Back in 2023, Disney announced that Questlove — the musician turned filmmaker behind the acclaimed documentary “Summer of Soul” — was set to direct a live-action/CG hybrid remake of Disney’s “The Aristocats” (1970).
The script had been penned by Will Gluck (“Peter Rabbit”) and Keith Bunin (“Onward”). After that announcement, however, updates began to fade as Disney reconsidered its strategy for live-action remakes. People started to wonder if it was even happening anymore.
Now, Questlove, speaking on Score: The Podcast, has confirmed that the project has indeed been scrapped by Disney. He attributed the decision to leadership changes at the top, which recently saw Bob Iger return as CEO. No doubt it might also have to do with fatigue starting to settle in when it comes to the mouse house’s live-action remakes.
Questlove added he “would have loved to have done that project,” but admits that his attention is now on a full slate of other films that will keep him busy through the end of the year.
Disney’s 1970 classic “The Aristocats” told the story of Duchess and her three kittens, who are kidnapped by their owner’s scheming butler in an attempt to steal their inheritance. Stranded in the French countryside, the family encounters the charming alley cat Thomas O’Malley, who helps them find their way home.
The remake had been planned as part of Disney’s ongoing wave of live-action reimaginings — a slate that has produced billion-dollar juggernauts like “The Lion King” as well as high-profile misfires like the recent “Snow White.”
Disney’s decision to shelve “The Aristocats” aligns with other recent pauses on projects such as “Bambi” and “Tangled.” I’m sure more live-actions got canned or delayed, but have yet to be reported.