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Every Live-Action Disney Remake, Ranked

(L to R) Afia (voiced Anika Noni Rose), Young Mufasa (voiced by Braelyn Rankins) and Masego (voiced by Keith David) in Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights

Walt Disney Pictures began adapting their classic animated movies into live-action films in the mid-90s to varied results.

For every box office hit like ‘Beauty and the Beast‘, ‘Aladdin‘, and ‘The Lion King‘, there have been box office failures like ‘Pinocchio‘, ‘Dumbo‘, or ‘Lady and the Tramp‘.

Opening in theaters on December 20th is the new live-action prequel to 2019’s ‘The Lion King’, entitled ‘Mufasa: The Lion King‘. In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every live -action Disney remake of an animated film ever made.

Let’s begin!

23. ‘Pinocchio‘ (2022)

(L-R): Pinocchio (voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), Tom Hanks as Geppetto, and Figaro in Disney’s live-action ‘Pinocchio,’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis directs this live action retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, the wood carver who builds and treats Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) as if he were his own son. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience”; Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo is the Blue Fairy; Keegan-Michael Key is “Honest” John; Academy Award® nominee Lorraine Bracco is Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. Also in the cast are Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.
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22. ‘The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story‘ (1998)

Told from Mowgli’s point of view, it’s the story of how a boy became a mancub and a mancub became a man.
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21. ‘The Jungle Book‘ (1994)

Raised by wild animals since childhood, Mowgli (Jason Scott Lee) is drawn away from the jungle by the beautiful Kitty. But Mowgli must eventually face corrupt Capt. Boone, who wants both Kitty’s hand and the treasures of Monkey City – a place only Mowgli can find.
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20. ‘Dumbo‘ (2019)

2019’s ‘Dumbo’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
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19. ‘102 Dalmatians‘ (2000)

Get ready for a howling good time as an all new assortment of irresistible animal heroes are unleashed in this great family tail! In an unlikely alliance, the outrageous Waddlesworth – a parrot who thinks he’s a Rottweiler – teams up with Oddball – an un-marked Dalmatian puppy eager to earn her spots! Together they embark on a laugh-packed quest to outwit the ever-scheming Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close).
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18. ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice‘ (2010)

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.
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17. ‘The Jungle Book‘ (2016)

A man-cub named Mowgli (Neel Sethi) fostered by wolves. After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba), Mowgli is forced to flee the jungle, by which he embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and the free-spirited bear, Baloo (Bill Murray).
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16. ‘Christopher Robin‘ (2018)

Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), the boy who had countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his spirited and loveable stuffed animals, Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang, to rekindle their friendship and remind him of endless days of childlike wonder and make-believe, when doing nothing was the very best something.
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15. ‘Lady and the Tramp‘ (2019)

2019’s ‘Lady and the Tramp’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

The love story between a pampered Cocker Spaniel named Lady (Tessa Thompson) and a streetwise mongrel named Tramp (Justin Theroux). Lady finds herself out on the street after her owners have a baby and is saved from a pack by Tramp, who tries to show her to live her life footloose and collar-free.
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14. ‘Peter Pan & Wendy‘ (2023)

Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson), a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home behind, meets Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), a boy who refuses to grow up. Alongside her brothers and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi), she travels with Peter to the magical world of Neverland. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain, Captain Hook (Jude Law), and embarks on a thrilling adventure that will change her life forever.
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13. ‘101 Dalmatians‘ (1996)

An evil, high-fashion designer (Glenn Close) plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.
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12. ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass‘ (2016)

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) returns to Underland and faces a new adventure in saving the Mad Hatter.
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11. ‘Mulan‘ (2020)

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Chinese Army to defend the country from Huns, Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei), the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. She is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. Disguised as a man by the name of Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential.
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10. ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil‘ (2019)

Angelina Jolie in ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and her goddaughter Aurora (Elle Fanning) begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play.
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9. ‘Mufasa: The Lion King‘ (2024)

Rafiki (John Kani) relays the legend of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) to lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion a journey of misfits searching for their destiny and working together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
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8. ‘Aladdin‘ (2019)

A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin (Mean Massoud) embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie (Will Smith) while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
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7. ‘Maleficent‘ (2014)

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land’s fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King’s successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora (Elle Fanning). As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent’s true happiness as well.
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6. ‘The Lion King‘ (2019)

Simba (Donald Glover) idolizes his father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
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5. ‘Cinderella‘ (2015)

(L to R) Lily James and Richard Madden in ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden) in the woods.
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4. ‘The Little Mermaid‘ (2023)

The youngest of King Triton’s (Javier Bardem) daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel (Halle Bailey) longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). With mermaids forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
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3. ‘Cruella‘ (2021)

In 1970s London, amidst the punk rock revolution, a young grifter named Estella (Emma Stone), a clever and creative girl, is determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.
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2. ‘Alice in Wonderland‘ (2010)

Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny.
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1. ‘Beauty and the Beast‘ (2017)

(L to R) Dan Stevens and Emma Watson in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

A live-action adaptation of Disney’s version of the classic tale of a cursed prince (Dan Stevens) and a beautiful young woman (Emma Watson) who helps him break the spell.
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December 18, 2024
Paul King Directing Disney’s ‘Prince Charming’ Movie
Director Paul King at the London World Premiere of ‘Wonka.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Preview:
- ‘Paddington’ director Paul King is tackling Disney’s ‘Prince Charming.’
- It’ll be a live-action take on the typically animated character.
- Simon Farnaby and Jon Croker are co-writing the script.
Disney has been on a real adaptation spree in the last decade or so, rooting through its animated back catalogue for titles and characters it can use to make new live-action films.

While the quality and box office has been hit-or-miss, the company is still committed to the idea, with prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ landing in December, ‘Snow White’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ following next year and ‘Moana’ due in 2026.

We can add Prince Charming to the list, as, according to Deadline, filmmaker Paul King has made a deal to turn the character into a new live-action fairytale.

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Wonka’

What’s the story of ‘Prince Charming’?

(L to R) Lily James and Richard Madden in ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

That’s the big question at this point –– Charming rarely has much of his own story, usually being found as the romantic interest for the likes of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, though his real origin lies in ‘Cinderella.’
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Deadline has heard, however, that we shouldn’t expect specific ties to any of the stories –– but it’ll still be interesting to see where King and his collaborators take the tale.

What else has Paul King directed?

Hugh Grant in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

King, who got his start on British television with the likes of comedy series ‘The Mighty Boosh,’ graduated to features with ‘Bunny and the Bull’ in 2009 but is probably best known for the pair of instant classics that are the first two ‘Paddington’ movies, one in 2014 and the even better-received sequel in 2017.

He’s also since co-written and directed musical prequel ‘Wonka’ starring Timothée Chalamet as the chocolatier who will go on to feature in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ The 2023 movie scored more great reviews for King and earned more than $634 million at the worldwide box office.

‘Prince Charming’ will see King co-writing the script with Jon Croker (who contributed to both ‘Paddington’ movies) and Simon Farnaby, who similarly co-wrote on the ‘Paddington’ movies, appeared in both and also co-wrote/acted in ‘Wonka.’

The reunion of this particular creative team gives us a lot of hope for the Charming film –– hopefully it will turn out as sweet and weird at their other movies.

When would the new ‘Prince Charming’ be in theaters?

Even with its history of cranking out these live-action movies, Disney has yet to announce a release date for –– or even confirm the new status of –– the Prince Charming movie.

We can’t imagine it would arrive before 2026.

(L to R) Timothee Chalamet and director Pau King at a fan event for ‘Wonka.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Other Paul King Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘The Mighty Boosh‘ (2004 – 2007)
- ‘Bunny and the Bull‘ (2009)
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘Paddington 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Wonka‘ (2023)
- ‘Paddington in Peru‘ (2025)
Buy Paul King Movies on Amazon
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October 22, 2024
Every Kenneth Branagh Directed Movie, Ranked

(L to R) Director Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot and crew on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘A Haunting In Venice.’ Photo by Rob Youngson. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Kenneth Branagh is an Oscar-winning Writer, director, producer, and actor.

The filmmaker first made a name for himself in the 80’s and 90’s for his big screen adaptions of William Shakespeare plays like ‘Henry V,’ ‘Much Ado About Nothing‘ and ‘Hamlet,’ which he also starred in.

As a director Branagh is also well-known for adapting other literary masterpieces to the big screen such as ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,’ ‘Thor,’ ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and the Agatha Christie adaptions, where he also plays detective Hercule Poirot including ‘Murder on the Orient Express,’ ‘Death on the Nile,’ and ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ which opens in theaters on September 15th.

He’s also appeared in many beloved films as an actor that he did not direct like ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,’ ‘Valkyrie,’ and Christopher Nolan‘s ‘Dunkirk,’ ‘Tenet‘ and the recent ‘Oppenheimer.’

After several Academy Award nominations over the course of his career, Branagh finally won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his very personal 2021 film ‘Belfast.’

In honor of ‘A Haunting in Venice’s release, Moviefone is counting down every movie Kenneth Branagh has ever directed.

Let’s begin!

20. ‘Artemis Fowl‘ (2020)

Ferdia Shaw in ‘Artemis Fowl.’ Photo: Nicola Dove / Disney.

Artemis Fowl (Ferdia Shaw) is a 12-year-old genius and descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds. He soon finds himself in an epic battle against a race of powerful underground fairies who may be behind his father’s (Colin Farrell) disappearance.
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19. ‘In the Bleak Midwinter‘ (1996)

Out of work actor Joe (Michael Maloney) volunteers to help try and save his sister’s local church for the community by putting on a Christmas production of Hamlet, somewhat against the advice of his agent Margaretta (Joan Collins). As the cast he assembles are still available even at Christmas and are prepared to do it on a ‘profit sharing’ basis (that is, they may not get paid anything) he cannot expect – and does not get – the cream of the cream. But although they all bring their own problems and foibles along, something bigger starts to emerge in the perhaps aptly named village of Hope.
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18. ‘The Magic Flute‘ (2006)

During World War I, in an unnamed country, a soldier named Tamino (Joseph Kaiser) is sent by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina (Amy Carson) from the clutches of the supposedly evil Sarastro (René Pape). But all is not as it seems.
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17. ‘All Is True‘ (2019)

London, June 29th, 1613. The Globe Theater, ran by the famous playwright William Shakespeare (Branagh), accidentally burns to ashes. Seriously affected, he stops writing and returns to his hometown, where his wife Anne (Judi Dench) and daughters Judith (Kathryn Wilder) and Susanna (Lydia Wilson) get surprised to hear he intends to stay there definitively, after two decades working in the capital, neglecting his sincere affections for them.
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16. ‘Peter’s Friends‘ (1992)

After inheriting a large country estate from his late father, Peter (Stephen Fry) invites his friends from college: married couple Roger (Hugh Laurie) and Mary (Imelda Staunton), the lonely Maggie (Emma Thompson), fashionable Sarah (Alphonsia Emmanuel), and writer Andrew (Branagh), who brings his American TV star wife, Carol (Rita Rudner). Sarah’s new boyfriend, Brian (Tony Slattery), also attends. It has been 10 years since college, and they find their lives are very different.
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15. ‘A Haunting in Venice‘ (2023)

Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 20th Century Studios’ ‘A Haunting in Venice.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Celebrated sleuth Hercule Poirot (Branagh), now retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, reluctantly attends a Halloween séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.
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14. ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost‘ (2000)

The King of Navarre (Alessandro Nivola) and his three companions swear a very public oath to study together and to renounce women for three years. Their honour is immediately put to the test by the arrival of the Princess of France (Alicia Silverstone) and her three lovely companions. It’s love at first sight for all concerned followed by the men’s hopeless efforts to disguise their feelings.
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13. ‘Death on the Nile‘ (2022)

Based on the 1937 novel by Agatha Christie, ‘Death on the Nile’ is a daring mystery-thriller about the emotional chaos and deadly consequences triggered by obsessive love. Branagh is back as the iconic detective Hercule Poirot, and is joined by Tom Bateman, four-time Oscar® nominee Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders and Letitia Wright.
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12. ‘As You Like It‘ (2007)

Witty, playful and utterly magical, the story is a compelling romantic adventure in which Rosalind (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Orlando’s (David Oyelowo) celebrated courtship is played out against a backdrop of political rivalry, banishment and exile in the Forest of Arden – set in 19th-century Japan.
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11. ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein‘ (1994)

Based on Mary Shelley’s novel, “Frankenstein” tells the story of Victor Frankenstein (Branagh), a promising young doctor who, devastated by the death of his mother during childbirth, becomes obsessed with bringing the dead back to life. His experiments lead to the creation of a monster (Robert De Niro), which Frankenstein has put together with the remains of corpses. It’s not long before Frankenstein regrets his actions.
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10. ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit‘ (2014)

Chris Pine plays the young Jack Ryan, cruising the downtown streets of Manhattan for ‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo credit: David Lee.

Jack Ryan (Chris Pine), as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.
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9. ‘Much Ado About Nothing‘ (1993)

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) — a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.
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8. ‘Sleuth‘ (2007)

On his sprawling country estate, an aging writer (Michael Caine) matches wits with the struggling actor (Jude Law) who has stolen his wife’s heart.
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7. ‘Cinderella‘ (2015)

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella’s fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (Richard Madden) in the woods.
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6. ‘Hamlet‘ (1996)

Hamlet (Branagh), Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his father (Brian Blessed) murdered and his mother (Julie Christie) now marrying the murderer… his uncle (Derek Jacobi). Meanwhile, war is brewing.
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5. ‘Thor‘ (2011)

Chris Hemsworth in ‘Thor.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Against his father Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – a powerful but arrogant warrior god – recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
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4. ‘Dead Again‘ (1991)

In 1949 composer Roman Strauss (Branagh) is executed for the vicious murder of his wife Margaret (Emma Thompson) with a pair of scissors. In 1990s Los Angeles a mute amnesiac woman (also Thompson) shows up at an orphanage and private eye Mike Church (also Branagh) is called in to investigate. Under hypnosis both the woman and Church seem to have a strange link back to the Strauss murder.
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3. ‘Murder on the Orient Express‘ (2017)

Genius Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) investigates the murder of an American tycoon (Johnny Depp) aboard the Orient Express train.
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2. ‘Henry V‘ (1989)

Gritty adaption of William Shakespeare’s play about the English King’s (Branagh) bloody conquest of France.
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1. ‘Belfast‘ (2021)

(L to R) Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Jude Hill, and Lewis McAskie in ‘Belfast,’ directed by Kenneth Branagh

Written and directed by Branagh, ‘Belfast’ is a poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy’s (Jude Hill) childhood, amid the music and social tumult of the late 1960s.
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September 13, 2023
Tom Holland’s ‘Uncharted,’ Kevin Hart’s ‘Fatherhood’ Get 2020 Release Dates

Sony Pictures Releasing

Sony has set release dates for a slew of movies, including “Uncharted” starring Tom Holland and “Fatherhood” with Kevin Hart.

“Uncharted,” the video game adaptation centered on treasure hunter Nathan Drake, will open Dec. 18, 2020. The project has been long in the works, with Holland jumping on board two years ago. With director Dan Trachtenberg hired in January, things finally seem to be moving forward.

Sony also announced release dates for several other movies, including “Fatherhood” starring Hart and directed by Paul Weitz. The family dramedy, adapted from a book by Matt Logelin, tells the story of a fatherleft to raise his daughter alone following his wife’s death in childbirth. It will open April 3, 2020.

A new musical-comedy take on “Cinderella” starring pop singer Camila Cabello is set for Feb. 5, 2021.

Sony also moved “Escape Room 2” from April 2020 to Aug. 14, 2020.

June 7, 2019
National Film Registry Adds ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Jurassic Park,’ More

Focus Features

The Library of Congress just can’t quite “Brokeback Mountain.”

The Library’s National Film Registry has added the acclaimed drama, along with 24 other films deemed culturally, historically or aesthetically significant to the nation’s film heritage, ensuring each selection is preserved for all time.

Also joining the registry are Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking dinosaur adventure “Jurassic Park,” Stanley Kubrick’s horror film “The Shining,” and the classic musical “My Fair Lady.”

“Brokeback Mountain,” which came out in 2005 and starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two cowboys who share a forbidden love, is the most recent film on the list.

In a statement, director Ang Lee said, “I didn’t intend to make a statement with ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ I simply wanted to tell a purely Western love story between two cowboys. To my great surprise, the film ended up striking a deep chord with audiences; the movie became a part of the culture, a reflection of the darkness and light — of violent prejudice and enduring love — in the rocky landscape of the American heart. More than a decade has passed since ‘Brokeback Mountain’ was released, but I hope that this film, a small movie with wide open spaces, continues to express something both fresh and fundamental about my adopted country.”

Here’s the full list of new additions, in alphabetical order:

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Broadcast News (1987)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Cinderella (1950)
Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Dixon-Wanamaker Expedition to Crow Agency (1908)
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
The Girl Without a Soul (1917)
Hair Piece: A Film for Nappy-Headed People (1984)
Hearts and Minds (1974)
Hud (1963)
The Informer (1935)
Jurassic Park (1993)
The Lady From Shanghai (1947)
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Monterey Pop (1968)
My Fair Lady (1964)
The Navigator (1924)
On the Town (1949)
One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Rebecca (1940)
The Shining (1980)
Smoke Signals (1998)
Something Good – Negro Kiss (1898)

December 12, 2018
Keira Knightley’s Daughter Isn’t Allowed to Watch Certain Disney Princess Films

Disney

As parents of young children can attest, kids absorb way more information than you think they do. And that’s why Keira Knightley says she’s “banned” her daughter from watching certain films.

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres this week, Knightley explained that she wants to support all of her daughter’s dreams — even when the three-and-a-half-year-old recently declared that she wants to be a lion when she grows up. And part of encouraging her daughter’s independence means that the young girl isn’t allowed to see certain Disney princesses in action.

Take “Cinderella,” for example.

“She waits around for a rich guy to rescue her,” Knightley said of the title character. “Don’t. Rescue yourself, obviously.”

Another flick on Knightley’s banned list is a bit harder for the actress to enforce, since she admitted that she actually loves the movie. But “The Little Mermaid” is also in the Do Not Watch category.

“The songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man!” the exasperated actress exclaimed. “Hello!”

But lest you think Knightley has put a blanket ban on anything and everything Disney-related, fear not: She told DeGeneres that “Finding Dory” (which not-so-coincidentally features the voice of DeGeneres in the titular role), “Frozen,” and “Moana” were all family favorites.

Knightley herself is trying to help lead the charge at the studio in the way of female empowerment, starring in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and the upcoming “Nutcracker and the Four Realms.” We have a feeling that that latter flick will be a popular movie night selection in Knightley’s home in the coming years.

October 16, 2018
Disney’s Live-Action ‘Prince Charming’ Lands ‘Wonder’ Director

Prince Charming, and his brother, are headed to theaters.

“Wonder” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” director/writer Stephen Chbosky will write and possibly direct Disney’s reimagining of the iconic “Cinderella” hero. (It’s not crystal clear yet, but they may combine the “Cinderella” prince with the prince of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and maybe even “Sleeping Beauty.” Just a fresh take on the Disney prince trope.)

According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Fogel wrote the initial script for this live-action “Prince Charming” movie, which examines the prince from the point of view of his brother, who never quite lived up to the family name.

It kinda-sorta sounds like what “Once Upon a Time” did with Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) on ABC. But we’ll see.

“Prince Charming” will reunite Stephen Chbosky with his “Wonder” team of David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films/TV, whoare producing the film along with Tripp Vinson.

Chbosky wrote the book and screenplay for “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and directed the movie with Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. He also co-wrote the screenplay for Emma Watson’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast.”

Disney has been on a live-action roll, including 2015’s “Cinderella,” which had Richard Madden as the prince. It’d be cool if Disney used this to create its own live-action universe, like Marvel and DC, and cast Madden in “Prince Charming,” this time as the supporting hero opposite whoever plays his brother. But Disney will probably go a different route.

We’ll have to stay tuned for what they *do* decide to do, as this Charming story moves forward.

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November 17, 2017
Why Emma Watson Turned Down ‘Cinderella’ Before ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Cinderella can keep her glass slippers and talking animal friends, Emma Watson is happy she chose Belle’s books and talking furniture friends in “Beauty and the Beast.”

You may recall seeing Watson’s name come up for the role Lily James ended up taking in Disney’s live-action “Cinderella.” In 2013, it was revealed that Watson had dropped out of talks. Why? In a new cover story for Total Film — which features a few new photos — Watson explained why she picked Belle over Ella (via E!):

“I didn’t know they were going to make ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the time I turned down ‘Cinderella.’ But when they offered me Belle, I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did. … She remains curious, compassionate and open-minded. And that’s the kind of woman I would want to embody as a role model, given the choice. … There’s this kind of outsider quality that Belle had, and the fact she had this really empowering defiance of what was expected of her. In a strange way, she challenges the status quo of the place she lives in, and I found that really inspiring. She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view. She’s not easily swayed by other people’s perspective — not swayed by fear-mongering or scapegoating.”

Yeah, Watson is pretty much the ideal actress to play the free-thinking, kind-hearted bookworm (who happens to be beautiful) that fans fell in love with right in Belle’s first scene in the animated movie. Plus, as Belle, Watson gets to show off her pipes, and “Cinderella” wasn’t a musical.

“Beauty and the Beast” opens March 17th.

[via: GamesRadar, E!]

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January 17, 2017
5 Things We Want to See in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lion King’ Remake

Disney’s ongoing quest to remake every single one of their animated movies in live-action continues, with “The Lion King” set to join a lineup that has already included 2014’s “Maleficent,” 2015’s “Cinderella,” and April 2016’s “The Jungle Book.” “Jungle Book” director Jon Favreau is onboard to direct the new movie.

While we’re excited for this latest remake, we also know that Disney’s track record in this area has been spotty so far. Here are five things the “Lion King” remake needs to do if it’s going to live up to the beloved original.

1. Make It a Musical
To date, most of Disney’s live-action remakes have eschewed the iconic soundtracks of the original animated versions and gone the completely musical-free route. Even “Jungle Book” only borrowed two of the songs from the 1967 version. But based on early reports, it sounds like the “Lion King” remake will include several songs from the original.

As far as we’re concerned, musicals are a case where filmmakers need to go all-in or not bother at all. We don’t want to see another case like “The Jungle Book,” where one really fun Christopher Walken-led musical number completely flips the tone of the movie for five minutes. We want to see all of our favorites from the original “Lion King,” including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.

2. Find Great Voice Actors
The original “Lion King” stood out for many reasons, but the talented voice cast was a big factor. Between James Earl Jones’ regal Mufasa, Jonathan Taylor Thomas’ spunky Simba and Jeremy Irons’ deliciously evil Scar, the film really does boast one of the best casts in Disney history.

The remake has a lot to live up to in that regard. Jon Favreau and his crew need to focus a lot of attention on finding voice actors who can bring these characters to life and bring depth and pathos to talking safari animals — much he did with the cast of “Jungle Book.” We almost wonder if Disney isn’t better off bringing the original cast back, but ultimately, the remake needs to establish its own identity.

3. No Humans, Please
“Lion King” is fairly unique in that the movie features an entirely animal cast. There’s no plucky young child hero teaming up with the lions or evil poacher trying to steal elephant ivory. The original had no need for humans in its story, and we see no reason why the remake would, either.

Consider the example of “Wall-E.” While that film is undoubtedly one of the greatest additions to the Pixar canon, it’s hard to deny that the film loses some of its luster when the human characters start intruding on the love story between Wall-E and EVE. We’d hate to see something similar happen for “Lion King.”

4. Leave Room for Some Surprises
With the original “Lion King” ranking among the best entries in Disney’s ’90s renaissance, it goes without saying that this remake needs to honor its source material.

At the same time, we don’t want to see a remake that simply recycles what came before with a fancy new coat of paint. The remake can re-purpose the old songs, but it can’t just coast by using the same plot as before. It has to be able to surprise viewers who grew up watching and re-watching the VHS tape until it wore out.

Luckily, Favreau already set a strong example with “The Jungle Book.” That remake is similar to the original in most respects, but it deviates in many ways as well. The ending is also completely different from the animated version. That’s what we want to see from “Lion King.”

5. Build a Shared Universe
Thanks to the “Avengers” movies, shared universes are all the rage these days. We’re almost surprised that Disney hasn’t leaned more heavily on its classic animated franchises to build a shared Disney universe. Outside of the “kingdom Hearts” video games, anyway.

But with Favreau helming “Jungle Book” and now “The Lion King,” we wouldn’t be surprised to see Disney start building some connections between these live-action remakes.

We don’t necessarily need to see the Disney equivalent of Nick Fury assembling talking animal heroes to form the Disney Avengers, but it would be really neat to see actual continuity form between movies and for “The Lion king” to somehow reference the events of “The Jungle Book.”

October 17, 2016
‘Once Upon a Time’ Season 6 Adds Cinderella’s Evil Stepfamily

Oh dear, Dearies. “Once Upon a Time” Season 6 starts this Sunday, September 25 on ABC, and the Episode 3 storyline will include the return of Cinderella (Jessy Schram). However, Entertainment Weekly revealed that we’ll also meet Ella’s evil stepmother and stepsisters this season. The actresses haven’t been revealed yet, but we’re anticipating the best of the worst.

Plus, Cinderella’s story will once again be a reflection of what’s happening with Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), and that’s not the best of news. Here’s what Executive Producer Edward Kitsis told EW:

“That was Emma’s first happy ending she actually returned. That was the very first time that Emma, at the end of it, decided to stay in Storybrooke. She saw herself through Cinderella. Now we’re in a situation where what if someone could undo all the happiness you’ve done, would your life matter? [She’s] faced with somebody out there that’s trying to undo the ones [she has] done.”

Poor Emma tries so hard and just can’t catch a break.

Episode 3 is called “The Other Shoe,” and TVLine said that’s when Cinderella will return. That’s also when it will be revealed, the site added, “that the maid-turned-princess has a connection to the Land of Untold Stories, which in the Season 5 finale relocated its many denizens to Storybrooke. The same episode will also explore the origin of the friendship between Cinderella and Snow White (played by Ginnifer Goodwin), which was first established in Season 1, Episode 4 flashbacks.”

So that’s something to look forward to in Episode 3. What about Episode1? Here’s ABC’s synopsis for Sunday’s Season 6 premiere, “The Savior”:

“As our heroes set out to stop Hyde, Emma develops a mysterious side effect, and Storybrooke becomes a haven for refugees from the Land of Untold Stories. Meanwhile, Regina and Zelena embrace their newfound sisterhood by becoming roommates, while Rumple tries to free Belle from the sleeping Curse with the help of a stranger. In flashback, Jafar confronts an afflicted Aladdin in Agrabah, and a secret about the Savior is revealed.”

One pretty open secret at this point is that Aladdin was a Savior. As Kitsis also told EW, “So we can say that through Aladdin we might learn a lot more about Saviors. We are going to be seeing a lot of our version of Aladdin’s story in the first five episodes.” Deniz Akdeniz guest stars as Aladdin, with Oded Feher as Jafar.

Here’s a sneak peek of Episode 1:
The showrunners teased a whole bunch of other character details to EW, so check that story out.

Also, if you had any hopes for Robin Hood to return, the showrunners have seen your pleas and responded to them … but don’t get your hopes up.

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September 23, 2016