We’ve already seen films such as “Toy Story” and “A Nightmare Before Christmas” re-released in 3D, and we’re expecting many more (like James Cameron’s “Titanic”) to follow in their wake. Whether the motives behind these conversions are purely financial or there is a genuine belief that a brand new experience can be delivered is debatable, we’ll have to wait and see what happens when the first one flops. But we can add at least one more film to the 3D slate as Don Hahn, the Oscar-nominated producer of “Beauty and the Beast” (which itself we already know will undergo the conversion), revealed that “The Lion King” will also be entering the third dimension.
“I’m actually trying to work out a 3D conversion of ‘The Lion King.’ I’ll be doing that when I go back to the States in a couple of weeks,” he told Empire Magazine. “It’s going to be spectacular – we will do a good job for ya! The technology is tremendous. We did ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ a few years ago and Tim thought it was better than the original because it allows you to walk onto the set.” Speaking as 3D skeptic, we’re not entirely sure what 3D could add to “The Lion King”; with “Beauty and the Beast” we think there’s more of a case — particularly with the ballroom scene — but we’re not entirely sure seeing Simba and co. pop out of the screen would justify returning to the cinema.
Hahn also had news on a number of other projects he was involved with. On a sequel to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” he said, “Yeah, I couldn’t possibly comment. I deny completely, but yeah… if you’re a fan, pretty soon you’re going to be very, very, very happy.” Considering the news late last year that original writers Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman were working on a new script, this sounds very encouraging indeed. And of course, should Robert Zemeckis direct the sequel, expect this one to arrive in 3D as well.
Hahn also provided clarity on the rumors that “The Snow Queen” was on Disney’s upcoming schedule. It doesn’t sound like we’ll be seeing that film any time soon as Hahn said: “It’s actually been tabled right now, It’s on the low shelf – we can’t reach it! But seriously, we don’t have the story. It’s a bit like ‘Beauty And The Beast,’ which sat there for years. We cracked ‘Beauty’ finally by putting in the objects and creating more plot. ‘The Snow Queen’ we’ve had a lot of trouble with and I’ve spent years on it. I love it and I think it’s one of the last great fairy tales. It’s kind of crappy that it’s just sitting there right now.” So it’s not an outright no, but it seems like if they can figure out how spin it into a filmable story, it will quickly move up the priority list.
Finally, remember “Maleficent,” the revisionist take on “Sleeping Beauty” that had Tim Burton and Angelina Jolie attached earlier this year? Hahn confirms that while it is happening, it will be a while before we get to see it, saying, “that’s another one I can’t talk about! All I can say is that it’s in active development and will be pretty fun. It is great working again with Tim on ‘Frankenweenie,’ though I love that he’s back to doing puppets. But ‘Maleficent’ is a way off and it’s a little too early to talk about it, except to say that it’s happening.”
So lots on the way from Disney, and not surprisingly the plan is to both dip into the past success of franchise films while continuing to bring new projects to the screen. — Joe Cunningham
