In the early 2000s, Disney had a knack for making sequels to their beloved animated classics, which were often a notable step down from the original, in both the writing and animation department. But we can look past these subpar sequels, as they were meant for DVD/Video release, thus it didn’t leave a lasting impact on the legacy of the classics.
However, Disney’s trend of remaking acclaimed classics is a whole new low, as not only are they often a step down in quality, but also close the gates for the new generation to experience the originals. Moreover, several things that made the animated releases special often don’t translate well into live-action, with The Lion King being the most infamous example. And fans are once again riled up against Disney’s upcoming Mufasa flick.
The Lion King Is the Lowest of Disney Live-Action Remakes
While some justification exists for other live-action remakes, as they often incorporate an actual human into the story, this isn’t the case for The Lion King. With the story centered on the animal kingdom, the creators of the original made sure to incorporate human mannerisms and expressions into the animals. Not only does it give the characters more personality, but the medium of animation allows them to use exaggeration to add more depth and emotions to scenes.
But with the live-action remake, which opted for photo-realistic visuals, the magic of the original is lost, as the emotions for the film solely depended on the voice acting. Furthermore, the lack of expressive eyes and exaggerated physical features, which made the animated film stand out, makes the live-action remake dull.
And with the upcoming live-action movie surrounding Mufasa once again ditching these elements, as they aren’t realistic, fans are reasonably displeased.
Fans Are Reasonably Displeased With the Live-Action Mufasa: The Lion King
Taking to X, many fans shared their grievances about Disney’s trend to bank on the original’s popularity. While a technological feat for sure, the thing that made the original one of the best-animated releases of all time doesn’t translate well into these mediums.
Although it’s apparent why Disney greenlit Mufasa: The Lion King, as the 2019 remake gave them $1.6B reasons by cashing on fans’ nostalgia, an animated prequel would’ve been a better option.
The 2019 adaption of the lion king was so soulless and lacked what made the original an emotional story. These films are cash grabs but it worked since it made a billion. But we'll just be getting the same with this prequel. An animated film would have been better if nothing.
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) April 3, 2024
absolutely no one asked for this after the soulless husk that was the “live action” Lion King remake https://t.co/hiN2qvnw6K
— Danielle Blake (@abradacabla) April 3, 2024
This perfectly captures why The Lion King remake doesn’t work 🤣 pic.twitter.com/99lP97529a
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) April 3, 2024
Jesus Christ man, everything doesn't need a terrible live action version and sequel
— Pena Cartel 🗿 (@PenaCartel) April 3, 2024
Not a single soul is excited for this.
— ETIRE (@Etireed) April 3, 2024
But the lack of expressive eyes isn’t the lone aspect that made the remake a step-down, as despite being a technological feat, the lighting in the movie was dull, to say the least. It’s safe to say the upcoming reception to Mufasa will play a pivotal role in Disney’s business model moving forward, as if it turns out to be a hit, we might be in for an age of spinoffs to live-action remakes.
The Lion King is available to stream on Disney+.
