Disney is bringing back one of its most beloved animated classics, Bambi, as a live-action musical with Oscar-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley in talks to direct. The project will feature original songs by country star Kacey Musgraves and a script by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.
Bambi tells the story of a young deer who learns his place in the forest and faces the joys and heartache of growing up. Along the way, he makes friends with a rabbit named Thumper and a skunk named Flower, and experiences the tragic loss of his mother at the hands of a hunter.
The original film, based on a novel by Felix Salten, was released in 1942 and was the fifth animated feature from Disney. It grossed over $267 million and received three Oscar nominations for Best Sound, Song and Original Music Score. It has also been recognized as a cultural, historical and aesthetic masterpiece by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
The live-action Bambi is part of Disney’s series of live-action adaptations of its animated classics, such as The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, which have been huge box office hits for the studio. The film will use CGI-generated animals voiced by stars, similar to The Lion King and Jungle Book.
Sarah Polley is an acclaimed writer and director who won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for her feature Women Talking, based on a novel by Miriam Toews. The film explores the dilemma faced by the women of an isolated religious community after they discover they have been sexually assaulted by the men they trusted. Polley also directed Away from Her, Take This Waltz and Stories We Tell.
Polley said she was excited to take on the challenge of bringing Bambi to life in a new way. “Bambi is a timeless story that resonates with audiences of all ages,” she said. “I’m honored to be entrusted with this beloved classic and to work with such talented collaborators as Kacey Musgraves, Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.”
Musgraves, who has won six Grammy Awards for her country music albums, said she was thrilled to be part of the project. “Bambi has always been one of my favorite Disney films and I’m honored to be able to contribute to its legacy with new music,” she said. “I can’t wait for audiences to see this beautiful film and hear the songs we’ve created.”
The live-action Bambi does not have a release date yet, but fans can expect an emotional and musical journey through the forest with their favorite deer and his friends.
Relevant articles:
– Sarah Polley In Talks To Direct Live-Action ‘Bambi’ For Disney, Deadline, June 13, 2023
– Women Talking director Sarah Polley to helm live-action Bambi for Disney, GamesRadar+, June 13, 2023
– Sarah Polley in Talks to Direct Disney’s Live-Action ‘Bambi’, TheWrap, June 13, 2023
– Disney’s Bambi Live-Action Remake, IMDb, June 13, 2023