So far, Disney has been pretty solid with its live-action adaptation of its animated properties.Kenneth Branagh’sCinderellawas lush and gorgeous;Jon Favreau’sThe Jungle Bookwas a huge step forward in visual effects; and it’s looking likeBill Condon’sBeauty and the Beastwill be another huge hit for the studio.
But all good things must come to an end, and while there was hope that the studio’s live-action adaptation ofWinnie the Pooh, titledChristopher Robin, would be another success after hiringQueen of Earthwriter-directorAlex Ross Perryto pen the screenplay,interest has now evaporated with their director hire.
According toTHR,Marc Forsterhas come on board to helmChristopher Robin. Per THR, “The story centers on Robin, the adult version of the boy who in the A.A. Milne books shares his adventures with the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood. Robin has grown out of the joyful imagination he had as a young boy and is now a businessman who prioritizes work over his wife and daughter. With his home life on the brink, the last thing his life needs is the return of Pooh, who needs his help in finding his friends again. Robin has to find a way to help both sides or risk losing everything he holds dear.”
So basically Disney has asked Forster to helm a new version ofHookbut this time it’s withWinnie the Poohcharacters instead ofPeter Pancharacters.
THR also reports that “The project is described as having strong elements of magical realism as it seeks to tell an emotional journey that is combined with a heartwarming adventure,” and while that’s all well and good, Forster has failed time and again to show he’s a director with any imagination. While better filmmakers languish in movie jail, Forster keeps cranking out new movies even though they’re all bad. Even if you want to sayQuantum of Solacewasn’t his fault because of the writer’s strike, that still leaves the maudlinMachine Gun Preacher, the disastrous production onWorld War Z, and the blandThe Kite Runner. I likeStranger Than Fiction, but that came out ten years ago, and it doesn’t seem like Forster has really grown as a director.
Maybe he’ll prove me wrong and perhaps Perry’s script will carry the day, but right now, it looks likeChristopher Robinwon’t continue Disney’s winning streak.
