Disney has halted its planned live-action take on The Aristocats, with director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson saying the project has been shelved after repeated executive reshuffles slowed momentum. The development was first reported this week; Thompson added in a podcast appearance that he ultimately moved on after having to re-pitch his vision multiple times amid leadership changes.
Speaking on Score: The Podcast, Thompson said he presented music ideas and creative materials more than once as regimes shifted, before concluding “maybe this isn’t meant for me,” while noting he has several other films lined up through decade’s end. His remarks indicate the film is no longer in development at the studio.
The project was announced in March 2023 as a live-action/CG hybrid, with Thompson set to direct, executive produce, and oversee the music. Will Gluck and Keith Bunin were attached to write, with Gluck producing via Olive Bridge and Thompson’s Two One Five Entertainment partners Tarik Trotter, Shawn Gee, and Zarah Zohlman on board as executive producers. The adaptation would have marked Thompson’s narrative feature debut following his acclaimed documentary work.
The shelving arrives as Disney’s film group continues a multi-year leadership transition, including the 2024 move that placed David Greenbaum in charge of Disney’s live-action unit. In recent months, the company has recalibrated aspects of its remake strategy; a planned Tangled update was put on pause earlier this year, signaling a more cautious approach to titles built around largely non-human characters.
