Every live-action Disney movie to look forward to

Dumbo: Tim Burton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green

In an interesting matchup with one of Disney’s simpler tales, master of the macabre Tim Burton is directing, overseeing a cast including Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton and Eva Green. As with other recent Disney releases such as The Jungle Book, CGI will play just as large a role as the actors, in this case creating the remarkably convincing titular elephant himself.

Unlike the original however, all the animals will be nonspeaking, drawing focus onto the human characters. Gone is Dumbo’s mouse friend Timothy, and the chorus of singing crows – in their place are the children of Farrell’s character, who first befriend the elephant, discovering Dumbo in a mound of hay.

Aladdin: Guy Ritchie, Will Smith, Naomi Scott

There's no replacing Robin Williams, but the prospect of Will Smith making his own version of Aladdin's genie is certainly enough to get excited about. Under the eye of crime comedy aficionado Guy Ritchie, it seems that the retelling of the 1992 classic could pack a more literal punch.

Smith is joined by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. Oscar-winning songwriting duo Pasek & Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman) have said that Ritchie's film is 'very muscular and action-packed'. Adopting a non-linear narrative and celebrating the ambition of the wonderful original story, there's sure to be plenty of magic in store.

The Lion King: Jon Favreau, Beyoncé, Donald Glover

It's difficult to know where to start with Jon Favreau's upcoming remake of The Lion King. Beyoncé. Donald Glover. James Earl Jones. Chiwetel Ejiofor. John Oliver. Seth Rogen. Enough? There's probably more.

An astounding number of names fills the bill for the star-studded event of Summer 2019, which has been described as 'technologically groundbreaking', in keeping with Favreau's 2016 version of The Jungle Book. Although it's impossible to detach the thought of live-action glamour, the upcoming film is said to use photorealistic animation. Stay tuned for Beyoncé's new look then – she's rarely one to disappoint.

Pinocchio: Guillermo Del Toro and Netflix

There have been rumours about a Guillermo Del Toro Pinocchio for some years now – as you can tell from the concept art developed years ago. But the project has finally been confirmed as a 2021 Netflix baby.

The collaboration makes sense – the streaming platform is taking animation more seriously and Del Toro previously impressed with his series Trollhunters. The upcoming remake, in the master of storytelling's own words:

'In our story, Pinocchio is an innocent soul with an uncaring father who gets lost in a world he cannot comprehend. He embarks on an extraordinary journey that leaves him with a deep understanding of his father and the real world. I’ve wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember'.

Mulan: Niki Caro, Liu Yifei, Rosalind Chao

Initially pinned to the November 2018 release slot that The Nutcracker and the Four Realms instead filled, a live-action remake of Mulan is hitting screens in March 2020. It'll be the second film in Disney history with a budget of over $100 million to be directed by a woman.

Taking its roots in both the beloved 1998 animated film and the original Chinese ballad of Hua Mulan, Caro's reimagining will be 'a big, girly martial arts epic. It will be extremely muscular and thrilling and entertaining and moving', the director said.

Cruella: Emma Stone, Craig Gillespie

Cruella de Vil’s fashion might be less in vogue today than when she made her first appearance in the 1960s animation, but the skunk-haired, chain-smoking criminal of 101 Dalmatians is getting the live-action treatment. Three years after the first reports that a Cruella biopic may be on the studio’s cards, it now has a confirmed leading star: Emma Stone is to take on the role of the pup-hating, fur-mad fashionista.

Director Craig Gillespie is an expert in finding depth in complicated villains: his most recent project was I, Tonya, the 2017 biopic about figure skater Tonya Harding's alleged connection to the knee-breaking attack on her rival. The filmmaker isn't a stranger to the Disney ways, as his filmography boasts The Finest Hours and Million Dollar Arm for the studio.

Lady and the Tramp: Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux

Tessa Thompson is a lady, Justin Theroux is a tramp. Now enough about their private lives – there's another love story coming to life on the big screen.

Animator Charlie Bean is at the helm of the upcoming film with Thompson and Theroux in the starring roles, as dogs from different worlds who come together on one particularly Bella Notte.

Everything else is still under wraps – and it could be that this remake stays in animated form too, true to both the original and the director's realm of expertise.