After previewing “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” last week, I began wondering about the status of many other upcoming Disney films. While researching the movies Disney’s got on its production line, I discovered many promising titles (and some not so promising) that are currently in a state of limbo.
A number of interesting projects are in various stages of halted production over at Disney right now. For today’s blog I thought I’d highlight some of these projects.
“Enchanted 2” – All right, I’m cheating some here. The House of Mouse just announced that they plan to make a sequel to “Enchanted.” I included this on the list because given that it’s just been announced, it probably only has a 50-60% percent chance of making it in theaters, given that none of the original cast has even signed on yet.
Also, it’s one I’m hoping will stay in limbo. As much as I loved “Enchanted,” it survived more on nostalgia and parody than on its own merit. At its conclusion film succumbed, for the most part, to the conventions it was supposedly mocking. I think this is one franchise that’s better left alone.
“The Snow Queen” – Based on one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved stories. It’s a project that the studio’s been toying with for years, and production was originally halted in 2002. Revived recently and planned for a 2013 release, reports are emerging that it’s scrapped again, due to script problems and worries that a female-centered story will alienate young boys.
I think Disney should tread carefully here. Hans Christian Anderson’s original story is gorgeous, and needs delicate handling when transitioning to film. But Disney’s worked its magic on similar titles before, and so I have faith they could do so again.
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“Swiss Family Robinson” (remake) – Disney’s had mixed success with remakes of its older films, sometimes delivering strong, fresh content (2003’s “Freaky Friday”) and boring audiences at other times (“Herbie Fully Loaded”). Most of the problems this time stem from staffing; the original director left the project and filming was delayed several times.
Given that filming was supposed to start in 2006 and still hasn’t happened yet, we’re unlikely to see the Robinson family again anytime soon.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen the original “Swiss Family Robinson,” so I don’t have any strong feelings either way about a remake. Though I would prefer that Disney focus its energies on creating original material (or at least original screen adaptations), rather than remaking its own films.
“Jungle Cruise” –This movie represents another one of Disney’s mixed-bag film genres: movies inspired by amusement park rides. On one end of the spectrum there’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” (at least the first one), and at the other there’s “The Haunted Mansion.”
“Jungle Cruise” was initially described as a family version of “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. I don’t think I need to say any more as to why this film is currently in limbo, or why it should probably stay there.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” – Based on the book series by Eiko Kadani (and masterfully adapted in animation by Hayao Miyazaki), Disney’s apparently developing a live-action English-language screenplay for this film. I think, if done right (and that’s a big if), and if it avoids copying the Miyazaki film beat for beat, it could make a unique and beautiful film for Disney. Unfortunately little has been heard about it, so that puts it in official limbo status.
Only time will tell if any of these films eventually see the light of day. In the meantime, what are your thoughts about Disney’s “on-hold” projects? Which of these movies should Disney revive, and which should the studio leave alone?
Related Articles:
Swiss Family Robinson (1960) Movie Review
Are you ready for a Jungle Cruise?
Review: Kiki’s Delivery Service