Disney Shares Early Look At Live-Action ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Dumbo’ At CinemaCon
CinemaCon is roaring away in Las Vegas. Disney took its moment in the spotlight to tease some of its upcoming releases.
Live Action Leaders
The entertainment behemoth delighted attendees on Tuesday with footage from some of its most anticipated live-action adaptations. Disney treated the audience to glimpses of The Lion King, Dumbo, and Aladdin. All three films will hit theaters until 2019.
The studio held a 90-minute presentation at Caesars Palace, closing with the "Circle of Life" opening sequence from Jon Favreau's The Lion King. The flick, which drops on July 19, 2019, exactly 25 years and one month after the original film, is one of the most hotly-anticipated movies from Disney.
The footage has a close resemblance to the opening scenes of the 1994 Oscar-nominated animated movie. The sequence in question finds Simba, King Mufasa's newborn son, presented to the animal kingdom by Rafiki, shaman and advisor to the king. The new film sees Rafiki with the same facial markings as its predecessor.
Dumbo Gets Dark
Tim Burton's live-action Dumbo also impressed exhibitors, although it's loosely inspired by the 1941 animated movie of the same name. The filmmaker is expected to put his own, dark spin on the tale.
Danny DeVito, who featured as The Penguin in Burton's Batman Returns, stars as the circus ringmaster alongside Michael Keaton, who played the Caped Crusader in that same film, as the owner. Eva Green and Colin Farrell are also part of the cast.
Footage shown at CinemaCon included concept art of the titular character. While the Dumbo CGI appeared, the elephant with massive ears did not fly in the sneak peek.
"We had to hold something back," said newly named distribution head Catherine Taff.
Dumbo is in post-production in London. Filming for the movie took place at the legendary Pinewood Studios and Cardington Studios.
Aladdin Heads To Bel Air
Footage from the live-action take on hit movie Aladdin, which stars Will Smith as the Genie, the role made famous by Robin Williams in the animated version, was also shown.
"Disney knows how to do it. This is going to be beautiful," Smith enthused, in a clip shown at the presentation.
As for what Smith can bring to the table, Taff was optimistic.
"Let's just say a little Fresh Prince, a little Hitch and whole lot of attitude," she described his modern take on the beloved character.
The response to the teaser of the upcoming remake of the 1992 hit was mainly positive. The flick also features Naomi Scott, Billy Magnussen, and Mena Massoud. Aladdin will hit theaters on May 24, 2019.
Setting It Sights On The Past
The three upcoming live-action adaptations follow the footsteps of the well-received films Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, and last year's world-conquering Beauty and the Beast, which nabbed a whopping $1.25 billion at the worldwide box office.
The studio also gave attendees a look at Rob Marshall's upcoming sequel Mary Poppins Returns, which stars Emily Blunt as the eponymous heroine.
The footage featured Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda in the animated painting sequence, as well as the chimney sweeps dancing along Cherry Tree Lane.
