Every confirmed Disney+ movie and what we’d like to see

Alexandra Plesa

Posted: 13 April 2019 5:27 pm News

Here’s a sneak peek at every original Disney+ movie announced so far.

It’s no secret that Disney is planning to take the world by storm with its own streaming service. The entertainment giant has been working on developing a standalone platform for a while, which will host Disney’s generous backlog catalogue and also feature fresh, original productions to really give subscribers bang for their buck. The platform, Disney+, will become available in the United States on November 12, 2019. The new service which will be priced at US$6.99/month or US69.99/year. Rumours about the content are slowly bubbling to the surface, giving Disney fans plenty to look forward to.

On the TV front, the company is developing some exciting new series, including a few based on Star Wars and Marvel characters. Moreover, Disney+ will enable subscribers to enjoy classic Disney movies, from old animated favourites like The Lion King to recent hits like Frozen and Moana. The catalogue will also include Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar blockbusters. As an added bonus, Disney is working on some new flicks that are expected to drop on the streaming service as well. We’ve gathered them below, along with our hopes and expectations for the new titles.

1. Timmy Failure film

What we know

Based on the popular Timmy Failure books penned by Stephan Pastis, this live-action adaptation will follow Timmy, a confident 11-year-old boy who runs an amateur detective agency along with his sidekick, a dim-witted polar bear called Failure. The movie will be directed by Tom McCarthy, also responsible for Spotlight. British actress Ophelia Lovibond will play Timmy’s mother. You might know her as Kitty from the TV series Elementary. The flick is set to drop on Disney+ during year one.

What we want to see

In short, we’re expecting a heartwarming, funny film suitable for the entire family. Disney is planning to populate its streaming service with family-oriented content, leaving the more R-rated stuff to Hulu, so we’ll probably get our wish. The Timmy Failure books are whimsical and hilarious, well-suited for both children and adults. Hopefully the movie will be more of the same, especially since Pastis himself is in charge of the screenplay.

2. A live-action Lady and the Tramp

What we know

Rebooting old classics has been Disney’s signature move in recent years, so there’s no surprise the entertainment giant is currently working on a live-action remake of the 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp. The movie will follow Lady, a female Cocker Spaniel who falls in love with a stray named Tramp. But wait, there’s a twist! This time around, Jock, the sassy Scottish terrier, will instead be Jackie.

The cast includes Justin Theroux as Tramp and Tessa Thompson as Lady, as well as Ashley Jensen as Jackie and Janelle Monáe as Peg, a wise-cracking pound dog. The movie will be directed by Charlie Bean, who was responsible for The Lego Ninjago Movie. The new Lady and the Tramp will be available on Disney+ at launch.

What we want to see

Disney’s live-action remakes of animated classics have been great so far, so we’re hoping this one will fit the bill. With such a strong cast, there’s little doubt that the flick will have mainstream appeal. This is basically a story about two individuals from different sides of the tracks who fall in love and have to overcome their differences. In Disney’s hands, it became a beloved musical tale that all ages can enjoy, sweet and magical. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy talking animals? We’re expecting this to be a hit, wildly entertaining and instantly memorable. The original set a very high bar.

3. A live-action The Sword in the Stone

What we know

Disney’s 1963 animated fantasy will be re-imagined as a live-action flick as well, with Juan Carlos Fresnadillo set to direct. Fresnadillo is best known for the zombie thriller 28 Weeks Later, so this should be a fun change of pace for him. The script was penned by Bryan Cogman, a writer who also worked on Game of Thrones. The story is a retelling of the legend of King Arthur and centres on the young Arthur being mentored by the magician Merlin. Filming is rumoured to have started in September, but there’s no word on casting on a premiere date just yet.

What we want to see

Fresnadillo is mainly known for directing dark and slightly disturbing flicks, so we wouldn’t be surprised if this remake will be a tad gloomier than your usual Disney offering. We would very much enjoy that, but we’re not holding our breath, since the original is more delightful than grim. However, the classic is mainly appealing to children, with adults hiding the occasional yawn. A darker tone might make it a fun ride for the entire family.

4. Noelle

What we know

Initially slated for a November 2019 release, Noelle was pulled from Disney’s theatrical calendar and is heading to the upcoming streaming service instead. The holiday flick stars Anna Kendrick as Noelle, Santa’s daughter, who has to take over the family business when her brother gets cold feet. The cast also includes Bill Hader, Billy Eichner and Shirley MacLaine. Noelle was written and directed by Marc Lawrence, known for charming rom-coms like Miss Congeniality, Two Weeks Notice, and Music and Lyrics. The movie is expected to drop on Disney+ soon after launch.

What we want to see

A feel-good holiday movie. Noelle was described as a female Santa Claus flick, so you bet we’re eager to tune in. Some might hint that Disney pulling it from its theatrical release schedule is a bad sign, but we’re here to argue the opposite. The entertainment giant is probably looking to make Disney+ even more appealing – and the fact that the platform will be unveiled in late 2019, just ahead of Christmas, makes Noelle a natural fit for the service. Oh, and have you ever watched an Anna Kendrick movie you didn’t like?

5. Togo

What we know

Togo is a live-action flick about a dog and his owner, who both played a big part in the 1925 serum run to Nome. Based on true events, it follows a dog-sled team who transports diphtheria antitoxin serum through harsh conditions over nearly 700 miles to save an Alaskan town from an epidemic. Willem Dafoe is set to star as Leonhard Seppala, Togo’s owner. The movie will be directed by Ericson Core, based on a screenplay by Tom Flynn. Christopher Heyerdahl has also been cast in the movie, although it’s unsure as of now who he will portray. Also, no word on any dog casting, but our sources tell us the main character will be a good boy. According to Disney+, the movie will become available to stream during year one.

What we want to see

A movie that will make us cry. This is literally a story about an underdog and we can’t wait to root for him. We’re mushy like that. As far as the 1925 serum run to Nome is concerned, Balto, a Siberian husky who led his team on the final leg of the race, got all the glory. This despite the fact that Togo did the lion's share of the work, crossing the exposed open ice of the Norton Sound. We’re eager to see that on screen and fear for the courageous fellow.

6. A Three Men and a Baby remake

What we know

There have been rumours about a Three Men and a Baby remake since as early as 2010, but things are finally starting to take shape. Disney confirmed its working on a re-imagining of the movie, although details are scarce so far. There’s no director and no cast attached to the project, despite Disney considering this a “priority”, according to Deadline. Adam Sandler already tried to remake the classic in 2011, but that didn’t happen. Hopefully, this one will eventually see the light of day. The story follows three bachelors as they try to adjust to living with a baby, the love child of one of them.

What we want to see

In our wildest dreams, the remake would star three Hollywood Chrises, thank you very much. The cast in the 1987 original consisted of Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson, all huge stars during that time, so anything is possible. Hemsworth, Evans and Pratt are already a huge part of the Marvel Universe. This wouldn’t be that much of a stretch. Give us the Chrises, Disney. We’ll beg if necessary.

7. The Paper Magician film

What we know

Disney nabbed the film rights to The Paper Magician, a trilogy penned by Charlie N. Holmberg, back in 2016. The entertainment giant confirmed that the movie is heading to Disney+, but no other details about the flick have been made available so far. The only thing we know is that the screenplay is being written by Ashleigh Powell, also responsible for The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. We don't know yet when the movie is expected to premiere.

What we want to see

Well, a whole lot of magic. The books centre on Ceony Twill, a young girl disappointed that she was assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of working with metal. However, her feelings change under the tutelage of Emery Thane, her powerful mentor. But when a practitioner of dark magic rips Thane’s heart from his chest, Ceony has to embark on a dangerous adventure to save her mentor. The story has all the right ingredients to deliver on the magic front, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for this one.

8. Stargirl

What we know

Based on the novel of the same name by Jerry Spinelli, Stargirl centres on a quirky teen who shakes things up at an uptight high school. It’s a tale of nonconformity, popularity and first love. The movie will be directed by Julia Hart. Grace VanderWaal, who won the eleventh season of America's Got Talent, will portray Stargirl. According to IMDB, the cast also includes Giancarlo Esposito, Darby Stanchfield and Graham Verchere, among others. The movie will become available on Disney+ sometime during year one.

What we want to see

Stargirl is a popular YA novel, so we’re expecting a fairly faithful and charming adaptation. This is VanderWaal’s first acting role, but given the fact that she’s been performing since she was 12, we’re sure she’s a natural. Also, the book features a scene where Stargirl plays the ukulele, the same instrument VanderWaal played when she was discovered. It was simply meant to be.

9. Don Quixote

What we know

This is another project we don’t know a lot about, other than the fact that it was announced back in 2016. The screenplay is being written by Billy Ray, who also penned the scripts for The Hunger Games and Captain Phillips. Of course, the movie will be based on the 1605 novel by Miguel de Cervantes. The book follows a lower class aristocrat who goes a bit mad and starts to believe that he is a chivalrous knight. He then sets off on a quest for adventure accompanied by his squire, Sancho Panza. There's no word on a premiere date just yet.

What we want to see

Given the novel’s popularity, we’re expecting a larger than life tale, with terrific acting and a compelling story. There have been rumours that the tone will be similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which is a bit odd, but we’ll roll with it for now. No casting has been announced for this so we’re eager to find out who will play the titular role.

10. Magic Camp

What we know

Magic Camp follows a guy named Andy, who returns as a counsellor at Magic Camp, which he attended long ago, hoping to reignite his career. Directed by Mark Waters, the movie stars Adam Devine, with the supporting cast including Gillian Jacobs, Aldis Hodge and Jeffrey Tambor. The movie is finished, so it should be one of the first to drop on the streaming service. Initially, Magic Camp was slated for a theatrical release earlier in 2018, but was ultimately redirected to land on Disney+. We're not sure yet about when it will make its debut on the platform.

What we want to see

The movie was rated PG for some mild rude humour, so we’re obviously expecting to have a lot of fun with this one. Adam Devine is a delight and watching kids learn how to do magic tricks should be compelling enough. As a fun fact, the initial draft for the story was penned by Steve Martin. It couldn’t possibly be bad, right?

11. Flora and Ulysses

What we know

Based on the novel Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, the upcoming movie follows a cynical girl who loves to read comic books and a squirrel who is run over by the neighbour’s vacuum cleaner, which causes him to develop superpowers. The project was announced earlier in 2018, so there aren’t any details available just yet. However, Lena Khan tweeted that she will be directing the flick.

What we want to see

The book is often described as cute and quirky, so we’re guessing the adaptation will earn the same accolades as well. Although the tale sounds mainly appealing to children, great cinematography could make it a hit among adults as well. At the end of the day, it will feature a bad-ass squirrel, so we’d tune in for that reason alone.

Note: Disney is also reportedly eyeing reboots of The Parent Trap, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Father of the Bride, but these projects haven’t been confirmed so far.