Bambi Writer Calls For Iconic Scene To Be Scrapped Because It Is 'Too Triggering'

According to a writer who was once associated with the project, Disney's live-action Bambi remake might make certain adjustments to lessen the sorrow of the original movie. 

©Walt Disney

Bambi, a 1942 film that is recognized as one of Disney's most iconic animated classics, follows the titular young deer as he grows up in the forest without his mother. 

Even though it is adored, the original film does include Bambi's mother's passing, which is startling and unexpectedly heartbreaking.

Formerly attached to write Disney's live-action Bambi adaptation, Lindsey Anderson Beer now discusses her vision for the movie with Collider. 

The writer suggests that her remake would have handled the passing of Bambi's mother in a different way to make it more acceptable to contemporary audiences, though it is unclear what the state of the project is at this time.

Check out Beer's full comment below:

“Not to spoil the plot, but there’s a treatment of the mom dying that I think some kids, some parents these days are more sensitive about than they were in the past. And I think that’s one of the reasons that they haven’t shown it to their children.”

“I do think there is a way to update Bambi and our take on it was… did give a little bit more of a scope to it. And I just think that to be able to bring it to life for kids these days in a way that maybe they relate to a little bit more would be of service to the original.”

Disney has been reworking its live-action versions of beloved cartoon classics from its collection for a number of years. 

Early in 2020, a live-action Bambi was first revealed; however, since that time, details on the project have been scarce. 

©Walt Disney

To be sure, the way the business has handled its live-action remakes so far may be a sign of things to come.

It can be assumed that the live-action movie will make extensive use of CGI, in addition to Beer's most recent hints that the script might address Bambi's mother's death in a less traumatic way. Given that the main protagonists in Bambi are all talking animals, the next remake of Bambi will undoubtedly take the same method. 

Previous live-action remakes, such as The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, and The Jungle Book, all extensively relied on CGI to bring their worlds and their characters to life.

It's still far too early to predict who the film's potential cast will be, but prior remakes have included some great talent, even in voice-only parts. 

©Walt Disney

The real-action The Little Mermaid mostly seems to have dodged the criticism that many of Disney's live-action remakes have received for failing to measure up to its existence over the animated originals. It remains to be seen if Bambi will be able to enthrall audiences in the same way that the original did for so many years, but it seems like the mother's passing won't be as upsetting this time.

But Lindsey's remarks have prompted outrage, leading one individual to write on Twitter: "Why the f*** do they want to modernize Bambi? Screw Woke Disney." While another added: "A story of loss and coming of age is too triggering for adult children... surprise, surprise."

However, several seemed to favor its modification, with one writing: "It was definitely very sad and maybe even a little traumatic as a young child watching the original…. Lol." A second then echoed: "That scene really upset me as a child actually & still does. And I'm actually as tough as old boots!" While a third wrote: "I'm not woke, but it is too sad tbf."