AI Reimagines Your Favorite Disney Characters as Old Hollywood Stars

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

We've seen AI used to create many things, from new dog breeds to Barbies for every U.S. state, but BuzzFeed author Sarah Aspler completely charmed us with a new series of AI imagery. A self-professed “Disney nerd,” Aspler used her AI skills to transform beloved Disney and Pixar characters into something new. Specifically, she asked AI to generate images of iconic Disney princes, princesses, and villains in the style of Old Hollywood. The results are a total delight.

From Frozen‘s Elsa to Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear to The Little Mermaid‘s evil sea witch Ursula, the images capture the spirit of the original characters. But at the same time, AI sprinkles in enough tropes from films of the 1950s to transport us back in time. It's incredible to see how thoroughly modern heroes from Disney's more recent films appear. Encanto, Tangled, and Moana are all given the Old Hollywood treatment. People were particularly enamored with AI's version of Flynn Ryder, which sparked Aspler to create a whole series just focusing on Disney princes.

At the same time, Aspler also touches on classics like 101 Dalmatians and Beauty and the Beast. Cruella De Vil, with her overpainted eyebrows and harsh red lips, resembles Joan Crawford. Belle is as sweet as you'd want her to be, looking like a young Elizabeth Taylor. Some of the most ingenious imagery comes from the way that AI interprets non-human characters. Remy, the lovable rat from Ratatouille, is a man dressed in costume, while Cars' Lightning McQueen has been given a retro sci-fi makeover.

Check out some of our favorite Old Hollywood Disney transformations below, and head over to BuzzFeed to see the full galleries.

BuzzFeed author Sarah Aspler used AI to give beloved Disney characters an Old Hollywood makeover.

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Ursula from “The Little Mermaid”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Aladdin from “Aladdin”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Cruella De Vil from “One Hundred and One Dalmations”

Princess Ariel from the Little Mermaid in Old Hollywood style

Ariel from “The Little Mermaid”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”

The results give us contemporary characters that look as though they're in a film from the 1950s.

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Mirabel from “Encanto”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Moana from “Moana”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Elsa from “Frozen”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Miguel from “Coco”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Rapunzel from “Tangled”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Maui from “Moana”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

David Kawena from “Lilo & Stitch”

Many of the princes are swoon-worthy.

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Flynn Rider from “Tangled”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Prince Florian from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Emperor Kuzco from “The Emperor's New Groove”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Li Shang from “Mulan”

And it's hilarious to see how AI interprets the non-human characters we love.

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Remy from “Ratatouille”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Olaf from “Frozen”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Scar from “The Lion King”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Lightning McQueen from “Cars”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Prince Naveen in frog form from “The Princess and the Frog”

Sebstian from the Little Mermaid in Old Hollywood style

Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid”

Check out even more princesses, princes, villains, and beloved characters.

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Woody from “Toy Story”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Jafar from “Aladdin”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Prince Charming from “Cinderella”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Captain Hook from “Peter Pan”

AI Reimagines Famous Disney Characters in the Style of Old Hollywood

Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty”

All images via Sarah Aspler.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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