Disney classics have been around longer than most students at California Baptist University have been alive, and remaking these movies into live-action films may be bittersweet for some.
“The Jungle Book,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Dumbo,” “Mulan” and “The Little Mermaid” are just some of the movies that are being shot and remade with real actors over the next couple of years. Whether or not they might ruin the original movies or make them more relatable has yet to be seen.
“Live-action remakes are a positive thing,” said Savannah Staver, freshman history major. “Being able to see what these iconic characters would look and act like in reality is so interesting. I think it helps us
release our inner child by watching these classic stories in a new way.”
Disney is not the one making the upcoming movies — they are adaptations of the original stories. When “Maleficent” was released, the movie focused on the villain and gave the original story of “Sleeping Beauty” a new, creative angle. Viewers may be expecting similar plot twists when watching the remakes.
“The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast” were made decades ago, but will soon be made into live-action films as well. Having a modern, yet original, twist to the story may attract new audiences with new expectations. The cast of “The Little Mermaid” was announced with Chloë Grace Moretz as Ariel and Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Eric.
“It’s great that ‘The Little Mermaid’ is being remade into its original story,” Staver said. “Since Disney isn’t doing this remake, I think it’s necessary to do so. I have heard rumors that Disney will also be remaking one to their style.”
Disney was built on the foundation of creating stories with animated characters, and taking that away may have an impact depending on the perspective of the viewer.
“They might be a little more relatable, but I would hope they would keep the characters similar to the original,” said Vanessa Lopez, junior sociology major. “I’m excited to see them because I would like to see how different they are going to change it or even how similar they will keep it.”
“Dumbo,” originally released in 1941, is about a young elephant that was teased for his colossal ears. Tim Burton is set to create the live-action remake of the classic tale that will add another family story that parallels Dumbo’s journey to make it more relatable to people.
“I believe those childhood memories are kept separate from new things that are seen,” said Joanna Koo, senior biology major. “No matter what remake you see, you will always remember the original story.”
