Honestly, if you spend more than five minutes on TikTok or YouTube lately, you’ve probably seen it. A high-definition, glowing blue trailer featuring Tom Holland as Milo Thatch and Zendaya as Kida. It looks perfect. It looks real. The comments are flooded with people screaming, "Finally!"
But here is the cold, hard reality: that atlantis movie live action you just watched? It’s a fan-made concept. Usually, it's a mix of AI-generated clips and clever editing from movies like The Lost City or Uncharted.
As of early 2026, Disney has not officially greenlit a live-action remake of Atlantis: The Lost Empire. It’s frustrating. I know. For a generation that grew up on Mike Mignola’s sharp art style and James Newton Howard’s sweeping score, this is the one remake that actually makes sense.
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The Rumor Mill That Won’t Quit
Why does this keep coming up?
Basically, it’s a mix of nostalgia and some very persistent internet whispers. Back in 2019, rumors started flying that Disney was looking at Guillermo del Toro to direct. Fans went wild. Del Toro is the king of monsters and mechanical wonders; he’s the only person who could arguably do justice to the Leviathan.
But Del Toro himself shot it down on social media with a pretty blunt "not true."
Then you have the "leaks." Sites like We Got This Covered have claimed for years that the project is in "early development." The problem is that these reports rarely lead to an official trades announcement in Variety or The Hollywood Reporter. Even Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, the directors of the original 2001 masterpiece, have said they’ve heard nothing but internet noise.
In a 2020 interview with Collider, Wise was pretty clear. He noted that every time he hears about a live-action version, it’s strictly from the "information superhighway" and not from anyone at the Mouse House.
Why a Live Action Atlantis Is Actually a Risk
Disney loves money. That’s not a cynical take; it’s just how studios work.
When they remake The Lion King or Aladdin, they are betting on movies that were massive, billion-dollar hits in their original form. Atlantis: The Lost Empire was not that. When it hit theaters in 2001, it was a bit of a "commercial misfire," as the trades put it. It cost about $120 million to make and only pulled in around $186 million globally.
In the eyes of a spreadsheet, that’s a failure.
The movie was too weird for the traditional Disney princess crowd and too "animated" for the sci-fi fans of the time. It shifted away from the Broadway-style musical format that defined the 90s. No singing crabs. No magic lamps. Just a bunch of ragtag mercenaries and a nerd with a book.
The Cult Classic Factor
The reason we are still talking about an atlantis movie live action in 2026 is because the film found its soul on home video.
It’s a cult classic now. The character designs are iconic. Helga Sinclair is a top-tier Disney "villain," and Kida remains one of the most badass princesses ever put to paper. Fans argue that technology has finally caught up to the vision. With the "Volume" tech used in The Mandalorian and the underwater CGI perfected in Avatar: The Way of Water, a live-action Atlantis would look incredible.
Who Would Actually Be in the Cast?
Since Disney hasn't cast it, the internet has done the work for them. These are the names that keep appearing in the viral fan trailers:
- Milo Thatch: Tom Holland is the runaway favorite. He has that "clumsy but brilliant" energy. Andrew Garfield is another frequent pick for the older, more cynical version of Milo.
- Princess Kida: Zendaya is the internet's first choice, though many fans (rightfully) point out that an indigenous actress would be more fitting for the role.
- Commander Rourke: Stephen Lang. If you’ve seen him in Avatar, you know he was born to play the square-jawed, treacherous military man.
- Dr. Sweet: Terry Crews. Just look at the man. It's a perfect match.
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
While a full-scale Disney blockbuster isn't on the docket yet, the fan community isn't waiting.
Filmmakers like Jonathan Muñoz have kept the fire burning. Muñoz actually created a viral fan trailer that got so much attention it caught the eyes of the original creators. He even met with Tab Murphy, the original screenwriter, to discuss the "what ifs" of the franchise.
There is also a significant amount of fan-led movement toward a Disney+ series instead of a movie. A limited series would allow for more world-building. We could actually see the different "teams" of Atlantis exploring the ruins, something the 95-minute movie had to rush through.
The Verdict on the Remake
Is it ever going to happen?
Maybe. Disney is running out of 90s classics to remake. They’ve moved into the 2000s era with Lilo & Stitch (slated for 2025/2026) and Moana. If Lilo & Stitch performs well, it proves there is a market for the "experimental" era of Disney animation.
But for now, don't believe every thumbnail you see on your feed. If it doesn't come from an official Disney press release, it’s likely a very talented fan with a copy of Midjourney and After Effects.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to see an atlantis movie live action actually happen, the best thing you can do is keep the engagement high on the original.
- Watch the original on Disney+: Studios track those metrics. High rewatch numbers tell them there is still an audience.
- Support the "Team Atlantis" fan projects: Check out the work of creators like Jonathan Muñoz who are keeping the aesthetic alive.
- Voice your preference for practical effects: If a remake does happen, the biggest fear is that it becomes a "CGI soup." Engaging in community discussions about the style of a potential remake helps shape the conversation that producers eventually listen to.