From 1996’s 101 Dalmations to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, Disney’s live-action remakes of animated films have given the younger generation a chance to experience magical classics through a modern lens and adults who grew up with the originals a chance to relive their childhood. However, in recent years, it seems Disney has had a colossal wave of live-action adaptations, with rebooted versions of Dumbo, Aladdin, and the Lion King all released last year, and 19 more remakes slated for production in the near future. While some fans look forward to seeing their favorite childhood characters again, many raise their eyebrows as Disney doubles down on its commitment to breathe new life into its animated movies.
Old Disney films have a timeless quality to them as they are not just entertainment—they are art. As Disney waters down their iconic classics with mere “live action” added to the end of their titles, fans can only conclude that one of Hollywood’s most revolutionary studios is running out of fresh ideas. Little originality was added to the plots of The Jungle Book or Beauty and the Beast, and the trailer for The Lion King resembled a shot-for-shot remake of its precedent, showing a drop in the creativity, innovation, and personality that Disney is known for.
As Disney owns the intellectual property of all its animated classics, it is understandably much easier for the corporation to revitalize the classic tales they know were successful in the past rather than come up with new stories which might not be as profitable. This can be seen with The Lion King, which brought in $185 million within the first three days, and Aladdin, which grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. However, while the new movies are a mix of nostalgia and edginess, the unadapted narratives have failed to exceed, yet alone match the quality of its originals. “I get that Disney, like any corporation, is trying to reap more profits, but their lack of originality was pretty disappointing for me and I can’t believe they’re going to make even more live action remakes instead of producing new ideas,” Richard Montgomery High School sophomore Allie Coffey said.
Disney should be taking this opportunity to breathe new life into its popular works, reviving old stories in a way that fights against the films’ exclusive, sexist, and racist histories. Rather than exact replicas of the animated works without any additional meaning, movies should be modified so that they represent our changing and progressing world while keeping the childhood magic intact. Instead of continuing subtle and delicate gestures toward feminism, princess fairy tales should promote independence and empower women. Castings should be done attentively, not so actors look like their original characters, but so diversity is stimulated through characters of different ethnicities and backgrounds. Current issues, like climate change and LGBTQ+ rights, should be integrated throughout the remakes so that new generations are better educated about the world they live in. “Honestly, I would love to see Disney create a lesbian princess or a Hispanic superhero because these characters would better represent the diverse world we live in,” Richard Montgomery High School sophomore Maggie McDermott said.
Instead of recycling plot lines to earn a great deal of profits, Disney should use its standing as an influential and popular media company to add to previous works, or even better, create new works. Only when realizing its ability to empower new generations and shape society can Disney take a step forward and really change this world for the better.
Article by Nicole Fang of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Helena Yang of Richard Montgomery High School