Sadé: Disney developing live-action fairy tale about African princess
Deadline reports that Walt Disney Studios has acquired a pitch from writers Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer titled Sadé, described as a live-action fairy tale film about an African Princess. Dope director Rick Famuyiwa is attached to produce the feature too.
The outlet reports that the film “centers on a young African girl named Sadé who, when her kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force, accepts her newly discovered magical warrior powers to protect herself and her people. With the help of the kingdom’s prince, Sadé embarks on an adventure that will allow her to embrace what makes her special and save the kingdom.”
The acquisition and development of Sadé presents a unique offering from Diseny’s live-action feature film slate which primarily includes remakes of their classic animated films, sequels to other features, and adaptations of books & theme park rides. This year Disney is currently set to release Disney’s Christopher Robin this August, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on November 2, and Mary Poppins Returns on December 19. Following that the studio will debut Tim Burton’s Dumbo on March 29, 2019, Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin on May 24, 2019, Jon Favreau’s The Lion King on July 19, 2019, Artemis Fowl on August 9, 2019, Jungle Cruise on October 11, 2019, with a live-action Mulan on March 27, 2020 and Maleficent 2 May 29, 2020.
Disney is also developing live-action versions of The Jungle Book 2, Cruella, James and the Giant Peach, Pinocchio, Genies, Night on Bald Mountain, The Little Mermaid, and The Sword in the Stone.