Every upcoming live-action Disney remake in the works
By Rachel Roth
Genies
Prequels are just as popular as remakes these days so why not give Genie a backstory. This would be much more exciting news if Robin Williams was still with us, but the character lives on.
There’s little to nothing on this film other than it sets up the story of Genie before the events of Aladdin. Set to be a live-action comedy adventure, it’s being written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift and Tripp Vinson has signed on to produce. Even though it’s still in the early development stages, the idea is for the film to lead up into the live-action Aladdin film set to be released May 24, 2019.
It’s unknown if Will Smith, who is voicing Genie in the new Aladdin, will return for the prequel. The title says “Genies” not “Genie” so it can assumed that multiple magical entities will star.
Chernabog
Appearing in one of the eight segments making up the epic animated film Fantasia is the demon gargoyle Chernabog. The star of the 11-minute sequence “Night on Bald Mountain”, Chernabog is essentially Disney’s depiction of Satan, portrayed as a frightening being with unlimited power.
He may not be friendly but he’s exceedingly popular. He popped up in Disney’s animated series House of Mouse, and had a single appearance on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, and in the “Kingdom Hearts” video game.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will be similar to Maleficent, meaning the demon will become a sympathetic hero. Which seems hard to comprehend. Maleficent was a fairy and had the potential of going either way but Chernabog is a demon, there’s usually only one direction for them to go. Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless are set to write the script.