By and large, you can organize every recent, and future, Disney film into four categories – reboots/remakes, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Sadly, it looks like the mouse house is really only interested in producing films that are sure-fire bets. Why take a chance with an unknown property when you can just remake “Lion King” or release yet another “Star Wars” or Marvel film?
Sorry to say, but if this is something that bothers you, then you may not want to hear the latest rumblings from Disney. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is making, yet another, live-action remake of a classic animated film. They’ve chosen “Paddington” director Paul King to helm a new live-action remake of “Pinocchio.”
King will direct the film, based on a rewritten script from “Wonder” scribe Jack Throne, with Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano producing. Previously, Sam Mendes was supposed to direct the “Pinocchio” remake, but the filmmaker left the project in 2017. Now, fresh of the success of his two “Paddington” films, King looks to be the right guy to make the wooden puppet turn into a real boy…played by a real boy! Not much else is known about the film, but Disney hopes to begin production in the fall.
But wait, there’s more!
In a separate report from THR, Disney isn’t relying on remakes of their animated library. No, they’re going to remake some of their classic live-action films, as well. “The Parent Trap,” “Father of the Bride,” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” are all listed as film properties that Disney is hoping to explore as remakes in the future.
While “The Parent Trap” has been the subject of a remake previously, the other two films have yet to be resurrected. With the advancements in CGI in the last 30 years, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” could actually be improved upon, at least technologically. However, “Father of the Bride” is an odd choice, to say the least.
Either way, it looks like Disney is sticking with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” solution to their production schedule. How long until we get a modern remake of “Angels in the Outfield”?