10 Animated Movies That Disney Should Adapt Into Live-Action
9. Pocahontas
Like Mulan, Pocahontas has a hero and a story that needs to be done real justice in live-action. With Disney saying their upcoming live-action version of Mulan will feature a primarily Chinese cast, this would be another promising step in the right direction.
Unlike Mulan, a live-action adaptation of Pocahontas could be just what american audiences need to see- a positive and inspiring representation of Native Americans that is also a criticism of the actions of European settlers.
This doesn't mean the film has to be boring and preachy, though. If The Jungle Book featured some of the more iconic songs from the animated movie, Pocahontas could easily feature such beloved numbers as "Colours Of The Wind" and "If I Never Knew You".
And the prospect of a full-blown historical epic that embraces Native American folklore is an exciting one- a sort of mystical, romantic version of The Revenant with a cute raccoon and love ballads is a pretty awesome pitch, regardless of it being based on an animated film.
It is far from an untouchable classic, and the film is not the most interesting in Disney's canon, so a bold interpretation would be welcome and whoever directs in would not be subject to intense scrutiny- and the environmental message is very timely as well.
Perhaps Boyd Holbrook would make an excellent John Smith, and Oliver Platt was born to play Governor Ratcliffe. As for Pocahontas? A casting move similar to The Hunchback of Notre Dame would be a wise move, and introduce audiences to some new Native American talent.