Disney’s remakes may be a hit or miss with fans, but there’s one Disney Channel original movie from 20 years ago that is ideal for a modern reboot. Over the years, Disney has brought audiences many live-action adaptations of their classic animated films, some that performed well, like Maleficent, and others that fell a bit flat, like Mulan. There are also Disney favorites that have seen different versions like Cinderella re-imagined as Enchanted, which highlights the scope for reboots or remakes to explore new angles in an entertaining way. However, the studio has yet to widely tap into the potential for success in rebooting some of its greatest Disney Channel original movies.
When it comes to Disney Channel reboots, the closest and most notable is High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which is inspired by the original trilogy of High School Musical movies. This franchise started in 2006, so it’s also creeping up to 20 years old, which raises the question of whether any other DCOM movies deserve reboots, especially from around that same era. While Camp Rock has potential, there is one older three-part movie franchise even more perfect for a current setting.
A Cheetah Girls Reboot Could Work In A Modern Setting
The Cheetah Girls movies aired in 2003, 2006, and 2008, following the lives of four friends with dreams of having a musical career as a group. The franchise is a major success, with its sequel surpassing High School Musical‘s debut viewership, amassing 8.1 million views (via Multichannel News). With the first movie set in their home city, Manhattan, the second in Spain, and the third in India, there’s high potential to revisit cultural representation in a modern retelling of the girls’ stories. Similarly, the protagonists were already diverse, but there’s room for a reboot to take it a step further, whether it’s in casting or new fictional relationships.
Since the girls enter a talent show, perform at a music festival, and star in a Bollywood movie across the films, the advancements of social media and the internet could add a layer to their reach and connection to fans. This can enhance the global perspective of the franchise since the characters can stream, film viral videos, and more while traveling the globe. For instance, while the original movie features a major plot point of marketing around jungle animals, a Cheetah Girls reboot could rely on influencer marketing and brand partnerships, which could extend to exploring how the music industry has changed the way music is consumed and promoted because of avenues like TikTok.
1 Original Cheetah Girl Supports A Revival
Since there’s clear room to update the story, and past reboots like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series prove new Disney Channel original songs and casting can quickly become hits with fans, a reboot seems almost too good to pass up. Stars of the franchise, Raven-Symoné (who played Galleria) and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (who played Chanel), revealed that they are always keen to work together again. Plus, Symoné adds, “I think that there’s a wonderful thing to just encapsulate something and let it live. We are in the era of reboot, honey. We love a reboot” (via People).
Although Symoné elaborated that she’s looking to direct more than act, this opens up avenues for social media-savvy Cheetah Girls to strut their stuff in a reboot as well as introduce new multi-hyphenate actors, singers, and dancers. With original cast members evidently dedicated to a potential franchise revival that “can’t ruin the Cheetah Girls,” possibilities could include a new-age of The Cheetah Girls movies under the original stars’ guidance. With a timeless message and songs, a reboot of the classic Disney Channel franchise on streaming seems inevitable.
Sources: Multichannel News, People
