Five Disney Movies That Need To Be Made Into Live Action

As fans watch Curella, Disney’s latest live action release, there’s been a lot of buzz around which other Disney movies deserve the live action treatment. We have a list of 5 we would love to see (and may get one sooner than we think)!

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

While Atlantis hasn’t gained as much attention as movies like Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast, this movie is still a favorite for many Disney fans. Released in 2001, this animated movie centers around Milo, a linguist living in 1914 D.C who has discovered directions to the lost city of Atlantis. We follow him and his crew as they journey to and discover city.

One of the main reasons the movie may not have been as successful or mainstream is because it is not a musical; but the movie still has a fanbase that is hungry for new content.
What’s better is that those fans who grew up with this movie are now old enough to head to the theatre themselves and indulge in some early 2000’s nostalgia. And a live action movie could introduce the story to a whole new generation of fans.

Here’s my finished #MiloThatch halloween costume! Yes I own a framed picture of Teddy Roosevelt. #Atlantis pic.twitter.com/2h166FHBHF

— Cole M. Sprouse (@colesprouse) October 7, 2015

Sadly, there has been no news from Disney about a live action remake, but that hasn’t stopped fans from not only asking for it but fan-casting it as well. Cole Sprouse, who appears on many fan casts, even dressed up as Milo in 2015. There may be no news of a live action yet, but Atlantis: The Lost Empire would be a great candidate.

Treasure Planet

Treasure Planet has had a long history with Disney. The 2002 animated movie is an adaption of Treasure Island which has been adapted by Disney as Muppets Treasure Island and Treasure Island (1950) which was Walt Disney Studios’ first live action movie. So if Disney already has a live action version, why should Treasure Planet be revived?

The 2002 animated version is a retelling of the classic story in a space/sci-fi setting. With the success of Marvel and Star Wars, sci-fi has proven to be a valuable and profitable avenue for Disney. A revamping of the story would bring in a new generation of young fans to the Treasure Island story.

As of now there has been no announcement on if fans can be expecting a live action remake. Disney may be hesitant to remake it as it lost millions at the box office when it first came out. A sequel and TV series to follow the movie were then cancelled. However, critics and fans enjoyed the movie.

A live action movie in the wake of other sci-fi successes could give the fans and creators the reception and closure they deserve.

Emperor’s New Groove

The Emperor’s New Groove was released in 2000 and performed poorly at the box office, but was then the best selling DVD of 2001. The franchise also had a sequel and a Disney Channel TV show that ran for two years.

The story of Kuzco the Incan Emperor may be over, but newer audiences haven’t been exposed to this story. Not only could this be a great opportunity for Disney to resurrect one of their more successful hidden gems, but it also would be a great opportunity for Indeginous representation. The film was originally pitched as a dramatic musical titled: Kingdom of the Sun. Whether or not Disney wanted to return to the original idea or introduce the comedic Kuzco and Yzma to new audiences, Emperor’s New Groove is definitely a fan favorite that would be a fun addition to the growing library of live action movies.

As of now, Disney has no plans for a live action remake.

The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone was the last animated movie to be released during Walt Disney’s life, so there is something to be said about keeping the original alive. And what’s a better way to immortalize something than to revamp it for generations that have never seen, or even heard, of the movie before. The movie is a fantasy of King Arthur and is based on the novel “The Sword in the Stone.” It’s a great musical adventure to be introduced to kids (and adults).
The good news is, a live action retelling has been in the works since 2015, although no announcement has been made as far as cast or release date. However, fans can rest assured that it will appear on our screens again in the coming years.

The Black Cauldron

This is one of the more risky options for Disney to remake for live action. When it premiered in the 1980s, it was a box office failure and even put the animation department of Disney at risk. However, the film has grown a cult following. The fans are even responsible for its release on VHS.

The movie itself was viewed as flawed and “missing something” by many critics. In its first tests the film was seen as too scary and dark by many families. Bringing a movie that almost decimated Disney as we know it doesn’t seem like the best idea, but with an already built in fan base, new eyes on the project, a thriving studio, and almost 40 years of perspective, a live action The Black Cauldron could help to erase the embarrassment of its animated successor.

Bonus: Anastasia

Anastasia is technically a 20th Century Fox project, but after Disney acquired the company, it, along with other 20th Century Fox properties, is under the Disney Catalog. Remaking Anastasia as a live action movie would serve to formally introduce Anastasia into the Disney family.

Plus, after the success of the Broadway musical, there is a revived love for the story and music that Disney could capitalize on.

What movies would you like to see get the live action treatment? Let us know in the comments!

About The Author:

Elena Naze is a journalism major at Emerson College and an intern at Afterbuzz TV. She loves entertainment news and is a big fan of reality TV, Marvel, and all anything musical!

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