Disney sets release dates for more live-action fairy-tale films

Disney is doubling down on fairy tales. In the wake of such box-office successes as Maleficent and The Jungle Book, the studio on Monday announced release dates for five unidentified live-action films, several of which are based on fairy-tale source material.

The first untitled live-action fairy tale will open July 28, 2017, moving up from its previous date on Dec. 22 of that year. A second fairy-tale film will hit theaters April 6, 2018, and a third will arrive Dec. 20, 2019.

Disney also planted flags for two untitled films not based on fairy tales, but potentially drawing on other recognizable source material. They will open Aug. 3, 2018, and on Christmas Day 2018.

Disney already has several movies inspired by fairy tales and other well-known stories on its calendar, including Alice Through the Looking Glass (May 27), Pete’s Dragon (Aug. 12) Beauty and the Beast (March 17, 2017).

Among the projects in development that could fit the newly announced dates are Cruella with Emma Stone starring, A Wrinkle in Time with Ava DuVernay to direct, Jungle Cruise with Dwayne Johnson starring, Dumbo with Tim Burton directing, a Mary Poppins sequel with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda starring, Maleficent 2 with Angelina Jolie returning, a Nutcracker movie from director Lasse Hallstrom, a Jungle Book sequel with director Jon Favreau returning, and a Tinker Bell movie with Reese Witherspoon starring.