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“Sensitive Issues” Force Disney to Change Classic Movie

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A beloved Disney classic is going to be changed due to sensitive issues.

Disney’s live-action films have successfully transitioned cherished animated classics into a new medium while preserving the spirit and heart of the originals. They demonstrate the studio’s commitment to storytelling and its ability to adapt to changing cinematic landscapes.

With a blend of cutting-edge technology, talented actors, and respect for the source material, Disney’s live-action films continue to weave their magic, ensuring that these timeless tales will enchant audiences for generations to come, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been met with some backlash along the way.

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Credit: D23

Disney’s live-action film journey began with classics like Mary Poppins in the 1960s and Pete’s Dragon in the 1970s. However, it wasn’t until the 21st century that Disney made a concerted effort to adapt its animated classics into live-action. The live-action Cinderella (2015)  was directed by Kenneth Branagh. Disney fans know the classic Cinderella as the girl whose father passed, and she was forced to live with her evil stepmother and stepsisters, who told her she could not go to the ball. This is when Cinderella met her fairy godmother, who made all her dreams come true.  In the live-action version, Lily James’s portrayal of the iconic princess captured the essence of the animated original while adding depth and charm.

Beauty and the Beast (2017) saw Emma Watson step into the role of Belle in this adaptation, which not only retained the enchantment of the original but also introduced new songs and characters. Its success set the stage for a series of live-action adaptations. The live-action Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie, introduced a new generation to the world of Agrabah. Will Smith’s charismatic portrayal of the Genie brought a fresh twist to the beloved character, and the film’s vibrant visuals delighted audiences.

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Credit: Disney

The Jungle Book, directed by Jon Favreau, combined groundbreaking visual effects with a captivating story to bring Mowgli and his animal friends to life. The film showcased the potential of modern technology to recreate beloved animated worlds. The Lion King (2019), directed by Jon Favreau, once again utilized cutting-edge technology to create a photorealistic African savannah. While it retained the original story and songs, it showcased the power of live-action to reinvigorate a beloved classic.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that Disney hasn’t been met with backlash from retelling the same story again and again. Many fans have jumped off the live-action adaptation train amid so many from Disney, even though there are more on the way. The latest live-action adaptation was The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey. The film performed well at the box office, but many fans begged Disney to move away from its next planned live-action adaptations, once of which includes the controversial Rachel Zegler taking over Snow White.

The company hasn’t listened to these fans and, instead, has pushed forward with plans for several other films, including a live-action Moana, a prequel to The Lion King, and a live-action Bambi.

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Credit: Disney

More details have now come forward about the live-action Bambi, and fans aren’t sure what to think about it. Anderson Beer, one of the scriptwriters for the upcoming movie, recently revealed that a devastating scene– the devastating scene, you know it– from the original is going to be “softened” as the writer shared that people are “more sensitive” than they were in the past.

“Not to spoil the plot, but there’s a treatment of Bambi’s mother dying that I think some kids, some parents these days are more sensitive about than they were in the past,” she told CBR. “And I think that’s one of the reasons that they haven’t shown it to their children.”

While Beer didn’t give away many details, she shared that this version will be a retelling of the story but will not be the exact same story.

“I do think there is a way to update Bambi and our take on it was… did give a little bit more of a scope to it. And I just think that to be able to bring it to life for kids these days in a way that maybe they relate to a little bit more would be of service to the original.”

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Credit: Disney

Disney has not released any more information on the upcoming Bambi movie, including its release date.

About Brittni Ward

Brittni is a Disney and Universal fan; one of her favorite things at both parks is collecting popcorn buckets. While at Disney World Resort, Brittni meets the princesses and rides Kilimanjaro Safaris. At Universal, Brittni enjoys the Minions and watching Animal Actors on Location! When not at Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando, Brittni spends time with her family and pets.

8 comments

  1. Classic Disney is based on the original fairy tales and need to be left alone. Quit pandering to these snowflakes! Make a new movie entirely if necessary with a different title like daughter of Bambi or Son of Moana. Better yet make a new story altogether as Nemo was.

    • This generation needs to make their own movies for their generation. They are to ignorant to understand classic Disney movies were made in their great grandparents generation. If they are too sensitive to see classic movies. Make your own. Leave my childhood movies alone,.Stop trying to agenda everything into your fragile existence.

  2. These live action movies have lost a lot of the magic their animated counterparts have because Disney wants to keep it “true to life”
    Life is mixed up and wonderful and even a little mystical.
    When you focus on making sure only African/ African American actors are in a movie that takes place in Africa, or only Chinese actors recount a Chinese story, you lose the magic.
    Maybe Disney could try turning their live action films into animated films. Might be easier for em.

  3. The originals should be used the way they were if people are too sensitive then maybe they need to learn real life isn’t all easy and perfect. People really need to get it together I really hate to think how the world is going to be like in another 10 years.

    • John Schieber III

      Sandy I Totally Agree with you Wholeheartedly!!! Disney needs to Leave the originals ALONE!!!! People in the world Today are Way to Sensitive!!!! You can’t teach life lessons Without a bit of Pain an Sorrow.
      Get a GRIP WORLD!!!!! IF WE Continue to pander to the current mentality. We will not be able to Handle the Mildest Pain or Lifes Heartbreaking Moments that have made the generation of the Past Strong an Able to Move Forward with LIFE!!!!

  4. Good God! Leave the original versions alone! We learn from the past. That will never happen if you keep rewriting the past to fit the times! Rewriting classics is a slippery slope that you will not recover from. Try being creative and come up with new stories rather than burning your bridges you crossed. Poor Walt would lose his mind if he were here.

  5. This is shameful. Leave them alone! Disney is digging a hole they will have problems getting out of. In Bambi doesn’t show his mother being shot it alludes to it. I don’t know how much more softening it can be this is getting truly pathetic.

    • Michael Patrick Franklin

      Sensitive? It’s today’s social media indoctrinated children that are desensitized. They live in a bubble of fantasy of video games and virtual reality movies. Leave good and bad alone. Taking morality out of these stories does no good to anyone. If people are squeamish about the original “Bambi” from 1942, I suggest they get the guts and read the original unabridged story.