A new live-action Peter Pan film appears to be in the works over at Disney. This latest incarnation of J.M. Barrie’s consistently filmed work, looks to have David Lowery attached to direct – Lowery directed Disney’s upcoming live-action reboot of Pete’s Dragon, heading to theaters this summer. This development also continues the Mouse House’s continued efforts to mine their treasure trove of animated properties and turn them into live-action event films; their 1953 animated Peter Pan is oft-celebrated. Deadline first broke this story.
The boy who never grew up has been the subject of a great many films from Steven Spielberg’s Hook (a critically drudged 1991 Oscar nominated incarnation that, nonetheless, has sparked veneration from millennials), P.J. Hogan’s 2003 Peter Pan, the Oscar-winning 2004 Johnny Depp-headlined Finding Neverland all to way to last fall’s Pan, franchise non-starter for Warner Bros. The Disney gloss may help as it surely has for recent live-action blockbusters Maleficent, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. Disney released The Jungle Book in theaters this past Friday, which already has the early showings of being a success.
Lowery will co-write the upcoming Peter Pan film alongside Toby Halbrooks – the duo also penned Pete’s Dragon and collaborated on Lowery’s breakthrough indie Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, a Sundance Film Festival favorite starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara that is about as far removed from the Disney brand as one could possibly get. There doesn’t appear to any news on when Peter Pan will start production or when to expect it in theaters but it joins a growing list of live-actions reboots over at Disney.
Up next is Alice Through the Looking Glass, sequel to Tim Burton’s billion-dollar grosser Alice in Wonderland due in theaters on May 27th. Rob Marshall has a Beauty and the Beast redo coming up next starring Emma Watson (Noah) and Dan Stevens (The Guest). Also in various stages of development is Cruella De Ville (possibly with Emma Stone starring) and a Mary Poppins sequel set to star Emily Blunt. Additionally, Disney is working on live-action Tinkerbell which has Reese Witherspoon attached, opening the door for a crossover with the new Peter Pan.
In meantime, Lowery’s Pete’s Dragon – which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley and Robert Redford – is due in theaters on August 12th. Entertainment Weekly exclusively shared the first image of the dragon himself. Take a look below.
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