If you have not heard, Disney is currently in production on their newest live action remake, “The Lion King,” and they recently released the first trailer (you can watch it here). It is safe to say I have never been angrier at a trailer in my life. I am fed up with Disney’s recent business plan to remake and reboot everything the light ever touched in Disney’s backlog. So as a case study, I want to walk you through my thoughts using “The Lion King” as my primary example. 
Let me begin with the trailer itself. The trailer is composed of shot-for-shot remade images from the original film. Having trouble believing me? Every single shot in the trailer has an exact counterpart in the original. 
You are probably thinking, “Yeah? So? That is the point right?”
That is exactly my point. If their goal is to fully remake “The Lion King” in this live-action style, what even is the point? You already have the original out there if you want to watch it. If this remake is going to be exactly the same as the first, then why even remake it in the first place? 
Are you following along?
But I am here to tell you it will not be a shot-for-shot remake of the original, it cannot be. Part of the charm of the original is the animation style. Go back and watch the musical number for “I Just Can’t Wait to be King.” It is full of bright vibrant colors. There is no way this translates well to this live action version we have seen already from the trailer. Watch the side by side of the trailers, the colors in the remake are much more “realistic.”
I know this is the point, but it is far uglier than the original. Take the finale of that song, with all the animals stacked on top of each other. It is an iconic shot that will not translate well to this live action take Disney wants to go with. 
While I am on the note of realism, it is not really a “live action” remake, is it? If you boil it down, it is just a different animation style. You should only be allowed to call it live action if a real baboon holds up a real lion cub.
Let me guess what you are going to say next: “Alright maybe it will not look as good, but how it looks isn’t important, it is about the story!” Well how exactly are they going to improve the story?
If you did not know, “The Lion King” is based on the play Hamlet, written by who? William Shakespeare. Yeah. William freaking Shakespeare. Maybe the best playwright ever.
Think back on the original. Personally, what would you change about the story of “The Lion King”? I would be surprised if you said anything. I would argue it is essentially perfect, as far as the plot goes. There is not a misstep to be found. 
Here is my point: there is nothing in the original “Lion King” in need of improving. Which is what I believe remakes and reboots should be used for: to improve upon the original source material. I do not see how Disney is going to do this, nor do I think they intend to.
Why remake “The Lion King”? Simple. It is going to make a billion dollars. Look, I get it, if you boil it all down, Hollywood is a business. Every decision made is in an effort to make money. I get it, I really do.
What I have issue with is Disney weaponizing our sense of nostalgia for their gain. We love to revisit things from our childhood. Our brains are wired to release dopamine when it happens. It makes us feel good. 
Here is where I get down on my knees and plead with you here. If you want to relive your childhood, just go back and watch the original “Lion King.” It is really not that hard. I saw the original being sold at Walmart just yesterday. I would honestly be completely okay if Disney said, “Hey, we’re gonna re-release the original film in theaters worldwide.” I would be so down for that. My butt would be in a seat opening day.
But no. They have decided to prey on your nostalgia by “updating” a classic film. 
Just think of the original film that could exist with all this talent in this new movie. James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Seth Rogan, John Oliver, Keegan-Michael Key, heck they even brought out Beyoncé! All helmed by a really solid director in John Favreau. They could have made something completely new and original, and maybe even better than the original “Lion King.”
But no. Disney smelled a guaranteed billion dollars all over this, so to hell with the idea of an “original film.”
So why write about all of this in the first place. What is my call to action, as they say in the business. Maybe it is to get you to consider not spending your money on Disney’s attempt to tell you what you want. Maybe it is to get you to ask yourself, “Is this what I really want?” Maybe it is to get you to consider the fact  Disney thinks it knows you and your nostalgia better than you do. 
Maybe I just want to ask, are you really okay with seeing a “live action” Mufasa die?