Disney has announced its film releases from 2023 to 2025. Let’s look at what Disney has planned. With a track record of producing successful films, ranging from original animated features to blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and MCU, Disney’s upcoming theatrical releases are highly anticipated. The studio has had hits with live-action remakes and animated properties, including recent successes such as Cruella and Frozen II. So let’s take a look at 5 more unnecessary upcoming Disney remakes that fans already seem to hate.
5 Unnecessary Upcoming Disney Remakes that Fans already Hate
The Little Mermaid
After completing production in July 2021, the live-action version of The Little Mermaid now has a release date. The Film will hit theaters on May 25, 2023, and is expected to closely follow the original animated version with some modernizations and tweaks. Directed by Rob Marshall and written by Jane Goldman and David Magee, The Little Mermaid features a star-studded cast including Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy as the notorious villain Ursula.
The Film has already faced criticism for casting a Black actress as The Little Mermaid, a character portrayed initially as White in the animated movie. Though, It may seem strange to argue over the ethnicity of a fictional character.
The Haunted Mansion
Despite the failure of Eddie Murphy’s 2003 film adaptation of the Disney theme park attraction, Disney has decided to give the beloved Haunted Mansion another chance with a new movie. Initially set to release in March 2023, the Film was delayed until July 28, 2023, for the United States release date.
The new version of The Haunted Mansion features a star-studded cast including Jared Leto, Winona Ryder, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosario Dawson, Lakeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, and Danny DeVito. Like its 2003 predecessor, The Haunted Mansion is a horror-comedy rather than a typical horror movie like Amityville or Paranormal Activity.
Peter Pan & Wendy
Disney has an upcoming theatrical release, a live-action reboot of Peter Pan titled Peter Pan & Wendy, which is reportedly set to debut on April 23, 2023. This live-action Film’s production started in 2016 and is being directed by David Lowery. Alexander Molony was cast as Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy Darling, and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell. Jude Law will portray the infamous pirate Captain Hook.
Some fans have accused Disney of racism regarding the new Peter Pan project. The cause for the fan backlash is the casting of Black actress Yara Shahidi to play the beloved fairy, Tinker Bell. Many fans have criticized the decision to alter the iconic character’s appearance.
Snow White
As part of Disney’s trend of adapting classic stories, they have an upcoming live-action remake of Snow White, scheduled to release in US theaters around March 2024. The Film is expected to follow the storyline of the animated classic, including revamped versions of the iconic musical numbers. Rachel Zegler will star as Snow White, while Gal Gadot will play the Wicked Queen. Marc Webb is directing the live-action Film from a screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson.
Though no teaser or poster has yet been released for Snow White, some online trolls have already targeted Rachel Zegler for not being totally white like Snow White was in the original animated version.
Mufasa: The Lion King
One of Disney’s upcoming film releases is the Lion King prequel, titled Mufasa: The Lion King. The movie is set to release in the United States on July 5, 2024. While plot details are lacking, it is known that Mufasa will be an orphan and that Timon and Pumbaa will narrate the story. The Film will be directed by Barry Jenkins and is expected to explore Mufasa’s history with Scar and his journey to becoming the king of Pride Rock.
