(AP) — Sorry, Betty White fans. The 96-year-old won’t be starring in an upcoming Disney remake of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” The studio has no plans for one.
An online image that appears to promote a Christmas 2021 release of a star-studded Disney revival of the classic is false. The viral image features headshots of nine actors with the names of characters written under the photos, including Andy Serkis as Quasimodo, Gal Gadot as Esmeralda, Betty White as Laverne, and Jack Black as Hugo. It’s unclear where the image originated, but it has been posted on Facebook pages, including Fort Wayne, Indiana, radio station K105-FM. A Disney representative confirmed the image is not real and that the company has no such production in the works. After being contacted, K105 updated the Hunchback post, labeling it a hoax.
But for Hunchback fans there is some good news. In May, streaming service Netflix announced plans for a modern rendition of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Idris Elba is slated to direct and star in the live-action film. The actors cast for that film are not the ones listed on the false viral image, a Netflix spokeswoman confirmed.
Disney released a “Hunchback of Notre Dame” animated feature in 1996, with voices including Tom Hulce as Quasimodo, Demi Moore as Esmeralda and Kevin Kline as Phoebus.
