Fans of Disney will be well aware of one particular strategy the company has been capitalizing on quite heavily in recent years: reimagining their beloved animated stories into live-action films. Within the last decade or so, Disney has remade numerous classic films, including Cinderella, Dumbo, The Little Mermaid, and many more. Additionally, the studio has also been implementing another similar strategy by reimagining classic characters, but giving them entirely new stories. This was the case for 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 on this debate, many people can agree on one thing: The casting (at least in some cases) has been spot on. Bringing new life to such a recognizable character is no easy feat, but some actors have managed to achieve this in dazzling ways. While fans await the cast announcements for Disney’s upcoming remakes, one should take a moment to appreciate these flawless live-action casting choices.
10
Emma Stone As Estella/Cruella
Cruella (2021)
Cruella de Vil may not have magical powers or world-conquering ambitions, but that surely doesn’t stop her from being one of the most iconic, lovably wicked villains to ever appear in a Disney animated feature. Cruella first appeared as the main antagonist of the 1961 classic, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, in which she sought to capture the titular puppies and turn them into a fur coat. Eventually, after 60 years, fans were finally given the character’s backstory in the form of Cruella, a mesmerizing dark comedy directed by Craig Gillespie.
Gaining sympathy for the iconic dognapper would not be easy, but two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone certainly proved to be up for the task. Stone perfectly captured the fabulous extravagance of Cruella, seamlessly melting into the character (with help from some dazzling costumes and makeup). Her heartfelt performance guided viewers to connect deeply with Cruella, inspiring the audience to root for her, even when she was knowingly being a little bit bad. Stone’s portrayal of Cruella also impressed critics, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for the role.
9
Bill Murray As Baloo
The Jungle Book (2016)
In 2016, Jon Favreau took the director’s chair for a modern reimagining of The Jungle Book, the 1967 Disney animated feature about a young boy who lives among the animals in the jungle. Although numerous A-list stars are included as the voices of the various animals in the film, Bill Murray’s performance remains a clear standout. Murray lends his vocal talents to Baloo, the carefree bear who befriends the child, Mowgli, and teaches him about the joys of life.
Through just the use of his voice, Murray is able to infect the character with a real sense of depth, offering a captivating blend of humor, charm, and genuine emotion. After watching the film, it is difficult to imagine anyone else voicing the character. Murray’s natural charm helps make Baloo a fan-favorite among the film’s large ensemble, constantly stealing the hearts of the audience even when he isn’t quite managing to be the good role model that 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 the fun, colorful friends of Christopher Robin. Over the years, the characters went on plenty of fun adventures together, learning valuable lessons along the way. Eventually, in 2018, Disney told a new story about a chapter of Christopher Robin’s life that had not yet been explored: his adulthood. Christopher Robin explored what happened when a grown-up Christopher finally reconnected with his childhood companions, after having become somewhat embittered by the struggles of life.
To bring this adult version of Christopher to life, Disney turned to Emmy winner Ewan McGregor, a Scottish actor best known for his work in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the musical film Moulin Rouge! McGregor managed to encapsulate the complexities of the character, finding the proper balance between the cynical adult and the fun-loving child still buried inside. His performance in the film was very well-received by critics, particularly for its flexibility in embodying whatever tone a given scene demanded of him.
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Emma Thompson As P.L. Travers
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
The 2013 drama 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 movies came to be. The film follows the evolving dynamic between Pamela “P.L.” Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, and Walt Disney, the visionary determined to turn the beloved story into a major motion picture. Although Tom Hanks does shine as Disney, the true spotlight of the film is on Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, who plays Travers.
Mary Poppins may have been a rather lighthearted and whimsical film, but the life of the author who penned the original story was much more difficult. Travers found herself in a challenging position in the 1960s, observing as her own childhood struggles (which inspired Mary Poppins) were turned into a movie filled with music, dancing, and animated penguins. Thompson brilliantly manages to capture all the conflicting emotions at play within Travers, as well as portraying the believable evolution of her perspective on the film. Few could have highlighted the internal conflicts of Travers the way Thompson did.
6
Luke Evans As Gaston
Beauty And The Beast (2017)
While Disney movies have presented tons of lovable, inspiring heroes over the years, it is just as important for them to have a proper villain. One of the most horrible villains to come out of the studio is Gaston, the arrogant, brutish antagonist of Beauty and the Beast. In 2017, the beloved animated film was re-released in a 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 brought in to offer a modern portrayal of Gaston.
Evans clearly understood the assignment, breathing a 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 rather dim-witted nature in a way that felt both believable and humorous. Evans proved that he was cast not just because he physically resembled the animated character, but because he could confidently perform all the elements required to make an enjoyable musical film.
5
Johnny Depp As Captain Jack Sparrow
The Pirates Of The Caribbean Series (2003-2017)
Expectations were not too high when Disney announced that they would be creating a series of films inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at their theme parks. However, the initial skepticism was quickly cast aside when Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl arrived as a thoroughly clever, exciting, and humorous film. Of course, none of the films would have achieved the same level of recognition without Johnny Depp’s lead performance as Captain Jack Sparrow.
With his performances in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Depp managed to find a very impressive balance of numerous elements. He simultaneously managed to portray both the undeniable skill of a notorious pirate and the humorous mannerisms of a man who has had a bit too much rum in his lifetime, all while acting in a way that could be appreciated by viewers of all ages. Depp’s performance in the first movie even earned him an Oscar nomination, something very few would have expected from a role in a film based on a theme park ride.
4
Angelina Jolie As Maleficent
Maleficent (2014)
Years before Cruella became a major hit, Disney gave another one of its well-known villains a unique origin story of her own. Maleficent, offers a previously unseen look at the story behind the main antagonist of Sleeping Beauty, painting the titular character in an entirely new light, highlighting her troubled backstory, true intentions, and remorse for her violent actions. While the story is rather intriguing in its own right, the film simply would not 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, depicting her in a way that caused the audience to sympathize with her, without sacrificing any of her strength and confidence. Jolie allowed Maleficent to feel real emotions and connections with others, something that had been largely lacking from the character in Sleeping Beauty. Audiences may have been split on Maleficent as a whole, but support for Jolie’s casting was practically unanimous.
3
James Earl Jones As Mufasa
The Lion King (2019)
Some performances can simply never be replaced. 25 years after the original animated film was released, audiences were offered an exciting new retelling of The Lion King. While the rest of the voice cast was entirely new, one actor did return to reprise his role from the original film. This was a decision that delighted viewers, as it would be truly difficult to imagine anyone besides James Earl Jones playing Mufasa, the brave, 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 it perfect for a king, allowing him to easily bring the role of Mufasa to life. His part in The Lion King may be fairly limited, but Jones certainly makes the most of it, delivering every line with undeniable authority, making a lasting impression on both the audience and the other characters.
2
Amy Adams As Giselle
Enchanted (2007)
Disney’s highly original and magical Enchanted is not a remake of any specific film, but rather an homage to all of Disney’s animated movies over the years. The film enjoyably works as both a loving tribute and a humorous parody, poking fun at all the tropes present in countless Disney films by showing how an animated princess would behave in a live-action setting. Playing the role of that princess would not be easy, however. Thankfully, Amy Adams (who was a relatively little-known actress at the time) knew exactly how to play the part.
Playing the lead role of Giselle, the animated princess who finds herself magically transported to modern-day New York City, Adams did exactly what the filmmakers had intended. She effectively embodies all the iconic princesses of past Disney films, showing off all their lovable quirks, while not being afraid to make fun of them just a little as well. Even as such an outlandish character, Adams feels completely believable in the role, consistently demonstrating the naive optimism one would expect from a Disney princess in the real world.
1
Emily Blunt As Mary Poppins
Marry Poppins Returns (2018)
In 1964, Julie Andrews thoroughly dazzled audiences with her Oscar-winning performance as the titular role in Mary Poppins. Over half a century later, it was decided that the iconic role would be returning to the big screen once again, but with a new performer stepping into the role. Although she certainly had massive shoes to fill, Emily Blunt triumphed with her turn at playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns. The children from the original film may have already grown up in Mary Poppins Returns, but the beloved nanny appears to have hardly aged a day.
Viewers were initially skeptical about the film, feeling unsure about whether a modern iteration of Mary Poppins could really do justice to the cinematic magic of the first one. Fortunately, Blunt helped pave the way for the film to be a success. She even managed to secure 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 quite the same level of recognition that Andrews received, but she surely did not disappoint.