Top 10 Differences Between Peter Pan (1953) & Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

In the original stage production, the Captain Hook role almost went to Dorothea Baird, who was already playing Mary Darling. However, Gerald du Maurier, who had been cast as George Darling and was the uncle of the three boys who inspired “Peter Pan,” convinced J. M. Barrie to let him don the hook. This started a tradition that continued with the 1953 film where Hook and Mr. Darling were both voiced by Hans Conried. The 2023 film takes a different approach with Disney regular Alan Tudyk as George and Jude Law as Hook. In most adaptations, Hook and Mr. Darling symbolize the fear of growing up, hence why they share an actor. Here, Hook gets a new backstory, which distances him from the Darling patriarch.

In the 1953 film, Wendy’s brothers and the Lost Boys are kidnapped by Neverland’s indigenous tribe, under the impression that they’ve taken Tiger Lily. It’s actually Hook who’s snatched Tiger Lily, who Peter rescues. The live-action film hits similar beats, but it plays around with some of the characters. Michael and John are still kidnapped, but by Hook and the pirates this time. Meanwhile, the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily join Wendy in a rescue mission. Peter Pan’s entrance is more of a surprise to the audience. Rather than imitate Hook, Pan disguises himself as a pirate before springing into action. From there, the sequence plays out a lot like the animated film with Hook finding a hungry crocodile’s mouth in between his legs.

Upon first meeting in the animated film, Wendy is so excited that she could kiss Peter. He’s unfamiliar with kissing, prompting Wendy to give a demonstration before Tinker Bell intervenes. The live-action Peter doesn’t know what a kiss is either, although Wendy isn’t as eager to get to first base. She instead gives Peter a thimble, passing it off as a kiss. While this wasn’t in the 1953 version, it does borrow from J. M. Barrie’s play. Lowery’s film replicates another moment from the original source material where Peter gives Wendy an acorn pendant in exchange for the “kiss.” Scenes like this demonstrate how “Peter Pan & Wendy” is just as much an adaptation of the play as it is a reimagining of the animated film.

In the 2002 animated sequel, “Return to Never Land,” Wendy’s daughter Jane meets Peter and the Lost Boys. They dub Jane a Lost Girl, which is a first in the Disney animated canon. In Barrie’s play, Peter says that there aren’t any Lost Girls because girls “are much too clever to fall out of their prams,” aka baby carriages. Since anybody can fear growing up, though, Lowery’s film diversifies the Lost Boys, including different cultures and genders. Although some took issue with this, Lowery said, “Movies should be for everybody, and it doesn’t change the movie at all. It’s the same story everyone grew up with.” Wendy herself is initially surprised to see girls as Lost Boys, but she figures that it doesn’t really matter.

Discovering Peter Pan’s hideout, the animated Hook plots to blow the boy to bits. Peter is saved at the last second by Tink, although she really doesn’t get the bomb that far out of his proximity. You’d think both would be pixie dust after an explosion like that, but whatever. Neverland logic! The live-action film takes a grittier approach with Hook giving his rival the Rufio treatment, slashing Peter across the chest with a sword. Peter seemingly plummets to his doom as the rest of his gang is taken hostage, including Tink. Peter appears to be out of allies, but Hook forgot about his shadow, which breaks free and goes looking for help. The shadow ultimately finds Tiger Lily, who mends Peter’s wounds.

The animated Tiger Lily primarily exists to get kidnapped and drive a wedge between Peter and a jealous Wendy. She barely gets a line outside of almost saying, “Help.” Tiger Lily is given a lot more to do in “Peter Pan & Wendy.” In addition to being a warrior, this is a dialogue-heavy role with Tiger Lily speaking multiple languages. While she isn’t an official member of the Lost Boys, she goes on adventures with them. Rather than be part of a love triangle, Tiger Lily views Peter like a little brother. We only briefly see her tribe and there isn’t a musical number… which makes sense. This interpretation is far more culturally respectful, casting Alyssa Wapanatahk of the Bigstone Cree First Nation as Tiger Lily.

It’s always funny when adults revisit the animated classic and suddenly realize that Tinker Bell is as ruthless as a Shakespearean villain. She plots to have Wendy shot down and smiles about it. Why? Because Tink has the hots for Peter, which raises a ton of questions we’re not sure we want the answers to. The live-action Tink doesn’t possess romantic feelings for Peter. So, she doesn’t view Wendy as a rival. The two develop a friendship throughout the film, parting with Wendy able to understand Tink. There are several other differences with Yara Shahidi being the first person of color to play Tink on screen. In one of the subtler changes, Tinker Bell herself doesn’t glow, although her dust does.

In many versions of the story, including ​​Barrie’s play, the Lost Boys stay behind in London where they’re taken in by the Darling family. Peter, meanwhile, isn’t ready to grow up and returns to Neverland. The animated film alters this ending. While the Lost Boys consider leaving Neverland at one point, they ultimately go back with Peter. The 2023 version remains closer to the source material with the Lost Boys deciding to remain in London, although it’s unclear if the Darlings will adopt them. It’s also revealed that the Darling household used to be Peter’s home and he left following an argument with his mother. As is the case with most adaptations, Peter remains youthful at heart, but Wendy is now prepared for adulthood.

Although the animated Wendy gets kidnapped here and there, she’s also passionate, outspoken, and willing to make sacrifices for those she cares about. The same goes for her live-action counterpart, although the character is given extra layers. She’s less proper, getting in on Michael and John’s swordfight with the spirit of a pirate. This Wendy is perhaps even more reluctant to grow up, as she’s being sent to boarding school rather than just leaving the nursery. Wendy starts longing for home after nearly dying in Neverland. She nonetheless holds her own in this perilous environment, straight-up slapping Peter when he gets too cocky and even picking up a sword during the climax. This version is called “Peter Pan & Wendy” for a reason.

The animated Hook has a vendetta against Peter, who cut off his hand and fed it to the crocodile. Their rivalry is even more personal in Lowery’s film. The two weren’t always enemies. Before he was Hook, the cutthroat pirate was a boy named James and he was Peter’s friend. When James started to miss his mother, Peter banished him. Taken in by Smee, James’ resentment towards Peter festered over the years as one grew old and the other refused to mature. The film turns Hook into a tragic villain while Peter sees the error of his selfish ways. As the movie ends, it’s unclear if the two will rekindle their friendship or if hunting Peter will continue to fuel Hook’s will to live.