Top 10 Live-Action Remakes of Animated Movies We ACTUALLY Want
#10: “The Croods” (2013)
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Even when live-action remakes are well-cast, we often find ourselves longing for the original voice actors. Since the Croods already look a lot like their real-life counterparts, DreamWorks can easily enlist Emma Stone to play Eep, Nicolas Cage to play Grug, and Ryan Reynolds to play Guy in a live-action film. A few roles would have to be recast since Cloris Leachman has sadly passed away. For the most part, though, the filmmakers can keep it in the family. They could even bring back co-director Chris Sanders, who’s branched out with live-action films like “The Call of the Wild.” Throw in some real live sloths, and you could have a remake along the lines of the live-action “Flintstones,” but with more wit and heart.
#9: “Megamind” (2010)
“Megamind” had the misfortune of coming out a few months after another animated film about a redeemed villain, “Despicable Me.” While tonally and stylistically different, many initially saw the DreamWorks film as a copycat. Although it performed below DreamWorks’ usual standards at the box office, the film’s following has bloomed with an animated Peacock series being greenlit. Now seems like the ideal time for a live-action remake, especially since superhero movies are just as popular now as they were in 2010. Popular fan casting choices include Bill Hader as Megamind, Cobie Smulders as Roxanne Ritchi, and Zachary Levi as Metro Man. Of course, if Levi is busy as Shazam, the internet has also noted Metro Man’s uncanny resemblance to YouTuber Markiplier. Make the memes reality!
#8: “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
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Although it was Disney’s most successful traditionally animated feature in several years, “The Princess and the Frog” didn’t ignite the box office as some studio executives wanted. Appreciation for the film has continued to grow, however. In addition to providing the basis for a Splash Mountain revamp, “Princess and the Frog” is getting a Disney+ series centered on “Tiana.” Writer/director Stella Meghie (MuhGEE), who’s overseeing the “Tiana” series, initially pitched a live-action remake to Disney. Although the film didn’t materialize, Disney chief creative officer Jennifer Lee was impressed with Meghie, whose resume includes shows like “Insecure” and “The Photograph.” If the series succeeds, perhaps Meghie will build up enough goodwill to make a live-action film. Can we at least get a Broadway musical already?
#7: “Rise of the Guardians” (2012)
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While reviews were solid, “Rise of the Guardians” struggled to make enough money to justify its production and marketing costs. Although we can see why DreamWorks would be apprehensive about a live-action remake, there’s an ingenious concept here that deserves to be elaborated upon. We mean, Jack Frost, Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman forming an Avengers-esque alliance? There are numerous creative possibilities that we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of! If there are too many great ideas to condense into a movie, we could also see this working as a live-action miniseries with each episode adapting one of William Joyce’s chapter books. In any case, we can only envision one person playing a live-action Jack Frost: Tom Holland.
#6: “Wizards” (1977)
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Before reading Tolkien’s books, Peter Jackson’s introduction to “The Lord of the Rings” was Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 rotoscoped film. Given Jackson’s success with Middle-earth, we’d like to see Hollywood take a stab at bringing another Bakshi film into the live-action realm. “Wizards” creates a world unlike any other, blending fantasy, sci-fi, post-apocalypse, and World War II. As is the case with most Bakshi productions, the story isn’t very focused, which can detract some viewers. Of course, that’s all the more reason to remake this wildly inventive film with a fresh perspective. Director Robert Rodriguez would be a superb choice given his knack for combining gritty visuals with high concepts. Plus, the robot Peace shares a resemblance to Boba Fett, a character Rodriguez is familiar with.
#5: “Tales from Earthsea” (2006)
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Upon release, “Tales from Earthsea” was considered Studio Ghibli’s dark horse. That’s not to say the film was as bad as some critics proclaimed. The animation is breathtaking, its world is atmospheric, and the darker tone is appreciated. However, the story just didn’t come together, letting down fans of Ursula K. Le Guin’s fantasy books. Le Guin herself was disappointed that the story strayed so far from her books, but she was impressed with the visuals. We guess that’s still better than the Sci-Fi miniseries. Although we’d like to see a live-action “Earthsea” adaptation more faithful to Le Guin’s books, the film could borrow its aesthetic from Ghibli’s version. For all its problems, the artistry in “Tales from Earthsea” can inspire something truly special.
#4: “The Black Cauldron” (1985)
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Speaking of black sheep, “The Black Cauldron” is largely remembered as the financial dud that almost destroyed Disney feature animation. So, it makes sense why Disney would be apprehensive about revisiting the IP. Since its home media release in 1998, though, this dark fantasy has gained a passionate fan base that would love to see a live-action remake. The 1985 film primarily borrowed from the first two books in Lloyd Alexander’s “The Chronicles of Prydain.” Ideally, Disney would either adapt Alexander’s five books into five movies or five seasons of a streaming series. Although Disney re-acquired the rights to Alexander’s books in 2016, there have been no announcements since about a live-action version. Disney is sitting on a promising property eager to be unleashed.
#3: “Treasure Planet” (2002)
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Another box office bomb that deserved to perform better, “Treasure Planet’s” financial failure is often attributed to the dwindling audience of traditional animation. It’s also possible that the idea of pirate ships in space was too out-there for mainstream audiences. Considering that most sci-fi movies copy and paste the same old visuals, though, we can’t think of another film that looks quite like this fusion of futuristic and retro. These visuals would translate wonderfully to live-action, but it’s the cast that would sell a remake. Some of our favorite fan casting choices include Tanner Buchanan of “Cobra Kai” as Jim Hawkins, Natalie Dormer as Captain Amelia, and John Goodman as Silver. The filmmakers could even revisit unused ideas from the canceled “Treasure Planet 2.”
#2: “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)
You might be noticing a trend. Just because a Disney film underperforms upon release doesn’t mean audiences won’t eventually recognize the artistry on display. “Atlantis” has taken on a life of its own on the internet with some of the most spot-on fan casting we’ve ever seen. Standouts include Andrew Garfield as Milo, Zoe Saldaña as Kida, and Morgan Freeman as the King, just to name a few. Honestly, if Disney does greenlight a live-action remake, the casting director’s work is already done. Reports of a possible live-action adaptation have surfaced in recent years, although directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise were both skeptical of such rumors. The potential for a remake runs 20,000 leagues deep, but for now, Atlantis is still waiting. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Brave” (2012) Go All-In with a PG-13 Rating “Meet the Robinsons” (2007) A Longer Runtime Could Flesh Out Some of the Side Characters “The Last Unicorn” (1982) With Modern Technology, Peter S. Beagle’s Book Would Work Just As Well in Live-Action “The Phantom Tollbooth” (1970) We’ll Take This Over Yet Another “Alice in Wonderland” Remake “The Fox and the Hound” (1981) With Real Animals That Don’t Talk
#1: “The Road to El Dorado” (2000)
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It went overlooked in theaters, but this DreamWorks animated adventure has since produced a goldmine of memes in a testament to its ever-expanding fan base. Witty, enthralling, and gorgeously animated, it’s a wonder why “El Dorado” didn’t do better, but there’s definitely an audience for a live-action remake. It would actually be fitting since the “Road to…” comedies starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby served as one of the film’s inspirations. El Dorado itself would look stunning in live-action, and if DreamWorks is more open to a PG-13 rating, they can take the risque moments a step beyond. Casting is the most integral element of any buddy picture, and we have two pitch-perfect actors in mind for Miguel and Tulio: Pedro Pascal and Oscar Isaac.
