Happy 2025, mid-last year I took a break from doing mailbag in order to settle into my new house with my family. Well, I am settled and ready to dive back into your questions.
Is the Cruella sequel still in the works? Do you think remakes could move away from copy and paste to something more original, like Mufasa?
This is two different questions but I can definitly answer both. First, it has been about year since we have heard anything definitive on the Cruella sequel, Emma Stone and director Craig Gillespie have both been busy developing other projects but as far as I am told, Disney is “eager” to get Cruella 2 moving forward.
As for additional live-action remakes, the Tangled remake is expected to be faithful to the original. The live-action remake of Hercules is being retold from Hades perspective (similar to the Maleficent films. So, Disney isnt moving away from tradational remakes but instead trying different ideas with properties we know and love.
When is Fantastic Four trailer coming out?
I have seen a lot of people asking this and the honest answer here is it is hard to really pinpoint trailer drops. We are a few weeks away from the Super Bowl so, that of course will be the most likely time we could get one. However, Disney usually saves Marvel trailers for Good Morning America on ABC, which could be anytime between now and February.
Hello guys, I’m happy for your return. I really missed you. A scoop about Maleficent 3 and 2026 disney animated movie?
Thank you, I have missed you and everyone too! Sadly, despite reports of a Maleficent 3 over the last few years, it appears Disney is moving on from the property but Angelina Jolie is open to returning if the door reopens. As for Disney animation in 2026, the movie is an original but Disney is working on multiple projects, one of which, is a new princess movie but I am not 100% sure what the studio is going with in 2026.
Do you have any info on the Big Thunder Mountain movie? You had mentioned something about casting last year.
A classic case of reporting on a project way too soon. Sadly, there are no new updates on the project. It looks Disney is focusing on other projects at the moment. The same could be said for the Space Mountain movie, which has been in development for a few years now.
Are you expecting a new Pirates of the Caribbean film to be officially greenlit this year?
A new Pirates of the Caribbean movie is scheduled to film later this year. I’d expect to hear some director/cast reports drop in the coming months. As of now, it is unknown if Johnny Depp is returning but the word on the streets is both are open to a return.
What is the future of Lucasfilm ? The hits and misses are 50-50 at best. Indiana Jones 5 should have been a reboot instead. What’s Disney’s plan for the franchsise? As for Star Wars, the galaxy is vast but they keep making tv shows that mostly feel the same. Maybe a creative change at the top would help.
This is a pretty hard question to answer. What I will say is Lucasfilm needs to continue to move forward with the franchises we love. Indiana Jones needs to be rebooted by introducing a younger actor in the role and setting up new adventures with a fresh perspective. As for Star Wars, there are multiple movies in various stages of developement with two of their top shows Andor and Ahsoka coming back for second seasons. Star Wars could benefit from someone new at the top who understands the balance between honoring the past and crafting fresh, ambitious stories, but that is why the studio promoted Dave Filoni to Chief Creative Office a little over a year ago.
Will they announce a Frozen live-action this year? And who do you suggest to direct it?
A few years ago I saw a production grid for a movie from Disney called The Snow Queen, which is obviously Frozen. This was at the same time I saw a grid for Rapunzel, which is obviously Tangled. Now, Tangled is in the works with The Greatest Showman director, so i’d imagine Frozen is in the pipeline. Will they announce this year? no. Who should direct it when the time comes? Well, none other than Jennifer Lee of course.
Is This The End of the Muppets?
I can not say much but what I can say is, there is a new movie in the works.
I want to see Snow White remake get cancelled and zegler gets fired and free 2D animation.
Not a question but I want to address this. I am sorry, it is 2025 the idea of returning to 2D animation is silly. We live in a time where the technology for animated storytelling is changing in ways we have never seen before. Could 2D return at times? Sure but a full return? No.
As for Zegler/Snow White, Zegler is not getting fired and the project isnt getting cancelled. There is no reason for either to happen. That said if you do not want to see or support the project then don’t, speak with your wallet.
That’s it for this week!
I could not get to everyone’s question this week, so I apologize if your question was not answered but it is my first week back to doing these but be on the lookout for next week’s mailbag!
