Turning animated classics into live-action spectacles has been a moneymaking maneuver for quite some time now. From The Jungle Book and Cinderella to Aladdin and Alvin and the Chipmunks, the interpretations rely on the original’s existing fanbase as a ticket-selling guarantee. Thus, it should come as no surprise that more live-action productions of animated shows and movies are on the horizon. Here are the ones coming up in 2024 and beyond.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ | February 22, 2024
Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender remains one of the most celebrated animated shows of the modern era. The series, which ran from 2005 — 2008, takes place in a wartorn world of elemental magic where a young boy reawakens (after years frozen in an icecap) and embarks on a destiny-fulfilling quest to bring peace to the four nations — Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzk crafted an immersive world with its own history, cultures, and lore. The show addresses mature themes, such as war, moral ambiguity, imperialism, spiritual fulfillment, and more through a lens accessible to its young target demographic.
Now, Netflix is gearing up to release its live-action interpretation from creator Albert Kim (Nikita, Sleepy Hollow, Pantheon). The upcoming series stars Gordon Cormier (The Stand, Two Sentence Horror Stories) as lead protagonist Aang, as well as Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Leung, Tamlyn Tomita, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ian Ousley, Kiawentiio, and many more in one of 2024’ most highly-anticipated upcoming series. With a devout fanbase ready to condemn, this live-action adaptation from creator Albert Kim (Nikita, Pantheon) has some mighty big shoes to fill.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ | December 20, 2024
Though hesitant to use the term live-action when crystal-clear, photorealistic CGI is a more appropriate descriptor, Mufasa’s predecessor was nonetheless marketed with the “live-action” tag, so here we are replicating that trend.
The upcoming movie is a prequel to the live-action Lion King, which premiered in 2019, and it is an extension of the narrative put forth in the 1994 animated original. Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad, Krypton, Brother, Old) voices the brave and undaunted Mufasa, following in the footsteps of the incomparable James Earl Jones. Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani also lend their voices to the production. The movie follows Simba, who is now King of Pride Lands and determined for his son to follow in his path while exploring the origins of the late Mufasa. Barry Jenkins (If Beale Street Could Talk, Moonlight) directs with a script from Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can).
‘Lilo & Stitch’ | 2024 or early 2025
A live-action Lilo & Stitch was first announced in 2018, yet the film has yet to grace the silver screen. Now, late 2024 or early 2025 seems to be the target date. The movie stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, while Chris Sanders is reportedly in talks to reprise his role as the voice of Stich. Sydney Agudong of On My Block will portray Lilo’s old sister Nani, Billy Magnussen of Into the Woods and No Time to Die will portray Agent Pleakley, and Zach Galifianakis will take on Jumba.
As before, the movie follows the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog/koala-like alien named Stitch, who is engineered to be a force of destruction. Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoe On) directs with a screenplay from Mike Van Waes (Dear David).
‘Snow White’ | March 21, 2025
Disney’s Snow White, a live-action adaptation of the 1937 animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is now slated for a 2025 release. The upcoming film sees Rachel Zegler as Snow White up against Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen. The film is based on a screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary, The Girl on the Train) with Marc Webb, famous for his work 500 Days of Summer, directing. While the live-action movie is set to follow a narrative trajectory parallel to the ‘30s film — jealous evil queen, poison apple, true love’s kiss, blah blah, you know the ordeal — the characters have reportedly been updated to reflect more modern sensibilities.
‘Hercules’ | Release Date Unconfirmed
While not much is known about the live-action Hercules adaptation, Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Edamame) are set to produce with Guy Ritchie directing. Danny Devito may reprise his role as Philocetes with other casting information yet to be announced. The live-action adaptation will reportedly draw inspiration from TikTok, with Joe Russo telling Variety:
“Audiences today have been trained by TikTok, right? What is their expectation of what that musical looks like and feels like? That can be a lot of fun and help us push the boundaries a little bit on how you execute a modern musical.”
The story will once again follow the demigod Hercules from baby to hero while following Hade’s attempts to overthrow Mt. Olympus; however, reports indicate that the Russo Brothers plan to spice up the original with some unexpected additions.
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