It seems that Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” isn’t the only live-action movie coming out in 2023.
It was in 2010 when Disney started adapting their animated films into live-action remakes, beginning with Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Disney fans aren’t complaining though. Every time Disney makes a live-action version of an original, it feels like Christmas, literally.
So far, Disney has produced live-action adaptations such as “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Dumbo,” “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast.” And that’s only some of them. But now Disney has a new live-action “Peter Pan” in the works! Judging by the title of the upcoming film, “Peter Pan & Wendy,” it seems that this movie may focus more on Pan and Wendy’s friendship than the others.
But for those who may have forgotten, the first “Peter Pan,” which debuted back on Feb. 15, 1953, was based on an adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s tale about a boy who never grew up. However, in the movie, Peter Pan (Bobby Driscoll) pays a visit to the three Darling children, Wendy (Kathryn Beaumont), John (Paul Collins) and Michael (Tommy Luske), and brings them to Neverland, where a battle between Peter’s band of misfit runaways and the wicked pirate, Captain Hook, is happening.
Now that you’ve had a recap of the original Disney film, we’re here to tell you everything we know about Disney+’s “Peter Pan & Wendy.” So buckle up, it’s going to be a long ride to Neverland.
1. This isn’t the First Live-Action “Peter Pan” to Ever be Made
As previously mentioned, “Peter Pan” has undergone other live-action remakes. The first is Steven Spielberg’s 1991 “Hook,” which stars the beloved Robert Williams as Peter Pan and Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell. The premise of the film revolves around Captain James Hook kidnapping Peter Pan’s children, Jack (Charlie Korsmo) and Maggie (Amber Scott), forcing an adult Peter Pan to visit Neverland and rediscover his childlike spirit in order to confront his former foe.
Then, there is the 2003 film, “Peter Pan,” starring Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan. The story takes place in the gloomy Edwardian era of London, where Wendy Darling (Rachel Hurd-Wood) hypnotizes her brothers, John (Harry Newell) and Michael (Freddie Popplewell) with nighttime tales of sword fighting, swashbuckling and the terrifying Captain Hook. But their bedtime stories become real when Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) descends into their bedroom one evening and takes them over starry rooftops into a galaxy of stars and to the forested hills of Neverland.
Then, there is “Finding Neverland,” a 2004 movie that tells the life story of J.M. Barrie, the author of the original story, and stars Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Lastly, there is the 2015 film, “Pan,” which stars Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Levi Miller as Peter and Amanda Seyfried as Mary.
2. When Will “Peter Pan & Wendy” be Released?
When someone learns a new Disney live-action adaptation is in the works, their first concern is undoubtedly its release date. Although there is no official date yet, we do know that the film will make its debut in 2023.
3. Who Will be Starring in the Film?
Jude Law will be playing Captain Hook, and yes, my inner self is currently screaming. But obviously, he isn’t the only person starring in this highly anticipated movie.
There is Alexander Molony as the one and only, Peter Pan, and Ever Anderson as Wendy Darling. Not to be overlooked is Tinker Bell, who will be portrayed by Yara Shahidi, the first Black woman to play this role. Wendy’s brothers–John and Michael–are played by Joshua Pickering (John) and Jacobi Jupe (Michael).
4. What Will the Film be About?
Ever Anderson reportedly told Variety in an interview that “Wendy and Peter are equals in this film.” Also, according to Variety, “Peter Pan & Wendy,” directed and written by David Lowery, will be based on J.M. Barrie’s 1953 classic book about Peter Pan, a kid who never ages, and the children he carries off to a mythical world called Neverland.
Additionally, the movie will portray the classic story of Wendy, a young girl who travels to the fantastical Neverland with her two younger brothers in defiance of her parents’ demands that she go to boarding school. She meets a wicked pirate captain, a little fairy and a boy who won’t grow up there, and they quickly find themselves on an exhilarating and perilous adventure far from their family and comfortable surroundings.
Footage of the “Peter Pan & Wendy” film was shown to the D23 audience in person on Sept. 9, which revealed the first glimpses of the iconic characters in a gritty, more realistic interpretation than we’ve seen before.
Make sure to stay tuned for the official release date of “Peter Pan & Wendy.”