Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Apr 30, 2025
Table of Contents
Live-Action as Legacy, Not Just Trend
Disney is diving deep into its vault — not just to play the nostalgia card, but to reshape the cultural memory of a new generation. Remakes like ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, ‘Lilo & Stitch‘ (starring Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, and Sydney Agudong), ‘Robin Hood’, and the recently announced ‘Moana’ (with Catherine Laga’aia and The Rock Dwayne Johnson) signal more than emotional throwbacks.
Alright, let’s be honest — live-action films lately haven’t exactly been outstanding. And I think there’s more to it than just budget issues. Especially when we’re talking about Disney — these films are anything but low-budget.
Disney isn’t just a content creator — it’s a cultural gatekeeper. When you hear “Disney,” you think of childhood, legacy, and iconic characters that defined eras: ‘The Lion King‘, ‘Cinderella‘, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
So the question becomes: What stories get retold, how are they reimagined, and why those particular films?
The live-action boom — from the motion-capture of ‘The Jungle Book’ (2016) to the adaptation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017) — proved that these remakes can do more than just make money. They steer the cultural narrative around what kinds of heroes we value, what stories we remember, and what legacies we want to pass on.
‘The Little Mermaid’ (2023) and ‘Snow White’ (2025) haven’t exactly hit the mark with fans or at the box office — maybe because in trying to modernize the story, they drifted too far from what made the originals so beloved in the first place. And this is exactly what I mean when I say steer clear of trends and stay more true to the heart of the original franchise.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying that’s an easy accomplishment. It takes time, vision, and a level of devotion I can’t even imagine. But maybe those films would’ve made more waves if they leaned into a spin-off or expansion of the world, rather than trying to fully revive the original storyline.
That’s why the ‘Moana’ remake raised eyebrows. Why revisit a story less than a decade old? Sure, it’s a commercial no-brainer — but it also signals a shift: we’re not just retelling classics. We’re choosing which ones deserve to become timeless.
And whether it’s through updated soundtracks, modernized themes, or more inclusive casting, these films are rewriting what “Disney magic” means for today’s audience.
Do I think ‘Moana’ has great potential for a live-action remake? Absolutely. I mean, with The Rock reprising his role as Maui, that was the right casting call — major props to casting director Katie Doyle for locking that in.
Here’s the core of it all: live-action remakes should be about preserving legacy, not chasing trends. It’s not just about catering to a younger generation — it’s about honoring what made the originals special while creating something new that stands on its own.
If a film is going to be remade, there’s value in that — as long as it’s reimagined with purpose. The most successful remakes don’t feel like carbon copies, or like an entirely new narrative. They feel like a natural extension of the original.
Think ‘Cinderella’ (2015), ‘Maleficent‘ (2014), and ‘The Jungle Book’ (2016) — live-action reinterpretations that truly delivered. Elle Fanning and Angelina Jolie embodied their roles with precision, striking the perfect balance between honoring the original narratives and offering fresh, emotionally resonant perspectives that deepened the story.
I don’t think the issue lies in poor direction or casting — there’s clearly a plentiful of talent behind these productions. The real problem is that many of these remakes stray too far from what made the originals so beloved. Instead of building on that foundation, they often tell an entirely different story.
Take ‘Snow White’, for example.
Rachel Zegler’s version of ‘Snow White’ puts a much bigger focus on resilience and her rivalry with the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot), while completely reimagining the love story. But its original story is built around that classic, fairy-tale romance — it was a huge part of its heart and charm. In this new version, that element feels significantly diminished, and the shift alters the entire spirit of the story.
And that’s not a negative thing —it’s just a different approach. Perhaps instead of labeling it a remake, it would be more fitting to consider it a reimagining or spin-off. This way, audiences can appreciate the new take for what it is, without feeling like something vital is missing.
As Disney continues to build its live-action empire, the question isn’t just about which stories they’ll retell, but how.
There’s a unique challenge in balancing momentum and legacy, and some of these remakes are proving that doing both well isn’t always possible.
For Disney, the key to making these films succeed isn’t about chasing trends or recycling ideas — it’s about finding ways to honor what made the originals unforgettable while injecting fresh energy for today’s audience.
The future of Disney live-action remakes is not just about returning to the vault — it’s about revisiting the magic with new eyes, taking risks, and maybe even rewriting the rules of what a classic can be.
Let’s see how Disney plans to uphold their legacy and leave us behind with the magic of live-action revivals.
Executive Producers: Auli’i Cravalho, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth
Cast:
Catherine Laga’aia as Moana
Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui
John Tui as Chief Tui
Frankie Adams as Sina
Rena Owen as Gramma Tala
The Hunchback of Notre Dame- In Early Development
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
The Aristocats- Confirmed
Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (making his directorial debut)
Writers: Will Gluck and Keith Bunin
Producers: Will Gluck, Tarik Trotter, Shawn Gee, Zarah Zoloman
Details: Questlove will also oversee the music for the film, bringing a fresh perspective to the 1970 animated classic.
Hercules- Confirmed
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
Cruella 2- Confirmed
Director: Craig Gillespie
Writer: Tony McNamara
Cast:
Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil
Tangled- Confirmed
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
The Sword in the Stone- Development Delayed
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
The Jungle Book 2- Rumored
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
Bambi- In Early Development
Director: Sarah Polley (‘Women Talking’)
Writers: Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer
Details: The film is expected to use photorealistic CGI to retell the 1942 animated classic.
Aladdin 2- Rumored
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced.
Robin Hood-Confirmed
Details: Specific information about the cast, director, and writers has not been officially announced. The adaptation is expected to blend live-action and CGI elements.
By Emma Gladstone
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Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
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