As we anxiously await the tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast, and prepare to get down to business with Mulan, Disney’s live-action remakes are on everyone’s minds. It helps that box office sweetheart Cinderella has already brought in close to $335 million worldwide.
So Us Weekly decided to get ahead of the game and come up with a list of suggestions (nudge, nudge Disney) for the next remakes and who could potentially star in them.
Without further ado, here are our picks for upcoming films and who could play the iconic leads. Note: These are just friendly suggestions! Tell Us your picks in the comments!
1. Aladdin
Aladdin: Tyler Posey
Jasmine: Naya Rivera
Genie: Eric Stonestreet
Ever wanted to visit Agrabah and meet the pet tigers, magic carpets, and sultans? This should be the no. 1 remake on Disney’s “To-Do” list! No one’s better suited to play the street-smart Aladdin than Teen Wolf heartthrob Tyler Posey. With his olive skin and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, we could totally see him as Prince Ali. Naturally, he needs an equally mesmerizing Jasmine with a little signature sass, and who better to play her than Glee’s Naya Rivera? Though it will be hard to replace the iconic Genie, voiced by the late Robin Williams in the 1992 original, funnyman Eric Stonestreet could definitely bring his own spin to the dynamic role.
2. The Little Mermaid
Ariel: Bella Thorne
Prince Eric: Josh Bowman
The redheaded princess from under the sea has been a fan favorite ever since 1989, and it’s already been remade on the Broadway stage. And if they can do it in the theater, surely big screen audiences would be in for a Splash-meets-Disney reboot that would delight. Since King Triton’s daughter is still fairly young in the films, a former Disney Channel star like Bella Thorne makes the most sense to play the fin-flipping mermaid. For her dark-haired prince, we were thinking Revenge’s Josh Bowman. He’s studly, swarthy, and sexy (as all Prince Erics should be), plus, his lack of singing skills won’t matter since the naive prince doesn’t belt out any tunes in the film. For the evil Ursula, who better than the ever-powerful NeNe Leakes? Her role in Broadway’s Cinderella is the perfect prep for the part.
3. Pocahontas
Pocahontas: Vanessa Hudgens
John Smith: Chace Crawford
After the epic 1995 classic, aren’t you ready to the see the un-animated “Colors of the Wind”? With all the emphasis on historically-inspired fodder, both in Disney and even at the Oscars, Pocahontas is a logical choice for one of the upcoming live-action recreations. To navigate us “Just Around the Riverbend,” we’d like to see Vanessa Hudgens in the title role. She’s already proven her vocal abilities in the High School Musical franchise, plus she’s currently starring on Broadway in Gigi. For her rucksack-carrying leading man, we were thinking a charming dreamboat like Gossip Girl alum Chace Crawford. But if it turns out he can’t sing, Armie Hammer and Chris Pine might also be available.
4. Hercules
Hercules: Channing Tatum
Megara: Mila Kunis
The 1997 original is by far the most underrated Disney musical out there, so it only makes sense that it should get a live-action version. To help redeem these two from the tragedy that was Jupiter Ascending, we think Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis would make the perfect match as the slightly airhead hero and his quippy lady love. Plus, Tatum can put those biceps to good use in Hercules’ smoldering costumes.
5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmeralda: Eva Mendes
Quasimodo: Jack Black
So maybe it’s because Eva Mendes named her daughter Esmeralda, but we could total see her shaking her tambourine and swaying her hips as the mesmerizing street performer. No word yet on her vocal abilities, but Demi Moore could always do a voice over since she was the voice of the original character in 1996. Jack Black has a history in music with his group Tenacious D and films like School of Rock, plus he has no problem with role make-unders, making him the perfect bell ringer.
Tell Us: What would be your favorite pairings for upcoming live-action Disney remakes?
