Find out which Disney princesses have had live-action film versions
Disney princess stories have been told in different formats over the years. This is because the oldest plots appeared on the pages through fairy tales written by the most diverse authors, later gained versions in animated feature films, and for some time now, they have had interpreters in the flesh, since the plots have gaining more and more space in the live-action films produced by the studio.
These flesh-and-blood versions are known for bringing more details to the plots that involve the holders of the Mickey Mouse crown, or for giving new meaning to some points that, over time, ended up needing to be changed so that the plot becomes more complete. fits better with the moment in which current society lives.
With that in mind, RECREIO put together a list of all the princesses who have live-action films released by the studio created 100 years ago by the brothers Roy It is Walt Disney. Check out!
Cinderella (Cinderella)
The story of young Ella, better known as Cinderella, came from the French author Charles Perrault, in the work Tales of Mother Goose, in 1697. More than two hundred years later, in 1950, Disney adapted the story for the first time in the studio through the acclaimed animation that bears the character’s name.
In the plot, the daily difficulty of the character is shown, who is mistreated by her cruel stepmother and half-sisters after the death of her father. Even with the difficulties, she doesn’t give up on seeing the good side of life and dreaming. Her hope is rewarded with the appearance of a fairy godmother who helps her go to the ball for maidens of the kingdom, where she will live her big dream — but only until midnight.
Cinderella’s trajectory could be seen in live-action for the first time in 1997. Released for television, the film directed by the filmmaker Robert Iscovebrought the princess being played by the American composer, model and actress: Brandy Norwood.
The second flesh-and-blood version of Cinderella appeared in “Into the Forest”, a 2014 film that features Anna Kendrick in the princess’s skin. The plot presents the story of fairy tale characters mixed with that of a baker (James Corden) and your wife (Emily Blunt) who try to lead an ordinary life in the village, but face setbacks with these well-known figures.
The most recent adaptation appeared in 2015, when lily james brought the character to life in the production directed by Kenneth Branagh. The story stands out for bringing new characters and more empowerment to the character compared to its original story, but all this, without the princess losing her sweet and gentle essence.
Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
The story of Bela Vista in the work written by the Frenchwoman Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont and published in the mid-1700s, it was adapted for animation in 1991 and gained its version with real actors in 2017, where the princess was played by Emma Watson.
“Beauty and the Beast” by Bill Condon is quite faithful to the original plot, as it follows the avid reader, Bela, facing her fears to save her father’s life, since in exchange for the freedom of the one who raised her, she starts to live with a beast in a castle. Bela’s journey teaches the need to see inner beauty.
Aurora (Maleficent)
Charles Perrault wrote the story of Aurora in the book Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé released in 1634. In 1959, Disney transformed the narrative into the animation “Sleeping Beauty” and in 2014, the actress Elle Fanning became the real version of the character in the film “Maleficent”.
The feature film brings the origin of the great villain as its main point, but also portrays the princess in a more empowered version, as well as revealing the true relationship between the princess and the evil fairy.
Jasmine (Aladdin)
Released in 2019, the live-action “Aladdin” adapts the Arabic tale “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” written by Hanna Diyab and included in the collection “A Thousand and One Nights”.
Just like in the 1992 animation, in the feature film Aladdin is a young man from humble origins who sees the possibility of winning over the princess he fell in love with, that is, the young Jasmine, after discovering a magic lamp that holds a powerful genie that can grant wishes.
However, unlike the film directed by Ron Clements It is John Muskerthe flesh-and-blood version that features the main character, played by Mena Massoudmakes Jasmine (naomi scott) gains much more prominence, in addition to showing that it is the princess who takes over her father’s throne, unlike Aladdin.
Mulan (Mulan)
Inspired by the folk ballad “The Ballad of Hua Mulan” dating from the 6th century and the cartoon released in 1998, the live-action “Mulan” appeared in 2020. Under the direction of Niki Carothe film ended up displeasing a large part of the public for presenting changes that distance the plot in flesh and blood from that seen in the animation.
Among the changes, it is worth highlighting that Mushu was removed from the story out of respect for Chinese culture. Furthermore, several mystical elements were included in the plot, as well as powers being granted to Mulan (Liu Yifei).
Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
Written by Hans Christian Andersen In 1837, “The Little Mermaid” presents Ariel, the young princess of Atlantis who does not fit into the submerged reality and dreams of living among humans on the surface. The work was adapted into an animation that hit theaters in 1989, as well as having its live-action version in 2023, where the actress, singer and songwriter Halle Bailey brought the character to life.
The film also brings some changes when compared to the animated version, in addition to showing the origin of Prince Eric and confirming the relationship between King Triton and Ursula, the villain of the story.
Snow White (Snow White)
Inspired by the fairy tale of Brothers Grimm, the animation released in 1937, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, was Disney’s first animated feature film. The story of the princess persecuted by her stepmother, the Evil Queen, due to her beauty, will gain a live-action version on March 21, 2025, where Rachel Zegler will bring the protagonist to life.
It is worth mentioning that “Snow White” also involves several changes in relation to the original plot. Check out what they are here.
Source: Recreio
