Square Enix, known for their popular RPG series Final Fantasy, surprised fans when they announced a crossover with Disney properties to create the unique IP, Kingdom Hearts. What began as a small game in 2002 has now become a series of games spanning multiple console generations, divided into different arcs. Kingdom Hearts 3 marked the end of the "dark seeker" arc, and Kingdom Hearts 4 marks the start of the "lost master" arc, signaling a new era for the series. However, fans were surprised by the direction the series is taking, as the protagonist Sora finds himself in a world of "unreality" or "fiction" after sacrificing himself to save Kairi. These fictional worlds are based on the real world, raising questions about how the Disney worlds will fit in. But there is an easy solution to this dilemma.
The Live-Action Disney Movies Gives KH4 a Big Opportunity
While live-action adaptations of classic Disney movies may not be popular with many fans of the original animated films, they could prove to be a valuable addition to Kingdom Hearts 4. The realistic nature of Sora's latest destination means that many of the usual colorful worlds may not fit in seamlessly, but by using live-action movies to supplement the game's worlds, Square Enix and Disney have the opportunity to breathe new life into old worlds from previous Kingdom Hearts experiences. By bringing the once-animated worlds of iconic franchises into a more realistic medium, Kingdom Hearts 4 could benefit from the unique storytelling opportunities presented by these remakes.
How Live-Action Adaptations Could Help Breathe Life Into Old Kingdom Hearts Worlds
Some Disney worlds in Kingdom Hearts 2 and previous installments, such as Atlantica and Beast's Castle, still have untapped potential for further exploration. While only a handful of worlds are directly tied to the plot, certain Disney destinations take creative liberties with their respective movie's storyline. Revisiting these worlds through their live-action counterparts could yield intriguing results and potentially expand the overall lore of the Kingdom Hearts universe, possibly even setting up parallel dimensions within the game's network of worlds.
Despite potential obstacles such as the cost of actor likeness rights, the possibility of live-action adaptations for the Kingdom Hearts series is an intriguing one that should be considered. Fans can anticipate a one-of-a-kind adventure when Kingdom Hearts 4 is eventually released.