decisions have been announced yet.

The Haunted Mansion

Originally released: 2003
Current status: Although the Disney World ride's already spawned a live-action movie starring Eddie Murphy, the studio has discussed taking a reboot in a completely different (read: darker) direction, with Guillermo del Toro directing.
Cast: Ryan Gosling is a frontrunner to star in the film — he and del Toro were even spotted on the iconic ride together in 2015.