Look out boys, The Princess and the Frog is coming through! The word on the street is that the characters from the 2009 favorite could be part of one of the live-action upcoming Disney movies. And fans are already shouting out their ideas for who should play the main roles in this reported flick. It's early but, so far, there are some great picks!

Per a new report from Deadline, Colman Domingo is in talks to write “an original live-action feature” about Princess Tiana. It’s being called a “spinoff” rather than a remake. He would pen the script alongside Tony-nominated playwright and director Robert O’Hara for Walt Disney Studios. Amidst the news, Disney devotees took to X to fancast the potential live-action movie. As one fan loudly suggested (and they aren’t the only one):

Of course, our live-action Tiana would be business item No. 1 given how iconic the Disney character is. She’s still our only Black Disney Princess, and entrepreneur! If you don’t know who Coco Jones is, she got her start on Disney Channel. The 28-year-old is an actress and singer who has since kicked off her own music career and has starred in Bel-Air. She's not the only actress who's been mentioned either. Here’s another great idea from a fan:

Lawson most famously plays Pearline in the Oscar-winning Sinners (in which she also sang). So I'm not surprised at all that she's on fans' minds when it comes to a live-action The Princess and the Frog. The 28-year-old has also been in movies like The Batman, The Woman King and The Running Man. Additionally, I've seen a host of other names being thrown out by the public like Normani, Keke Palmer and Tessa Thompson.

But who should play Tiana’s prince, Naveen? Well, there’s one popular pick that keeps coming up amongst fans -- Michael star Jaafar Jackson! As one person put it:

The newcomer just blew audiences away as Michael Jackson (who's Jaafar's late uncle) in a movie so popular it has grossed over $1 billion dollars at the box office. Should this new Princess and the Frog movie be a musical like its predecessor, Jaafar clearly has the acting and singing chops to pull off the role of Naveen of Maldonia. I'd love to see the rising star take on another big musical role!

Also, there's the matter of whether or not the villainous Dr. Facilier could be revived for this film. That's far from a certainty right now, but it seems a few fans already have a built-in idea for who could play the voodoo practitioner. One said:

Hey, if Colman Domingo is going to write this Princess And The Frog offshoot, he better lend his acting talents, too! He’d be incredible in the role of Facilier as he is in everything he does.

The Princess and the Frog fans previously suffered a sad blow when a Disney+ Princess and the Frog series was canceled. The status of the animated show, called Tiana, was uncertain for over four years before the general public learned of its fate.

In theory, this movie could be the best of both worlds, given it sounds like it would continue Tiana and Naveen’s stories. Perhaps Disney is learning some lessons about recycling the same story after the live-action Moana has been struggling at the box office? Tiana and Naveen are frogs for most of the original movie anyways, and a live-action movie with mostly CGI-animated frogs doesn’t sound like the right move.

We’ll be watching closely for more news about this The Princess and Frog movie. Until then, we know that the Tangled remake is currently in production and a sequel to the live-action Lilo & Stitch is also on the way. Fans can also revisit TPATF using a Disney+ subscription.

Live-action remakes have become like bread and butter on the upcoming Disney movies list lately, but the live-action Moana is the first time we’re seeing such a new animated movie get the treatment. If you've been wondering why the House of Mouse jumped on remaking Moana so quickly, and we’ve got a new answer from one of the company’s key decision makers.

Andrew Cripps, who is the Head Of Theatrical Distribution globally at Walt Disney Studios just shared his thoughts on the subject amidst the rough reviews coming out around Moana often calling the movie "unnecessary". In his words to the LA Times:

For big movie studios like Disney, when fans put their time and money into a franchise it helps decide what we see next on movie schedules. In terms of the Moana movies, the 2016 original film made $643 million worldwide and remains the most-watched movie in Disney+ history. Additionally, Moana 2 crossed $1 billion globally after hitting theaters during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2024. As Cripps also added:

The Moana remake was an opportunity for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to portray his role of Maui in live-action alongside a new Moana actress, Catherine Laga'aia, and even bring back the original voice actress in a special way. Johnson and director Thomas Kail have also spoken about their excitement to bring the movie’s representation of Polynesian culture to the forefront as another special reason for its existence.

But just as the enthusiasm for the animated Moana movies communicated to Disney to make this “extension” to the franchise, we'll have to see how the response to this live-action version might determine the future of more remakes of contemporary Walt Disney Animation favorites. The live-action Tangled movie is currently in production and a sequel to last year’s Lilo & Stitch is expected to start filming later this year. But so far, the most popular live-action movies have come from Disney's Renaissance Era (i.e: The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin).

Critics have greatly rejected the live-action Moana, calling it “a quick and easy buck” and “the most unnecessary remake yet.” And opening weekend projections place the movie in the neighborhood of flops like Dumbo and Snow White. But it's way too soon to say how audiences feel about it.

Now that Moana is in theaters, we'll have to wait and see how far it goes this summer alongside other family films like Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters. It should also reveal if it was actually too soon to bring a live-action version to the big screen.

In the lead-up to the live-action Moana’s release on the 2026 movie schedule, there’s been lots of discourse about why it was made now. It’s only been ten years since the original animated film was released, and a lot of initial reactions to this new Moana describe it as “unnecessary.” However, Dwayne Johnson is coming to the movie’s defense and pushing back on it being made too soon.

Ever since the live-action Moana was announced, there’s been chatter about why it was happening right now, and people have not been afraid to voice their disinterest in this remake. It’s only been ten years since the animated film’s premiere, and a lot of Disney’s other live-action remakes came decades after the animated release. However, Johnson, who voiced Maui in the animated movies and plays him in live-action, believed now was the right time to do this, as he told THR:

He makes a valid point, and it’s one that’s been reiterated by the team behind Moana. In fact, earlier this year, director Thomas Kail defended the live-action Moana. He said that putting this story in live action makes a “fundamentally different” experience, because you get to “have flesh and blood and have human beings tell the story.” Doing the live-action version also provides jobs and representation in live action for Pacific Islanders, as songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda explained:

With all that being said, they decided to make the movie. And as The Rock explained, it was “an easy conversation” to have as they quickly chose to move forward with this remake in 2019.

However, people are starting to see the upcoming Disney movie, and the reception has not been great. At the time of this writing, the live-action Moana has a 37% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 76 reviews. For reference, the original movie sits at 95%. So, the new iteration of this beloved character’s story is off to a rough start.

While people are not thrilled with this remake, though – one critic called it “Disney’s safest and most unnecessary remake yet” – there is a lot of love for Catherine Laga'aia's Moana. She took on the role in live-action after Auliʻi Cravalho voiced the character in the animated movies. The fact that she's being praised plays into the point Johnson and co. made about the value of seeing a real person on screen as this beloved character.

So, with all that said, you can make up your mind about this new version of Moana by seeing the live-action version in theaters and streaming the animated version with a Disney+ subscription.

Another live-action Disney remake is on the cusp of hitting theaters and, this time, it’s Moana that’s being brought to life. Directed by Thomas Kali, the film retells the story from the franchise’s inaugural 2016 installment and sees Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui. A lot has been said about the remake in the lead-up to its release on the 2026 movie schedule, and the first reactions are now pouring. Those who’ve been following the chatter for months may be able to guess the adjective that keeps getting used.

For some time now, Disney fans have shared thoughts on the live-action versions of some of its most beloved animated films. Some of those remakes have been praised – like Cinderella and The Jungle Book – while others – such as Snow White and Dumbo – have been panned. “Unecessary” is a word that’s thrown around quite often when it comes to a number of these movies, and it’s coming up again in the live-action Moana reactions. It came up when Matt Neglia shared his brutally honest take:

Neglia did go on to praise lead actress Catherine Laga’aia’s performance and say the songs were still “catchy and enjoyable.” Yet he also countered that he also already has an animated film to watch to soak in those great tunes. On that note, critic Doug Jamieson also dubbed this latest remake “unnecessary” and, while he also praised Laga'aia, he took issue with this retread:

Additionally, the film did get a bit of faint praise from The Nerds of Color, who praised some of the visuals. But, you guessed it, the word "unnecessary" came up again:

What’s interesting about the reactions in general is that even those that don’t use the word “unnecessary” still manage to convey that same sentiment. Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool also chastised this latest remake for adding very little to the mythology:

Of course, not all the reactions are completely negative. Tessa Smith shared some positive thoughts on the movie, as she praised the story as well as the chemistry between Laga'aia and (the wig-wearing) Johnson:

Still, it would appear that plenty of pundits are less than pleased with this finished product from the House of Mouse. Germain Lussier of Gizmodo and io9 also had this to say:

All in all, it sounds like this upcoming Disney movie may not do much to convert those who may be tired of the remakes. The film’s creative team has spoken extensively about making the movie, with The Rock having discussed the importance of keeping the franchise’s devotion to Polynesian culture intact. Based on the early reactions, there are no cultural-related complaints, but it seems this take on one of Disney’s most beloved characters doesn’t quite justify its existence.

Fans can, of course, make up their own minds by checking out Moana when it opens in theaters on July 10. In the meantime, the original 2016 film and its 2024 sequel are available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

As someone who grew up with Avatar: The Last Airbender and rewatched it many times, there are so many moments from the animated series that I wanted to see in live-action. Thankfully, Season 2 delivered quite a few of those, including a few silly scenes that are utterly irresistible. Actually, one of those funnier instances made it into Netflix’s adaptation in a more accurate way because the two actors who play Sokka and Katara fought for it.

Now, the moment I’m referring to is when Katara spooks a couple of guys, and Sokka proudly says “Water Tribe” as they leave in a cool way. I’ve always adored that scene between the siblings, and I was stoked when it found its way into the show on Netflix’s 2026 schedule. During an interview with CinemaBlend, Ian Ousley, who plays Sokka, told me that he and Kiawentiio, who plays Katara, fought to do it accurately too:

So, in the live-action adaptation’s second episode (you can stream it with a Netflix subscription), Aang, Katara and Sokka are exploring a new town and trying to get information. Before they go to the Earth Rumble, Katara said she got some info out of people, and her brother jokes that she probably did it with waterbending. We then see Katara making an “I’m watching you” motion at two people she froze together. When Sokka sees them, he proudly says “Water Tribe” while making the motion you can see below:

That moment is ripped straight out of the original show. In the sixth episode of the animated series’ second season (which you can stream on Netflix or with a Paramount+ subscription), Katara uses the same method to get information out of two boys. Later in the episode, the gang goes to talk to the guys again, and as they’re ending the conversation, Katara says, “I’ve got my eye on you” and makes the “I’m watching you” hand motion. Then Sokka says “Water Tribe” with the following motion:

As you can see, the two versions of this scene are very similar, and both highlight Katara’s strength and Sokka’s humor. It’s also just fun to do the “Water Tribe” thing with him. So, overall, I’m so happy Kiawentiio and Ousley fought to do the scene this way. Explaining how exactly they fought for it, the actors said:

• Kiawentiio: Yeah, and we filmed it both ways, and fought really hard to be able to capture it in a more of the original blocking.
• Ian Ousley: Yeah, like a closer adaptation to the original animated series.
• Kiawentiio: Yeah, and that's the one that ended up working best. So, it was really fun when we got to see that.

Along with seeing intense and sad Avatar moments come to life in live-action, I adore that the funnier lines and sequences made it in, too. I especially adore that the cast fought for them, because it proves just how much they care for and love the source material.

Now, to see this moment (and many others) in live-action, you can stream Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.

Another live-action Disney adaptation is headed our way, as Moana is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar in just a couple of weeks. Some are undoubtedly excited about seeing the best Moana songs sung on the big screen again as the titular Disney princess answers the call of the ocean. However, many have been preoccupied with something you don’t typically think about with Disney movies — nipples, and specifically The Rock’s apparent lack thereof.

Ever since the live-action Moana trailer dropped, fans have apparently been staring at Dwayne Johnson’s chest, with much conjecture about whether he has nipples. He was even asked about it while doing press for the movie, and it was obvious he wasn’t too happy about this being such a big topic of conversation. Johnson told Pedestrian TV:

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson never lost his charming smile when answering the question, and there’s no way he can blame the interviewer for asking, because this is actually a topic that came up even with the animated version of Moana. So The Rock was game, and hopefully his explanation will put the debate to bed. He said:

When you woke up today, you probably weren’t expecting to read about The Rock discussing his areolas, were you? What can I say except, “You’re welcome”?

If you do, in fact, want to heed Dwayne Johnson’s advice and take a closer look at the Moana trailer, please be my guest:

This project is one that Dwayne Johnson has been excited about since the live-action Moana was announced, so I can see why it would be disheartening that any of the narrative is about his body and not the movie itself. Still, I’d hate to have deprived the Internet of the thoughtful commentary this topic has inspired on Reddit:

• WHAT CAN I SAY I HAVE NO NIPPLES – TheEdgeofGoon
• Apparently Dwayne had his nipples surgically removed for this role. He truly cares about the art of acting. – Various_Research_436
• A god has no such need for mammalian milkers – jjman2313

Regardless of your interest level in The Rock’s nipples, you will be able to see him as Maui and Catherine Laga'aia as Moana when the upcoming Disney movie crashes into theaters on Friday, July 10.

Spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Season 2 finale (both the animated and live-action versions) are ahead! You can stream both shows with a Netflix subscription.

I’ve rewatched Avatar: The Last Airbender countless times, and every time I get to the end of Season 2, I am left with one burning question: Why did Zuko turn against Iroh and the Avatar? Literally, I’ve been pondering this since I was about 9 years old. So, I obviously had to ask Dallas Liu, who plays Zuko in the live-action adaptation, this question as the new version of the beloved animated show premiered on Netflix’s 2026 schedule.

At the end of Season 2, both in live-action and animation, Zuko makes a choice to fight alongside his sister Azula. They take on Aang and his team, and the season ends with the Avatar wounded and Iroh arrested. Considering the prince’s deep bond with his uncle and the heart-to-heart he had with Katara before all this, I’m always disappointed when he makes the choice to go with his sister instead. So, I wanted an explanation about why he did it. When I asked Liu about this, he joked:

While Liu was joking here, it really is one of Zuko’s main reasons for choosing to go with his sister.

Before he makes the choice in the live-action show, Azula shows a rare moment of emotion, as she apologizes for what happened to their mom and tells him that she would have wanted them to stay together and support each other. In the end, Azula said that Zuko could go home if he wanted to (which happens in the animated show, too), and he decides to go with the Fire Nation despite everything he’s been through.

Dallas Liu explained all this to me, too, while diving into the conversations Zuko had with Katara about their similar trauma and Azula about their mom. Explaining why his sister’s words had a bigger impact than Katara’s, the star of the live-action adaptation that just dropped on the 2026 TV schedule said:

He makes a valid point. While Azula is objectively evil, she and Zuko share the same trauma, and they get each other in ways no one else can. So, when she shows that vulnerability and says that he can come home, that hits really hard. Hammering that point home, Liu told me:

At this point, Zuko has been exiled for a very long time. He’s also changed a lot for the better, and that’s in great part because of Iroh. So, it’s really hard to see him go back to his old ways, and choose the Fire Nation, Azula and Ozai over his uncle and what’s right.

However, I also see why he did it. Despite how mean they are, the Fire Nation’s leaders are Zuko’s family. Of course, he’d still want them in his life. Plus, after being away from his home for so long, I get why he’d want to go back.

Also, this all plays into why Zuko’s character arc is so great. He’s flawed, and he has a rich history with the Fire Nation that makes his choices incredibly difficult and complex. If you’ve seen the animated series (which you can stream on Netflix or with a Paramount+ subscription), you know where this is headed next. And I cannot wait to see how Dallas Liu plays out Zuko’s return to the Fire Nation and what follows.

However, for now, I’ll be thinking about the choice he made at the end of Season 2, and I’ll be grateful that I finally have an answer to the question I’ve always had about why he decided to go with Azula.

Disney's live-action Moana has already generated plenty of excitement thanks to Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga'aia stepping into the title role. But one of the coolest creative decisions behind the remake involves the original voice of Moana, Auli'i Cravalho. The idea to involve her in the new movie apparently came from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the story of how he incorporated her is pretty great.

In a behind-the-scenes clip shared on Disney Studios' Instagram, Miranda explained how the creative team found a way to include both Moana actresses in the movie's musical storytelling. He shared:

Honestly, that feels like a pretty elegant solution. For years, fans wondered whether Cravalho would appear in Disney's live-action remake after she announced she would not reprise the lead role. Instead, Disney cast newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana while keeping Cravalho involved behind the scenes as an executive producer. At the time, the original voice actress said she wanted to help open the door for another young Pacific Islander performer to experience what she had experienced nearly a decade earlier.

Now, it sounds like she still found a way to leave her mark on the movie. Rather than giving the Mean Girls actress a quick cameo in the 2026 release, the filmmakers came up with something more meaningful. According to Miranda, the idea became a musical exchange between the Moana audiences first fell in love with in 2016 and the new version making her theatrical debut in the live-action adaptation.

That idea feels particularly fitting given how important legacy and identity have become to Disney's recent remakes. Instead of replacing one performer with another, Moana appears to be acknowledging both. I think that’s an idea most fans can get behind.

The animated Moana became one of Disney's most enduring modern hits, and Cravalho's performance played a huge part in that success. Songs like "How Far I'll Go" helped turn the film into a phenomenon, while the movie itself remained one of the most-streamed titles in the world years after its release (you can watch it with a Disney+ subscription).

The behind-the-scenes video shared by Disney also gives fans a brief taste of the new song, "Along the Way." While only a snippet is heard, it offers an early preview of how the two Moanas will connect musically. Check it out below.

Miranda has been closely tied to Moana since the original film, having co-written its songs, including "How Far I'll Go." Though he did not return for Moana 2, his involvement in the live-action adaptation has allowed him to revisit the world he helped create while also finding new ways to honor the legacy of the animated movie.

Bringing Cravalho back alongside Laga'aia appears to be one of those ideas, giving longtime fans a connection between the original film and its new incarnation. There is always pressure attached to remaking beloved animated classics, especially one as cherished as Moana. But finding a way to honor Cravalho while also introducing Laga'aia feels like exactly the kind of bridge longtime fans hope to see.

After all, Moana has always been about understanding where you come from while finding your own path forward. Apparently, the live-action version took that lesson to heart.

Moana sails into theaters July 10.

The second season of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is set to adapt the 18-episode second book of the beloved Nickelodeon series in seven episodes. That sounds like a hard mission, and it’s especially challenging because it wasn’t supposed to be that way. The show on Netflix’s 2026 schedule was originally going to be eight episodes. However, it got shortened. Therefore, things had to be cut. Thankfully, the EPs fought to make sure two beloved storylines weren’t taken out.

The trailer for Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender makes it clear that many moments we want to see from Book 2 of the animated series will be included. However, the nature of the beast here is: not everything can fit into seven episodes. That’s especially true when a full episode gets cut from a season order, which EP Christine Boylan explained during an interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend:

“The Tales of Ba Sing Se” is the first of two animated episodes specifically brought up by the EPs as they talked about what they wanted to keep in the series you can stream with a Netflix subscription. This animated installment, which is Season 2, Episode 14, is unique because it is split into chapters that follow characters through their own respective journeys in the Earth Kingdom’s capital. It slows down the show a bit and gives us a lovely peek into these characters' day-to-day lives. So, I’m thrilled we’ll get elements of this unique episode in live action.

Along with “The Tales of Ba Sing Se” being adapted for live-action, EP Jabbar Raisani noted that “Zuko Alone” was another episode they “couldn’t cut” for live-action. Explaining that further, he said:

In “Zuko Alone” (which is Season 2, Episode 7), we see the prince wandering the Earth Kingdom by himself. During his travels, he meets a young boy and his family. However, after he bonds with them and helps them fix up their home, it’s revealed that Zuko is a firebender. Meanwhile, this episode features many flashbacks that give us vital insight into Zuko’s childhood and his relationships with his family.

This episode is important to both Zuko’s character growth and our understanding of his past. So, as someone who has rewatched ATLA countless times, I’m thrilled it will have its moment in live-action.

However, not everything will get to be featured. It’s simply not possible, as Raisani explained:

I totally get this point. First, they don’t have the time to include everything. Secondly, this is an adaptation, so things should be different. I love that they’re pulling inspiration from all over the place, and I appreciate the care and thought they put into what they kept and changed.

Sadly, they didn’t get to include everything they wanted after an episode got cut. However, thankfully, they were able to keep important storylines the fans love. Now, to see what this all looks like in live-action, you can stream Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender with a Netflix subscription when it premieres on the 2026 TV schedule on June 25.

I’ve rewatched the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender series countless times. However, there’s almost always one episode I skip. It’s not because it’s bad; in fact, it’s a masterpiece. I skip it because, in my opinion, it’s the saddest episode of the show. Now, as Season 2 of the live-action series prepares to make its debut on the 2026 TV schedule, I’ve been convinced it could recreate this tragic installment after seeing one second of footage.

We are swiftly approaching the day we’ll be able to stream Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender with a Netflix subscription, so, to get fans hyped, the streamer released a full trailer (which you can watch above). While there is lots of noteworthy action and moments in it, there’s one second I can’t top thinking about. It features Momo lying in what appears to be a sky bison footprint right after Azula asks Aang, “How much are you willing to lose?” Take a look:

To me, this image implies that Aang's sky bison Appa will indeed go through his "Lost Days" in Season 2.

There are tons of moments from the OG series that I’m excited to see in Season 2 of Avatar. However, the storyline involving Appa getting lost is something I’ve been dreading, because it’s so incredibly tragic.

In Season 2, Episode 15 of the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender, which you can stream on Netflix or with a Paramount+ subscription, we get to see “Appa’s Lost Days.” After he goes missing in the desert after Episode 10, this bottle episode follows what happened to him before Aang and the gang found him.

And let me tell you, the poor sky bison goes through it! While there are plenty of intense and tragic moments in this show, to me, nothing was sadder than seeing Appa battered and bruised as he tried to find his way back to Aang. That, mixed with seeing how tormented Aang was over this loss, packed one of the hardest punches in the series.

It’s important to remember that Appa is quite literally the only other living being left from Aang’s home. They are the only survivors from their air temple. So, to fathom the avatar losing his companion and fellow survivor is really, really hard.

I knew they’d likely adapt this storyline for live-action, seeing as it is quite imperative to Season 2. However, part of me hoped maybe they wouldn’t, to save me the emotional trauma. Although I do think it’s important to include it, as it serves as a major point of emotional turmoil and growth for Aang and co.

Now, looking at other parts of the trailer, we got a really good look at Miya Cech as Toph. It also became clear that Season 2 will focus primarily on the team’s trip to Ba Sing Se, and it’s obvious that Zuko’s sister, Azula, will play a much larger role this time around.

So, I think we’re in for quite the adventure come Season 2, and considering it looks like it's recreating some of the most emotional storylines from the animated show, I think we’re in for a ride. Now, to go on this next adventure, which will likely involve tears related to Appa, make sure to keep an eye on Netflix’s 2026 schedule, as Avatar: The Last Airbender is scheduled to return on June 25.

A remake of Moana is on the 2026 movie schedule for this summer, marking the newest of Disney Animated movies to get the live-action treatment yet. Now, the new movie’s director has shared his thoughts on why he thinks the 2016 movie deserves to be retold already.

Thomas Kail, who famously helmed Hamilton (on-stage and the version on Disney+), is the filmmaker behind the live-action Moana movie. While he said he knows the original film “is in people’s molecules”, he explained why he took on the live-action challenge with these words:

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kail communicated that he was excited by the idea of human actors retelling the story of the movie despite the comparisons between the beloved animated original being inevitable. The movie sees Dwayne Johnson reprising his role of Maui in 40 pounds of prosthetics and newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia (who is currently 19) as Moana.

Dwayne Johnson has said that he was personally excited to play the character again for a different medium as a chance to “showcase our Polynesian culture” while also communicating that he’s aware how “good” the original is and wanting to be “protective” of that. The Rock has also said that the live-action film was representing Polynesian culture “in every department,” including “some department heads, story, development,” and so forth.

Earlier this week, the biggest look at the new Moana movie was released, showing off a peek at a ton of the modern classic’s greatest moments. You can check out the latest trailer below:

The trailer has clearly made a big splash, given it already has 5 million views, but there’s been a lot of negative reactions over it – Weird Al even took a shot at The Rock’s wig! Much like the commentary that came out when the first footage for the live-action Moana dropped, with fans asking “why did we need this?” and even likening it to “an SNL skit”.

It’s the job of Thomas Kail (and the other filmmakers) to prove audiences wrong and show people that the movie is worth the price of admission. So far, most live-action Disney remakes have been huge commercial wins for the House of Mouse, with remakes for Lilo & Stitch, The Lion King, The Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland making over $1 billion each at the worldwide box office. It’s hard to argue with those numbers!

You can see Moana only in theaters on July 10.

We just got the latest look at the live-action Moana movie, and while I know a lot of Disney fans are excited about it, I’m starting to get bored of knowing what to expect from Walt Disney Studios’ slate. However, we also just got some news about another one of the upcoming Disney movies in development, and I'm very on board with the different approach the House of Mouse seems to be taking with a live-action reimagining.

Disney Just Hired Some Hilarious Writers For A Cinderella Spinoff

Walt Disney Studios is currently working on a Cinderella spinoff called Stepsisters, and they just hired one-third of the Lonely Island guys, Akiva Schaffer, to co-write the script and direct it, per Deadline. The report says that a script has been turned in by Michael Montemayor, but now Schaffer, along with his collaborators Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, will go in and “rework” it. Given those guys ability to make everything they touch is very funny, I’m going to guess they’re going to redress it into more of a comedy.

These are the names who just worked together on The Naked Gun, which was both an absolute blast to watch with an audience last summer and earned an impressive 4 out of 5 stars in our review. While I’m sort of surprised their next endeavor is a family-friendly Disney feature, I’m really excited about how this could refresh the studio's live-action slate.

As Someone Who’s Getting Stale On Live-Action Remakes, I’m Stoked

For a long time now, Walt Disney Studios has taken a pretty straightforward approach to its live-action films, which I find to be rather unimaginative and safe. I think audiences are ready for the company to try some more off-kilter ideas with their brand, and something like Akiva Schaffer’s take on Cinderella feels like a step in the right direction (pun intended).

I mean, we really haven’t seen an original live-action spinoff of this kind since maybe 2014’s Maleficent, and that was huge. Though I should note that we’re really not sure yet if this is the kind of movie that will be made for the big screen or for people with a Disney+ subscription. I would hope it’ll be an effort for cinemas, especially after Walt Disney Studios had a comedy win with the release of Freakier Friday.

I think the success of this will really come down to what talent they hire to play Anastasia and Drizella. But if they size things right, it could be a fun concept to have a movie be all about the evil stepsisters rather than Cinderella.

Outside of Stepsisters, we know the live-action Moana is on the 2026 movie schedule for July 10, Lilo & Stitch 2 is set for May 26, 2028, and a live-action Tangled is in the works. I’m crossing my fingers that Stepsisters does happen, because I want to laugh out loud over a live-action Disney movie now!

One Piece Season 2 is finally available with a Netflix subscription, and boy, was it worth the wait. The latest batch of episodes should hold fans over with its pulse-pounding action and stunning visuals that had me questioning how they had the money for all this. Now, I sort of have an answer thanks to a behind-the-scenes clip of Nami actress Emily Rudd, who showed the remarkably simple way they fake ocean scenes.

Sorry to ruin the theater of the mind, but One Piece does not film its entire season out on the sea. Rudd explained to EW how the production crew makes the ocean look real, using a simple practical effects trick:

I'm constantly amazed by what studios can achieve with practical effects, and One Piece is no exception. I just assumed the water was CGI in some scenes, or that they used a giant soundstage with water. Never in a million years would I have guessed it was a giant picture of the ocean with bits of foil attached, but apparently that works just as well!

For those curious about how that looks, the Instagram reel shows off exactly how this Hollywood magic works. Check it out below:

It's not quite as convincing without the fans on to make the silver shimmer, but my eyes were fooled when looking through the window! Fortunately, Luffy isn't much in the business of swimming due to his Devil Fruit power, which curses him to drown if he does, so they don't have to worry about too many overboard scenes.

One Piece has surprised me a good deal during its tenure, as it seems the show would rather go practical than rely on CGI. This includes making wild prosthetics for some of the actors and building chunks of the famous city of Logue Town so that the actors can truly feel immersed.

The show may get a bit of reprieve from building too elaborate sets while filming Season 3, which will primarily focus on the Alabasta Arc. Much of the season takes place in desert landscapes, so I don't think we're going to see much of the ocean until the arc concludes. For those bummed out by that, at least we'll get an introduction to the popular One Piece character Ace, Luffy's older brother.

Season 2 of One Piece was just released on Netflix's 2026 schedule, and filming is underway for Season 3. Here's hoping the wait for new episodes isn't too painful, and we get early renewal news to hold us over and guarantee more adventures with the Straw Hat Pirates and practical effects.

As a long-time fan of Milo Manheim, when he was picked to be Flynn Rider in the live-action Tangled, I knew they made the right choice. However, in the months since that casting announcement, which also included news that Teagan Croft would play Rapunzel, the School Spirits star has proven time and time again why he’s the perfect fit for Flynn. He did it again at The Oscars too, as he went into full-on smoulder mode on the red carpet.

Now, while Manheim has been known to smoulder for his photos, he really brought out the expression when he did the Glambot for E! News at the 2026 Oscars. Doing a full spin, taking off his sunglasses and ending with the look Flynn Rider is so well known for, the actor really killed his red carpet moment, take a look:

I’m sorry, is that Milo Manheim, or am I watching Tangled with my Disney+ subscription? Because I sincerely think the spirit of Flynn Rider took over the actor in this moment.

Fans were quick to point that out too, because the comments of this post were flooded with Flynn-inspired reactions. I can’t say I blame them for going straight to Tangled in these comments either, because Manheim is clearly ready to put the smoulder on at any given moment. Anyway, here are some of the highlights from the fans’ reactions to this iconic video:

• He's ready for Flynn -_.dhqpt
• Thank you Disney for giving us this Flynn -emilypgg
• Omg the facee🤣😭He’s so ready for Flynn -x.ox.o.lauren
• He knows exactly what he’s doing, gonna be the perfect Flynn/Eugene -k.impossible._
• As a Tangled superfan... YEP THIS WORKS -ellaimperialofficiel
• He’s gonna be SUCH AN AMAZING Flynn!! My kids and I cannot wait! 🍳🦎 -lauracoblog

They’re so right, it feels like the Zombies actor was born to be Flynn Rider. In fact, long before he was officially cast, he spoke about the potential to play the Tangled character, making it feel like he manifested this.

He also explained that he’s been “doing the smoulder [his] whole life” to Lina Naranjo, and quipped that he’s been practicing what he wants to do for Flynn’s look in the mirror.

That’s not the only thing Manheim is working on in prep for Tangled, though. He has promised to do Flynn Rider justice, and he’s said that he’s already learning how to ride a horse, hold his breath underwater, rock climb and more to make sure he's more than ready to play the beloved charming thief.

Truly, his passion for the role is palpable, and his smoulder is already on point. So, I sincerely cannot wait to see him in full costume and galavanting around the kingdom as Flynn Rider.

Now, speaking of that kingdom, as I mentioned, Teagan Croft will be galavanting through it with him as our leading lady, Rapunzel. Alongside them, after lots of speculation and cryptic answers, Kathryn Hahn was finally confirmed to be playing Mother Gothel.

All around, I’m so stoked for this movie. The casting feels perfect, the source material is so fun, and the hype surrounding it all is infectious. So, yes, when Milo Manheim showed up at the Oscars and pulled a smoulder out like the one above, my excitement for this upcoming live-action adaptation skyrocketed.

One Piece Season 2 is available with a Netflix subscription, and it's jam-packed with all the action and fighting fans have come to expect. This included the big Whisky Peak showdown in which Baroque Works tried to sabotage the Straw Hats, and they had to fight their way off the island. In the live-action adaptation, this included a scene in which Zoro had to take on 100 men before his showdown with Mr. 9. Now, the actor behind this fight is sharing details about it, and the fact that there actually were 100 fighters isn't the only wild BTS information he revealed.

Zoro actor Mackenyu, who is a big fan of the franchise, told IGN that he insisted on the scene actually featuring 100 fighters. He also shared some additional details on how it came together:

I agree with Mackenyu, who has a pretty fun dynamic with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda. That, paired with his fandom, probably gave him the desire to make the scene as big as possible, which resulted in one of Season 2's most memorable moments by far.

The only downside is that it only raised the bar higher for Season 3, which the One Piece cast is in the process of filming. Fortunately, Alabasta is one of the more acclaimed arcs of the series, so I would imagine we'll get a ton of great scenes with Zoro and the rest of the cast. We'll also get Xolo Maridueña as Ace, which will be a treat to watch.

Of course, hearing about 6-hour filming sessions for one fight scene doesn't ease my fear that One Piece will run out of time to tell as much of its story as it wants to. As much as the creators want to go deep into the manga's story, the elaborate set pieces, filming, and time may just wind up making this an impossible series to do all the way through, at least with the same cast. I've seen Mackenyu joke he'd be 80 by the time they filmed the Wano arc, but at this point, that feels like an accurate timeline.

One Piece's live-action adaptation has taken some measures to move the story along, however, and introduced some story elements much earlier than the manga and anime did. Perhaps with that, they'll be able to get through more content in a shorter time, and we'll get to see some of the wild stuff that happens later on in the story after all. Zoro fighting 100 soldiers isn't anything compared to some of his later feats.

One Piece Season 2 is available to stream right now as part of Netflix's 2026 schedule. We're in for a wait for new episodes, but I'm sure that when all is said and done, it'll be well worth it to see whatever the cast and crew have cooked up.

These days a live-action remake is always on the upcoming Disney movies release calendar, and for a good reason – these movies have big hits with the House of Mouse. Following Moana being next in line, Walt Disney Studios is getting ready to take us to the kingdom of Corona with a live-action Tangled. As someone who considers Tangled to be one of Walt Disney Animation’s best movies of the 21st century, I’m half excited and half worried, especially regarding one thing that I don’t think they’ll adapt quite the same in the new medium. Let’s talk about it:

How Is The Live-Action Tangled Going To Handle Its Animal Sidekicks?

We first heard about it being in the works in 2024 when The Greatest Showman director signed on, but in the past month, the movie has really gotten off the ground with news that Flynn Rider and Rapunzel have been cast. Now that we have real-life faces to the characters, I’m definitely interested to see Milo Manheim recreate Flynn’s smoulder and Teagan Croft embody Rapunzel. But then I realized something: how are they going to adapt Maximus and Pascal?

I’ve seen Tangled countless times, and whenever I watch it, I think about how Flynn’s horse and Rapunzel’s chameleon are a secret weapon of the film. They may not talk, but they have so many fun comedic beats throughout the movie that really breaks up the more dramatic elements of the film and gives it that extra Disney charm. Maximus and Pascal have a whole unspoken dynamic that occurs throughout the animated film that I’m not sure will play as well in the remake without it cutting to comical closeups of a horse and a chameleon throughout.

If Things Go How I Expect Them To, The Live-Action Movie Just Won't Be The Same

I’ve seen all the Disney remakes over the years, and while we don’t know yet how they will be adapted, I have an educated guess. I think they will be in the film, but as realistic creatures without as big of personalities as the animated version.

Regarding Pascal, I imagine it will have to be in the vein of the live-action Cinderella, where he’s a CGI-animated (but quite lifelike) chameleon. Maximus will have to be a real horse – Manheim has already talked about taking horse-riding lessons. While I can imagine they’ll be able to replicate some of the bits between Flynn and his stead, it's going to hit different for sure.

Remember when Mulan completely took out Mushu, and everyone freaked out and basically disowned it? What’s hard is I understand the struggle here. As a fan, I want to see Maximus and Pascal because I love all of Tangled, and I see that from a filmmaker’s perspective they can’t and won’t redo every element of the animated version. That leaves both sides in an awkward place.

This issue brings me back to the problem I have again and again with Disney live-action remakes. Try as you might to recapture the magic of an animated classic, but they are different mediums, and you lose a bit of what makes these movies special when you try to adapt them this way. Anyways, we don’t know when the live-action Tangled is coming out yet, but we expect production to start sometime this year.

Earlier this month, Walt Disney Studios took a huge step forward with the live-action Tangled movie by casting its lead roles. Titans’ Teagan Croft will play Rapunzel, and Zombies and School Spirits actor Milo Manheim will play Flynn Rider. Well, Manheim just offered an update on what’s been going on since he nabbed the role, and he’s already picking up a lot of impressive skills.

It sounds like Tangled isn’t wasting much time getting its actors prepared for the live-action production, considering what Manheim recently said about what he’s been doing lately. In his words:

The 24-year-old was officially announced to be the live-action Flynn Rider on January 7, and per his interview on Live With Kelly and Mark, the work has already started. He’s currently working on holding his breath, which makes me instantly think about the“I Have A Dream” sequence (which he told CinemaBlend he was most excited to recreate), since right after that, Flynn and Rapunzel end up in a sticky situation involving a large body of water.

And of course, Flynn Rider is best friends with his loyal steed, Maximus, which was designed after an Andalusian horse in the animated film. Manheim shared his enthusiasm over learning how to ride a horse while the talk show hosts joked with him about how his 6’3" height means it’ll be rather easy for him to get on a horse. As the Tangled lead continued:

Manheim has been a longtime fan-favorite to portray Flynn Rider – fans even found an interview from a year ago where he showed his love for the character. Now that he’s got it, it sounds like he’s working hard in the pre-production phase, especially after telling fans he would “do him justice”. As if horseback riding and holding one’s breath weren’t enough, he also said this:

Hey Milo, don’t forget to make sure you practice that smoulder in the mirror too while you’re at it, huh? Manheim’s latest comments about starring in Tangled definitely make the movie feel all the more real, and indicate to us how physical the role of Flynn Rider will be for the actor. Zachary Levi, who originated the role, had it easy doing the whole part in a voice booth!

Milo Manheim was on Dancing With The Stars back in 2018, and finished in second place with Witney Carson (who recently showed her love to him for getting the role), so he’s got a great track record of learning a new skill with grace under high pressure. Now we don’t know exactly when Tangled is filming, but we’d imagine it’ll be sometime this year. For now, you can see Manheim in the new season of School Spirits, where new episodes are premiering for those with a Paramount+ subscription on Wednesdays.

As the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 has started filming this week, we just got a fantastic update about a new cast member joining the Isle of Berk. In the 2014 animated movie, you may remember the character of Eret, who fancies himself as the "finest dragon trapper alive." Well, one fan-favorite actor from Ted Lasso will apparently play him after Kit Harington originated the voice role.

That person is none other than Jamie Tartt (do-do-do-doo-doo) actor Phil Dunster, per THR.

The Ted Lasso star is an English actor who most famously played fictional football star Jamie Tartt on Ted Lasso for three seasons from 2020 to 2023.

In How To Train Your Dragon 2, he'll have the chance to play a notable character in the live-action remake who captures dragons and sells them to the movie's main villain, Drago Bludvist.

Not unlike Jamie Tartt, the character is a healthy combination of cocky and charming, making Dunster's casting pretty much perfect. As you may recall in the How to Train Your Dragon movies, Eret has quite the character arc in the second movie that carries into the third installment as well.

Since Phil Dunster is reportedly not going to be in Ted Lasso Season 4, due to scheduling conflicts, this is a great treat for fans to see the actor take on another big role in the vein of Jamie Tartt. Meanwhile, Ted Lasso is set to return this summer for those with an Apple TV subscription.

Now, How to Train Your Dragon 2 officially started filming just a couple of days ago. The director posted this to mark the occasion:

How To Train Your Dragon 2 comes from Dean DeBlois (who also made all the previous movies). The filmmaker previously told CinemaBlend he found adapting the sequel to be "kind of overwhelming" due to the fact that the storyline involves "masses of dragons" and a large "scale of battle".

Dunster is the third new cast member to join the How to Train Your Dragon 2 live-action movie. First, it was announced that Cate Blanchett would reprise her role of Hiccup's mom, Valka, after originating the role in animation. Then, we learned that Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will take on the role of Drago Bludvist. They should be joining Mason Thames' Hiccup, Nico Parker's Astrid and Gerard Butler's Stoick.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 already has a release date set for June 11, 2027, which has the movie between Star Wars: Starfighter, coming out on May 28, and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, hitting theaters on June 18. Keep following along with CinemaBlend as production continues on the new live-action movie.

Milo Manheim has dreams like you (no, really) when it comes to the live-action Tangled, and he told me about them. Following the announcement that the actor would be taking on the role of Flynn Rider in the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated movie, I asked him which moment he is most excited to recreate. He had the sweetest response.

Tangled is easily one of Disney’s best animated movies, and it’s full of iconic moments. Just off the top of my head, so many come to mind (like the first frying pan hit, the smoulders, “At Last I See The Light” and more). However, when I had the chance to interview Milo Manheim ahead of the premiere of his show, School Spirits, on the 2026 TV schedule, I asked him for one scene he couldn’t wait to recreate. In response, he said:

Well, that’s a perfect answer. Really, any answer would have been perfect. However, as someone who is particularly excited to see Manheim show off his musical talents in this movie, this response made me so happy.

“I Have A Dream” is such a fun sequence in Tangled, and while Flynn is still reluctant about Rapunzel's sunny disposition during it, he plays into the bit. Along with that, he also gets to be really funny as he sardonically sings about his dreams.

Now, if you’ve been a fan of Manheim for a while, you’ll know he is the perfect person to be part of a sequence like this. He starred in the beloved musical Disney Channel franchise, Zombies, and he was a runner-up on Dancing with the Stars. He also has musical theater experience, and the series School Spirits (which you can stream with a Paramount+ subscription) shows off his range as both a dramatic and comedic actor. So, “I Have A Dream” will be such a fitting (and funny) place for him to show off all his talents.

Plus, while this is a very exciting moment for Flynn individually, it’s also a major moment in the movie generally. It’s a huge musical number that involves so much of the cast, and seeing them all sing and dance in the Snuggly Duckling is so joyful and fun. I can only imagine how delightful it’s going to be to film for Manheim and the rest of the live-action Tangled cast.

Speaking of the rest of the ensemble, the Zombies actor is set to lead Tangled alongside Teagan Croft, who will play Rapunzel. It’s been reported that Kathryn Hahn is in talks to play Mother Gothel as well, and more casting updates are sure to come in the near future.

Overall, they’ll all get to recreate so many iconic moments in this movie, and I can’t wait to see them. Milo Manheim can’t wait to film them too, as he told me:

While I was already super excited about Tangled, Manheim’s enthusiasm about being Flynn is infectious. I love that he watched it with his mom, and I adore that he’s so genuinely thrilled to be playing this beloved character.

Now, the wait is really on for the live-action Tangled. However, as we continue to anticipate this musical, you can see Milo Manheim in the new season of School Spirits starting on January 28 on Paramount+. You can also stream the original Tangled to see the moments he’ll soon be recreating with a Disney+ subscription.

The Tangled live-action movie took a huge climb up Rapunzel’s tower on Wednesday when it was announced that Walt Disney Studios has found its lead actors. Titans’ Raven actress Teagan Croft has been cast as the Disney Princess, while Zombies’ Milo Manheim will play Flynn Rider. Just a day after that news came out, the word is that the House of Mouse has already found its Mother Gothel, and I’m so happy it could go to a fancast favorite.

Kathryn Hahn of Agatha All Along and The Studio is reportedly in talks to play Tangled’s villain, per Deadline. If you’ve been following along on the internet about fan’s biggest wishes for the remake, Hahn’s name has been mentioned since the movie was announced.

I really hope Hahn and Disney do reach a deal and this becomes official, because Hahn has everything needed to make an awesome live-action Mother Gothel: the comedy chops, the pipes, and we know she can play a great villain packed with nuance. The movie is being helmed by The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey from a script by Do Revenge's Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

Kathryn Hahn, of course, has played Agatha Harkness in the MCU for the past five years, most recently in the Disney+ series, Agatha All Along. The parallels between Agatha and Mother Gothel are definitely there, but it'd be great casting nonetheless.

Hahn's name is in the ring following Scarlett Johansson reportedly being circled for the role prior. Back in October, Johansson was apparently being considered for Mother Gothel, and she even reacted to it by sharing that the role would "excite" her because it would give her the chance to work with Michael Gracey. She ended up ultimately passing on the role due to taking a part in The Batman II and the new Exorcist movie.

Disney announced Tangled's leads after a reportedly particularly competitive audition process where The White Lotus's Sarah Catherine Hook, Zombies' Freya Skye and Invasion's Olivia-Mai Barrett were in the running for Rapunzel. CinemaBlend also talked to Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames about their names being popular among online fancasting back in October, but we're not sure if they ever tested.

This new Tangled movie follows a host of live-action Disney remakes over the years, with the last two being 2025's Snow White and Lilo & Stitch. While Snow White was a box office bomb and it was actually reported shortly that it's failure had cancelled Tangled's development, then Lilo & Stitch came along early in the summer. The movie made $1.038 billion at the worldwide box office, becoming the No. 4 highest-grossing movie of last year.

There's no release date yet for Tangled, but we expect more news about the production to keep coming in following the official casting of Rapunzel and Flynn having happened this week.

It’s no secret that Walt Disney Studios has been doing a lot of live-action Disney movie remakes as of late. And in recent months there’s been a lot of reports circling around about 2010’s Tangled being next in line, especially since October when Scarlett Johansson was in talks for Mother Gothel. Funnily enough, the House of Mouse’s latest movie, and worldwide box office smash Zootopia 2 has some clever commentary about not only the trend at large, but a live-action Tangled specifically.

Did You Catch The Live-Action Tangled Joke In Zootopia 2?

As you may recall, in the first Zootopia, there’s a character named Duke Weaselton who ends up helping Nick and Judy on their case – but also has a side hustle selling DVDs to Zootopia residents. During a cute moment in the 2016 original, he’s selling punny versions of Disney movies like Pig Hero 6, Wreck-It Rhino, Meowana and Floaten 2. One of the funniest titles was a version of Tangled called Wrangled with a horse playing the role of Rapunzel rather than a human.

In Zootopia 2, Duke is back selling DVDs during a whirlwind scene involving Nick and Judy hot on Gary D’Snake’s trail in the city’s Tube system that’s a literal tube of rushing water. Duke’s got a lot of the same movies, but this time he also has a live-action version of Wrangled with a photo-real horse on the cover rather than an animated one. In the quick moment, he tries to sell them on his collection with this line:

It’s a fun callback, a smart line to go with Nick and Judy’s Tube adventures, and it takes a shot at Disney leaning heavily on making a lot of sequels, prequels and remakes these days. It’s a bit of a shocking comment to come out of the movie, but it’s also nice to see that the company doesn’t mind poking at themselves a bit.

It Has Me Smoldering Because Of One Behind-The-Scenes Detail

The real cherry on top for me regarding this Zootopia 2 joke is the filmmaking team it comes from. The movie is co-directed by Byron Howard with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ CCO Jared Bush as the other co-director and writer. And, Howard specifically is also the director of the original Tangled.

This part is all just speculation from my end, but there’s a breadth of Disney movies that have already been made into live-action that Zootopia 2's subject of its joke, but for it to be for Wrangled makes me think Howard wanted to make a point about his thoughts about his work on Tangled potentially being reimagined for live-action.

I haven’t seen any comments from Howard on the live-action Tangled, and he’s not said to be involved in the live-action film. Even though live-action remakes have been making a lot of money, there’s always a lot of debate from fans when new ones come out – such as the recent comments for the live-action Moana, so I wouldn’t blame any Disney animators for being bothered at their ideas being recycled.

Whatever the intentions behind this joke may have been, I found it to be a really clever way to comment on the state of Disney movies by its animation wing.

After Mason Thames debuted his role as the live-action Hiccup in How To Train Your Dragon over the summer, the 18-year-old actor has two more 2025 movies coming out this month, The Black Phone 2 and Regretting You. Since he filmed them all basically back-to-back, it’s not surprising that the actor got his roles mixed up, and he has a funny story about the time that happened on The Black Phone 2.

The first Black Phone was Mason Thames’ first movie, which came out when he was just 14. When he was asked if it was tough to keep the character of Finney straight four years later, he had this to say:

Thames’ story, which he told to Dead Meat at the premiere of The Black Phone 2, is totally understandable considering he spent almost a year embodying Hiccup on the set of the live-action How To Train Your Dragon. As you can imagine, the kind of performance the director of How To Train Your Dragon would want from Thames would be rather different than how the director of the new horror movie, Scott Derrickson, would want to see. But hey, it totally makes sense that Thames needed to be reminded about it a couple times on set.

It’s pretty funny when you think about it, imagining Hiccup finding himself on the set of a completely different movie that is about a teenager being haunted by Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber, whom he killed in the first movie, but still haunts his dreams every time he closes his eyes. It’s also worth noting that the audience is completely different here considering The Black Phone 2 is rated R. It features Thames’ character smoking a lot of weed and dealing with the built-up anger and PTSD he has after the events of the first film, per Thames additional comments on the premiere’s red carpet.

The new horror movie is getting high praise from critics including through CinemaBlend’s own The Black Phone 2 review giving the movie 4 out of 5 stars for being “haunting, hypnotic” and surpassing all the reviewers “expectations.” You can see Thames in The Black Phone 2 now, and also catch him in the romantic drama, Regretting You in theaters on October 24.

KPop Demon Hunters wasn’t only the movie of the summer, it could easily become the movie of the year! Now that autumn is here, and it’s about to be all over Halloween parties it has returned to the most-watched movies for those with a Netflix subscription. Certainly it’s only a matter of time before some sort of followup officially gets underway, but what about a live-action remake?

KPop Demon Hunter Directors Break Silence On Live-Action Movie Rumors

Live-action remakes are obviously all the rage, especially for Walt Disney Studios, but Universal also recently followed suit with a How To Train Your Dragon reimagining with human actors. When KPop Demon Hunters’ creator and director Maggie Kang was asked about rumors of a live-action version of her movie being on the way, here’s what she told BBC:

Back in July, TheWrap reported that Netflix was thinking about making KPop Demon Hunters into an animated trilogy along with producing a live-action remake and a stage musical after it became such a big hit on streaming. But according to Kang (who penned the story, along with co-directing it with Chris Appelhans), said the rumors are not true, and she’s not on board with the movie jumping into live action. Appelhans echoed her sentiment, saying this:

Netflix in particular has opted to bring big anime properties into live action as of late, from Avatar: The Last Airbender to One Piece. If it’s completely up to the KPop Demon Hunters’ directors, they would not like to see it in live action due to the “stilted” ways storytelling can translate from the animated medium to live action.

And, They Make A Solid Point About Live-Action Remakes

From KPop Demon Hunters’ becoming the No. 1 original on Netflix of all time, to its box office success and its soundtrack breaking records on the music charts, it wouldn’t be surprising if Netflix chose to capitalize on its success. Plus last week on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the voices behind HUNTR/X songs went viral for playing “Golden” live. Which you can watch below…

From a business point of view, a live-action movie makes a lot of sense. But the directors bring up a good point about how the story might not work the same way from a creative standpoint because real versions of the characters would have to be both grounded and be the animatedly comical characters we love at once, and that’s just not easy to accomplish. I totally agree with the directors after hearing their take, and I’m hoping what’s next for KPop Demon Hunters is a followup they love as much as the original.

This year is coming to a close, which means we're that much closer to One Piece Season 2's release date. Pretty soon, we'll get to see new Straw Hats like Chopper join the crew, learn about new villains, and maybe even see if one popular rumor surrounding a Cobra Kai star is true. It's been rumored for a while that Xolo Maridueña is playing Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace, but the star pretty openly shot that down.

For those who haven't read One Piece's manga or binged the anime series with a Netflix subscription, Luffy's brother Ace plays a pretty meaningful part in the first leg of this long story. While we know Ace is going to pop up in the live-action adaptation, Maridueña is denying that he is involved in that. Here's what he had to say, and why I don't believe him.

Xolo Maridueña Claims He's Not Playing Portgas D. Ace In One Piece

The former Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle star appeared on Get Rec'd with Straw Hat Goofy and was asked about the rumors (started by another actor last year) that he'll be playing Ace in the upcoming episodes of One Piece. Xolo Maridueña deflected, claiming that it's all a rumor that even Netflix had a part in substantiating:

Now, this could be true. Maybe it was just a rumor. However, I can't help but think that Xolo Maridueña might be doing the classic actor's denial, which, to be fair, is about all he can do. If he is in One Piece, he likely signed a contract that prevents him from explicitly confirming or denying anything until it's officially announced. Obviously, he's not going to admit anything even if it is true, but I don't buy it.

As Someone Following This News For A While, I Don't Buy It

As someone who started following this rumor when it was first announced, I fully think that Xolo Maridueña could be playing Ace. Not only does he have a connection to Netflix through Cobra Kai to easily make this role happen, but he went through a bunch of fight training on that show that would make it easier to play Luffy's brawling brother. Netflix even highlighted this when they made a video with Maridueña doing some martial arts training with One Piece's lead Iñaki Godoy.

I should also point out that Jacob Bertrand, whose name the actor mentioned in his response to also being present at Geeked Week, talked about wanting to be a part of the One Piece cast. He's also participated in videos where he toured the set. If Maridueña thought lumping himself in with his former Cobra Kai co-star was going to throw people off the trail he was involved in One Piece, I'm not buying it.

I'll round this all out by confirming that while Xolo Maridueña is a rising star in Hollywood, likely entertaining other offers, playing Ace in One Piece is a pretty low-commitment role. Luffy's powerful brother is only in the Alabasta adventure momentarily, and only appears sporadically throughout the rest of the story. Unless the series changes the character's storyline to where he's heavily entrenched in the Straw Hat crew, and I don't think it would, his scenes will be fleeting and far between. For that reason, I think it's a no-brainer he'd take the gig.

However, that has not been confirmed, and the actor has denied the rumors. So, I guess we'll have to wait and see if Netflix officially announces it.

One Piece Season 2 is coming to Netflix in 2026. I'm hyped to see it finally, and hoping that the wait for the already-confirmed Season 3 won't be as long as we've had to wait for these upcoming episodes.

How To Train Your Dragon was one of the 2025 new movie releases to really blow my mind in its scale and execution, and while I hope everyone got to see it on the big screen, it is streaming for those with a Peacock subscription starting this weekend. That won’t be the end of the live action franchise, either, as director Dean DeBlois and lead Gerard Butler already announced How To Train Your Dragon 2 at a CinemaCon event I attended earlier this year.

Despite the new movie feeling like it just came out, those involved have very much been looking ahead, and when I spoke to DeBlois he told me he’s been really thinking about the “challenges” of the upcoming How To Train Your Dragon 2 live action movie already. It’s one thing to have hordes of dragons animated for the big screen, and another to do it with more practical effects, more intensive CGI, and opposite real-life human actors.

The dragon sanctuary, AKA Valka's Mountain, comes into play in the next movie, so there really will be a ton of additional multi-dragon scenes to figure out. It’s not just the big details that need to be factored into the budget, either. The animated How To Train Your Dragon 2 also has a famous scene where Hiccup flies with Toothless thanks to the aid of a wing suit. It’s pretty cool in animation, but if you throw the fact that Mason Thames would likely need to be suited up in real life, things could get a little bit tricky.

The director has been thinking about this, but says he's lucky to be able to rely on his super creative team to help him do the heavy lifting, here.

It sounds like they may need to take some notes from that Superman flying scene with David Corenswet. Still, he sounds confident they'll figure out all the Hiccup and Astrid stunt stuff in a timely manner. Both Nico Parker and Mason Thames also told me the second movie is their "favorite" of the original trilogy, so challenges aside, I think there's going to be a lot to look forward to.

I’ve been excited to watch two big How To Train Your Dragon moments thanks to it heading into homes, so I’m excited for the latest streaming release so I can watch the flick again, but honestly all this dragon talk has me champing at the bit for the next movie. June 11, 2027 can’t come soon enough.

Solo Leveling has been one of the most popular anime shows out there since its premiere, making our list for anime to check out in 2024. As such, I guess it was only a matter of time before a live-action adaptation was added to the list of upcoming Netflix shows. Well, now it's officially in the works, and while we've seen Netflix succeed in adapting other big anime already, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about this project.

Netflix officially made the announcement about adapting Solo Leveling on X, along with the news that actor Byeon Woo-seok (Lovely Runner, 20th Century Girl) will play the main character, Sung Jin-woo. The series follows a weak "E Rank Hunter" in a world where fighters must take on missions to defeat monsters and prevent them from overtaking our world. Jin-woo's life changes drastically after a fateful event allows him to "level up" his skills and upgrade his rank in a world where it was previously thought impossible.

It's a fun concept that has proved wildly popular with anime fans, but I think it'll be very hard to do well in live-action for one big reason.

Solo Leveling Will Likely Require Heavy CGI

The most concerning bit of a Solo Leveling live-action series is the thought of just how much it'll cost on the VFX side to do right. If you want to include all the monsters and hunters with superhuman abilities, the budget for this thing could easily shoot through the roof. This isn't to say it's impossible, but then it becomes a question of the quality of effects Netflix is willing to give this show.

If Netflix is willing to spend on the level of what we'll eventually see in One Piece Season 2, then I'm not worried. The question is whether Netflix views Solo Leveling on the same level of mainstream appeal as One Piece, which has been an anime staple for decades. SL has a ton of hype, acclaim, and popularity in the anime community, but I think it's still fairly obscure in the mainstream.

What we see more often in the anime live-action space is adaptations that utilize CGI effects more akin to what one might have seen on a series in The CW's Arrowverse during its prime. It's not terrible, but also clearly a couple of steps below what's considered cutting-edge in the VFX space these days.

Some people might see that and be ok with it, but for me, I think going cheap always leads me to wonder why they didn't just leave it alone and let audiences enjoy the animated version? It's a fear I'm having trouble shaking, though I'm sure I'll get over it and watch this adaptation with my Netflix subscription when the time comes.

There's no word yet on when Solo Leveling's live-action series will debut on Netflix, but I feel safe in saying it won't be on the 2025 TV schedule. Until we do get a release date, check out the first two seasons of the anime on Crunchyroll, especially for anyone who is a big fan of action shows.

Lilo & Stitch just became one of the most successful live-action Disney movie remakes with a worldwide box office haul of $914 million, and counting. So when the House of Mouse made the announcement that a sequel is officially in the works on Stitch day (6/26, get it?) I wasn’t at all surprised. But, I am curious about two big things regarding how Lilo & Stitch 2 will be handled as a longtime fan.

Lilo & Stitch 2 Is Officially Happening

Stitch and his lil pink hot rod helped announce the news that Lilo & Stitch 2 is “now in development” at Walt Disney Studios with this sweet post. Check it out:

In the Twitter video, Stitch struts into Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, to cause a ruckus, drifting and such across the lots to spell out Lilo & Stitch 2. He yelled out a big “Here we go!” as he did it, and it felt like the best way for the company to announce this project. However, it’s also rather vague. We assume a lot of the cast of the original will be back, but we have no idea what creative minds are behind it this time around.

Will the director behind the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Dean Fleischer Camp, be involved? Between the movie’s positive buzz, including through our own Lilo & Stitch review, and the filmmakers dealing with quite a bit of backlash from fans, I think it could go either way.

However, there are two other questions that I'm really focused on.

I Have Two Questions About How They Are Going To Do The Sequel

That brings me to my questions. For one, I’m curious if Lilo & Stitch 2 will adapt the actual second movie, which was Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch, or Stitch! The Movie. All the Stitch follow-ups were direct-to-video and were more of TV movies than films. The official Lilo & Stitch 2 that came out in 2005 had Stitch reverting back to his programming, and his found family has to help him get back to normal.

However, two years before that movie, there was Stitch! The Movie, which showed the blue alien meeting a whole bunch of other experiments like him as they land in Hawaii. It also involved a lot more of Gantu and a rodent-like villain named Dr. Jacques von Hämsterviel, and I question whether that would work in live-action. Will one of these be adapted, or will the sequel be a completely original story?

If the live-action Lilo & Stitch’s key change was choosing not to have Gantu and making Jumba the main villain, I wonder if Zach Galifianakis’ version of the character will become more of the good guy he was in the animated movies. That would come in handy should Stitch have a glitch. While I found the remake to be similar to the original in a lot of ways, there were quite a few changes to the ending, from Jumba remaining villainous to Nani going to college in San Diego, California. And I imagine the filmmakers might be inspired to go in a completely different direction for this live-action sequel.

These are all questions I assume the creatives over at Disney are debating now as I write this. So, as we learn more about Lilo & Stitch 2, we'll keep you posted.

Dragons, dragons, and more dragons – it feels like my life has been jammed with dragons over the last few years.

Whether it was BookTok and Fourth Wing becoming a huge thing – with a Fourth Wing TV show in the works, or it was House of the Dragon and all their dragons, there was always some winged beast that lured me to my couch or the movie theater – and now, it just so happened to be the live-action How To Train Your Drago., Of course, I had to see it in theaters. It’s dragons.

And I have to admit that this live-action remake kicked butt. Hard, strong Viking butt. But there’s one thing about it that they improved upon that made it that much better – let’s talk about it.

The Live-Action Remake Was Done So Incredibly Well

Before I delve into what it was, I must say that this movie was great. Like, on another level, great.

I feel like in this modern age of live-action remakes – especially all the Disney live-action remakes – we’ve come to expect a level of quality that is pretty low. Rarely does a live-action remake capture the magic of the original animated film without somehow compromising it in the process. We’ve only had a little success with things like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast – and I guess, in some ways, the others have succeeded, but haven’t been nearly as great.

However, this one was done perfectly well. If we’re being honest, there’s really not much else they could have done to improve upon it. The story was basically completely the same as the original How To Train Your Dragon movies, so it’s not like we were being thrown around with a new tale. The characters were great, and the effects were amazing – I walked out of the theater wanting my own Toothless yet again.

But there’s one aspect of the story that they improved upon this time around, which made it significantly better for me.

This Time Around, I Actually Liked The Side Characters

Let’s be honest: most of us watch How To Train Your Dragon for Hiccup and Toothless. If it weren’t for this dynamic duo of a misfit and a wounded dragon, we would never have these movies in the first place.

Or, you could be like me and love the love story between Astrid and Hiccup and how it truly feels like it’s one of the most realistic animated relationships I have ever seen – and how amazingly perfect they are together. I could talk about them for ages.

But let’s be real, the side characters from the original movies – while fun – were pretty forgettable. Sure, there were villains and other characters that stood out, but the student Vikings that Hiccup trains with? They were just…so forgettable in so many ways.

However, in the live-action, I genuinely loved them.

In the animated films, it always felt like they were just there to be a foil for Hiccup, which is fine, but as the movies went on, their presence only grew more irritating to me. They made silly comments that had no impact on the story, and I feel like they didn’t grow much at all. By the time the third movie in the trilogy was over, I was over it.

But the live-action gave them a lot more personality and a lot to work with this time around, and I genuinely found myself laughing out loud at many points because of what they said, not what the other side said.

Giving Them A Little More Backstory Was Such An Amazing Idea

This is a surefire way to make you care about side characters – don’t just have them there for comedic effect; give them a backstory that actually makes you remotely care about them.

A prime example of this is the inclusion of Snotlout’s backstory with his father. Yes, I know that we get tiny glimpses of it in the TV series, but let’s be honest – many people who go to see this movie probably haven’t seen the TV show. Only the die-hards have. Including this backstory makes us like Snotlout just a little more in the movie in comparison to how it was in the original films.

Seeing him get that small moment with his father at the very end of the movie was rewarding, and that’s something that I genuinely never thought I would say about this character because I hated him in the film.

And Somehow, There Was So Much More Emotion In Them This Time Around

One thing I like about DreamWorks Animated movies and all the Disney animated movies is that, with animation, you can express so much emotion. You really have a lot to work with because it’s right there, waiting to be drawn.

But with the live-action side characters, I felt so much more emotion from them this time around than I did from the animated version. Maybe it’s because we really dug a little deeper into their fight skills this time around, but their feelings felt real. I could feel their fear, their anger, their suspicion when Hiccup suddenly started to do well – everything worked really well.

Maybe that’s praise for the How to Train Your Dragon live-action cast, too, but there was just something I loved about this group of kids this time around.

I Want To See A Heck Of A Lot More Of Them In The Sequels

I really never thought I would say this, but I want to see more of them.

When I first watched the How to Train Your Dragon movies, I didn't care for the side characters. I was there for Hiccup and Astrid and, of course, Toothless, Stoick, and his crew, but other than that, I didn't care about anyone else.

And that was the mentality I had going into this live-action movie, but I have to admit that I was wrong, truly wrong. I still got everything I hoped for – from Gerard Butler as Stoick and how he perfectly brought his iconic character to life, to how perfect Nico Parker was as Astrid, despite all the backlash her casting received earlier on. Everything worked.

But now, I want to see way more characters—so many more side characters.

I really think there’s a lot you could do with this. Bringing the characters to live-action offers a new way to explore their backstories, as we couldn’t dive as deep as we could in animated films due to time constraints. And as someone who really didn’t think she would care for any more tales about them, I want to see more.

While the next live-action How To Train Your Dragon film won’t be on any 2025 movie release schedule, I will gladly be awaiting the next one with an open mind – and hoping to see a lot more side characters.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article may contain a few light spoilers for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake. If you have not yet seen the new 2025 movie, or even the hit Dreamworks animated film that inspired it, it would probably be best to proceed with caution as you read on.

It has already been a big year for live-action adaptations of animated movies, with the release of Snow White and Lilo & Stitch by Disney. Universal and DreamWorks are getting in on the trend with How to Train Your Dragon, for which original co-writer and co-director Dean DeBloise returns to bring the Isle of Berk to life in a new medium just 15 years later.

While that may seem like a pretty short amount of time to justify a remake (and I would agree), this latest take on Cressida Cowell’s fantasy novel turned out to be, echoing its early critical reception, one of the most thrilling and heartwarming cinematic experiences I have had so far in 2025. However, and I hate to say it, I still found myself just a bit let down by the new kids movie, and part of it has to do with the lead dragon character, Toothless. Allow me to explain…

Toothless Is A Carbon Copy Of His Original Design

Just like in the original acclaimed kids movie from 2010, How to Train Your Dragon follows aspiring dragon hunter Hiccup (now played by Mason Thames), who befriends a rare breed of dragon known as Nightfury, whom he names Toothless. I never watched the trailer for the live-action movie, wanting to preserve my first glimpse at the adorable flying reptile’s new look for when I see the final product. In retrospect, perhaps I should have snuck a peek at the new movie’s design for the character and saved myself the disappointment.

Toothless looks exactly the same, as if he were plucked from the original animated film and placed into a live-action setting. I mean, clearly, the CGI graphics have been improved upon, but that’s about the extent of it, and, in fact, I don’t think the improvements were enough to make him seem like a real living, breathing part of this world. Thus, I believe it was a huge missed opportunity not to give Toothless a makeover for the remake, but that’s actually just one criticism I have in this particular regard.

The Whole Movie Is A Direct Copy Of The Original

Not only does Toothless look almost completely identical to his 2010 counterpart in the new film, but so does… just about everything in the movie, from its production design to its costuming and almost every other detail you could shake a stick at. However, How to Train Your Dragon is not just a visual clone of the animated original, as the script does not bother to take many liberties either.

I believe that the goal of any remake should be to justify its existence with something new, especially when it comes to the story, but also when it comes to its aesthetic. The only reason I am still giving the movie a pass is the refreshingly well-choreographed action scenes, beautifully shot flight sequences, and genuinely strong performances.

Did Other Business Considerations Play A Role?

With how much scrutiny all the new live-action Disney animated movie remakes are put under for not being creative with their source material, I had to wonder what influenced Universal and DreamWorks to do away with any creative freedom for How to Train Your Dragon. Then, I discovered that Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, includes a whole section based on the Isle of Berk, and everything started to make sense.

Now, I am not one to jump to conclusions based on pure speculation, but I would not be surprised if the powers that be wanted Toothless and other dragons from this franchise to resemble their original designs in the new film because that is what their animatronic forms in Epic Universe were based upon. Perhaps they even considered how it would affect their toy sales, believing a cute Toothless action figure, which you can now pre-order on Amazon, would sell better than one that looks like it was taken out of a Tolkien novel.

I suppose I can understand why Universal could have potentially felt that taking too many creative liberties for the How to Train Your Dragon remake could have harmed its marketability, but I also disagree. I think giving people a fresh, new take on a familiar story is always going to get more people interested. Had I not seen the original movie, I might have loved this even more, but I think that’s the one I will stick with from now on… not that it would make too much of a difference.

Spoilers for How to Train Your Dragon are ahead! If you have not seen this entry on the 2025 movie schedule, you can catch it in theaters now.

There are quite a few gasp-worthy, tearjerking moments in How to Train Your Dragon, but the biggest one to me is when Hiccup falls into the fire after battling the biggest bad dragon, and Stoick finds him unconscious with Toothless. What makes it even more intense is the fact that the following scene shows Mason Thames' character waking up after being unconscious for an undisclosed period of time. Even though he's ultimately fine, it's emotional to think about how hurt he was after this battle.

Now, to this point, we’ve always wondered how long he was unconscious. So, we asked Thames and Nico Parker, who plays Astrid, about it.

For context, when Hiccup wakes up, he is surprised to be in his house, and that’s also when it’s revealed that he lost his leg during the battle. When he walks out of his home with his prosthetic on, he sees how they’ve rebuilt and trained a few more dragons while he’s been out. It’s obvious that time has passed, but just how much time is unclear.

So, when CinemaBlend’s Jeff McCobb interviewed the cast of How to Train Your Dragon ahead of its release, he asked how long the dragon rider was out. In response, Mason Thames said:

It would seem the Hiccup actor isn’t 100% sure how long his character was unconscious, but he knows it was a fairly extended period of time. That point was proven further as he and Nico Parker continued to have the following back and forth:

• Nico Parker: Three weeks?! To be fair, though, a whole lot happened in that time, so maybe it was three weeks.
• Mason Thames: No, wait. No, no, it was a week.
• Parker: Three days?

Thames then quickly clarified that it was definitely not just three days, and landed sort of in the middle of the window of time he suggested, saying:

Personally, I’m leaning more toward the longer end of the timeline he noted. Since Hiccup could stand and walk on his leg and Berk was in really good shape when he walked outside, I assume at lest a week or two passed. He needed time to heal, and so did they, and to me, that could likely take several weeks. However, this is the world of fantasy, so anything is possible.

But, when McCobb spoke to director Dean DeBlois about all this, he confirmed this suspicion by simply saying that Hiccup was out for:

Well, there you have it. If we average all these answers, it winds up being somewhere between a little over a week and probably under three weeks. The overall point is, he was unconscious for a long time.

So, now that this long-wondered question is finally answered, you can go back and watch the well-reviewed live-action How to Train Your Dragon, which has been dubbed a “loving homage” to the animated original, in theaters now.

I must have gotten true love's kiss because this is truly the film that just never dies, huh?

No, on a real note, the live-action adaptation of Snow White was doomed from the start. Already, many Disney live-action films have received significant pushback from fans over the last few years and haven't performed as well. Still, there were comments and other remarks made by the leading stars – as well as outside circumstances and the first trailer for Snow White – that made it a shoo-in for being a bomb in some way.

And bomb it did, my goodness.

Either way, the film finally dropped on the streaming service Disney+. I decided to stream it (again) because I wanted to really see if it was as bad as I remembered it being – and honestly, there's one aspect of the film that makes me snicker thinking about it because it reminded me of an older movie I was not expecting. Let's get into it.

The Movie Is…Fine

Look, the movie is…fine.

I don't think Snow White is as egregiously bad as people say it is. I believe Rachel Zegler, who is known for her starring role in the West Side Story cast as well as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is actually a good Snow White. She has a beautiful voice, and she captured some of her essence.

But the rest of the movie didn't feel like an adaptation of the original story from Disney's animated classics. It felt altered and morphed to supposedly fit a modern view when, in reality, people just wanted the original story. And really, I don't even want to talk that much about the Evil Queen because, yeah… Gal Gadot was not the best choice for that.

Either way, I can see why kids love the Snow White live-action, but it's fine and alright if you're looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, but it certainly is not my favorite. However, there's one aspect of the film that reminded me of an old movie – and it has to do with Christmas.

But I Have To Admit, The Dwarves Reminded Me Of The Polar Express

Ya'll, these dwarves are creepy as heck.

I really wanted to give the movie time. I thought that when the first trailer dropped for Snow White, they would take the feedback from the fans about the strange-looking dwarves and really dive into redoing the designs. Think Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and how they redid his entire thing.

But, ah…they didn't. They kept the dwarves the way they were, and why????

I'm looking at them, and honestly, the first thing that came to mind was that these little creepy CGI monsters look like the kids from The Polar Express. There! I said it! And I'm not taking it back! It's an uncanny valley up in here!

There's just something about their eyes or the way they move that doesn't feel right. I mean, I know they did it because of comments from other actors, specifically Peter Dinklage, where they felt little people should not be cast as dwarves because it's type-casting and offensive, but if the result is this? I'm not sure. I understand the sentiment, but we can do so much better.

It's Shocking How CGI Has Somehow Evolved Backwards

I know what you're going to say. "Alex, you've said before that you love The Polar Express! You've said it's one of your favorite animated Christmas movies!"

And yes, you're right. I do love The Polar Express. However, there's a difference between loving something from my childhood and acting like a critic nowadays to suggest that a 2025 film should not resemble one from 2004.

Animation, in general, has undergone significant changes in the last several years, particularly over the last decade and a half. And what else has changed is the live-action remake landscape because we've had so many of them. And I have seen much better within the world of bringing creatures and animals to life.

Granted, these are smaller humans, but it's still within the same realm of trying to bring something alive in animated form, as they are entirely CGI-animated. I think of Mufasa from The Lion King, which had some of the best live-action animals from an animated movie that I've seen. They felt at least relatively realistic and stood out on the big screen.

And while, again, dwarves aren't animals, they could still easily be recreated. But here we are, with animated characters that feel less like humans and more like strange creatures that needed a lot more time in the editing room.

Is This Just The New Standard For Creatures In Disney Live-Action Movies?

I hate to say this, but it feels like Disney is moving in this direction, where live-action creatures and humans in their remakes are not going to be great. And it's not just Snow White.

Let me tell you frankly that the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, aside from Nani, was excellent in its animated form, particularly with Stitch. He felt real, fun, and cute, and it looked like a lot of effort had been poured into his design. However, many other movies don't evoke the same feeling. The dwarves are one example. Another one is Pinocchio from the live-action adaptation.

And honestly, there are others, but I don't want to talk about all of them because we'll be here all night.

I'm just starting to feel that this might be the new normal for Disney, where they… don't care as much as they used to. I know that some live-action productions have been placed on pause, but there are still new ones coming out (like the live-action Moana), where there's still time to make these animated creatures look good.

Even so, I'm eager to see what other people think of when they finally see this movie on Disney+ and if most feel the same way I do about these dwarves. Maybe I'm totally on my own here, but I still think that you could pick them up and place them on their train to the North Pole. Time to see Santa meet the Seven Dwarves somehow.

There are several highly anticipated projects hitting the 2025 movie calendar this summer, but how many of them boast one of the best pets in Hollywood history? The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon will bring Toothless and Hiccup to life in a way that fans of the 2010 animation have never seen before, and critics are here to help us decide if we’ll be flying to theaters to catch the show.

Early reactions to How to Train Your Dragon called it everything a live-action remake should be, though plenty of fans remain wary of the book-to-screen adaptation and how it will stand up to the beloved animated film. According to Brian Truitt of USA TODAY, there’s no need to worry, as no harm was done to the original and no childhoods will be ruined by this remake. He rates the upcoming kids movie 3.5 out of 4 stars and writes:

Sarah Moran of ScreenRant gives it an 8 out of 10, saying Dean DeBlois has succeeded where so many Disney live-action remakes have failed. The director elevates the original material but doesn’t change it, and he delivers an exciting summer blockbuster that will thrill moviegoers. Moran continues:

Lovia Gyarkye of THR is less enthusiastic about the movie, calling it “not quite necessary." However, the critic admits it’s still entertaining and will please fans by recreating the most iconic images from the first movie. In Gyarkye’s words:

Eric Goldman of IGN agrees, giving the movie a “Good” 7 out of 10. While the movie can feel limited by its faithfulness to the animated original, it’s the re-creation of that film’s heart and soul that endures. Goldman says:

Kate Erbland of IndieWire gives the movie a B+, writing that in a world of unnecessary remakes, HTTYD gets a pass for being able to capture the tone and whimsy of the 2010 animation. She’s even planning to see the already-announced sequel. Erbland continues:

Fans who are mostly looking for a visual update to a beloved 15-year-old movie will likely be pleased with the How to Train Your Dragon remake. While it sounds like those hoping for any big changes or improvements aren’t going to find them. If you’re excited to see how Dean DeBlois has brought these characters to life, be sure to grab an adorable Toothless popcorn bucket and prepare for a kick of nostalgia when the film hits theaters on Friday, June 13.

Generation X didn’t grow up in a golden age of Disney animated features. We’re a little too young for the classics like The Jungle Book and Robin Hood, and most of us were just a little old when the revival truly started with The Little Mermaid in 1989. Instead, we got movies like Pete’s Dragon, The Fox And The Hound, and Oliver and Company.

No one really wants remakes of those, but another movie from that era is ripe for the Disney live-action remake treatment, just like Lilo & Stitch for the 2025 movie schedule. That film is now-cult classic: The Black Cauldron. Sure, it may have terrified us as kids, but we’d line up to see a modern retelling of this classic story.

The Black Cauldron Is A Perfect Choice, Because It’s No One’s Favorite

The Black Cauldron definitely has fans among Gen Xers (and Xennials). Beyond that, though, the movie just doesn’t have the panache of the classic cartoons from Disney’s early heyday, or get nearly the kind of love that movies that came after it, like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty And The Beast, do. The Black Cauldron came out of a black hole in Disney’s history, but luckily, it’s still available with a Disney+ subscription.

Even the most strident Disney fans have, at times, been frustrated with the checkered history of the more recent live-action remakes. Some don’t think they hit the same emotional notes as their animated counterparts, while others think Disney changes up the classic stories too much. Disney, some argue, is taking some of our fondest movie memories and trashing them. It’s impossible to mess with classics and not get some significant backlash. That’s what makes The Black Cauldron so perfect.

The movie may have achieved cult status among a certain segment of fans, but no one would ever rank it at the top of the best Disney animated movies. I doubt many would have it in their Top 10 or even Top 25. That means you can’t “ruin” someone’s childhood memories with a live-action re-telling of The Chronicles of Prydain, the book series that the 1985 box office bomb was loosely based on.

It Has Franchise Potential

If there is one thing we know for sure, it’s that Disney loves a franchise. Star Wars, Marvel, Indiana Jones… the company just loves IP that it can go back to over and over. The Chronicles of Prydain, written by author Lloyd Alexander in the 1960s, is five books, themselves loosely based on Welsh mythology. There are plenty of stories to tell and movies to be made based on the hit fantasy series.

The Balck Caudron used the first two novels of the series as its inspiration, but there is plenty of story in the first novel to split them up. There are legitimately five or six potential movies from this one series. It’s a Disney dream. The House of Mouse will have to sell people on the idea that remaking a box office bomb is worth seeing, but I don’t think we need to worry about those marketing abilities. Besides, there is enough goodwill from both fans of the Alexander books and, indeed, the original Black Cauldron to make a well-made live-action remake a success.

Disney Already Owns The Rights To The Series

In 2016, Disney announced that it had re-acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Prydain. At the time, the company seemed primed to produce a live-action version of the entire series. Unfortunately, nine years later, we’re still waiting, and there hasn’t been any production news at all since. We’ve got a Moana remake coming up next year, and a whole slew of possibilities in the coming years, but, as of yet, no The Black Cauldron or The Chronicles of Prydain in any way.

I don’t know what it would take to get this story back on Disney Animation’s radar. Maybe if we all decided to rewatch the original on Disney+ one week, and got the movie into the Top 10 on the streamer, it could gain some traction. Like the letter-writing campaigns of years gone by.

There Are Some Understandable Drawbacks

It would be irresponsible of me not to acknowledge some of the problems with remaking The Black Cauldron. For starters, it’s a scary movie for kids. I was terrified when I first saw it. It involves a zombie army that would seem more like a Game of Thrones plotline than that of a Disney animated movie. The Horned King himself, the villain in the story, is one of the scariest villains in all of Disney history. The red, glowing cauldron haunted my nightmares for years. So, that is something to consider.

Finally, it was, after all, a terrible bomb at the box office. At the time, it was the most expensive Disney animated movie ever made. It cost the company a reported $40 million to produce, and it took in barely half of that at the box office in the summer of 1985. It was out-grossed that year by two different Disney re-releases, Pinocchio and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. There’s good reason it’s often called the movie that almost killed Disney Animation.

It Was Ambitious, And It Could Be Again

For all its failings, there is something to be said for how ambitious the project was. The animation in The Black Cauldron is wonderful, on par with even the best Disney movies, and the story it is based on has real potential on the big screen.

There are a million reasons why the powers that be would be nervous to remake it, but there are just as many reasons it could be a huge success if done correctly. I think we need to give it a chance. Forget tarnishing the legacy of a past hit and strive to rehabilitate an already tarnished legacy instead.

Spoilers for the live-action Lilo & Stitch are ahead! You can catch it in theaters now, and stream the animated original with a Disney+ subscription.

So, there’s been a lot of discourse around the changes made to Lilo & Stitch following its release on the 2025 movie schedule. From Gantu being gone, to Jumba and Pleakley transforming into humans rather than wearing disguises, and in Pleakley’s case, wearing dresses, to the ending where Nani goes to school, some changes have caused backlash. However, there’s one scene from the middle of the OG movie that was partially shifted to the end of this 2025 film, making for a change I adored.

Now, I know many are sick of live-action remakes, and the changes made for them can be hit or miss. In the case of this film, some of them didn’t work for fans. However, there’s one update many aren’t talking about involving the moment where Stitch sinks into the ocean. So, I’m here to talk about when Nani saved Stitch from sinking, and explain why I loved this specific update in the live-action Lilo & Stitch.

In The Animated Lilo & Stitch, David Saves Stitch After He Sinks In The Middle Of The Film

In the original animated film, there’s a sequence toward the middle where Stitch gets the courage to try surfing. While out there, Jumba snags Stitch off the surfboard. When the little blue alien reemerges, he grabs Lilo, however, Jumba pulls them both down.

Eventually, Nani and Lilo get back to shore. However, Stitch sinks.

Luckily, David saved him and pulled him out of the water.

Then, at the end of the movie, Nani and Lilo both end up on a spaceship, and Stitch helps save them. However, the ship does not wreck in the water; it lands there, and no one comes close to drowning. They all end up safe on land.

I Love That Nani Was The One To Save Stitch From The Water At The End Of The Live-Action Film

Meanwhile, in the middle of this live-action film, Jumba and Pleakley do attack Lilo, Nani and Stitch while they’re surfing. However, when they wipe out, Stitch sinking is not a big plot point. There's more emphasis on Lilo being saved.

Then, at the end, it’s Jumba who takes Stitch, and Lilo sneaks onto the ship. Eventually, that ship crashes into the water, and Lilo gets stuck beneath some of the wreckage. Stitch swims to save her; however, he can’t get back up to the top, and Lilo can’t save him because he’s too heavy.

So, Nani returns to the ocean to save Stitch and carries him back to shore underwater. It was a moment to show Nani’s strength as well as her love for both Lilo and Stitch. Plus, it was an excellent way to end this climactic moment.

I loved that choice so much because it gave Nani a hero moment, as well as an instance where she could truly show her care for Stitch. In the animated film, I wasn’t 100% on board with the idea that she really cared for the alien. This instance in the live-action flick, however, showed that she does love him like family and was willing to risk her life to save his.

This change helped me buy into the idea that Stitch was really a part of this family, and not just according to Lilo. I also absolutely loved seeing Nani come to terms with the notion that he was their Ohana in such a direct way.

So, I think we should all take a moment to appreciate this change more. It showed Stitch sacrificing himself to save Lilo, and it gave us a great scene where Nani could rescue the little creature and show us her care and love for him. Overall, it made for a great finale to this epic battle that showcased the idea that “nobody gets left behind.”

‘Ohana clearly means a lot to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in terms of his relationship with Disney. Not only has he embraced the role of Maui in Moana and its sequel (both streamable with a Disney+ subscription), but he’ll be reprising the iconic demigod in the upcoming live-action Disney remake. Ahead of that film's release, though the former wrestler congratulated the Lilo & Stitch remake on its box office success.

Disney’s live-action remakes have had varied performances as of late. Mufasa surpassed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 during its box office run, though it received mixed reviews. Snow White also received middling reactions and struggled hard at the box office. However, Lilo & Stitch has crushed at the box office during Memorial Day weekend, nabbing over $145 million domestically.

Even before those final figures came in, tracking numbers looked good, which is what likely prompted The Rock to share the following message on Instagram:

I’m sure it means a whole lot for Dwayne Johnson to see another Disney movie that embraces Polynesian culture achieve box office success. Lilo & Stitch, which marks the return of one of the best pets in Hollywood history, seems to be striking a chord with a new generation of viewers and possibly even those who grew up on the 2002 film on which it's based. The 2025 movie release's run is only just beginning, but it's off to a stellar start!

The Rock's connection to Polynesian culture comes from his mother, who is of Samoan heritage. His maternal grandfather, Peter Maivia, was known as the “High Chief” in Samoan wrestling. All in all, Johnson seems to have embraced his roots. He’s even got a Samoan Pe’a tattoo on his left side that tells the story of his ancestry and he and wife Lauren Hasian had a secret wedding in Hawaii in 2019.

Hawaii also seems to play a role in Dwayne Johnson’s work. The actor previously said getting to film Jumanji in Hawaii was important to him, as it gave him a chance to connect further with his Polynesian culture.

Johnson's role as Maui has been impactful for him as well. While discussing the role, he's talked about providing authentic Polynesian representation, touching families around the world in the process. If the Moana remake can channel the culture as well, it could possibly reinforce the importance of telling diverse stories that will inspire audiences across the globe. See Johnson’s full Instagram post below:

Maui may be used to saying “You’re welcome,” but Lilo & Stitch’s box office success just got “a grateful congrats” from Dwayne Johnson. I love seeing the A-lister give props to the newly released film, which you can see in theaters now. Also, check out The Rock as a live-action Maui when the live-action Moana remake hits theaters on July 10, 2026.

So Disney is taking a break from live-action remakes, and I have to say I’m not too surprised.

I’m the kind of girl who grew up watching Disney as if it were the air I needed to breathe. Switching on Disney Channel was like switching on my own personal oxygen tank. I’m pretty sure my parents, at some point, knew all the theme songs by heart of every single show, or all the Disney soundtracks as well, and not willingly.

But when these Disney live-action remakes started to happen, I had a feeling that they were either going to go terribly wrong or they would do really well. And…so far it’s been a pretty big mixed bag where I’d say about 60% of the time you get something that’s not too great. And I’ve regularly talked about this pretty consistently on this website.

However, I actually have something I need to say about this change Disney is making—one that I think a lot of people will agree with. If they were to continue, there’s an easy way to fix these Disney live-action movies, so let’s get into it.

I Haven’t Always Been A Supporter Of Disney Live-Action Remakes

So, before I give you my reasoning, my truth must speak first – I’ve been a hater of these live-action movies in the past. In fact, I literally just wrote an article about how I’m sick of them, and while I think Lilo and Stitch might be the outlier, most don’t entertain me anymore.

When the first movies began to release years ago, there was a lot to love, mainly because they were new and exciting. Oh, Disney is releasing its best animated movies, but they’re going to be live-action now with pretty stars and beautiful visuals and everything? That sounds exciting!

But at the end of the day, most ended up becoming half-baked remakes that tried to be something new when the blueprint is right there. I used to love them. Truly, I did. But over time, they just diminished in quality to the point where we ended up getting Snow White…and while I do believe Rachel Zegler is still the perfect Snow White because she has the voice of an angel, the rest of the movie was just…not that great.

However, I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and I know what to do with these live-action films if Disney were to keep making them. The solution is simple, really.

But If You Just Pay Attention To The Source Material, People Will Enjoy It

Literally.

It’s. That. Easy. Just go to the source material.

Do you want to know why so many of the original live-action films did so well? They didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. They stuck to the material that most everyone and their mother knew because it’s Disney. These are the stories that we have grown up with, the tales that our parents told us to fall asleep to, and then took us to the theatre to see. Why would we want to see them changed?

Honestly, I’m not even talking entirely about the Disney versions. I’m talking about the actual story that the movies are based on. I feel that with so many of these adaptations, they’ve been trying to work in different aspects of pop culture and modern-day political stances, and so much more, that it’s lost the magic that these tales once had.

Are there certain things that need to be changed? Of course. These are older stories, and some things haven’t aged well. But most are still fine. The source material is fantastic and well-loved for a reason. Why change it?

If You’re Going To Redo The Movie, Recreate What You Know Fans Love

This is the biggest thing, though—if you’re going to recreate the movie, recreate what you know the fans already love. Recreate the scenery, the dresses, and the themes that we all understand because the last thing we want is some new message shoved down our throats that wasn’t already there in the first place.

Sure, this begs the question of why these live-action films even need to be made, but honestly, I don’t find it terribly unethical to remake the movie. I actually think it’s pretty par for the course because animation is such a fantastic medium of film that it makes sense people would want to create a live-action version of certain films to test the powers of technology and all that.

And if Disney is going to move in that direction, then why not stick with the same story that we all know? If you want to change a few aspects, that’s fine, which is precisely what Cinderella did. The 2015 film from Disney isn’t an exact adaptation of the original film – it’s actually considered another adaptation of the original story. Still, it hits the same story beats as the animated film.

There are a few changes that really make the movie stand out, from how Cinderella and the prince first meet to what happens after the ball. These changes add depth and emotion to the story without taking away its key themes, which is how I feel many other Disney live-action remakes have done.

Personally, I think Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are the only other two live-action remakes that have relatively kept the same theme and plot, and maybe that’s because they’re so beloved. But it feels like the other ones have tried to change too much – or, in The Lion King’s case, not that much at all, and instead feed us the most lifeless “live-action” CGI animals in history.

Yeah, that film should have just stayed animated.

Don’t Try Too Hard To Make Additions

I think my last major point would be that while it’s okay to make slight changes to the story in order to fit more into it, you don’t need to try so hard to make additions at all. They should really only be there if the story makes sense to have them there.

For example, I actually like “Evermore” from Beauty and the Beast. I think it adds a lot more depth to Beast’s character and adds more humanity to the story overall. But notice how the movie itself is the same kind of story as the film. They didn’t try to push new themes down your throat or anything else. It was just Beauty and the Beast with the addition of a new song.

That is how it’s supposed to be, and what other live-action Disney remakes need to take from this.

I don’t know, maybe I’m sticking up for Disney a little hard, but I feel like there is a secret pathway to success with these films. I think it really is just as easy as listening to the fans and creating movies that have the stories we all know and love.

Every person nowadays is trying to sell something to you, whether it’s physical, emotional, or whatever. Too many people have too much access to preaching their ideas over and over, and the last thing we want is to see that in a movie that we all know, something the original never had. If we’re going to be watching a film that we all know and love, make the movie that we know and love.

If you want to make changes, fine, make a few subtle changes. But if you’re going to change the entire storyline, don’t call it an adaptation of the movie, because that is where you will lose fans, time and time again.

Okay, rant over. I think I need to rewatch some old Disney movies to calm down. It's time for a marathon.

With any adaptation, change is inevitable. We saw that happen when Season 1 of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender (which you can watch with a Netflix subscription) came out, and fans did not hold back their feelings about various changes made in it. Now, we know another update is coming during Season 2 of ATLA with the introduction of Miya Cech’s “slightly more feminine” version of Toph. And I have to say, I have mixed feelings about this.

If you are a fan of the OG Avatar, one of the best animated shows of all time, you know that Toph is a tomboy, not a girl’s girl, and she is very proud of that. However, it sounds like Miya Cech’s Toph might play into her feminine side a bit more, as she told The Direct:

Now, this idea of bringing a cartoon character into live-action makes sense. It seems like she might want to make Toph even more nuanced, and this is one way that’s happening. I love that kind of mentality, and I especially am here for it in an adaptation because I want to see new takes on Avatar stories and characters.

However, it’s also slightly worrying because Toph being a tomboy and defying feminine stereotypes and expectations is a big part of her character in the animated show. Toph showed viewers a version of womanhood that was different from Katara and the other female characters on the show, and it was empowering to see so many different women in one story.

Toph is a girl who grew up in high society, and she was forced into following the rules of it as a young kid. However, she loudly stood up against them and proudly was her authentic self throughout the series, especially after she joined forces with Aang, Katara and Sokka. I’d honestly say it’s one of the reasons why Toph is one of Avatar’s best characters.

I want all of this illustrated on the live-action show. I want it to give us Toph and her tomboy qualities so more young girls can see examples of beautiful women who all look and act differently.

I’m not saying Miya Cech won’t do that. Her Toph can do all of this while being “slightly more feminine.” All I’m saying is that her comment highlighted a piece of Toph’s identity that I need to see handled carefully, thoughtfully and faithfully on this live-action project, which led to my mixed feelings.

Thankfully, Cech seems like a true fan of the OG series, and she’s spoken with Michaela Jill Murphy, who voiced the young earthbender in the animated show. During the same interview, the live-action actress referenced this conversation too, saying:

It seems like Cech is handling Toph with a lot of care, and I cannot wait to see her take on The Blind Bandit.

However, when something you love with your whole heart gets adapted, it’s normal to be a bit worried about how characters you adore will change. So, while we wait for Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Toph’s introduction, I’ll stay cautiously optimistic and hope that we see a new yet faithful version of this beloved earthbender.

Animation is the one screen medium that allows an artist to unlock the most potential out of the story they want to tell, which begs the question of why anyone would want to bother trying to reinterpret a great animated movie or TV show for live-action?

Well, we cannot deny it is amusing to see classic animated TV shows and films recreated in a more realistic light, and many have pulled off the task to surprising esteem. The following are some of the most acclaimed and noteworthy examples and, as you might have guessed, there are a few live-action Disney animated movie remakes included.

The Jungle Book (2016)

OK, we realize that we are technically cheating by including director Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book because one of the few elements not created with CGI is Mowgli actor Neel Sethi. However, the film recreates Disney's 1967 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's seminal stories with Academy Award-winning visual effects so astonishingly vivid that you would not be able to tell the difference.

Transformers (2007)

Released in tandem with Hasbro's popular toy line was the hit animated series Transformers, which was first spun off to the big screen in a 1986 feature starring Orson Welles. More than three decades later, director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg would help increase the shapeshifting robots' notoriety with a live-action blockbuster that spawned a long-running franchise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird first introduced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1984 with their Mirage Studios comic book series that was later adapted into a toy line and tie-in animated series just three years later. Only three years after that, fans got to see what Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo would look like in the real world in a film that depicts the pizza-chomping urban warriors more accurately than the 2014 reboot.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Author Michael Bond's beloved adventures of a marmalade-slurping, Peruvian bear named after a London train station inspired a popular English animated series in the 1970s. While the character was first adapted for live-action cinema in 2014 with Paul King's well-received film, it is the first sequel, Paddington 2, that especially welcomed the bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) into the hearts of movie lovers of all ages.

The Little Mermaid (2023)

The most famous adaptation of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale, The Little Mermaid, is Disney's acclaimed 1989 classic that many audiences thought should be left untouched. However, Halle Bailey's impassioned performance as Ariel and her unbelievable singing talent make director Rob Marshall's live-action take a must-see.

Attack On Titan (2015)

Hajime Isayama's manga depicting a war between humans and giant, man-eating humanoids was made into one of the most popular and acclaimed Japanese anime TV shows of its time, Attack on Titan. Toho would release a two-part feature adaptation that was criticized by fans for the way it deviated from the source material but impressed general film critics with its exciting B-movie-style action and bizarre creature designs.

101 Dalmatians (1996)

Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians was first adapted into an instant animated classic in 1961, featuring Betty Lou Gerson as the voice of Cruella de Vil – a villain who seemed too uproarious for a live-action setting. That was until Glenn Close stepped into the role, giving a pitch-perfect performance as the ruthless fashionista in director Steven Herek's fun reboot.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

When Pokémon: Detective Pikachu was first announced, fans of the trading card game/video game/animated TV show questioned why the franchise's first live-action installment, of all the potential choices, would be based on a game that makes the lightning-spewing creature a talking mystery solver. However, with Ryan Reynolds voicing the adorable title hero, an impressive Justice Smith as his human companion, and a witty script, Rob Letterman's film was heralded as one of the best video game movies ever made.

George Of The Jungle (1997)

A movie you might not have known was based on a TV show is George of the Jungle, which was originally an animated series that ran for only 17 episodes in 1967. Future Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser's performance in the title role would make Disney's hilariously meta live-action feature nearly as iconic as the character it was poking fun at: Tarzan.

Cinderella (2015)

Most audiences would immediately become convinced that Disney really was on to something when it released the live-action version of its animated, 1950 adaptation of the seminal fairytale, Cinderella. Directed by Kenneth Branagh and led by an extraordinary Lily James, the reinterpretation would redefine the titular princess as a strong, independent role model and the story itself as a touching romance worth buying into.

One Piece (2023)

Netflix has released live-action iterations of a few popular anime series and one of the more successful is developers Matt Owens and Steven Maeda's TV show, One Piece. Originally based on a manga by writer and illustrator Eiichiro Oda, the animated series adaptation premiered in 1999 and followed the adventures of a pirate crew searching for mystical treasure.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

There is probably not a single person who disagrees that none of the live-action adaptations of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? have surpassed the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoon. However, the generation that grew up with the James Gunn-penned reboot, simply titled Scooby-Doo, regards the film as a classic that boasts some spot-on casting for the Mystery Inc. crew, especially Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, even if Scooby's CGI animation is a little dated.

The Flintstones (1994)

Executive producer Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera favorite, The Flintstones, starring John Goodman as Fred and Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble, was not met with the most positive reviews, particularly for its tepid humor and adult-oriented storylines. However, the city of Bedrock reimagined for a live-action setting is truly a wonder to behold.

Office Space (1999)

There are two different types of fans of Mike Judge's filmography: those who love his animated efforts, such as Beavis and Butt-Head, and those who admire his live-action titles, such as Silicon Valley. Well, fans of Office Space might be surprised to learn that their love for the film, technically, makes them a fan of both since the cult-favorite corporate satire is based on a series of short films Judge created called Milton.

Mulan (2020)

Mulan is a modern Disney classic way ahead of its time that some might call a movie that did not need a reboot, especially with the exclusion of its famous musical numbers and the mystical lizard sidekick, Mushu (Eddie Murphy). However, Yifei Liu is wonderful in the title role of a Chinese woman posing as a male imperial soldier to save her father's life and the action is beautifully choreographed.

Speed Racer (2008)

Originally a Japanese manga that became an international pop culture phenomenon as an anime series, Speed Racer was later adapted by Lana and Lily Wachowski into a live-action film starring Emile Hirsch as the ambitious titular driver. The brightly colored, CGI-heavy film was divisive upon release, but has since been widely reevaluated as an underrated cult favorite.

Casper (1995)

Casper made his debut in a series of Paramount-produced animated shorts called The Friendly Ghost before the spirited spirit became an official property of Harvey Comics and went on to star in multiple hit animated series. He would return to cinema in a fun entry-level ghost story, starring Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman, that became the first live-action film to feature a central character who is created entirely with CGI.

Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)

Established Disney favorites Chip and Dale became the stars of their own adventure series, called Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, in the late 1980s. The anthropomorphic chipmunks would later be voiced by Andy Samberg and John Mulaney in a feature film of the same name that premiered on Disney+ to wide acclaim from both critics and audiences.

Cruella (2021)

Disney had already released two live-action installments to the 101 Dalmatians franchise by the time the company announced director Craig Gillespie's spin-off, Cruella. However, it proved to be a worthy entry thanks to a lead performance by Academy Award winner Emma Stone that would forever change the way audiences saw the typically ruthless villain.

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (2019)

Nick Jr. introduced a hero who would bring young viewers along with her on her many adventures in the animated series, Dora the Explorer, which originally premiered in 2000. Isabela Merced played a teenage version of the character in the theatrically released live-action feature, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which also stars Danny Trejo as the voice of her monkey sidekick, Boots.

Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2005)

In 1996, Space Jam brought the real-life basketball champion Michael Jordan into the world of Bugs Bunny and his furry friends. Roughly a decade later, Joe Dante's spiritual sequel Looney Tunes: Back in Action – a globe-trotting espionage adventure with Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, and Steve Martin – would, instead, bring the iconic cartoon characters into our live-action world.

Popeye (1980)

Director Robert Altman could not have picked a better choice than Robin Williams to bring the beloved comic strip character, Popeye, to life in his live-action film, also starring Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. Williams heavily altered his voice to authentically match the voice of the spinach-chomping sailor, which was originated by voice actor Billy Costello for the character's original animated adaptations.

Christopher Robin (2018)

Author A. A. Milne's world-famous bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, actually made his television debut as a puppet in a live-action 1960 episode of Shirley Temple's Storybook before getting his own beloved animated series later that decade. He and the rest of the animals from the Hundred Acre Wood would return to the medium for Christopher Robin, in which Pooh's human friend (played by Ewan McGregor) grows up to become someone similar to Robin Williams' Peter Banning in Hook.

Ben 10: Race Against Time (2007)

The Cartoon Network original series Ben 10 is about a boy who discovers a device that, when placed on his wrist, can turn him into several different extra-terrestrial species. Two years after it premiered, the channel aired a live-action feature spin-off from director Alex Winter called Ben 10: Race Against Time, starring Graham Phillips in the title role. It was followed by 2009's Ben 10: Alien Swarm, which stars Ryan Kelley as an older Ben.

Aladdin (2019)

One of the most beloved animated movies from Disney's "Renaissance Era" in the '90s is Aladdin, which follows a poor, young Arab man (voiced by Scott Weinger) whose luck begins to change when he befriends a genie (voiced by Robin Williams). Guy Ritchie helmed a live-action retelling starring Mena Massoud in the title role and Naomi Scott as Jasmine, which proved to be a career milestone at the box office for Will Smith, who played Genie.

Madeline (1998)

The first adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline books, which center on a witty, mischievous young girl at a Catholic boarding school in 1950s France, was in a 1960 episode of The Shirley Temple Show. After the books were adapted into a popular animated series in the late '80s and early '90s, a live-action feature was released to theaters, starring Hatty Jones in her debut role as the title character and Oscar winner Frances McDormand as Miss Clavel.

Beauty And The Beast (2017)

Author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's "tale as old as time" has been adapted and reinterpreted into countless variations, with few as famous and esteemed as 1991's Beauty and the Beast from Disney. The company would revive the Oscar winner with a live-action feature starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

Masters Of The Universe (1987)

Some audiences consider the live-action Masters of the Universe film, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, to be one of the worst movies based on a toy. However, it is a fun cult favorite in the eyes of those who grew up with the tie-in animated series about a prince using his mystical abilities to defend his kingdom.

Mr. Magoo (1997)

Mr. Magoo, an elderly millionaire who often finds himself in uproarious situations due to his extreme near-sightedness, entertained audiences with his animated short films and various iterations of his TV show for decades before Disney adapted the character for live-action. Admittedly, the best reason to check out the film is to watch the great Leslie Nielsen work his comedy magic.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

The original Sorcerer's Apprentice was a short film that appeared in Disney's 1940 animated anthology movie, Fantasia, in which Mickey Mouse's character uses his boss' mystical hat to create an army of sentient brooms. Director Jon Turtletaub expands upon the concept and redefines it as a Harry Potter-esque adventure starring Nicolas Cage as a wizard living in modern-day New York City who takes Jay Baruchel's character under his wing.

Dudley Do-Right (1999)

Dudley Do-Right first appeared as a segment on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show in the late 1950s before becoming the star of his own animated series the following decade. Brendan Fraser does his best to do for the heroic Canadian Mountie what he did for George of the Jungle in director Hugh Wilson's live-action feature.

Æon Flux (2005)

Director Karyn Kusama's Charlize Theron-led thriller, Æon Flux, is not a very beloved film by itself. However, seeing the eye-popping, dystopian visuals from the original MTV animated series brought to life for a live-action setting is quite remarkable.

A lot of controversy has surrounded the live-action remake of Snow White, but as we get closer to its release on the 2025 movie calendar, many are wondering about the film itself. Disney’s live-action remakes have been hit or miss, and some are already predicting box office troubles for Snow White. However, many of those who attended an early screening of the movie have positive first reactions.

Rachel Zegler portrays Disney’s first princess, with Gal Gadot taking on evil stepmother duties. So what is the early response to the upcoming Disney movie? Critic Christopher Mills writes on X that the year’s biggest surprise so far is that this “controversial” and “hated” film is actually decent. Mills praises Zegler as the titular character, saying:

With other Disney live-action remakes in the works including Lilo & Stitch and Moana, they may have to work hard to outshine Snow White, given what Tori Brazier of Metro UK thinks of director Marc Webb’s movie. Brazier says:

Like many Disney fans, Skyler Shuler of DisInsider was wary of this project, but after seeing it, Shuler says this is a must-see, joining others in calling it one of the best live-action remakes yet:

Katcy Stephan of Variety calls Rachel Zegler a “supernova,” while also complimenting the new music and the depth that’s given to the story. The love story is pretty sweet, too, Stephan says:

ScreenRant's Ash Crossan’s biggest complaint with the movie seems to be the princess’ hair, though that doesn’t stop Rachel Zegler’s gorgeous voice in the overall “charming” movie. Crossan says:

The verdict isn’t unanimous, however, with at least one critic voicing disappointment in the upcoming kids movie. Carl Kaka of Future of the Force says live-action remakes in general don’t replicate the fun and enjoyment of their originals, and this movie “just wasn’t for me.” Kaka continues:

If you want to see what all the fuss is about and draw your own conclusions about Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot and the rest, you don’t have to wait too much longer. Snow White is set to hit theaters on Friday, March 21, and if you want to revisit the animated classic in the meantime, that’s available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

As we approach the release of the live-action How To Train Your Dragon on the 2025 movie schedule, we're finally getting to see peeks of the practical version of Berk, and every piece of information has been getting fans excited. Now, Gerard Butler is opening up about how this new film differs from its animated predecessor, explaining why it's actually scarier than the OG film.

In an interview with The Direct, Butler, who plays Stoick the Vast in the live-action film and voiced him in the OG movies, shared that the new project will be more frightening. This shift in tone came up because the actor was asked how this new live-action film differs from the animated project. Elaborating on why he thinks the new movie is scarier, the Den of Thieves actor said:

If you watch the live-action How to Train Your Dragon trailer and compare it to the animated one from 2010, the tone of the two is quite different. The live-action is more serious, and its music is meant to get the blood pumping. Meanwhile, the animated one is plucky and fun.

Overall, the live-action is meant to be much darker and serious, which isn’t surprising as some of the later animated movies, like Hidden World, left us ugly crying by the end because they are so deep, dark and emotional.

Considering the live-action dragons already look damn good, the new movie is going to feel more intense and immersive, which is a good thing. Seeing as the first animated film's focus is trying to show that these alarming majestic creatures aren’t all bad, you do have to make them intimidating and lifelike first before showing their lighter side.

Many fans were concerned about how the dragons would look, and this is just because creature design for live-action can be kind of hit-and-miss when your original model is a fictitious animated creature. Thankfully, this new HTTYD looks amazing, and Butler's comments up my excitement too.

Speaking of Butler, he revealed other interesting BTS info about the film coming out later this year, including talking about the pieces of “hell” he called a costume. Plus, while some people were skeptical of Hiccup’s actor Mason Thames, his co-star Nick Frost gave big praise to him and his performance. So, all around the cast is excited and invested in this film.

As for the movie itself, fans are optimistic as so far this looks like it’ll be a decent adaptation. The trailer showed us the most iconic scene of the movie, and it already looks like it’ll be a tearjerker. So, hopes are high. Also, with a cast that features faces from the old films and new folks who are all stoked about this new adaptation, it already feels like it will be something that all fans can enjoy.

Selena Gomez may be living her fairytale these days — and looking the part in her Golden Globes Cinderella dress — but funnily enough, it’s her fiancé Benny Blanco who’s been the subject of rumors regarding an upcoming Disney movie. Ever since news broke that a live-action Tangled remake was happening, fans of the beloved 2010 animated film have wondered who could be cast as Rapunzel and Flynn. Some sites are alleging that Blanco is being considered for the latter role, and people apparently have some strong feelings about that.

The upcomingTangled movie is still in its early stages — I’m guessing it won’t be ready in time to make the 2025 movie calendar — and nothing’s been confirmed regarding casting, so these are only rumors for now. Either way, I hope Selena Gomez keeps Benny Blanco far away from the comments sections of sites like Drop Pop and Pop Hive, because no punches are being pulled regarding fans’ opinion of the music producer possibly playing Flynn Rider. One X (Twitter) user joked:

This person might have been confused since Tangled has the horse and Shrek has the donkey, but other comments made sure to cover all the bases of roles Benny Blanco might be more fit to play:

• He isn’t even hot enough to play the horse chi.. – p0siti0nsstan
• Um he doesnt even qualify Shrek – drewstarkeydick
• He can play the trolls in Frozen – thedivaszn
• We are looking for hero not a dragon – StandardSelena
• Is it a joke? He can play Hagrid in some Harry Potter but definitely not Flynn Rider – saiyananakamoto

The reactions are pretty harsh, but it seems with Flynn being one of the many fictional men who have caused us to set our standards too high and is responsible for one of the most romantic scenes in Disney movie history, fans just aren’t willing to take a chance on Benny Blanco. More social media responses included:

• Rapunzel is definitely fleeing back to Mother Gothel after that – ColeYoung67
• Who asked for this… – hardtingz
• Maybe mother really does know best 😭💀 – rosiesandlali
• Yeah... thats a no from me… – Confused_1DFan
• Flynn is supposed to be attractive – iam_rwylm

Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn in the animated film, weighed in saying Timothée Chalamet might be a good fit for the role. Meanwhile, Mean Girls actress Avantika was met with similar cruel (and racist) backlash when rumors spread that she was being considered for Rapunzel. Fans are also hoping there might be a way to get Levi and OG Rapunzel voice Mandy Moore into the movie as well. We’ll have to see how things develop, but if you want to rewatch 2010’s Tangled in the meantime, you can stream it with a Disney+ subscription.

The latest Disney live-action remake is about to hit the 2024 movie release calendar, but unlike the films we’ve seen in the past, this one isn’t a straight-forward retelling of an animated classic. Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King is both a sequel and a prequel to the 2019 remake that will explore the origin story of the mighty king and his brother Taka (who would come to be known as Scar). Before the movie’s December 20 release, critics were able to screen the upcoming kid-friendly flick, and now they’re here to give us an idea of what to expect.

First reactions to Mufasa: The Lion King were positive, as critics celebrated the improved animation and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s soundtrack. Now that they’re able to expand on their initial thoughts, let’s take a look at what they think of the upcoming Disney movie, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Mufasa: The Lion King. Eric Eisenberg gives the movie 3 out of 5 stars, calling it “serviceable,” with enough good to outweigh the bad. There is plenty of bad, though, as the story gets buried by an overload of prequel material. He writes:

Matt Singer of ScreenCrush also notes Mufasa’s compulsion to overexplain every aspect of the first movie, and while turning Mufasa’s rise to power into its own cinematic experience does make sense, Singer doesn’t understand why Barry Jenkins was the director chosen to do it. The critic rates the film 4 out of 10, saying:

Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gives it 3.5 out of 4 stars, saying that while Barry Jenkins is coloring inside the lines by hitting all of the expected beats of a big studio franchise property, the movie really works. The director alternates from heartwrenching drama to fan-service fun and even shows us new sides of himself through musical numbers and action sequences. The critic continues:

Pete Hammond of Deadline also has good things to say about the “rousing, if not regal” adventure, noting that the return of Timon and Pumbaa is welcome and there are some musical highlights from Lin-Manuel Miranda en route to a majestic conclusion that pays homage to the original. Hammond writes:

Aidan Kelly of Collider rates Mufasa: The Lion King 5 out of 10, saying the sequel is better than the 2019 remake with improved visuals and decently catchy songs. However, the story is too predictable and unengaging, and it ultimately feels like another unnecessary remake. More from the critic:

The critics seem to agree there’s plenty to like in this origin story of two brothers that ultimately led to one of the most tragic Disney deaths, but none was able to call the movie flawless. If you’re looking to hit the theater for Mufasa: The Lion King (or see it in IMAX), you can do so starting on Friday, December 20.

It’s been 30 years since a generation of children were traumatized by watching the mighty king Mufasa falling to his death at the hands of his brother. Simba and the rest of us may have been robbed of the precious wisdom the king had to share, but with Mufasa: The Lion King’s release, the story of Mufasa and Taka will come to life on the 2024 movie calendar. The musical is one of the several upcoming family friendly films, and after catching early screenings, critics are hitting social media with their first reactions.

Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel, since it tells the origin story of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the lion who will come to be known as Scar. It also serves as a sequel to the 2019 remake, with Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reprising their roles. Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter makes her feature film debut as Simba and Nala’s daughter Kiara, and with Barry Jenkins directing and songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, anticipation is high for this one. According to Jazz Tangcay of Variety, it doesn’t disappoint, either, as the critic writes on X (Twitter):

It’s not surprising but definitely comforting to hear good things about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s soundtrack, especially following another Disney movie’s release. Moana 2 has been a huge hit at the box office, but many feel not having Miranda hurt the sequel.

Film critic Dempsey Pillot echoes that sentiment, saying that the sequel/prequel is visually stunning and will definitely keep audiences entertained. Pillot says:

Dana Abercrombie of the Koalition loves the way Mufasa: The Lion King adds more depth to the characters who we’ve been familiar with for decades. She was left without words but was still able to write:

Critic Joaquín Teodoro enjoys how the upcoming live-action Disney remake not only brings us a new story from the familiar universe, but it takes the opportunity to correct things from the 2019 offering. Teodoro says:

The news outlet Atom was over the moon (or maybe over Pride Rock?) after catching an early screening, lauding the cinematography and visual effects in a thread on X. Congratulations are given to the “magical wizards” who make up Mufasa: The Lion King’s crew. In their words:

The feedback doesn’t get much more enthusiastic than that, though there’s not much word about whether or not it will help us millennials get past our decades-old trauma. Thankfully we don’t have to wait too long to grab a Pride Rock popcorn bucket and catch a screening for ourselves. Mufasa: The Lion King hits the big screen on Friday, December 20.

Disney isn’t the only Hollywood studio betting on live-action remakes of animated classics. Universal Studios is also getting into the game by adapting one of the best DreamWorks Animation films, How To Train Your Dragon. Fans of the classic flick are thrilled they’re getting more stories in the universe, but the live-action element was unexpected. Thankfully, they don’t have to worry, considering the original director is at the helm again, and the new Hiccup actor is getting tons of praise from his cast. It seems like the film is in good hands — or should we say, good dragon’s reigns.

The live-action How To Train Your Dragon cast is full of veteran and rising actors, including Gerard Butler, who is reprising his role as Sotick the Vast. However, it’s the newcomer to the franchise, Nick Frost, who has been reassuring fans that the adaptation is going to be everything they deserve.

Frost plays Gobber the Belch, the longtime friend and right-hand man to Hiccup’s father, Stoick the Vast. All that’s to say, he spends a lot of time acting alongside The Black Phone’s Mason Thames, who landed the iconic protagonist role. In an interview with Collider, Frost opened up about what it was like working with Thames:

It’s always nice when an actor doesn’t take themselves too seriously and is able to really connect with their character enough to improvise on the spot.

Based on Frost’s praise, it seems like Thames is exactly that kind of actor, which bodes well for fans worried that a live-action remake would ruin Hiccup’s quirky, loveable personality. And if that doesn’t offer some peace of mind, check out Thames’ work in Netflix’s raunchy, coming-of-age comedy Incoming. It shows off his incredible comedic timing and adorable charm too.

Basically, what I'm saying is, I know Jay Baruchel left big shoes to fill. However, it sounds like Thames is more than up for the task, especially after reading Frost's comments.

While the live-action How To Train Your Dragon finished filming in May, it won’t be making an appearance on the 2024 Movie Schedule. Instead, it is set to premiere in theaters on June 13, 2025, alongside Disney Animation’s Elio.

This gives fans of the animated trilogy plenty of time to stream the originals on some of the best streaming services, including Hulu and Peacock, and prepare themselves for what a live-action Toothless is going to look like when he makes his mark on the 2025 movie schedule.

It’s crazy to think Moana came out in 2016, it feels like just yesterday everyone was playing "How Far I’ll Go" for months on end. Fans were thrilled when Disney announced Moana 2 would be released in theaters on the back half of the 2024 movie schedule. However, the pot was sweetened by the announcement that Moana would be among the Disney favorites getting a live-action remake. Now, it is safe to say it's a decision I can get behind after hearing what we know so far about the live-action Moana as well as Auli'i Cravalho's take on the actress taking over the titular role.

One of the biggest changes between the animated film and the live-action adaptation is that the voice actress who played Moana, Auli’i Cravalho, will not appear as the live-action version of her character. Instead, much like the OG Moana actress herself in 2016, newcomer Catherine Laga'aia will make her big-screen debut as the Pacific Island princess.

While some fans might have been disappointed by this, the Mean Girls actress finally weighed in on the decision, throwing her support and excitement to the 17-year-old actress taking up the role in a recent interview with People:

I agree with this decision to cast a new actress. Not that I don’t love Auli’i, I think she is an amazing actress and singer (I went to Mean Girls specifically to see her and Reneé Rapp absolutely slay their roles as Janice and Regina). But when it comes to live-action remakes, I think it is important to consider the age of the actor or actress in relation to the age of the character. Cravalho is now 23, and she was 16 when Moana was released. According to the actress herself, Moana being a teenager is essential to the plot of the movie:

But fear not, Cravalho will still voice and sing as Moana in the second animated film and join the live-action project as a producer. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as the sometimes vain, yet kind-hearted demigod Maui in both upcoming films, just two of the many movies The Rock has on his schedule. The magic of the first Moana will still exist even without songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, as Hamilton director Thomas Kail has signed onto the live-action remake.

The All Together Now actress says Laga'aia definitely has that magic that is at the heart of the Oscar-nominated original film. She said she is “so excited” to see the young actress play the islander princess in this important “pan-Polynesian story,” especially when there is still very little Pacific Island representation in the film industry. The “How Far I’ll Go” singer says that is the key to a successful Moana remake:

As for continuing Moana’s story in the animated Moana 2, The Power actress revealed that there will be a small time jump of 3 years. Fans will see a 19-year-old Moana embark on a "completely different journey" in the sequel. However, it will build off the plot in the first one.

So, the release of the movie later this year gives us a reason to rewatch the first Moana, as if we really needed a reason besides it just existing. You can rewatch it now and sing your heart out with a Disney+ subscription. Then, you can catch Auli'i Cravalho reprising the titular role when Moana 2 hits theaters on November 27. Then the wait will really begin to see Catherine Laga'aia take over the role in the realm of live-action in 2026.

With every passing day, we at CinemaBlend are getting more excited to stream One Piece Season 2 with a Netflix subscription. The latest castings have helped with that a lot, as exciting names like David Dastmalchian and more got added in key roles tied to the Baroque Works criminal syndicate. I'm excited about it, but it's also got me thinking about how the show will eventually handle Mr. 2, a major character within this group.

When a story has been told over the course of a few decades, there are bound to be instances where something feels dated or offensive in more modern times. Mr. 2 is a perfect example of that, and I do wonder how the show will work out a way to include this character and remain faithful without upsetting anyone.

Mr. 2 Is A Character With A Problematic Representation In The Anime

One Piece's manga and anime have run since the late '90s, and it's more than fair to say that the world overall has changed in a lot of ways. This includes the way we address individuals who identify by non-binary and gender-nonconforming pronouns, which is the case with Mr. 2 in the anime. This Devil Fruit user can clone others to mimic their appearance, meaning they can appear as both male and female.

As such, Mr. 2 always pointed out they were both male and female, but many One Piece characters, including the Straw Hats, used he/him pronouns to identify the character.

Gender fluidity and non-binary pronouns weren't normalized in the mainstream a few decades ago, of course. Also, Mr. 2 as a character's identity is played more as a joke than anything. This makes me wonder how they'll depict them in Netflix's show, because it seems logical that they'd change some things about this character's story to make it more respectful of their identity.

Will Mr. 2 Be Changed For Live-Action Or Excluded Entirely? 

When it comes to how Mr. 2 will be depicted in Netflix's show, it's an interesting conundrum. We've seen Netflix's One Piece differ from the anime before, however, completely changing up a character hasn't happened yet. I have to wonder how anime fans will respond if Bon Clay shows up and does not resemble the version of themselves from the anime, especially given how faithful the live-action show has been to character design thus far.

Ultimately, Mr. 2 became an ally of the Straw Hats, and played a massive role in a One Piece arc down the line that fans still celebrate to this day. Additionally, the anime modernized with the times, and began to introduce characters with more gender fluidity. Of course, all of that is far into the future of the animated show, and ultimately something the Netflix series may never get a chance to adapt.

Netflix's One Piece has done a great job adapting the anime in Season 1, but how they handle this problem, as well as address other characters like Chopper and such, will be a real test to determine whether or not it can keep the adaptation as close to the actual anime as possible.

However, when it comes to representing Mr. 2, I'm sure they'll do so with respect and accuracy. Based on how they've adapted the show so far, I have no reason to doubt the team behind the Netflix series. I'm sure that when it's time to introduce Mr. 2 they will come into the show in a faithful way that also respects their identity.

One Piece Season 2 is expected to stream on Netflix in 2025. Filming is currently underway in Cape Town, and while that's exciting, I wonder if we'll get the biggest fan casting we've seen yet or not. We shall wait and see!

For many life-long Avatar: The Last Airbender fans, the 2010 live-action movie by M. Night Shyamalan made us fearful of other attempts to re-create the beloved animated series. So, when Netflix’s adaptation of The Last Airbender was announced as part of the 2024 TV schedule, many were skeptical. However, things seem to be moving in the right direction, and now, the EP of the new show has opened up about the flack the 2010 film got, and if it’s impacted his series.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Avatar movie had issues, and a lot of them. Fans of the Nickelodeon series were livid about the special effects not being up to par, the changing of many characters and the whitewashing of the cast. So, when the Netflix series’ EP and showrunner Albert Kim took on the daunting project of creating a live-action adaptation of the beloved fantasy epic, thoughts about the 2010 film were reignited. However, Kim tried his best not to look too far into the film as he told EW:

Kim was very aware of the criticisms the 2010 project received though. Addressing the film’s casting choices and the special effects, both of which received harsh reactions, the showrunner for the Netflix series said:

As Kim stated, his show has been able to avoid the issues the film faced so far. For example, Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender cast is faithful to the original show, and it features Asian and Indigenous actors – including Gordon Cormier as Aang and Kiawentiio as Katara. 

Also, The Last Airbender’s teaser showed off the visually stunning landscapes and special effects that are possible because of the technological advancements in filmmaking and VFX work. As Kim said, Shyamalan’s movie didn’t have the tech they have now, meaning it was nearly impossible to create effects that were super similar to the bending and action sequences in the OG animated series. 

While it’s been revealed that there will be changes made to Netflix’s Airbender adaptation, I’m cautiously optimistic about the series. Plus, it seems like they are working hard to make a faithful live-action show that fans of the animated series will love. Hopefully, Kim’s project will live up to the hype and become one of Netflix’s best shows, and those who adore the OG series won’t feel the need to react the same way they did in 2010.

We’ll find all this out when Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender premieres on February 22. In the meantime, you can stream the OG Nickelodeon show with a Netflix subscription. 

Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender’s premiere on the 2024 TV schedule is right around the corner (February 22), which means anticipation is running very high. Since the live-action movie in 2010, fans have been trepidatious, to say the least, about other adaptations of the beloved Nickelodeon series. So, it makes sense that once they find out a big change is being made to this new show, they’d be nervous. However, after hearing the showrunner's explanation, I don’t think fans of the original series should be too worried. 

Showrunner Albert Kim shared new details about the upcoming show and a major change they’re making to the beginning of the series. However, if there’s one thing I know about Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender it’s that it’s being made with love, and ultimately, I think this change will be logical. However, with all that being said, let’s get into what this big change could be, why fans shouldn’t be too worried, and my theory about how the series might begin. 

The Big Change Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Is Making

While speaking with EW, Albert Kim talked about adapting 20, 30-minute episodes into eight one-hour episodes of serialized drama, and how the show will both stay true to the animated series and change a few things. These changes will include a big one at the start, as the showrunner said:

It’s unclear what this change will be. However, we can expect something quite different from the OG story, which opens with an extended credits scene explaining the history of what happened while the Avatar was on ice as well as Katara and Sokka finding Avatar Aang in an iceberg. Kim continued saying this "remix" was done to help make a logical "serialized drama." 

Avatar fans are protective, so they’re bound to have thoughts about this. However, as a lifelong fan of the animated series, I don’t think we need to be worried.

Why Fans Of The OG Avatar: The Last Airbender Shouldn’t Be Worried

So far, all Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has done is prove that we’re in for a treat. 

The announcement of the live-action Last Airbender cast was epic, and it’s clear that they’ve cast a representative, diverse and fitting ensemble. On top of that, the folks behind the show adore the OG series, and they want to do right by it. Speaking about the change at the beginning, why they did it, and their histories with the Nickelodeon show Kim said:

We are going to see a big change at the beginning of the show. However, Kim assured us that the people working on it love the animated source material, and are working really hard to make this something fans of the Nickelodeon program will love.

We got a glimpse of this when the Last Airbender teaser trailer came out, and we saw the stunning visuals and accurate depictions of the characters, creatures and lands:

So, overall, I don’t think we need to be worried about this starting in a different way, because the trailer is already so faithful to the OG Last Airbender. Along with that, you can see the iceberg Aang is in in the clip, showing that while the first few scenes will differ, we’re going to get that classic origin story of the boy in the iceberg. 

Now the question becomes, how will the start of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender be different?

My Theory About How The Show Will Start

Of course, I have a theory about this difference. 

The article notes that Season 1 of the live-action series will take a serialized approach rather than a challenge-of-the-week format. This means the overall conflict involving Zuko’s father Fire Lord Ozai will likely be brought to the forefront.

In Season 1 of the animated series, Zuko’s father is really only mentioned, and he doesn’t become a mainstay until the later installments. With the beginning of the show changing, I could see them giving us a history of the Fire Nation’s attacks before we head to the Water Tribe. That way we fully understand what Aang and the gang are up against from the jump.

Luckily, we won’t have to wait long to see this change Kim is talking about, and if my theory is correct. Hopefully, it’ll prove to be a good one; I know I think it will. In the meantime, you can prepare for the live-action Avatar, by watching the OG The Last Airbender with a Netflix subscription. 

Sabrina Carpenter became a household name after appearing in the Disney Channel original series Girl Meets World. Since then, she’s starred in several films and embarked on a successful singing career. Carpenter is currently touring with Taylor Swift as part of the record-breaking Eras Tour, but that hasn’t stopped her from shouting out her Disney start, and humorously addressing fans who want her to return to the House of Mouse to play a specific princess. 

In a viral TikTok video the singer shared, she can be seen twirling around in a purple, corset-style mini dress reminiscent of the one Rapunzel wears in Disney’s beloved (and highly reviewed) Tangled. Adding to the look is a gorgeous tiara and the princess’s weapon of choice: a frying pan. Carpenter shared the video with the caption “vague ambiguous long-haired princess.” Let me just say that I am obsessed, and I need her to play Rapunzel immediately. 

This isn’t the first time the singer has made headlines when it comes to a live-action Tangled adaptation. Earlier this year, she shared photos of her and Red, White, and Royal Blue star Taylor Zakhar Perez at Joey King’s wedding that had fans clamoring for them to be cast in the rumored film. The new video only added to their desires, with many taking to the TikTok comments to demand she play the lost princess.  Take a look at some of the highlights: 

• @kyndall wrote: “if u don’t play rapunzel in the live action tangled then i don’t want it.”
• @aidanXD wrote: “WHO DO WE GO TO?! WHO’S IN CHARGE OF THE TANGLED REMAKE? 😭”
• @crisss wrote: “oh she saw the fan casts and she’s gunning for that role, i love to see it

One fan (@xaviers.monkey) even took things to another level, writing:

While I wouldn’t go as far as considering the video an official announcement, I definitely agree that Carpenter needs to play the lost princess. 

Not only is she a talented actress, but she’s also got a voice that is on par with Mandy Moore’s, who voiced Rapunzel in Tangled. She also already has gorgeous blonde locks that make her nearly identical to the princess. Not to mention, she’s the perfect age to bring her to life. There’s no denying the singer/actress is my front-runner, dethroning Florence Pugh, who has been rumored to be up for the hypothetical part too. 

However, the new video does have me a bit worried, considering SAG-AFTRA made it clear that dressing up as characters owned by struck companies is breaking strike rules. Though, she doesn’t appear to be the only one breaking the rules, as several celebrities dressed up as movie characters this weekend. Hopefully, Carpenter will get a pass since she wasn’t actually in a licensed Rapunzel costume, and according to her caption she was "a vague ambiguous long-haired princess." 

While a live-action Tangled has not been confirmed to be part of Walt Disney Studio’s live-action remake slate, it does seem likely that the film will eventually join the countless other adaptations. Until then, fans will have to keep streaming the animated Tangled with a Disney+ subscription. And keep an eye out on our upcoming Disney movie guide for the latest announcements. 

As it stands, Disney’s live action remake of The Little Mermaid is currently the seventh-highest grossing movie of 2023. Behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Barbie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fast X, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Oppenheimer, the latest retelling has made $567,557,224 worldwide at the time of writing. But what makes remakes like it so successful?

While news of another live action remake at the hands of Walt Disney Studios is often met with disdain, you can’t argue with those figures. Clearly Disney’s formula of taking a cookie cutter to its animated classics is working – and as a big Disney fan, I can't help but be excited to re-experience the magic of those earlier animations in an all new light.

With 21 live action adaptations already released and plenty upcoming live action remakes in the pipeline (including Snow White, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Moana all of which already have release dates), I asked Media Psychologist Pamela Rutledge why remakes appeal to us so much. 

Why Do We Love A Remake?

When it comes to a favorite book, movie, or TV show, you may have found yourself mourning the fact you'll never get to experience it for the first time again as something completely fresh, new, and magical. By tapping into our nostalgia, reboots and remakes come close to recreating a feeling akin to that and, in many cases, can take us back to that point in our lives that movie or show is so closely attached to in our minds. As Rutledge continues:

I cannot tell you the amount of times I have watched the animated movie Anastasia (1997) or the absolutely iconic A Cinderella Story (2004)  – or just about any 2000s movie starring Hilary Duff for that matter. I played the DVDs and, in the former's case, VHS tape over and over again as a kid and preteen. And when I'm trying to cheer myself up, these movies are still my go-to. Sure, not because of their cinematic genius but because of that strong connection with my childhood.

Perhaps oddly, the most recent addition to my list of comfort watches is Normal People, which if you've seen it isn't a particularly cozy, 'happy ending' kind of watch. It's actually quite a painful yet honest depiction of messy human emotions and two people who keep missing each other. My reaction to it is almost guttural – which says a lot as I am not often physically moved by TV shows or movies, as much as I'd love a cathartic cry.

The first time I read the book by Sally Rooney, though, and the year in which the TV show was released, quite accurately signpost the beginning and end of a significant period in my life. So what Rutledge says makes a lot of sense to our innate sentimentality as human beings, and is another piece in the puzzle as to why film studios find so much success monetizing on our sense of nostalgia.

So Why Would Disney Choose To Return To Old Trodden Ground Rather Than Make Something New?

I'm going to get cynical about the innerworkings of a film studio and say that, when push comes to shove (if that), it's all about what's going to make the most money. 

It's a commonly used phrase that there's no such thing as an original idea anymore – and even if there was, can you guarantee it'll be a box office hit? With enough exciting names attached to a movie across cast and crew, it could fly, of course. But it's always a risk – one that studios aren't always willing to take.

By taking something already well-known, that has a dedicated fanbase, and spinning it into something new but with the fundamentals the same, you can almost guarantee to get butts on seats at the movies. Even if fans are hate-watching (as happened with The Little Mermaid and the review bombing that occurred), in the grand scheme of making a profit, money is money.

The same goes for book-to-screen adaptations, too, with some of the biggest franchise in not so recent memory heralding from book series like Twilight and The Hunger Games, as well as the newer hits like the aforementioned Normal People and Red, White, and Royal Blue. Not to mention the fact the Harry Potter books are being adapted for a second time by Max.

Is it necessary? Probably not. But will diehard fans part with their cash to experience something they love come to life (even if it isn't for the first time). Absolutely, yes.

How Does The Remake Strategy Apply To Streaming Services?

While the dreaded pandemic might largely be behind us, it certainly set a new precedence for how we consume movies, with the latest releases often hitting whichever service gets the rights to the IP a lot sooner. 

Take The Little Mermaid for instance, which arrives on Disney Plus 14 weeks after its cinematic release on September 6. Only a few years ago when streaming services were somewhat less prevalent, you could expect to wait 5 months or more for a successful film to come out on DVD back in the day.

Not only an indication of the way streaming services have impacted theatrical release timelines, it also alludes to a business model in which these services need to abide by, providing a continuous stream of new titles to watch – and, incidentally, building upon their brand.

JustWatch allows readers around the world to find out where they can watch any and all TV shows and movies, listing what streaming platforms titles are currently on as well as where you can rent or buy digital copies and in 4K.

Where reboots might effect streaming service business strategies, I spoke to Victor Tejeda, JustWatch's Senior Digital Marketing Manager, who said:

Remakes, then, are not just about box office numbers but also about subscriber retention. For Disney Plus, the expansion of its brand is fuelled not only by the live action remakes, many of which have gone straight to streaming, like with Peter Pan & Wendy and Pinocchio... It also does so by tapping into the franchise we are already emotionally invested in, expanding both the Star Wars and Marvel universes with Original titles, for instance, and giving subscribers more of what they want for the price of Disney Plus.

The same is evident elsewhere. Max (formerly HBO Max) has build out the world of  DC superheroes with shows like Harley Quinn and Peacemaker, as well as reviving HBO hits like Sex and the City with the sequel series And Just Like That. Meanwhile, Paramount Plus revived iCarly. Not to mention the expansion of the Yellowstone universe of the back of its success, with numerous spinoff series like 1883 and 1923.

So what makes remakes so popular and why do film studios love doing them so much? Well, by playing on our nostalgia, they are guaranteeing, if not outright box office success then at least a healthy turnout of fans and haters alike. They are capitalising on our sense of nostalgia and ownership of these old, beloved stories and building upon a pre-existing fanbase and established brand.