Illustrator Shows What Classic Disney Films Would Look Like If They Were Set In 2017

They touch on modern issues such as pollution, the mistreatment of circus animals, gender politics and fox hunting. Ward says his favorite picture is his take on Arthur from The Sword in the Stone. The illustrator likes the simplicity of the message that Arthur is “too engrossed in his phone to realize his true potential in life.”

Sounds like millennial stereotyping to us, but we’ll give him a pass.

5. Ariel and Scuttle affected by pollution: This picture is one of the more difficult ones to stomach. It’s a poignant depiction of the state of world pollution. Ariel’s double tail is a stark example of the environmental impact our actions have on the planet. 

6. Tigger (‘Winnie the Pooh’), Simba (‘The Lion King’), Shere Khan (‘The Jungle Book’) exploited as circus animals: This photo is exceedingly sad knowing the lively personalities of the characters and seeing them held captive and enslaved for profit. Glad the circus is finally changing.

7. Arthur’s busy on his cell phone: Like kids today, Arthur is too distracted now to pull the sword out of the stone, and in order to become King, he has to do so. 

8. Mowgli trying to break Baloo free: It appears that Baloo has been captured and chained and his friend Mowgli is trying to break him free of his chains. The reason for his captivity is unclear in the photo.