Directing a Disney Live Action Remake Must Be Depressing

The film industry is a grind, and if you think about all the hard work and luck it takes to getting to work with the mega corporation Disney, they reward with you a project that is the Disney Live Action Remake. Which is something weird to think about. In an remake, you are beholden to the original film. You can't do a shot for shot remake since what is the point of doing that. (Just look at Psycho for such an example). Then on the other hand, you can't change or adjust to much for backlash from the fans of the original work. It's an strange balancing act that makes it hard to truly unleash your creative powers as a director.

Are we trying to remake an animated film or an live action one here?

I think this is why a lot of the Disney Remakes feel, off, in some way or another. The first problem is they are remaking some of their most acclaimed animated work. It's a lot easier to remake a bad film than a great one, but of course Disney wants that IP nostalgia of their former glory to sell tickets. So while they should be remaking stuff like The Black Cauldron, The Lost City of Atlantis and some of their other less then stellar output, they are trying to recapture bottle in a lighting again. Although maybe after they have remade all of their most successful work, they will eventually have to remake more of their underrated backlog.

Another reason why these remakes feel forgettable is that what director is going to pour all of their energy and creative time into such a project. You can't really take creative risks or do something new since the script, characters and story beats are already there for you. Who is going to try and make an Disney Live action remake their magus opus in their career? As a director, this would just feel weird. Jon Favreau who directed the Lion King Remake seem much more passionate about Chef (2014 film), which was written by him. Tim Burton's Dumbo just lacks the creative spark and atmosphere of his earlier work. I assume most of these people take the job for the paycheck and kinda go on autopilot directing these things.

Sorry to break it to you Dumbo, but I think Beetlejuice 2 it gonna be a lot more intersting and fun film to watch.

Now maybe Rob Marshall really loved The Little Mermaid and was pumped to direct it. His background does come from adapting a lot of musical theater to the screen, so seeing how The Little Mermaid does have some musical roots, he might be able to make an decent film. But at least with adapting musical board way, you get to think of creative ways to film and showcase the music which the musical theater can't do. But with the Littler Mermaid however, we've already seen these songs showcased in an animated form. there's not much you can to improve them unless you actual change things that make it different. I have a feeling that it end up like all the other live action remakes, Youtubers will compare about on it online to get views and then we'll soon forgot about it as the next remake is dug out of the crypt. Then they will bring in the next director and be like, we want to use your talent to to redo and repeat what we've done before.

One solution to this problem would be if Disney would let them retell the stories in an different way. Imagine if the Lion King was told from Scar's point of view for the entire film. Or if in the Little Mermaid they told the story in an darker tone compare to the tales roots. This way, you would have a reason to justify both versions existing. People could buy the original film and then check out the remake to see a different take. Disney sorta attempted this with films like Cruella and Maleficent, which were a bit different and I can appreciate that it tires to step out of Disney's comfort zone. That's kinda a genius marketing move. But no, no, we're just going to end up with a inferior versions which does nothing to justify it's existence.

What would I give to be in an original film?

It's weird to think after so many live action remakes, none have top the original work. Some movies might have a few scenes that work here and there, but most of the movies are bland and just plain forgettable. I'm just waiting for them to grind though their backlog so they can get back to work on new ideas. So next time your grinding it on a indie passion project, just remember, you are at least not directing a Disney Live Action Remake. Because the thought of doing so it indeed depressing.