Disney confirm live-action remake of The Aristocats is on the way
Everybody Wants To Be A Cat, after all 😻
Last updated 29th Mar 2023
Another animated Disney classic is receiving the live-action treatment! After the success of The Lion King, The Jungle Book and Dumbo - with many more on the way including The Little Mermaid - Disney have turned their attentions to another favoured animal-themed film... The Aristocats!
The beloved 1970 animation followed the story of a family of cats, who are cruelly kidnapped by their wealthy owner's butler in a bid to replace them in her will - and their journey back home, with many jaunts along the way.
Now, Disney have named musician, DJ and actor Questlove, best known as drummer and joint frontman of US TV host Jimmy Fallon's house band the Roots. He also served as one of the producers for the cast recording of worldwide theatre hit Hamilton.
Taking to Instagram, Questlove shared a snap of Variety's report of his appointment, writing alongside in a caption: 'They chose I to chase the cat… I basically have 2 life goals: 1. Don’t dismiss my dreams & 2. Get out of my own way.'
Although there's no word yet on casting or release date, we do know that the film will be a "blend" of live-action performances as well as CGI, according to Variety, who also report that the screenplay is being adapted by Will Gluck and Keith Bunin.
Will Gluck is known for writing the likes of Friends with Benefits, the 2014 musical adaptation of Annie and the 2018 live-action remake of Peter Rabbit, as well as its 2021 sequel. Keith Bunin was a writer on Disney's 2020 flick Onward.
The original film starred Hollywood superstar Eva Gabor as the main cat Duchess, mother of the three kittens, with longtime Disney collaborator Phil Harris as her love interest Thomas O'Malley, who can also be heard as Baloo in The Jungle Book and Little John in Robin Hood.
Fellow Disney star Sterling Holloway performed the role of mouse sidekick Roquefort. He had previous roles in Dumbo, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book - although he's possibly most famous as the voice of Winnie the Pooh.
American musician and The Shining actor Scatman Crothers performed as Scat Cat, and Mary Poppins actress Hermione Baddeley voiced the cats' owner Adelaide.
Scroll through to see which Disney live-action remakes have been released so far:
The Little Mermaid
Released: 26th May 2023
Remake of: The Little Mermaid (1989)
Rumours about live-action remake of The Little Mermaid had been swirling for many years, but when Halle Bailey was cast in the titular role as Ariel in July 2019, fans began to get excited!
Legendary Disney composer Alan Menken returned to the franchise to handle the music, while the cast saw Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula the Sea Witch, Awkwafina as Scuttle the seagull and Jacob Tremblay as Ariel's BFF Flounder.
Peter Pan & Wendy
Released: 28th April 2023
Remake of: Peter Pan (1953)
A film called Peter Pan & Wendy was rumoured to be in the works when a casting call was put out in January 2020 for child actors.
In September 2022, Disney shared that the film will debut on Disney+ in 2023, and now it's been confirmed the movie will land on Friday 28th April 2023, with a cast including Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Jude Law, Yara Shahidi and Alyssa Wapanatâhk.
Pinocchio
Released: 8th September 2022
Remake of: Pinocchio (1940)
The live-action remake of Pinocchio had Robert Zemeckis directing, best known for Back to the Future, The Polar Express, Forrest Gump, Cast Away and the remake ofThe Witches. Tom Hanks starred as Geppetto, Pinocchio's father, and Luke Evans of Beauty and the Beast played the evil Coachman. In true Disney style, it also got a sprinkling of CGI magic!
Cruella
Released: 28th May 2021
Remake of: Prequel of One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Cruella the film is a prequel set in the 1970s, exploring Cruella De Vil's origin story and detailing how she went from a fashion designer in London to the villain we know and hate-to-love in the original film.
The film starred Emma Stone in the titular role, Emma Thompson as the Baroness, Paul Walter Hauser as Horace, Joel Fry as Jasper, Mark Strong as Boris, Emily Beecham as Anita, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Tabitha and Jamie Demetriou as Gerald.
Mulan
Released: March 2020 in a limited cinematic run and on Disney+ in September 2020
Remake of: Mulan (1998)
Sadly, the release of the live-action Mulan remake was postponed due to the Coronavirus. Originally slated for release on 27th March 2020, the film was pushed back a few times, before being taken off the release calendar in July and released on Disney+ instead. The film carried a premium fee, and was originally put out on the service on 4th September.
Die-hard Disney fans were shocked when it was revealed film bosses had decided to cut Mulan's love interest from the original - Li Shang. Not only that, but director Niki Caro revealed to Moviefone that it would be a non-musical film too. However, Mulan does have a romantic storyline with character Chen Honghui, played by Yoson An.
Lady And The Tramp
Released: 12th November 2019 on Disney+
Remake of: Lady And The Tramp (1955)
A live-action version of The Lady and The Tramp came out on Disney+ in November 2019, with Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux taking on the voices of the eponymous Lady and the Tramp. Singer Janelle Monáe performed the character of Peg, and Thomas Mann played Jim Dear - who opened up about working with real-life dogs.
The film also starred Sam Elliott, Kiersey Clemons, Benedict Wong, Ashley Jensen and Yvette Nicole Brown. The film was not released theatrically in cinemas, instead being exclusively available to stream on Disney's on-demand service, Disney+.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Released: 18th October 2019
Remake of: Sleeping Beauty (1959) and a sequel to Maleficent (2014)
This film is a follow-up to the 2014 live-action reimagined tale of Sleeping Beauty, and saw Angelina Jolie return as the horned villain with Elle Fanning also reprising her role as Aurora. The first trailer for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil dropped in May 2019, giving fans their first glimpse of Angelina back in the suit and also revealing the release date, while a second trailer let fans see a little more of Michelle Pfeiffer's character, Queen Ingrith, who had a hidden agenda..
The official synopsis read: 'A fantasy adventure that picks up several years after Maleficent, in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney's most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora.'
Other returning cast members included Sam Riley as Diaval, Imelda Staunton as Knotgrass, Juno Temple as Thistlewit and Lesley Manville as Flittle. Along with Michelle, new cast members include Ed Skrein, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Robert Lindsay. Harris Dickinson will be replacing Brenton Thwaites as Prince Phillip.
The Lion King
Released: 19th July 2019
Remake of: The Lion King (1994)
Arguably the most publicised film in the list, the announcement of The Lion King remake left a lot of Disney fans feeling unsure - that was, until the cast announcement was made and Beyoncé was cast as the voice of Nala.
Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino also took on the role of Simba and James Earl Jones reprised his role as Mufasa. After all, who else could step into those deep, booming shoes? Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen were also part of the cast, playing Timon and Pumbaa in the film which was released in July 2019.
Aladdin
Released: 24th May 2019
Remake of: Aladdin (1992)
The live-action remake of Aladdin was kept largely under wraps, but the Guy Ritchie-directed movie finished filming in January 2018 and was released in the UK on 24th May 2019 to critical acclaim. It was a box office smash, grossing a whopping $1 billion worldwide. This made it the sixth highest-grossing film of 2019, and the 34th highest-grossing film of all time.
Starring Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, Will Smith absolutely bossed his role as the Genie, taking over from the late, great Robin Williams. Who could have ever doubted his casting?!
Dumbo
Released: 29th March 2019
Remake of: Dumbo (1941)
Whilst the original film focussed on Dumbo the elephant, his mouse friend Timothy and his flying abilities, the new movie had more to do with his life at the circus and his human friends.
Although the cast wasn't enormous, it was made up of quite a few big names. Led by Colin Farrell as war veteran and former circus performer Holt Farrier, Thandie Newton's real-life daughter Nico Parker made her on-screen debut as Holt's daughter Milly, befriending the timid elephant.
Michael Keaton starred as the film's villain, V. A. Vandemere, who tried to exploit Dumbo for money; Danny DeVito was as circus owner Max Medici and Eva Green as trapeze artist Colette Marchant. The film had mixed reviews, and earned a worldwide cumulative gross of $353 million.
Christopher Robin
Released: 3rd August 2018
Remake of: Winnie the Pooh films
The live-action Christopher Robin remake was truly one of the most heartwarming films of the year. Starring Ewan McGregor as a grown-up Christopher Robin, the film showed how he had become an adult and forgotten his old friends, before finding them again and going on a hilarious adventure.
The nostalgic feeling really resonated with older audiences, as well as delighting children with the talking stuffed animals. Alongside Ewan for the cast joined Marvel star Hayley Atwell as his wife Evelyn, as well as Mark Gatiss as his boss. Long-time Disney voice legend Jim Cummings voiced both Winnie the Pooh as well as Tigger, with Brad Garrett as Eeyore, Peter Capaldi as Rabbit, Sophie Okonedo as Kanga and Toby Jones as Owl. The film earned a total worldwide gross of $197.6 million.
Beauty and the Beast
Released: 17th March 2017
Remake of: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The hugely-anticipated live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast was massively popular, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing live-action musical film. It also became the second-highest-grossing film of 2017!
Starring Harry Potter star Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, Luke Evans also joined the cast as Gaston, and Kevin Kline starred as Belle's father, Maurice. Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson also voiced the household objects. The film received two nominations at the BAFTAs, and another two for Academy Awards.
Alice Through The Looking Glass
Released: 27th May 2016
Remake of: Alice in Wonderland (1951) and sequel to Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Alice Through the Looking Glass was a sequel to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, and most of the cast reprised their roles. Mia Wasikowska starred as the eponymous Alice, with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. Matt Lucas starred as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, with Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen and Sacha Baron Cohen as Time.
In the voice cast, Alan Rickman starred as Absolem the Butterfly (formerly the Caterpillar), and the film was also dedicated to him as he sadly passed away four months before the film's release. Stephen Fry was the Cheshire Cat, Michael Sheen was the White Rabbit and Dame Barbara Windsor starred as the Dormouse.
The Jungle Book
Released: 15th April 2016
Remake of: The Jungle Book (1967)
The live-action remake of The Jungle Book was a visually stunning film, and the performance of then 12-year-old Neel Sethi as Mowgli was incredible! It also starred Bill Murray as Baloo the bear, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera the panther, Idris Elba as Shere Khan the tiger, Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha the wolf, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa the snake and Christopher Walken as King Louie.
It had a worldwide total gross of $966.6 million, and won Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards and Best Special Visual Effects at the BAFTA Film Awards. There's also a sequel in the works.
Cinderella
Released: 13th March 2015
Remake of: Cinderella (1950)
After the success of Alice In Wonderland and Maleficent, Disney bosses turned their attention to another Disney Princess to receive the live-action treatment, and chose Cinderella. Beautifully performed by Lily James, the film was directed by Kenneth Branagh and also starred Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham Carter.
Earning a worldwide gross of $543 million, the film received a nomination for Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards and for Costume Design at the BAFTA Film Awards.
Maleficent
Released: 30th May 2014
Remake of: Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Angelina Jolie led the cast of Maleficent, which was a remake of Sleeping Beauty but from the point of the original film's villain, whom the new film is named after. Starring Elle Fanning as Aurora, Maleficent earned a worldwide gross of $758.5 million and became the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2014. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
Alice In Wonderland
Released: 5th March 2010
Remake of: Alice In Wonderland (1951)
The first film in the Alice In Wonderland remake came out in 2010, starring Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. Helena Bonham Carter also joined the cast as the evil Red Queen. The stellar voice cast starred Alan Rickman starred as Absolem the Caterpillar, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit, Dame Barbara Windsor as the Dormouse and Christopher Lee as The Jabberwocky.
It earned a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, and won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hair at the BAFTA Film Awards and had three Golden Globe nominations. A sequel was released in 2016.
101 Dalmatians
Released: 27th November 1996
Remake of: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Although 101 Dalmatians was released over 10 years before any of the other live-action remakes, the Glenn Close film which came out in 1996 was actually Disney's first-ever live-action remake!
The storyline was pretty similar to the 1961 animated classic, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and starred Glenn Close as Cruella De Vil, Jeff Daniels as Roger, Joely Richardson as Anita, Joan Plowright as Nanny, Hugh Laurie as Jasper, Mark Williams as Horace and Tim McInnerny as Alonzo.
The film earned a worldwide gross of $320.7 million, and Glenn Close was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, with the film also earning a BAFTA nomination for best makeup effects. It also had a sequel, 102 Dalmatians, which was released in 2000.
Read more:
All the important dates you need to know for Disney's live-action remakes
The Little Mermaid: Cast give spine-tingling performance in first full-length trailer
All of the Disney films coming out in 2023