Disney is continuing to re-imagine their old classic films for the new era. With Mulan and Dumbo set to have theatrical releases, Disney has chosen two of their beloved movies to be created especially for their upcoming streaming service: Lady and the Tramp and The Sword in the Stone.
Lady and the Tramp was originally released in 1955 and was the first animated feature to be filmed in CinemaScope widescreen. Walt Disney wanted to show the capabilities of CinemaScope and were one of the first companies to licence it from Fox. Lady and the Tramp was initially panned by critics, but it is now regarded as a classic and beloved by many. It has one of the most iconic (and parodied) movie scenes in history: the spaghetti scene.
By contrast, The Sword in the Stone was released in 1963 to mixed reviews- a box office success, but it is less fondly remembered. At the time, the last major innovative animation work the studio created was a new animation technique with One Hundred and One Dalmatians in 1961. Disney was struggling after Sleeping Beauty (1959) lost them money and there was talks of closing the studio. Beauty was the most expensive Disney film up until that point, but the new animation technique cheapened production and made it easier for films to be a success.
We know little of what the films will turn out to be other than being live-action/CGI hybrids like Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Maleficent (2014), but with lower budgets. According to New York Times: “Mr. Strauss declined to discuss original movies and series beyond the handful that have already been announced.” Referring to Ricky Strauss who has creative oversight of the programming. “Movies from Disney’s library and at least 5,000 episodes of old Disney-branded television shows will anchor the service,”
Come the release of the streaming service in 2019, Disney’s licensing deal with Netflix will expire and everything under the Disney brand, both old and recently acquired (Fox, Blue Sky, Marvel, LucasFilm), will transfer onto this new service. According to Disney, prices for the service will initially be lower than Netflix, but they are not giving out any specifics.
> Charlotte Lenihan
Disney Films to be Remade for Their Streaming Service
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