Disney's Live-Action Bambi Remake Loses Its Oscar-Winning Director
08-03-2024
One live-action Disney remake has just taken a big step backwards. We learned last year that Sarah Polley, the Oscar-winning director of "Women Talking", was going to be directing a live-action remake of the 1940s film classic "Bambi." Polley is no longer involved in the project. The replacement for Polley is still unknown.
The Wrap reported that Polley quietly left the remake. The exact date of Polley's departure or the reason for her split with Disney is not known. It's also unclear, according to the report, if this movie will ever be released. Sean Bailey's recent departure as the president of Walt Disney Motion Picture Production is part of the reason. Bailey is largely to blame for all the live-action remakes we have seen in the past decade. It's possible that things will change now that Bailey has left the studio.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke recently at Morgan Stanley's investor conference. He said that Disney had "stopped a few of our projects that we didn't think were good enough." Although he didn't name any projects, it is possible that "Bambi," was among them. Disney has recently released live-action versions of "Pinocchio" and other films that have not been well received.
A lot is unknown about the remake. At one time, screenwriters Lindsey Anderson Beer and Geneva Robertson Dworet (Captain Marvel) were involved. It remains to be determined if that is still the case (or if it ever was). Disney had not yet announced any cast members, nor did they have a timeline for when production would begin.
The live-action Bambi film is as dead as Bambi’s mother?
It's hard not to wonder if this film was scrapped because of the trend in horror films based on properties that are public domain. The "Bambi: The Revenge", a violent sequel to "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey," is in the works. Disney could easily avoid entering those waters at this time. At the very least it's something that cannot be ignored.
Polley has yet to decide on her next project, despite winning an Oscar last year for Best Adapted Screenplay. We're dealing with a talented and respected director, given that she's also been nominated for an Oscar in 2008 for "Away From Her". It was difficult for Polley for a decade to make a film after "Take This Waltz," but it is hard to believe that she would go so long without making a new movie, even if her Disney remake resume included a big-name movie.
The studio is still working on several live-action Disney remakes, such as the remake of "Moana", which brings back The Rock in the role of Maui. A live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch", which stars The Rock as Maui, is in production.
A release date for the live-action remake of "Bambi" is not yet known.