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How Disney Makes Movie Magic Last
Live-action films extend the life of classic animated features
You’d be hard pressed to find any kid who hasn’t seen a Disney animated film. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the very first Disney animated feature film debuting in 1937, to such blockbusters as The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, Disney animated films have charmed millions of children around the world.
While Disney’s domination of animated films is impressive, it is even more remarkable how the company is extending the life of its classic movies. Obviously, original Disney films can be re-released in movie theaters, in DVD format and on television. But the real Disney magic occurs when the original film becomes a springboard for what amounts to a brilliant brand extension — live-action films that extend the life of the original animated film.
Live-action remakes
Beginning in 1994 with The Jungle Book, Disney embarked on a massive effort to remake many of its classic animated films into live-action or partial live-action feature films. The studio basically takes the original animated film and adapts it to a live-action film (at times modifying the story line and some characters) adding CGI as needed.
