In 2010, Disney released Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, which became a major international success and began the studio’s current trend of turning its animated classics into live action spectacles. Now, the studio is set to return to Wonderland with a sequel set for 2016.
News of a sequel to the Oscar-winning film first cropped up in May when director James Bobin began talks with the studio to helm, replacing Burton. The working title at the time was Into the Looking Glass and Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd were signed to produce again.
In July, Johnny Depp, who played the Mad Hatter in the 2010 film, was reportedly close to signing on. TheWrap now confirms that he will be back, along with Mia Wasikowska, who played Alice. It’s not clear who else would be coming back, but the original cast included other big names like Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.
Alice In Wonderland 2 will open on May 27, 2015.
Alice In Wonderland made $1 billion worldwide and was released in 3D. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it actually won Oscars for costume design and art direction. It was also nominated for visual effects, but lost to Inception.
According to Box Office Mojo’s schedule, Disney also announced the release date for a new live action Jungle Book, which Jon Favreau is expected to direct. That will be released on Oct. 9, 2015.
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