Disney Studios has announced that a live-action remake of the beloved classic Bambi is in the works. The new version will be a more kid-friendly adaptation of the original animated film, with plans to release it in theaters in the near future.
One of the major changes that has been announced for the remake is the handling of the pivotal death scene of Bambi’s mother. In the original movie, Bambi’s mother is shot and killed off-screen, a traumatic event for the young fawn. However, according to Lindsey Anderson Beer, one of the screenwriters who worked on the remake, some parents and children today are more sensitive to this depiction and may not have seen the original movie because of it.
In an interview with Collider, Anderson Beer said, “Not to spoil the plot, but there’s a treatment of the mom dying that I think some kids, some parents these days are more sensitive about than they were in the past. And I think that’s one of the reasons that they haven’t shown it to their children.”
She went on to explain that the new Bambi will have a larger scope and will be more relatable to younger audiences. Anderson Beer believes that this will appeal to parents who may be hesitant to show their children the original film. She said, “To be able to bring it to life for kids these days in a way that maybe they relate to a little bit more would be of service to the original.”
The remake of Bambi is the latest in a series of live-action adaptations of popular Disney animated movies. While some have been successful (like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast), recent remakes like The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio have not fared as well with audiences and critics.
Disney’s decision to make a kid-friendly version of Bambi’s death scene may be a response to the backlash they received for darker elements in some of their previous remakes. The company has also been accused of relying too heavily on their existing intellectual property instead of producing original content.
Despite the mixed reaction to Disney’s remakes, there is no doubt that the studio’s decision to bring Bambi back to the big screen will be met with excitement from fans of the original film. The remake will offer a new generation of children the chance to fall in love with the heartwarming story of a young deer learning about life and loss in the forest.
Fans will have to wait and see how the new Bambi will be received, but one thing is for sure: Disney’s live-action remakes are here to stay.
