Disney Begins Production on a Live-Action Adaptation of an Animated Film That Doesn’t Exist Yet
In a bold move that has left many critics and fans baffled, Disney announced today that it has begun production on a live-action adaptation of an animated film that doesn’t exist yet. The film, tentatively titled “The Lost Kingdom”, is based on a story that Disney claims to have in development for a future animated feature, but has not yet revealed any details about.
“We are very excited to bring this amazing story to life in both animation and live-action,” said Disney CEO Bob Chapek in a press release. “We believe that this is a unique opportunity to create a synergy between our two mediums and to offer our audiences a new and immersive experience.”
According to sources close to the project, the live-action film will star Emma Watson as Princess Elora, a young woman who discovers that she is the heir to a hidden kingdom that has been cursed by an evil witch. She will be joined by Tom Holland as Prince Leo, a charming adventurer who helps her on her quest to break the curse and restore peace to the land. The film will also feature CGI versions of various mythical creatures, such as dragons, fairies, and talking animals.
The live-action film is being directed by Jon Favreau, who previously helmed the successful adaptations of “The Jungle Book” and “The Lion King”. Favreau said that he was drawn to the project by the challenge of adapting a story that has not yet been told in animation.
“I think it’s a great way to explore the creative potential of both forms of storytelling,” he said. “We are working closely with the animation team to make sure that our visions are aligned and that we are creating a cohesive and consistent world. I can’t wait for people to see what we have in store for them.”
The animated film, which is still in the early stages of production, is being directed by Jennifer Lee, who co-directed “Frozen” and “Frozen 2”. Lee said that she was thrilled to collaborate with Favreau and to share her story with the world.
“It’s a dream come true to work with such a talented and visionary filmmaker like Jon,” she said. “He has been very supportive and respectful of our creative process and has given us a lot of freedom and input. I’m very proud of the story we have created and I hope that it will inspire and delight audiences of all ages.”
The live-action film is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 25, 2024, while the animated film is expected to follow sometime in 2025. Disney has also announced plans to launch a series of tie-in books, comics, games, toys, and merchandise based on the franchise.
Disney fans have expressed mixed reactions to the announcement, with some praising Disney for its innovation and ambition, and others criticizing Disney for its lack of originality and risk-taking.
“I think it’s awesome that Disney is trying something new and different,” said one fan on Twitter. “I’m curious to see how they will pull it off and what surprises they have in store for us.”
“I think it’s ridiculous that Disney is making a live-action adaptation of an animated film that doesn’t exist yet,” said another fan on Reddit. “It’s just another cash grab and a sign that they have run out of ideas. They should focus on making original and diverse stories instead of recycling their old ones.”
