Disney is moving ahead with another live action remake of an antiquated classic, but this time around, things are quite a bit different. It was announced today that the studio will be making a new version ofOliver Twist. They originally did an animated version of the tale in 1988 withOliver & Company, but this version will includeIce Cubeandhip hop. And no, it won’t reimagine the classic tale with CGI cats and dogs.
The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news that the House of Mouse is looking to do a modern retelling of the classicCharles Dickensstory.Ice Cubeis currently set to produce the movie as well as write a treatment for the movie with producerJeff Kwatinetz. Not only that, butIce Cubeis also set to take on the role of Fagin in the movie, the leader of a London game of pickpockets.
In addition to rapper turned actor and movie producerIce Cube,Disneyhas also courtedHamiltondirectorThomas Kailfor the project. The director won a Tony award for his work on the massive hit musical and most recently directedGrease Live!for Fox, which was very successful for the network. Disney seems to be going after talent from the Broadway musical, because they also snatched upHamiltoncreatorLin-Manuel Mirandato write music for their upcoming animated featureMoana, as well as for a role in the upcomingMary Poppins Returns. There is no word on ifMirandawill also be working on this new version ofOliver Twistas well.
Thisnew versionofOliver Twistwon’t be a traditional musical. It is said that it will cross many genres, including hip hop and will be a very modern take on the material. It seems a little similar to what Sony tried to do with their 2014 remake ofAnnie, which wasn’t the most successful reimagining ever. But Disney has had a ton of success remaking animated classics lately, withCinderellaandThe Jungle Bookboth dominating at the box office andBeauty and the Beastlooking like it will do the same next year. That said, there have been plenty of live action versions of Oliver Twist over the years, and to clarify, this version is defintely not a remake of Oliver & Company.
Oliver Twistcenters on anorphan boywho starts his life as an exploited child laborer but eventually is taken in by the leader of a gang named Fagin (Ice Cube). Along the way, the boy gets caught up in hardship, secrets and even murders. At the moment there are no other cast members attached and no timetable was given for a release.
