It’s no secret that a large portion ofDisney’s revenue in recent years has come from rebooting earlier films. FromCinderellatoThe Lion Kingand beyond,Disney has been producing live-action remakes of tons of theirclassic animated films, with even more of these projects currently in the works. However, one must begin to wonder whether straightforward, live-action recreations are really the most effective way for Disney to bring these classic stories back to life. With many of the live-action remakes garnering less-than-stellar reviews, one must start to question whether Disney should consider exploring an alternate path.
Fortunately, one Disney property could open many doors for the company. Back in 2004,Disney made a deal in which they received ownershipof the beloved group of colorful performers known as the Muppets. With audiences growing tired of live-action adaptations that don’t do much to enhance the original stories,Disney ought to consider capitalizing on their access to the Muppets when remaking their beloved films. Now, with rumors that Disney World’s only Muppet-based attraction may be closing soon, fans are clamoring for Disney to find new ways to use these beloved characters, and these films offer excellent solutions.
10Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A Timeless Love Story Built for a Colorful Cast
A true Disney classic, 1991’sBeauty and the Beasthas beena beloved, heartwarming story for decades. This musical masterpiece tells the story of the budding romance between Belle and the titular Beast, a former prince who had been cursed to appear as a hideous creature.
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The original film is among the most popular of Disney’s animated features, and is one of only three animated films to ever be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.Beauty and the Beastfeatures a large ensemble of characters of all shapes and sizes, perfect for any Muppet production.
Beauty and the Beast
Cast
A selfish prince is doomed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he manages to fall in love with a beautiful young woman.
With plenty of both humor and heart alike, the film would offer plenty of room for all the characters to do what they do best. Plus, as it is tradition for there to always be at least one human character in every Muppet movie, a humorous opportunity could easily be seized by having the Beast played by the only human actor.The possibilities with retelling this tale as old as time are truly endless.
9Fantasia (1940)
A Muppet-Led Musical Anthology Would Be a Blast
Even some of Disney’s earliest animated features have massive potential when it comes to being given a new life with the Muppets. In 1940, Disney releasedthe musical anthology film,Fantasia, a groundbreaking showcase of the wonders of Disney animation. While the magic of the originalFantasiacould never truly be recreated, the idea of making a film in a similar style seems to have boatloads of amusing possibilities.
Fantasia
Fantasia is an animated film released in 1940, presented by Walt Disney. It combines classical music with imaginative animation, featuring pieces conducted by Leopold Stokowski and performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. This cinematic experience explores various themes through a series of visually and musically rich segments.
Instead of following a single narrative for the entire duration of the film,a Muppet-led version ofFantasiawould allow for numerous short stories to be acted out by various beloved Muppet characters, all to the tune of a wonderful symphony orchestra. However, while it would be great to see some all-new segments set to other iconic pieces of classical music, it would also certainly please audiences to see how Kermit the Frog would fare in a retelling of the classicSorcerer’s Apprenticechapter.
8The Avengers (2012)
A Muppet Superhero Extravaganza
In late 2009, Disney took another major step in expanding its entertainment empire when it signed a deal giving the company ownership of Marvel Entertainment. This, of course, led to the astronomical growth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU), with seemingly innumerable amounts of Marvel movies and television shows being released in the following years.
The Muppets' track record of celebrity cameos would also pave the way for humorous appearances by various celebrities who have appeared in other popular installments in the MCU.
Now, as storylines evolve and characters come and go, audiences are going to miss seeing the original Avengers in all their glory; Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, the list goes on. By using the Muppets to remake the original 2012 film,The Avengers,Marvel would have the opportunity to bring all of these characters back to their loving audienceswithout having to tamper with the existing storylines of the MCU.
The Avengers
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.
The film would surely lean more into the silly side of the superhero universe, allowing for an experience that is both action-packed and family-friendly. The Muppets' track record of celebrity cameos would also pave the way forhumorous appearances by various celebritieswho have appeared in other popular installments in the MCU.
7Tangled (2010)
A Funny Rapunzel Family Adventure
Disney’s 2010 animated feature,Tangled, puts a clever new spin on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, “Rapunzel.” The musical film, which has ballooned in popularity over the years, has all the elements of any great Muppet movie; lovable characters, plenty of humor, and even some romance.
While Miss Piggy and Kermit feel like guarantees to play Rapunzel andFlynn Rider, the movie also offers plenty of other scene-stealing roles that would allow many different Muppets to have their turn in the spotlight. Anothermajor factor in whyTangledwould thrive as a Muppet movie is the award-winning music throughout the film.
Tangled
An adaptation of the fairytale of Rapunzel, Disney’s Tangled follows the long-haired princess as she journeys to discover her real identity. Kidnapped as a child by the evil Mother Gothel to exploit the healing properties of her magical hair, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has lived her whole life isolated in a tower. A chance encounter with a smooth-talking fugitive called Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) sees Rapunzel venture out into the dangerous world to find the kingdom of Corona and unlock the secrets of her past.
The Muppets are no strangers to both splashy tunes and heartfelt ballads, with music playing a significant role in most of their productions.Tangledoffers plenty of original songsthat are well-written and catchy, but also flexible enough that they wouldn’t sound out-of-place being sung by the silly voices of the Muppets. A Muppet-led version ofTangledwould surely feature one showstopping number after another.
6Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
A Silly Twist On the Iconic Franchise
Another major acquisition for Disney came in 2012, when the company purchased Lucasfilm, and thus, the entireStar Warsfranchise. Now, Disney has surely tried to do as much as possible with the franchise over the years - there is a massive pile of evidence of this, coming in the form of movies, television shows, theme park rides, games, and more - butthey have not yet explored the possibility of aStar Wars/Muppets crossover(aside from a single episode ofThe Muppet Showfrom 1980).
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars is a seminal science fiction film released in 1977 that follows the quest of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to rescue Princess Leia from the oppressive Imperial forces. They are aided by the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, as they strive to restore peace to the galaxy.
Seeing how beloved the franchise has become, it feels as though it would make sense for Disney to explore this concept, which would certainly provide a comedic twist on the classic films.
After all,Family Guyproved that remakingStar Warswith a colorful cast of beloved characters has the potential to be a huge success. The potential for every aspect of the film (the characters, the settings, the spacecrafts) is incredible, with the endless creativity of the team behind the Muppets sure to create something fans of both franchises would adore.
5Hercules (1997)
A Muppet Story of Mythic Proportions
The Muppets have recreated various fairy tales and even some classic novels over the years, but they have yet to significantly take the dive into exploring the world of Greek mythology. A retelling of Disney’s beloved version of the story ofHerculeswouldoffer the famous characters an easy way to transition into this new area of storytelling.
Herculestellsthe story of the titular son of Zeus, who must work hard and become a hero in order to return to his rightful spot on Mount Olympus.Herculespresents a rare opportunity for audiences to see how various mythical creatures would appear in the world of Muppets.
Hercules
Hercules follows the journey of the titular character, the son of Zeus, as he embarks on a quest to prove himself a true hero after being turned mortal by Hades. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film is a blend of mythology and animation.
The possibilities inherent in creating a Muppet-ized satyr, Pegasus, centaur and much more would definitely be an exciting project for the creative team. Along with an inspiring story and tons of catchy tunes,Herculesis a Disney classic that is sure to be a hit when retold for a modern audience. The upcoming West End musical adaptation proves that the story is still as popular as ever, and perfect for a reimagination.
4Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
A Fun Opportunity for the Muppets to Return to the High Seas
Though the Muppets have already set sail before with their 1996 film,Muppet Treasure Island, a remake of thePirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearlcould be a fun, exciting way for them to experience pirate life once again. Based on the theme park ride of the same name,the firstPirates of the Caribbeanmovie was a huge success, both critically and commercially.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Curse of the Black Pearl is the film that kickstarted the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a series of supernatural swashbuckling adventures. In 1720, blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.
Unfortunately, as the franchise expanded, not every addition proved to be quite as successful.The Muppets could effectively rejuvenate this nautical franchise, albeit with a slightly less intimidating cast of characters. Audiences love thePirates of the Caribbeanmovies for their swashbuckling fun, and it is hard to imagine a better way to complement this humorous side of pirate life than with some of the most amusing performers around.
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With a vast assortment of characters and plenty of pirate shenanigans, a Muppet-helmed remake of this Disney film would be a blast for viewers of all ages. It would also open the door to future sequels, if the film proves to be an overwhelming success.
3The Incredibles (2004)
A Chance for the First Collaboration Between The Muppets and Pixar
Even if a Marvel/Muppet collaboration proves to be impossible, a remake of Disney/Pixar’s 2004 hit,The Incredibles, would serve as another exciting way of getting some superpowered Muppets on the big screen.
With Disney having access to all of Pixar’s extensive filmography, it seems only proper to explore whether the idea of a Pixar/Muppet crossover has any merit.Of Pixar’s many popular films,The Incrediblesseems like the best option for a number of reasons.
The Incredibles
The Incredibles follows the retired superhero Bob Parr, now an insurance adjuster living in suburbia with his family. When a mysterious assignment surfaces, he is called back into action alongside his family, leading them to confront hidden dangers.
The Incrediblestells the story ofa family of superheroes living in a world in which it has become illegal for people to have superpowers.Though it has its fair share of superhero-filled action sequences,The Incrediblesis, at its core, a movie about the importance of family and togetherness.
These ideas have been a staple of Muppet productions for years, meaning that a retelling ofThe Incredibleswould fit right in with the rest of the Muppets' filmography. Additionally, seeing Jim Henson’s lovable characters be given their own superpowers would certainly be a ton of fun for the audience.
2Frozen (2013)
An Ultra-Popular Story Ready to Be Retold
While Disney has released countless beloved animated features over the years, few have skyrocketed in terms of popularity quite as much asFrozen. The instant-classic 2013 film tells the story of Anna and Elsa, two royal sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle, the latter of whom has magical abilities allowing her to control ice and snow.
Frozenoffers Disney an exciting opportunity to help introduce the Muppets to a younger audience, one that may not be too familiar with their previous movies and shows.
Backed by its heartwarming story and impressive soundtrack,Frozenfeels like a prime candidate to be remade by Disney, and the Muppets offer a fun, refreshing way to do so.Frozenoffers Disney an exciting opportunity to help introduce the Muppets to a younger audience, one that may not be too familiar with their previous movies and shows.
Frozen
Frozen, released in 2013, follows young princess Anna of Arendelle on a perilous quest to halt an eternal winter cast by her sister, Elsa. Joined by Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf, Anna navigates themes of friendship, courage, family, and love in her journey.
After all, with various sequels, shorts films, and theme park attractions,Frozenhas consistently proven thatanything associated with its charming story and lovable characters is bound to be incredibly popular. A Muppet-led remake ofFrozenwould not only entertain audiences with a new version of the story, but it could bring more notoriety to the Muppets themselves, a rather underappreciated Disney property nowadays.
1The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
An Incredible Movie Directed By Henry Selick
Though far from a typical Disney animated feature,The Nightmare Before Christmasoffers a lively, fun holiday story that presents plenty of entertaining opportunities for the Muppets. The iconic stop-motion film by Henry Selick and Tim Burton tellsthe story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who decides he wants to take over running Christmas for a change.
Over the years, the film has become increasingly popular, and has truly evolved into a holiday staple for audiences around the world. With the success ofThe Muppet Christmas Carolin 1992, it is surprising that Disney hasn’t made many more attempts to capture the magic of the holidays using the Muppets since then.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Henry Selick directs The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion fairytale from the mind of Tim Burton. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween and one of Halloweentown’s most beloved citizens, but he longs for something more. When he stumbles across a magical door that leads him to discover Christmas, he makes it his mission to replace Santa Claus and bring festive cheer to his perpetually spooky hamlet.
Having the Muppets retell the classic story ofThe Nightmare Before Christmaswould allow the beloved performers to have a new film audiences can come back to year after year. Additionally, a collaboration between Jim Henson’s characters and Tim Burton would certainly be an exciting way to combine the talents of two deeply creative individuals.
