10 Disney Supporting Stars That Need Their Own Movie
1. Uncle Remus
Under no circumstances should there be a sequel to Song of the South. Absolutely no one wants it. However, Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit deserve better.
The long and sad history of Song of the South is fuel for another list of its own, but suffice to say that there are strong characters in the film, though they have been hampered by the storm that surrounds the film.
James Baskett unfortunately died in 1948, two years after the release of the film. Though he was honoured with an Oscar for his work, the character of Uncle Remus has gone down in history as one of most controversial stereotypes in film history.
If ever there was a character that should be saved from the dark history that has grown up around it, it is this one. Remus, as depicted, is a man who seems to long for the time of plantation-era America. However, because of this, one of the strongest parts of the character has been forgotten.
Remus is one of the first leading POC characters in a Disney film, who is also a kind and caring man. He does his best to look after Johnny by telling him stories to cheer him up. Song of the South may be an example of terrible depiction after terrible depiction, but Baskett's performance has become a part of a storm, something undeserving of a great actor and a great performance.
If it ever were to happen that Uncle Remus receives his own film, with Brer Rabbit and the rest, then it would most assuredly fix a great disservice in film history. Song of the South is being somewhat erased from history (rightfully so) yet James Baskett at the very least deserves to be honoured with an updated, respectful depiction of his most famous character.