Sarah Polley in talks to direct Disney’s live-action ‘Bambi’
Looks like Sarah Polley is ready to focus on Disney animals talking.
The “Women Talking” writer-director is currently in initial talks to direct Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Bambi,” IndieWire has confirmed. Polley won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for her 2022 feminist film ‘Women Talking’. The news was first reported by Deadline.
Disney first announced a live-action adaptation of “Bambi” in 2020, with Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Lindsey Beer writing the screenplay. Production company Depth of Field was attached to produce. It is currently unclear whether all parties are still behind the project, which is still in the early stages of development.
“Bambi” was the fifth animated feature film to be released by Disney. The 1942 film was an adaptation of Felix Salten’s novel about a young motherless deer who befriends other woodland creatures. Disney’s “Bambi” earned Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Best Song and Best Original Score. The film was inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 2011.
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Disney’s push for live-action adaptations of beloved animated classics recently resulted in the film “The Little Mermaid” starring Halle Bailey, directed by Rob Marshall. Esteemed filmmakers such as Jon Favreau, Kenneth Branagh, Niki Caro, Guy Ritchie, Tim Burton and Robert Zemeckis have all directed live-action Disney remakes.
“Take This Waltz” director Polley previously told IndieWire that after more than a decade away from Hollywood, she was inspired to adapt Miriam Toews’ “Women Talking” after reading the novel at a book club.
“I wasn’t looking for another film to direct,” Polley said. “I love writing and spending time with my three young children. The idea of working long hours on a film set was not something that interested me… Each film for me was perhaps the last. But I loved this experience and appreciate it like I never have before. I can see him making a film again in less than 10 years. I never had any idea what my next film would be. It was always about having something essential to say. Intention is always a conversation I would like to start for people to have.