Disney fans will be well aware of one specific strategy that the company has capitalized on heavily in recent years: reimagining its beloved animated stories into live-action films. Over the past decade, Disney has remade several classic films, including Cinderella, Dumbo, The Little Mermaidand much more. Additionally, the studio has also been implementing another similar strategy, reimagining classic characters but giving them entirely new stories. That's what happened with films like Maleficent and Cruella.
Disney's live-action films have evoked a wide range of responses, with some loving the modern takes on timeless stories, while others wish the studio would prioritize original projects. Regardless of where you stand in this debate, many people can agree on one thing: the casting (at least in some cases) was spot on. Bringing new life to such a recognizable character is no easy task, but some actors have accomplished it in dazzling ways. While fans await casting announcements for Disney's upcoming remakes, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate these perfect live-action casting choices.
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Emma Stone as Estella/Cruella
Cruella (2021)
Cruella de Vil may not have magical powers or ambitions to conquer the world, but that certainly doesn't stop her from being one of the most iconic and adorably wicked villains to ever appear in a Disney animated film. Cruella first appeared as the main antagonist in the 1961 classic, One Hundred and One Dalmatiansin which she sought to capture the titular puppies and turn them into a fur coat. Eventually, after 60 years, fans finally got to know the character's backstory in the form of Cruellaa riveting dark comedy directed by Craig Gillespie.
Gaining sympathy for the iconic dognapper wouldn't be easy, but two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone certainly proved herself up to the task. Stone perfectly captured Cruella's fabulous flamboyance, merging perfectly with the character (with the help of some stunning costumes and makeup). Her heartfelt performance guided viewers to deeply connect with Cruella, inspiring audiences to root for her even when she was being a little intentionally mean. Stone's portrayal of Cruella also impressed critics, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for the role.
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Bill Murray as Baloo
The Jungle Book (2016)
In 2016, Jon Favreau stepped into the director's chair for a modern reimagining of The Jungle Bookthe 1967 Disney cartoon about a boy who lives among jungle animals. Although numerous A-list stars are included as the voices of the film's various animals, Bill Murray's performance remains a clear highlight. Murray lends his vocal talents to Baloo, the happy-go-lucky bear who befriends the child Mowgli and teaches him about the joys of life.
Through the use of his voice alone, Murray is able to imbue the character with a true sense of depth, offering a captivating blend of humor, charm and genuine emotion. After watching the film, it's hard to imagine anyone else voicing the character. Murray's natural charm helps make Baloo a fan favorite among the film's large cast, constantly stealing audiences' hearts even when he fails to be the good role model Mowgli needs.
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Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin
Christopher Robin (2018)
In the 1920s, the world was first introduced to Pooh, Tigger, and the rest of Christopher Robin's fun and colorful friends. Over the years, the characters have had many fun adventures together, learning valuable lessons along the way. Eventually, in 2018, Disney told a new story about a chapter in Christopher Robin's life that hadn't yet been explored: his adulthood. Christopher Robin explored what happened when an adult Christopher finally reconnected with his childhood companions, after having become somewhat embittered by life's struggles.
To bring this adult version of Christopher to life, Disney turned to Emmy winner Ewan McGregor, a Scottish actor best known for his work on Star Wars prequel trilogy and the musical film Moulin Rouge! McGregor managed to encapsulate the character's complexities, finding the appropriate balance between the cynical adult and the fun-loving child still buried within him. His performance in the film was very well received by critics, mainly due to his flexibility in incorporating any tone that a given scene required of him.
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Emma Thompson as PL Travers
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
The 2013 dramatic film Saving Mr. Banks is not a remake of a previous Disney film, but rather a modern retelling of the true story of how one of Disney's most iconic films came to be. The film follows the evolving dynamic between Pamela “PL” Travers, author of Mary Poppinsand Walt Disney, the visionary determined to turn the beloved story into a major motion picture. Although Tom Hanks shines as Disney, the film's real highlight is Oscar winner Emma Thompson, who plays Travers.
Mary Poppins it may have been a rather light-hearted and whimsical film, but the life of the author who wrote the original story was much more difficult. Travers found himself in a challenging position in the 1960s, observing how his own childhood struggles (which inspired Mary Poppins) were turned into a film filled with music, dancing and animated penguins. Thompson manages to brilliantly capture all of the conflicting emotions at play in Travers, as well as portraying the believable evolution of her perspective in the film. Few could have highlighted Travers' internal conflicts in the same way that Thompson did.
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Luke Evans as Gaston
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
While Disney films have featured many lovable and inspiring heroes over the years, it's equally important for them to have a suitable villain. One of the most horrific villains to come out of the studio is Gaston, the arrogant and brutal antagonist of Beauty and the beast. In 2017, the beloved animated film was re-released in live-action format, meaning a new cast would be invited to bring the characters to life. In what proved to be a wise decision, Luke Evans was hired to offer a modern portrayal of Gaston.
Evans clearly understood the task, breathing new life into all the attributes that made the original character who he was. He carried the imposing presence that made Gaston an intimidating villain, while also portraying his somewhat dim-witted nature in a way that felt believable and humorous. Evans proved that he was cast not just because he physically resembled the animated character, but because he could confidently execute all the elements necessary to make an enjoyable musical film.
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Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
The Pirates of the Caribbean series (2003-2017)
Expectations weren't very high when Disney announced that it would create a series of films inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in its theme parks. However, initial skepticism was quickly put aside when Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl arrived as a thoroughly intelligent, moving and humorous film. Of course, neither film would have achieved the same level of recognition without Johnny Depp's lead performance as Captain Jack Sparrow.
With his performances in Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Depp managed to strike an impressive balance of numerous elements. He simultaneously managed to portray the undeniable skill of a notorious pirate and the humorous mannerisms of a man who drank too much rum during his life, all while acting in a way that could be appreciated by viewers of all ages. Depp's performance in the first film even earned him an Oscar nomination, something few would expect from a role in a film based on a theme park ride.
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Angelina Jolie as Maleficent
Maleficent (2014)
Years before Cruella became a huge hit, Disney gave another of its well-known villains a unique origin story. Maleficentoffers an unprecedented look at the story behind the main antagonist of Sleeping Beauty, painting the titular character in an entirely new light, highlighting his troubled history, true intentions, and remorse for his violent actions. While the story is quite intriguing in its own right, the film simply wouldn't have been the same without Angelina Jolie in the lead role.
Maleficent may have received mixed reviews overall, but consistent praise was given to Jolie's performance. She effectively managed to humanize the character, portraying her in a way that made the audience sympathize with her, without sacrificing her strength and confidence. Jolie allowed Maleficent to feel real emotions and connections with other people, something the character largely lacked. Sleeping Beauty. The public may have been divided into Maleficent as a whole, but support for Jolie's casting was virtually unanimous.
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James Earl Jones as Mufasa
The Lion King (2019)
Some performances simply can never be replaced. 25 years after the release of the original animated film, audiences were treated to a thrilling new reimagining of The Lion King. Although the rest of the voice cast was entirely new, one actor returned to reprise his role from the original film. This was a decision that delighted viewers, as it would truly be difficult to imagine anyone other than James Earl Jones playing Mufasa, the brave and powerful King of the Pride Lands.
Jones easily has one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood. The low register and strong intonation of his voice make him perfect for a king, allowing him to easily bring the role of Mufasa to life. Your part in The Lion King may be quite limited, but Jones certainly makes the most of it, delivering each line with undeniable authority, making a lasting impression on both the audience and the other characters.
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Amy Adams as Giselle
Enchanted (2007)
Highly original and magical Disney Enchanted is not a remake of any specific film, but rather an homage to all of Disney's animated films over the years. The film pleasantly works as both a loving homage and a humorous parody, poking fun at all the tropes present in countless Disney films while showing how an animated princess would behave in a live-action setting. Playing the role of that princess would not be easy, however. Fortunately, Amy Adams (who was a relatively little-known actress at the time) knew exactly how to play the role.
Playing the lead role of Giselle, the animated princess who is magically transported to modern-day New York City, Adams did exactly what the filmmakers intended. She effectively embodies all of the iconic princesses from previous Disney films, showing off all of their adorable quirks without being afraid to poke fun at them a little too. Even though she is such a strange character, Adams feels completely believable in the role, consistently demonstrating the naive optimism one would expect from a Disney princess in the real world.
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Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins
The Return of Marry Poppins (2018)
In 1964, Julie Andrews completely dazzled audiences with her Oscar-winning performance as the lead in Mary Poppins. More than half a century later, it was decided that the iconic role would return to the big screen once again, but with a new artist taking on the role. While she certainly had big shoes to fill, Emily Blunt triumphed by playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns. The children in the original film may have already grown up in Mary Poppins Returnsbut the dear nanny seems not to have aged a day.
Viewers were initially skeptical of the film, feeling unsure whether a modern iteration of Mary Poppins could really do justice to the cinematic magic of the first. Fortunately, Blunt helped pave the way for the film's success. She even scored a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the beloved character, with the film also receiving numerous other nominations at various ceremonies. Blunt may not have gotten the same level of recognition that Andrews did, but he certainly didn't disappoint.