Over the last couple of months, we have seen images revealed for Disney’s new version of The Jungle Book directed by Jon (Iron Man) Favreau
This is a live action version of the 1967 animated film of the same name, and this seems to be the newest Hollywood trend as this will not be the first.
CGI animals will be used using motion capture VFX and it has a very impressive voice cast with the likes of Scarlett Johansson; Bill Murray; Idris Elba and Christopher Walken as King Louie.
Next up, swapping Dinosaurs for Dragons, Bryce Dallas Howard will star with Robert Redford in a new version of 1977 Jim Dale classic, Pete’s Dragon, this new version will swap the animated dragon for a fully working CGI one.
After this we will be getting a new version of Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson; Ewan McGregor; Luke Evans and the beast is coming from Downton Abbey in the form of Dan Stevens.
It doesn’t stop there, it has been recently announced that Chloe Grace Moretz will be growing a fish tail in a new version of The Little Mermaid.
Rumours are also abound that Dumbo; Mulan and Pinocchio are to follow. Dumbo even has had Tim Burton‘s name attached to it!
The idea of course is not new, the first time I recall was the fun 101 Dalmatians, it was a lot of fun and a success, so much so that 102 Dalmatians quickly followed its lead!
In addition, the story of Snow White has been retold in different ways, twice, with both Julia Roberts (Mirror, Mirror) and Kristen Stewart (Snow White and the Huntsman)
Recently we have had a re-working of Sleeping Beauty in Maleficient with Angelina Jolie; Cinderella with Cate Blanchett and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.
What is interesting in these animated to live action films is they seem to be less attacked than say a reboot/remake of a film. On those released so far, this would appear fair as in my opinion, they have been less disappointing than the live action film remakes.
But where will it stop, surely Disney will be looking at its previous hits in Mulan; Hercules; The Hunchback of Notre Dame and of course, Frozen.
Maybe one day we will see a CGI Stich in a live action Lilo and Stitch; CGI Simba & co for The Lion King or CGI fish for Finding Nemo.
Whilst these live action films are familiar in story, they do at least offer something new, the characters will be visible but different, so the new voice may be better excepted?
What do you think of remaking animated into live action? Have you a favourite animated film that you would like to see come to life or one ruined by remake?
We would love to hear from here at Barking Mad about Films
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