As I explained in my previous post, I am in a place where I want to fantasize that I’m a Hollywood bigshot, specifically a Disney Hollywood bigshot. For a full explanation of this exercise, please read the previous post. But bottom line, I want to reimagine old live-action Disney movies that aren’t necessarily “classics” but have good bones and could possibly be made into extremely effective and entertaining 2023 movies. I will not be devising new plots or providing scripts for these movies, but rather I will recast them with stars of today and suggest directors and writers as well. Today’s revisit is the 1964 Hayley Mills’ thriller (I use this term a little loosely as it was a Hayley Mills Disney movie so…) The Moon Spinners.

The Moon Spinners begins with Nikky Harris (Hayley Mills) and her Aunt Francis arriving at a small village on the island of Crete. Aunt Frances is a musicologist who is touring Greece in an attempt to collect old Greek folk songs. They arrive at their quaint inn only to discover that their reservation has been lost and they have nowhere to stay. However, they beg the local innkeeper to reconsider and are finally given rooms at The Moon Spinners Inn. What they don’t know is that they have landed themselves in the middle of intrigue as a young Englishman named Mark Camford, and the innkeeper’s brother, Uncle Stratos, engage in a game of cat and mouse involving some stolen jewels from an infamous caper several years earlier. Uncle Stratos is the film’s primary antagonist and of course wants the Englishwomen tossed out regardless of whether they have anywhere to stay or not. They are not tossed out. The movie works hard to encourage Nikky to fall for Mark. She does. There is skulking and investigating and threatening, and one of our protagonists gets shot while the other is taken hostage for a short time before escaping on the blades of an ancient windmill. The film climaxes on the yacht of a mysterious woman known as Madam Habib. Though it has never been proven, Madam Habib is suspected of dealing in stolen jewels and would likely pay a hefty price for the stolen jewels mentioned earlier. Madam Habib also has a pet Cheetah in the salon of her yacht. Just so you know. That is a pretty basic recap, but hopefully you get the idea and now…off we go.

Writer and Director

If you are going to make a movie in 2023 that is set on Crete, it better be beautiful. And few people know how to make a suspense movie while taking advantage of the beautiful backdrops better than Kenneth Branagh. His recent retelling of Agatha Christie’s classics Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, have been masterful at creating a foreboding undertone while at the same time showcasing the majesty of the locales in which they’re shot. And while we’re at it, why don’t we just have his screenwriter, Michael Green, join him for this project. The original film feels like it is trying to capture an Agatha Christie type of feel but with a Disney filter. It really is what at times undoes this film. The Moon Spinners consistently acts like it wants to drift into the darker recesses of the story. It seems to know that doing so would make for a better movie. But each time it gets close, it seems to remember that it will have the Walt Disney name on the opening credits and retreats quickly to safer waters. With the freedom allowed at Disney studios today, Branagh and Green would be the perfect duo to make a movie that doesn’t hold back on delivering the suspense and thrills, but would know how to do so while still maintaining a sense of old-world movie-making. And for the record, I would not update the time period. The original was made in 1964 and seems to be set in a similar time period. I would leave the time period for the remake in the 1960s for the same reason that I think all Agatha Christie adaptations should be left in the time period they were written for. The stories are just more effective that way.

Nikky Ferris

Replacing Hayley Mills in a Disney remake is not something to take lightly, even if it isn’t one of her more popular roles. Which is why I think sticking with a new Disney legend who as made quite a name for herself outside of Disney productions would be a good move here. So, who is that in 2023? Is there really any question? You’d have to go with Zendaya. Zendaya has proven herself to be a competent actor in any genre. And she would be the ideal name to carry a movie that would need to appeal to younger audiences not familiar with the original while still bringing enough cache for the role to attract older folks who don’t want to waste their time on a “silly” movie. Plus, as said before, her Disney beginnings would be a nice tie in for this project.

Mark Camford

If you are going to go for a Disney throw back with Zendaya, you should go all the way and complete the concept by casting Zac Efron as the romantic interest. Zac has also done a good job of building a name for himself beyond his Disney beginnings, but this project would allow him to return to a Disney set without compromising the new brand that he has built. Also, I personally don’t believe he is in the same league as an actor that Zendaya is, but in this role he doesn’t have to be. This movie is a movie about Nikky Ferris. Mark Camford is the leading backup role. And Efron would be perfect for it. Plus, the two of them seemed to have pretty good chemistry when they teamed up in The Greatest Showman.

Uncle Stratos

In the original, Uncle Stratos is played by one of the most famous character actors of all time, Eli Wallach. And while he does a fantastic job, for the remake I think casting a slightly younger man in the role would be more effective. Which is why I think Oscar Isaac would be the call here. I believe Isaac’s work in the underrated Marvel series, Moonknight, highlights his strengths as a character actor. That role also showcases his ability to bring an underlying malice to his character that would serve Uncle Stratos well.

Aunt Frances

While the role is not large, it is a somewhat important one. In the original, Joan Greenwood did a good job of being completely useless while still convincing the audience that she cared deeply about her niece’s welfare. I think the character could be stronger and play a slightly more integral role. And for something like that, you need a different type of actress than Joan Greenwood. Which is why I think that Sheryl Lee Ralph would be good. Her work in Abbott Elementary shows her ability to command a room while also not taking herself too seriously. Plus, I think it would be awesome to see her on the screen with Zendaya in that dynamic. Obviously by making these casting decisions, I would be suggesting that the central roles be switched from British to American. While I think the timeframe of the movie should not be messed with, I do believe this would be a fine change that could add complexity to the plot as well, as long as it is not overdone and becomes the focal point of the movie.

Anthony and Cynthia Gamble

Two very small parts in the original film provide a great opportunity for a cameo performance. Anthony Gamble is the British Consul on the Island of Crete and Cynthia is his wife. They are actually in cahoots with Uncle Stratos and are acting as the intermediaries between Stratos and the buyer Madam Habib. Their screen time in the film is about 10 to 15 minutes, but they are crucial to the plot. For the remake, this would be the perfect opportunity to give a nod to the original characters’ British roots. I would fill the roles with Jeremy Irons and Helena Bonham Carter. Crucial to the plot is Cynthia’s disdain for the Isle of Crete and her inability to avoid the bottle as a way to deal with her boredom. That short role would be right in the wheelhouse of Carter and Irons would be the perfect straight man to her antics.

Madam Habib

For me, The Moon Spinners is a pretty good movie that mostly does what it wants to do right up until the moment this character is introduced. At that point, the movie gives up trying to keep the stakes high and devolves into a typical Disney harmless mess. There is absolutely nothing menacing about Madam Habib and there really should be. Which is why I think Michelle Yeoh would be the person to step in and save this crucial third act of the film. Anyone who has seen her in Crazy Rich Asians knows malice would not be a problem for her. Also, let’s get rid of the name Madam Habib. It just doesn’t work in 2023, and in my opinion losing it would make it easier to forget the ridiculous character from the original. Plus, one last suggestion: change the Cheetah to a Jaguar and inject it more into the final fight sequence. I mean, if you are going to go to all the trouble to get a dangerous cat into the film, make it pay off.

So there you are, my suggestions for The Moon Spinners (2023). Did I get it right or am I way off base? If you haven’t seen the original, go watch it. It’s worth your time and then this whole exercise will make a lot more sense. As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments or input and would love to hear what old Disney live action movie you would like to see remade. Until next time.