For the most part, Disney's been successful (at least box office-wise) when it comes to the live-action remakes of their classic animated films, including The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King and the upcoming Mulan. Remakes of other classics like Robin Hood and Pinocchio are in development, along with one for the oft-forgotten 2001 action-adventure film Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Probably more so than other remakes, this news about Atlantis got people pumped, and understandably so.
While it didn't do so well at the box office at the time of its release, Atlantis has gotten a large following over the years thanks to its three-dimensional characters, Mike Mignola's art design, and a more mature tone compared to other Disney films of that era. It's a film that actually lends itself to a live-action remake, maybe one that even outshines the original if done right. But who could star in it? People all over the internet have shown off their ideal casts for a remake, and here we'll be doing the same. So without further ado, here are 10 actors who would fit perfectly in a live-action Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
10 Tom Holland as Milo Thatch
It’s the casting everyone wants, and it makes perfect sense. Holland’s already a household name tied to Disney thanks to playing Spider-Man in the MCU and his role in Pixar’s recent film Onward.
Not only is he a physical match for Milo, but he’s shown to be great at balancing endearing awkwardness with humor and a desire to do what’s right, no matter what obstacles come his way. That's as Milo as anyone could get!
9 Ella Balinska as Princess Kidagakash "Kida" Nedakh
Last year’s Charlie’s Angels reboot tanked pretty hard, but one of its bright spots was the cast, especially British newcomer Ella Balinska. The movie was actually her first role in a feature film, and hopes are high that it would be Balinska's career boost. One such career choice would be playing Kida in the Atlantis remake, a role many could see her doing quite well in.
Kida is one of Disney's most underrated heroines, and the remake should really sell her as a character defined by the simultaneous protection of her people and curiosity of the world outside her city. She would need to be somewhat guarded towards Milo at first, but reveals her playful and resilient attitude the more she gets to know him. As ex-MI6 agent-turned-Angel Jane Kano, Balinska captured all three of these traits: she was focused on her mission at hand, but wasn't afraid to be playful, crafty, or even flirtatious when she wanted to be. It also doesn't hurt that she did her own stunts for that film, which would help show off Kida's athletic nature.
8 Yvonne Strahovski as Lt. Helga Sinclair
Helga is a Disney villain whose character could really be expanded on in a remake, and Yvonne Strahovski would embody her perfectly. She's already skilled in action from her work on both Chuck and 24: Live Another Day, but it's Strahovski's role on The Handmaid's Tale that shows how great she is at playing a woman who remains engaging and eerily charismatic, even when she's doing some truly terrible things left and right.
It's a nitpick, but fans would also love Helga to have an actual German accent in the remake, and Strahovski's skill with accents would no doubt help her there.
7 Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Cmd. Lyle Rourke
Much like Helga, Rourke deserves the chance to really be expanded on as an antagonist. Fans could see more of his past as a mercenary or have him want Atlantis's crystal for a more complex reason than simply selling it for money.
Fans would love to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan bring his magnetic charisma, intimidating presence, and hulking frame to this role and do something truly wonderful with him.
6 Jenna Ortega as Audrey Ramirez
Some of you might know Jenna from her roles as a young Jane on Jane the Virgin and as the voice of Princess Isabel on Elena of Avalor. But it's her role as Ellie Alves on the second season of Netflix's You that sold fans on her as Audrey, the Atlantis expedition's young mechanic.
As whip-smart, social media-obsessed Ellie, Jenna displayed the cynicism and self-independence that initially defines Audrey's character, as well as her underlying pain and eventual sympathy that is revealed later in the film. She could really shine in this role and add another notch on her belt career-wise.
5 Tony Shalhoub as Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini
Atlantis has a lot of great characters, but the one who probably steals the most scenes is Italian demolitions expert Vinny Santorini. His deadpan charm and sharp one-liners - courtesy of comedian Don Novello - make for some of the best moments in the film, and one obstacle in remaking Atlantis is making the character work in live-action. Tony Shalhoub, though, would be up to that challenge.
While he might be a bit too old for the part at 66, Shalhoub is a brilliant actor who has given some amazing comedic performances in work such as Monk and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, with both roles showing the same kind of deadpan charm and eccentricities that aren't too far removed from Vinny's attitude. He's also worked with Disney before as Luigi in the Cars films, where he coincidentally used an Italian accent.
4 Mike Colter as Dr. Joshua Sweet
As popular as Terry Crews is in fancasting, a better fit for the resident medic Doc Sweet is none other than Luke Cage himself, Mike Colter.
Colter infused the Hero of Harlem with a likable, easygoing charisma and moral sense of righteousness that could just as easily work for a live-action version of Sweet as well. Crews would be fun in the role, no doubt, but Colter is simply the superior choice.
3 Omid Djalili as Gaetan "Mole" Moliere
Another fan-favorite character, Mole needs an actor that isn't afraid to be wild and over-the-top, but also able to work that weirdness in alongside an ensemble.
One of Britain's funniest comedians and an underrated scene-stealer, Djalili's irreverent attitude and skill with accents would really let him shine here, and seeing him play off the likes of Tony Shalhoub and Mike Colter would be fun to watch. It doesn't hurt that he looks quite a bit like the character as well!
2 Lily Tomlin as Wilhemina Packard
It would be tricky to hear anyone but the late Florence Stanley as Packard, the expedition's lovably sarcastic and pessimistic radio operator, but there's no doubt that the multi-talented Tomlin could bring new life and an equally sharp wit to the role in a live-action setting.
Be honest: who doesn't want to get a kick out of hearing Ms. Frizzle say "We're all gonna die?"
1 John Kani as Kashekim Nedakh
He's not in the movie that much, but Kashekim is still a vital part of Atlantis's story. As the King of Atlantis, he is distrustful of outsiders because he knows of the greed that they will bring to Atlantis's more peaceful society, and wants to maintain this stability in spite of the city not being as prosperous as it once was. The legendary Leonard Nimoy gave Kashekim a strong yet gentle presence in the original film, and you need a similar kind of actor for the remake.
Enter the great South African actor John Kani, who MCU fans might recognize for playing the Black Panther's father T'Chaka. It's there that Kani gives an understated performance, one filled with stern wisdom, love, and good intentions. Kashekim's disposition isn't too much different from T'Chaka's, and we'd love to see the actor use those traits on a larger display for Kida's father in a remake.