Disney Rumored to Be Rebooting PRINCE OF PERSIA as a Live-Action Film
Disney may be gearing up to revisit the Prince of Persia franchise with a new live-action movie. According to the scoop from @MyTimeToShineH, the studio is working on a fresh take inspired by the hit Ubisoft fantasy adventure video game series.
The Prince of Persia video game franchise launched in 1989, and it was created by Jordan Mechner. It hit new heights in 2003 when Ubisoft rebooted the series with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which received acclaim for its innovative mechanics and strong storytelling.
Over the years, the series expanded with titles like Warrior Within, The Two Thrones, and most recently, The Lost Crown in 2024.
As you know, this wouldn’t be the franchise's first leap to the big screen. Disney previously brought Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time to theaters in 2010.
The movie was directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), and it starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, alongside Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, and Alfred Molina. While the movie had a decent box office run, it struggled to win over critics and fell short of becoming the blockbuster hit Disney likely hoped for.
The 2010 film also drew backlash for casting Gyllenhaal as the Persian protagonist, a decision that sparked conversations about representation in Hollywood.
Reflecting on his experience years later, Gyllenhaal admitted the role didn’t feel like the right fit. He said: "You’re bound to slip up and be like, 'That wasn’t for me.’” He also revealed that the film left him hesitant to take on other big-budget projects for some time.
While it’s unclear if this rumored reboot will draw directly from The Sands of Time or explore a new storyline from the franchise, if it happens, fans can likely expect a fresh cast and a modernized approach.
Would you be excited to see a new live-action Prince of Persia movie?