Hot on the heels of WarnerMedia’s announcement that every WB film in 2021 would be heading to HBO Max on the same day it arrives in theaters, Disney decided to announce what the studio plans to do with some of its big 2021 films. And yes, some of them are going straight to streaming.
As revealed in today’s investors’ call, Disney has decided to send “Raya & the Last Dragon,” “Pinocchio,” “Disenchanted,” and “Peter Pan & Wendy” straight to streaming and skip theaters. This move is definitely for the same reasons why WarnerMedia did a similar thing to its films. There is a growing concern that the first half of 2021 will be a problem for theaters as COVID-19 cases spike in the US. And with the box office seemingly going to take the entirety of next year to come close to recovering, Disney can use these films as a way to bolster its growing Disney+ subscriber base.
The first big announcement concerning their upcoming feature film slate is that animated film “Raya & The Last Dragon” will be heading to Premier Access on Disney+ as part of a new attempt to begin releasing certain films on both the streaming service and in regular theaters on the same date of March 5th, not as drastic as WarnerMedia’s new release model. Premier Access was previous used for the release of “Mulan” which had a $30 price-tag but since many gawked at that price it’s unknown if “Raya & The Last Dragon” will have a similar cost to subscribers.
One of the films making the jump from theaters to Disney+ is “Peter Pan and Wendy.” As the name suggests, this is a live-action remake of the popular “Peter Pan” animated classic from the Disney library. This film is one that we’ve been especially excited about because it comes from director David Lowery. The “Ghost Story” director has already worked with Disney in the past on the underrated live-action remake of “Pete’s Dragon.” Now, he takes his shot at the “Peter Pan” story. The film stars Jude Law as Captain Hook, Alexander Molony as Peter Pan, Ever Anderson as Wendy Darling, and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell.
Another film skipping theaters and heading to Disney+ is “Pinocchio.” This is a live-action remake that has been in development for years, with filmmakers coming and going. Now, with director Robert Zemeckis on board, the film is on the verge of arriving in thea…err, on Disney+. The film reunites the filmmaker with star Tom Hanks, who is set to play Geppetto. Alan Cumming and Stephen Graham also appear in the cast.
Following are the Disney Live-Action projects, listed in order of announcement:
Hocus Pocus 2, exclusively on Disney+, is the spooky sequel to the 1993 Halloween cult classic “Hocus Pocus.” Adam Shankman is set to direct.
Three Men and a Baby, a modern take on the hilarious ’80s comedy, will star Zac Efron and is slated for a 2022 release on Disney+.
Safety, premiering tomorrow, December 11, on Disney+, is a drama inspired by the empowering story of former Clemson University football safety Ray McELrathBey, a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances, whose dedication and persistence help him to triumph over repeated adversities. “Marshall” director Reginald Hudlin helms the uplifting drama.
The Keanon Lowe project, coming to Disney+, is inspired by the incredible real-life story of a high school coach who averted tragedy through compassion. Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia are on board as producers for the project through their Seven Bucks Productions.
Greek Freak heads into production next year for Disney+. It is the remarkable story of NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family, who lifted themselves out of poverty as undocumented immigrants living in Greece. Ultimately, Giannis finds himself on the world stage.
The Chris Paul project is a biographical film in development for Disney+ about NBA superstar Chris Paul. It follows Paul’s deeply moving story of family, legacy and destiny that helped make him who he is today.
Flora & Ulysses is a delightful comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award–winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, who rescues a squirrel with unique superhero powers. “Flora & Ulysses” stars Matilda Lawler and is directed by Lena Khan (“The Tiger Hunter”). The film makes its debut on Disney+ February 19, 2021.
Cheaper by the Dozen, a reimagining of the hit comedy with “black-ish” producer Kenya Barris, will air on Disney+ in 2022. The story centers on a multiracial, blended family of 12, navigating a hectic home life while managing their family business. Gabrielle Union is set to star.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which has spawned a successful live-action film franchise from the popular books, comes to Disney+ in 2021 as an all-new animated film.
The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, exclusively for Disney+,is a spin-off of the popular “Ice Age” franchise from 20th Century Studios. The story centers on three series favorites: the prankster possum brothers Crash and Eddie, and the swashbuckling titular weasel, Buck. Simon Pegg will be returning in the role of Buck. “The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” is slated for an early 2022 release.
Jungle Cruise takes audiences on a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Jaume Collet-Serra directs the film, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is slated for July 2021.
The Lion King live-action prequel is in development with an inspired take that revisits the iconic characters. Barry Jenkins, director of the Oscar®-winning “Moonlight,” is set to helm the film. Hans Zimmer (whose long association with “The Lion King” goes back to the 1994 original), Pharrell Williams and Nicholas Britell will deliver the music.
The Little Mermaid returns Rob Marshall to the Disney fold with a live-action take on the animated classic. In the title role is multitalented singer and actor Halle Bailey, alongside a talented cast that includes Awkwafina, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, with Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy. The film will feature the beloved Menken-Ashman songs from the animated original and some all-new music from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda as well.
Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, a hybrid live-action-animated feature for Disney+, is in development. Akiva Schaffer (“Popstar”) directs, and John Mulaney and Andy Samberg are set to star in the title roles with Seth Rogen doing a cameo. “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers” is slated for spring 2022.
Disenchanted, a sequel to the hit film “Enchanted,” will stream exclusively on Disney+. Amy Adams returns as Giselle, who found her life flipped upside down when she fell out of her animated fantasy world and discovered herself stuck in real-life Manhattan.
Sister Act 3, the third film in the beloved “Sister Act” series, is in development. Whoopi Goldberg is on board to star and produce, with Tyler Perry also signed on as a producer on the project. “Sister Act 3” will premiere on Disney+.
Cruella dives into the rebellious early days of one of the most notorious—and notoriously fashionable—villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. Oscar® winner Emma Stone stars as Estella, aka Cruella, opposite Oscar winner Emma Thompson as the Baroness, the head of a prestigious fashion house who plucks Estella from obscurity as a burgeoning designer. It’s set against the backdrop of 1970s punk-rock London, and director Craig Gillespie delivers a unique take on this one-of-a-kind villain. “Cruella” is coming in 2021.