Disney’s slate of upcoming projects includes a live-action reimagining of the studio’s animated filmPeter Pan. Joining the cast ofPeter Pan and Wendyis Jim Gaffigan in the role of Mr. Smee, the loyal sidekick to Captain Hook.
Based on the classic novel by author J. M. Barrie,Disney’s animatedPeter Panfilmcentered on a mischievous boy named Peter who brings Wendy Darling and her two brothers to the island of Never Land, where they can remain young forever with the Lost Boys. Complicating Peter and Wendy’s adventures in the fantastic land are the vengeful machinations of Captain Hook, a pirate seeking retribution against Pan for cutting off his hand in battle and feeding it to a crocodile. Assisting Captain Hook’s quest for revenge is his first mate Mr. Smee, whose loyal but bumbling personality often proves to be more trouble than help.
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The Wrapreports Gaffigan has now closed a deal to portray Mr. Smee inPeter Pan and Wendyopposite Jude Law’s Captain Hook. Gaffigan joins a cast that includes Alexander Molony as Peter, Ever Anderson as Wendy, Alyssa Wapanatâhk as Tiger Lily, andBlack-ishstar Yara Shahidi as Tinkerbell.Pete’s Dragondirector David Lowery will helmPeter Pan and Wendyfrom a script penned with Toby Halbrooks.Peter Pan and Wendywas reportedly considered for a theatrical release at one point, though the studio ultimately decided to premiere the film on Disney Plus.
Gaffigan, who is also set to portray DC Comics’Thunderbolt inStargirlseason 2, follows in the footsteps of actors Bill Thompson and Bob Hoskins. While Thompson provided the voice of Mr. Smee in Disney’s animatedPeter Panfilm, Hoskins portrayed a live-action version of the sidekick in Steven Spielberg’sHook, a feature film in which Robin Williams starred as a grown-up Peter who returns to Never Land to rescue his children from Captain Hook. Production onPeter Pan and Wendywas halted due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, but Disney CEO Bob Chapek stated that all projects impacted by the virus had since resumed or completed filming in November’s annual earnings report.
Peter Pan and Wendywill join directorRobert Zemeckis' live-actionPinnochioadaptation as one of the remakes debuting on Disney Plus. The retelling of the classicPinocchiostory stars Tom Hanks as Geppetto, the woodcarver who creates the eponymous puppet and raises him as his own child after he’s magically brought to life.
Disney’sCruella, on the other hand, is still scheduled to debut in theaters at this time. The live-action prequel to101 DalmationsstarsEmma Stoneas a young Cruella de Vil, well before she becomes the icon villain of Disney fame.
Peter Pan and Wendywill be released on Disney Plus.
