BLOG: Reboots and remakes allows everyone to be part of Disney’s world

Live-action remakes of originally animated films are a prominent aspect of Walt Walt Disney Studios’ box office lineup. Some films follow the original closely (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”) and others take a whole new perspective on the story (“Maleficent,” “Dumbo”). 

These films range in critical and commercial success, but they aim to bring classic stories to a new generation of audiences. However, some of the upcoming films are already causing issues with some fans making demands from Disney.

Little Mermaid

On Wednesday, July 3, Disney announced they had found their new Ariel for the upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” Halle Bailey is a singer-actress best known for her work on “Grown-ish” and half of musical act, Chloe x Halle. As soon as Disney announced Bailey on Twitter, the internet was soon divided into camps that praised Disney’s inclusivity and others who were quick to demand #NotMyAriel.

The 1989 Disney animated classic featured Ariel as a white mermaid with red hair and parts of the internet went insane when a black actress was cast as the iconic Disney Princess. It is honestly ridiculous. 

As a die-hard lover of “The Little Mermaid” and all things Disney, I get it when you have certain expectations of the company and they go in a different direction. I was livid when Dame Angela Lansbury was not going to reprise her role in “Beauty and the Beast,” but I realized that just because I love the original, does not mean I cannot love the live-action remake. They are two different films with a similar plot and soundtrack.

Here is the bottom line, if you do not want to see a non-white Ariel, then do not see the film. Nobody is going to force you. I think it is a little bit insane that people will not give Bailey a shot simply because she does not look like a fictional animated character, but it is your choice if you want to see the film or not, no one will make you see it. 

By the way, as soon as Lin-Manuel Miranda was attached alongside Alan Menken to do the music, everyone should have known this was going to be a diverse cast because Miranda believes roles should not be given to white performers simply because there has never been a non-white person in the role. I mean, he is famous for a musical that has all non-white Founding Fathers.

Mulan

Prior to the 1998 animated film, “Mulan,” all Disney Princesses were either royalty or married royalty. Mulan, a definitively non-royal, becomes a Disney Princess because of her heroic efforts alone. While there is a romantic storyline, the film would have been just as successful without Shang and Mulan ending up together. It is an iconic film with a fast-moving plot, a terrifying villain, Donny Osmond and Eddie Murphy, and it is extremely offensive.

When it was announced that the live-action “Mulan” film would be ditching the original’s soundtrack and eliminating fan-favorite characters like Mushu and Shang, social media, at first, was appalled. Growing up in the 90s, “Mulan” was an inspiration for many – here was a Disney Princess who did not need saving, who did not rely on a man to solve her problems, she saved all of China. Mulan was a hero, so it is logical to be so protective of a non-traditional childhood hero. 

While “Mulan” was praised in the United States, in China, film-goers felt betrayed by the film. The film featured a reverent icon transformed into a wise-cracking sidekick, the emperor bowing to Mulan, and Shang’s unclear sexuality, all of which were perceived as offensive to Chinese audiences. Coupled with the fact that one of the most iconic songs, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” is sung by Osmond, a man who has made numerous sexist and racist comments, the 1998 “Mulan” is a far cry from the actual legend of Mulan.

Disney is attempting to right the wrongs of “Mulan” with the new film: Mulan’s sidekick is a phoenix, Shang has been split into two characters and while there will not be any songs in the film, “Mulan” will reuse the melodies as part of the score. No, it is not a remake of the 1998 animated film, but a retelling in order to make it more culturally accurate and less offensive.

It is okay to love the animated film and still be excited about the live-action. Disney is not going to force you to say goodbye to the “Mulan” of your childhood, and the animated version will still be the one that is used in marketing. However, let us agree the original had some issues and let us be happy that Disney is acknowledging its past mistakes and trying to make it better.