Disney is reportedly developing a live-action film of its 1996 animation "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The cartoons, which was based on Victor Hugo's novel, featured the voices of Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, and Tom Hulce.
The upcoming live-action version, however, will be produced by "Frozen" star Josh Gad. According to Deadline, Gad might also star as the hunchback Quasimodo, but this has not yet been set in stone. As it is, there's still no official casting announcement for the movie since development has not yet finished.
The report further stated that "Hunchback" would get a musical treatment. David Henry Hwang has been tapped to write the screenplay while Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz will create the music.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" centers on a church bell-ringer with physical deformities who wants to gain acceptance from his peers. He becomes friends with a gypsy named Esmeralda, who pushes him to explore outside of Notre Dame.
The original story that Hugo published in the 1800s had a dark theme for a Disney flick because it talked of sins, lust, damnation in Hell, genocide, and infanticide. But the animated version focused more on its message of acceptance and tolerance to come up with a humorous and uplifting tale.
Former Disney president David Hoberman wanted to do a live-action "Hunchback" over three decades ago. After the animated film came out, Disney's TV network, ABC, planned a limited series called "Esmeralda," which did not pan out.
Meanwhile, as "Hunchback" begins development, another Disney live-action film might not get made anymore. The planned Pinocchio live-action, which has been tentatively titled "Geppetto," has stalled yet again.
Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey told Discussing Film in an interview that Disney might be scrapping the Pinocchio movie altogether after director Paul King pulled out of the project over the holidays. McGarvey also said that the studio is looking for King's replacement, but it doesn't look like the film is getting back on track anytime soon.
Tom Hanks was in talks to star in "Geppetto," but it's unclear where his discussions with the studio ended. Before King was attached to direct the film, Disney had director Sam Mendes on board.
But Disney still has a slate of live-action films to release in theaters in the next few years. "Aladdin," "The Lion King," "Mulan" and "Dumbo" are undergoing post-production, while "Maleficent 2" recently wrapped filming. "Cruella" and "The Little Mermaid" are still in various stages of development, and the Mouse House still have other live-action projects in the drawing board.
