Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pete's Dragon trailer: Could this enchanting tale be Disney's next big hit?

The next in line of the studio's flurry of remakes, this new film adapts the 1977 animation/live-action hybrid of the same name

Clarisse Loughrey
Wednesday 15 June 2016 10:09 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An interesting move in Disney's full-on remake assault on its archives, 1977's quaint animation/live-action hybrid Pete's Dragon isn't exactly the sacred grounds of Beauty and the Beast or The Jungle Book.

Possibly for the better, since it's granted the studio an absolute sense of freedom in its approach to revisiting its tale of a friendship between a young boy and his dragon pal. First off, they've gambled with a fantastically visionary director, David Lowery, who's previous film Ain't Them Bodies Saints versed in the poetic Neo-Westerns of the 1970s.

Big-budgeted family adventures may seem an intimidating step for Lowery, but it looks like Disney's faith in his vision may pay out handsomely.

The new trailer for the film is awash with rich visuals, a contemplative tone, and a sweeping romantic heart; it's certainly one to get excited about, and there's an earnestness and soul already apparent here that could very well deliver Pete's Dragon as the studio's next big hit.

Set around the late '70s and early '80s, Pete's Dragon sees Oakes Fegley as Pete, the 10-year-old discovered living alone in the woods by forest ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard); that is, alone outside of the beast he calls Elliott, whose descriptions seem to match the fierce dragon populating the tall tales of Grace's father (Robert Redford). The film also stars Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley, and Karl Urban.

Pete's Dragon hits UK cinemas 12 August.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in