In case you have been living under a rock for the past year, a live-action Beauty and the Beast starring the beautiful, perfect human being Emma Watson is coming out March 17th, 2017. This film is one of many classics Disney has revived over the past several years with well-known actors and actresses as well as revamped storylines for the upcoming generation.
To name a few: Alice in Wonderland (2010), Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015)and The Jungle Book (2016). And it was announced towards the end of February that The Lion King is getting its own remake, with James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa.
*Cue the fangirl screaming.*
I sincerely doubt Disney will stop making these movies anytime soon, so long as they are making money. I say, give me any of the movies on this list, and I will be very, very happy.
The Little Mermaid (1989).
The 6-year-old in me is begging Disney to make this film. If the right director and screenwriters get a hold of it, The Little Mermaid can be a beautiful live-action film. The shots from the underwater kingdom would be amazing and special effects have improved significantly since the 80s and 90s. And it would be a great opportunity to introduce an up-and-coming red-haired actress who can sing.
Seriously, someone needs to make this happen.
Aladdin (1992).
In October of 2016, there were rumors that an Aladdin remake was in the works and was alleged to be drifting away from the original animated story. There were also whispers that it was supposed to follow a prequel called Genies, which is the backstory of the Genie and how he became trapped inside the lamp. Of course, given this happened in the wake of losing our own beloved genie, Robin Williams, I can see why we haven’t heard much about it since then. Still, Aladdin is another Disney classic that deserves a revamp.
Pocahontas (1995).
Here is another beloved Disney character almost every millennial grew up with. And given the current topic of discussion amongst the political circuit—immigration—it would be relevant.
A live-action remake of Pocahontas would allow the director and screenwriters to be more realistic in the storyline. I think I can speak for everyone who grew up watching the animated film about how confused we were that Pocahontas was not only a real character, she was an eleven-year-old child. Not only that, while she did help John Smith, he was more of a father figure than a boyfriend. The real Pocahontas married a guy named John Rolfe, moved to England, had her name changed to Rebecca, and was basically stripped of her identity.
If creators do this, then childhoods won’t be ruined like my friends’ were when I told them the truth about Pocahontas.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937).
To my knowledge, the last live-action adaption of Snow White was Snow White and the Huntsman in 2012. That movie followed the Huntsman sent by the Evil Queen to kill Snow White who ends up saving her instead. But it was not a Disney film.
Snow White is Disney’s first princess. The 1937 movie portrays how the generation expected women to behave: sweet little homemakers who waited at home for their men to save them. If Disney produced another Snow White, this one would still be kind but strong enough to stand on her own, and it would send a better message to the children of the next generation: princesses don’t need a prince to save them.
The Artisocats (1970).
How freaking adorable would a live-action adaption of The Aristocats be? With today’s modern CGI technology, like The Jungle Book, creators wouldn’t even need to use real cats. The musical soundtrack of the Alley Cats played by current R&B singers would be phenomenal. I would love to see Julie Andrews play Madame, the retired opera singer who owns Duchess and the kittens. I’m just stumped on who would voice the cats—who is perfect enough to play Thomas O’Malley?
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996).
With all the noise for “body equality” and “body positivity,” The Hunchback of Notre Dame is relevant these days. Aside from that, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a great movie that does not get the credit it deserves. The storyline is powerful and the songs are beautiful. It would be nice to see it get a comeback with a live-action adaption. Plus, maybe the screenwriters can have Esmeralda choose Quasimodo over Phoebus, to actually go along with the movie’s message of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Mulan (1998).
Not surprising, Mulan is another film on this list most likely to be revamped within the next few years. She is the definition of girl power and bringing down the patriarchy. She taught us that grew up in the 1990s that it was OK for girls to be strong, to be fighters. We did not need to rely on men to protect us and we were equal to them. And we decided what it meant to be a woman—whether it was wearing dresses and makeup or body armor.
What Disney films do you think deserve a live-action revamp?