Disney's Live-Action Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Confirmation & Everything We Know

Summary Disney's live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame may not move forward due to uncertainty surrounding its future.

Rumors suggest the project has been shelved, leaving fans unsure if the remake will be canceled.

The dark and adult-themed plot of the original story may make it challenging to adapt for a family-friendly audience.

Disney’s live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame adaptation has been in development for several years, and despite Josh Gad’s involvement and considerable fan demand there’s still much uncertainty around its future. The original animated The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released by Disney in 1996, starring Kevin Kline as Phoebus, Demi Moore as Esmeralda, Tom Hulce as Quasimodo, and the late Tony Jay as villain Judge Claude Frollo. It was notoriously dark for a Disney animated feature, and definitely sits among their more controversial releases.

In 2019 it was announced that The Hunchback of Notre Dame was up for the now-notorious Disney live-action remake treatment. The news was met incredibly well by fans of the original, as it’s clear how the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s original novel would lend itself brilliantly to a live-action format. Much has changed since 2019, however, and despite a release date initially being floated, and possible cast members teased, the live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame remake from Disney is far from certain.

Related Hunchback Of Notre Dame Live-Action Remake Can Fix One Big Disney Criticism The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an underrated classic of Disney animated movies, but its live-action remake could be better than Disney's others.

Live-Action Hunchback Of Notre Dame Latest News

News has practically come to a standstill surrounding the film, and the latest comes as an uncertain update from the original Hunchback of Notre Dame producer. Roy Conli served as a producer on the 1996 animated film, and though he isn't involved in the live-action remake directly, his inside track at Disney makes him a strong source. Unfortunately, Conli hasn't heard anything definitive about the film, even going so far as to refer to it as "rumor". With Disney's shifting focus in recent years, it may be true that The Hunchback of Notre Dame might not be happening.

Read Conli's full comments below:

I too have heard rumor of that. I don't have any solid information on that. But I do think it's interesting. I would love to. I think that could be a stunning one. I think that's Alan Menken's most beautiful score. I absolutely adore that score.

Disney’s Live-Action Hunchback Of Notre Dame Was Confirmed

It Was Originally Confirmed In 2019

Disney confirmed a live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame movie was in the works back in 2019 (via Deadline). When first announced Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was attached to screenwriting duties, with Alan Menken (who scored the original) and Stephen Schwartz providing the updated music. There were also rumors Josh Gad was in talks to play Quasimodo. However, it’s unclear if any are still on the project after so many years have passed.

Stream The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Disney+.

Disney Live-Action Hunchback Of Notre Dame Cast

Josh Gad Was Attached

There have been no announcements about the live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame cast. When the remake was announced by Disney in 2019 there were rumors Josh Gad (Frozen) had been tapped to play Quasimodo, the titular hunchback. There were also reports Gad was attached as producer, though, like much with the live-action Hunchback the exact nature of his role is unclear. Gad was clearly involved in some capacity, as he fielded many fan questions on social media around the project.

Gad made it clear on his Instagram that there was a script for the movie, but the rumored cast circulating was just that, a rumor, caused by fans casting the roles. He explained:

Okay, for the record, this is not real. This is a Fancast! I was just responding to it. Love that you guys all want this. We do to[o]! The script is one of the best I have read and hopefully the powers that be will see this love and let us make the live action adaptation the original animated film deserves.

Live-Action Disney Hunchback Of Notre Dame Story

The Story Is Inspired By The Victor Hugo Novel

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This dark tone is also likely why the live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame has stalled, possibly to the point of cancelation.

The live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame would likely follow the plot of the animated 1996 Disney original, which was in itself an adaptation of the incredibly dark 1831 novel Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. The animated version was notoriously adult for a Disney movie, tackling themes such as oppression, racism, segregation, and religious intolerance. The titular hunchback, Quasimodo, after being confined to the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris his whole life, rises up against his cruel master, Frollo.

Other announced live-action Disney remakes include:

Remake Release Year Status Mufasa: The Lion King 2024 Confirmed as a sequel to the live-action Lion King remake Snow White 2025 Confirmed Moana 2026 Confirmed with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. Lilo & Stitch Unknown Confirmed as a Disney+ release. Hercules Unknown Status unknown Bambi Unknown Status unknown Robin Hood Unknown Status unknown The Aristocats Unknown Status unknown

It’s a somber tale that, amazingly, worked incredibly well as Disney movie. However, this dark tone is also likely why the live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame has stalled, possibly to the point of cancelation. If the comments made by composer Alan Menkin are to be believed, difficulty in adapting the story for a family-friendly audience once it isn’t a cartoon may be behind why the release date hasn’t — and may never — arrive.