Renowned animator and director John Musker, known for directing animated classics such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” and “Moana,” has expressed dissatisfaction with modern Disney’s live-action adaptations. He believes that these films are currently focusing too much on political messages rather than the quality of storytelling.
At a recent Animayo International Summit in Spain, the 70-year-old American artist, director, producer, and screenwriter criticized the 2023 live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.” According to reports from “Variety” and “EL PAIS,” Musker pointed out that the live-action adaptation failed to capture the core story and emotions of the original animated film, particularly missing the spotlight on the father-daughter relationship which he considers the heart of the story.
Musker also criticized the computer-generated imagery (CGI) used for characters like Sebastian the crab and Flounder in the live-action adaptation, noting that their appearances were too realistic and lacked the necessary animation tension. He expressed that real crabs in the zoo have more expressive faces like in “The Lion King.”
The appeal of Disney animation lies in the characters’ ability to convey emotions through clever exaggeration, and creating overly realistic CGI can lead to losing this fundamental ability. Musker emphasized that one of Disney’s fundamental traits is attraction, which is what animation excels in.
Having produced several Disney animated feature films such as “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986), “Hercules” (1997), “Treasure Planet” (2002), and “The Princess and the Frog” (2009), Musker’s work has been praised for its compelling characters and engaging storytelling. However, with the debut of the first black Disney princess in “The Princess and the Frog,” there have been criticisms surrounding Disney’s political correctness and cultural awakening messages.
In response, Musker explained, “While I understand these criticisms, we are not trying to become ‘woke.’ Disney’s classic films didn’t initially aim to convey a specific message. They wanted you to immerse yourself in the characters, story, and world, and I believe that is still the core. You don’t have to exclude everyday work, but you must first create characters that resonate and stories that captivate.”
Despite his understanding, Musker is unhappy with Disney placing too much emphasis on political messages. He suggests that adjustments should be made to prioritize entertainment, gripping stories, and compelling characters over messages.
Currently, Dwayne Johnson is voicing a character in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “Moana,” set to be released on July 10, 2026. Regarding the future of Disney’s live-action films, Musker stated, “I hope they do it justice, but we are not involved in that.”