Goodbye, Mad Hatter: Disney’s Live-Action Movie Slate Reportedly Growing With Reboot of Johnny Depp Franchise

As Disney readies the next movies in its live-action canon, reports have surfaced claiming that the House of Mouse is going to reboot a major Johnny Depp franchise.

Disney’s Live-Action Movie Slate So Far

Since the release of Maleficent in 2014, Disney has been on a mission to breathe new life into its animated classics through a series of ambitious live-action remakes. These films have offered a mix of nostalgia, modern visuals, and fresh storytelling twists, beginning with Maleficent, a dark reimagining of Sleeping Beauty that presented the iconic villain’s origin story.

It was followed by 2015’s Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branagh, which stayed faithful to the 1950 original, featuring standout performances from Lily James and Cate Blanchett. Both films set the stage for Disney’s live-action renaissance, which has since become a cornerstone of the studio’s strategy.

In 2016, Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book impressed audiences and critics alike with its groundbreaking blend of live-action and CGI, bringing Mowgli’s tale to life in stunning detail. This success carried over to Beauty and the Beast (2017), where Emma Watson played Belle in a lavish musical adaptation that earned over $1.2 billion at the box office.

Disney continued this trend with 2019’s Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie, which added a vibrant energy to the classic Arabian Nights tale, and The Lion King, another Jon Favreau project that pushed the boundaries of photorealistic CGI to reimagine the beloved 1994 film. While both films were box office hits, critical reactions were divided, with some praising the visuals but questioning the emotional depth compared to their animated predecessors.

In 2020, Mulan took a more realistic, action-focused approach, omitting musical numbers and certain beloved characters. Released during the pandemic on Disney+, it earned mixed reviews for its stylistic departures from the 1998 original. Then came Cruella in 2021, a bold and fashionable origin story starring Emma Stone as the infamous villainess, which delighted fans and critics with its unique aesthetic and stellar performances.

Most recently, The Little Mermaid (2023) saw Halle Bailey step into Ariel’s fins, winning praise for her performance and musical numbers despite some criticism of the remake’s inability to fully recapture the animated version’s charm.

Disney’s live-action slate shows no signs of slowing down, with highly anticipated projects like Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), Snow White (2025), Lilo & Stitch (2025), and Moana (2026) being released over the next two years. These films continue to explore new ways to reinterpret timeless stories for modern audiences while leveraging advances in filmmaking technology. While the critical reception has varied, the box office results prove the enduring appeal of these reimaginings, ensuring Disney’s live-action legacy remains as vibrant as ever.

Most recently, Disney confirmed that Michael Gracey, director of the smash-hit The Greatest Showman (2017), has been tapped to helm a live-action remake of Tangled (2010). The release date and cast are currently unknown.

All About Disney’s Remake of Alice in Wonderland

Disney’s 2010 Alice in Wonderland, directed by the visionary Tim Burton, reimagines Lewis Carroll’s timeless tales with a bold, gothic twist that only Burton could deliver. Far from a straightforward adaptation, this live-action fantasy blends elements of Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and “Through the Looking-Glass” (1871) into a sequel-like narrative that dives into a darker, more surreal “Underland.”

In this version, Alice Kingsleigh, portrayed by the remarkable Mia Wasikowska, is a spirited 19-year-old who stumbles back into the whimsical world she vaguely remembers from childhood dreams. Her return sparks a journey of self-discovery as she learns it is her destiny to overthrow the tyrannical Red Queen and restore balance by aiding the gentle yet eccentric White Queen.

Burton assembles a star-studded cast to bring this fantastical world to life. Johnny Depp delivers a memorably quirky performance as the Mad Hatter, imbuing the character with equal parts charm and melancholy. Helena Bonham Carter, as the tempestuous Red Queen, steals scenes with her exaggerated persona and iconic “Off with their heads!” Anne Hathaway’s ethereal yet slightly unsettling take on the White Queen adds a layer of intrigue, while beloved characters like the Cheshire Cat (voiced by Stephen Fry), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), and the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) are vividly reimagined through a seamless blend of live-action and cutting-edge CGI.

Visually, Alice in Wonderland is nothing short of a masterpiece. Burton’s darkly whimsical style shines in the film’s surreal landscapes, quirky character designs, and vibrant costumes, which won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Danny Elfman’s hauntingly beautiful score elevates the film, wrapping viewers in an enchanting yet eerie atmosphere that mirrors the tone of the story. Themes of empowerment and individuality run through the narrative, with Alice’s journey standing as a testament to breaking societal norms and embracing one’s true self.

While the film was a global box office sensation, grossing over $1 billion, critics had mixed reactions. Many praised the stunning visuals and standout performances from Depp and Bonham Carter but felt the script lacked the depth and whimsy of Carroll’s original work. Nevertheless, Alice in Wonderland left a lasting legacy, sparking a new wave of Disney live-action remakes. Its sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016), couldn’t recapture the same magic, but Burton’s version remains a landmark in the genre—a vivid dreamscape where fantasy meets innovation.

Disney Rebooting Alice in Wonderland?

Disney is reportedly gearing up to breathe new life into its Alice in Wonderland franchise, this time with a fresh take focused on one of its most infamous characters—the Queen of Hearts. According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Julia Hart, the director and writer behind Stargirl, is set to helm and pen a brand-new origin story exploring the villain’s rise to power.

While the specifics of the project remain under wraps, it’s unclear if this ambitious retelling will debut as a theatrical release, a Disney+ film, or even a streaming series. Notably, this reboot is said to have no ties to Tim Burton’s live-action adaptations of the iconic tale, meaning Johnny Depp’s memorable Mad Hatter seemingly won’t be making a comeback.

This report arrives over eight years after Alice Through the Looking Glass hit theaters, marking the last time Depp reprised his role in the fantastical world of Wonderland. Disney’s latest move signals a bold new chapter for the franchise, aiming to delve deeper into the dark and fascinating history of Wonderland’s fiercest ruler.

Depp earned millions for his small part for his small part in the original 2010 movie.

“Alice in Wonderland was quite clearly an ensemble affair, but according to The Telegraph, Disney paid Johnny Depp a whopping £50 million (approx. $68 million) for his seven-minute performance in the live-action movie,” Inside the Magic previously reported. “The huge salary cemented Depp as one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.”

The report of this reboot of a Johnny Depp franchise comes as rumors swirl regarding his return as Captain Jack Sparrow to the billion-dollar Pirates of the Caribbean series. Only time will tell if the exiled actor will make his return to the high seas.

How do you feel about Disney rebooting the Alice in Wonderland movies again? Let us know in the comments down below!