Yvette Nicole Brown says Aunt Sarah isn’t the villain in ‘Lady and the Tramp’

in Disney, Movies, Movies & TV

yvette nicole brown on the set of Lady and the Tramp

Credit: People

Disney’s live-action reimagining of the 1955 animated classic Lady and the Tramp debuts next week, and one of its stars says Disney fans need to rethink the villain part of the film.

Community’s Yvette Nicole Brown plays the part of Aunt Sarah in the upcoming live-action remake and says that contrary to popular belief, her character is not the villain in the story of the cocker spaniel Lady and her ragamuffin Tramp.

Yvette Nicole Brown
Credit: Disney

“I feel that [Aunt Sarah] is the star of the story,” Brown explained. “Without her, Lady doesn’t meet Tramp, so let’s just change our perspective.”

In the original 1955 classic, Aunt Sarah arrives to stay with Jim Dear and Darling’s newborn baby when the couple leaves town for a few days. She arrives with her suitcase, her mischievous Siamese cats and her dislike for dogs. In the original film, it’s Aunt Sarah who demands that Lady be fitted with a muzzle at the pet shop because she barks too much. Later in the film, it’s also presumed that Aunt Sarah is responsible for chaining Lady to her doghouse.

yvette nicole brown
Credit: People

Fans don’t yet know if Aunt Sarah will bring her Siamese cats along this time, and if she does, they may not be referred to as Siamese at all. The trailer doesn’t give us that insight. We know that a cast of real dogs is used, and almost every dog in the movie has a unique story of being rescued. We also know that the iconic spaghetti scene made the cut, so even if fans have to forgo those evil Siamese cats that were part of the Disney original movie, most are fine with that, so long as they get the spaghetti scene. Spaghetti and meatballs–just to clarify. (That’s probably how Walt would have wanted it too.)

spaghetti scene lady and the tramp
Credit: Disney

Yvette Nicole Brown joined the cast of Disney’s latest live-action remake last year. It’s her first Disney role—one she says she almost didn’t take because Aunt Sarah’s character isn’t a dog lover, and Brown says that’s just not her. But after getting a pep talk from her own mother about embracing this Disney opportunity, Brown says she conceded and happily moved forward with filming.

Yvette Nicole Brown
Credit: D23

Brown joins a star-studded cast in the upcoming Lady and the Tramp remake by Walt Disney Pictures that debuts on November 12 exclusively on the Disney+ streaming platform. Voice talents include Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Janelle Monae, Ashley Jensen, Sam Elliott, and others. Kiersey Clemons plays Darling, and Thomas Mann portrays Jim Dear. F. Murray Abraham plays the part of Tony, and we just announced that Ken Jeong will play the role of Joe, the doctor who delivers Darling’s baby.

The live-action remake of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp hits the Disney+ streaming service on November 12. If you haven’t already signed up for the Disney streaming service be sure to do that here.

Do you think Aunt Sarah is the villain in Lady and the Tramp? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

This article is part of a larger collection of articles from my visit to the set of Lady and the Tramp last year. The day I was there Ken Jeong was filming his cameo in the movie and it was truly a special opportunity that I won’t forget. Learn more about what I learned on set in these articles from that set visit.

JUST REVEALED: Surprise cameo coming to Lady and the Tramp

‘Lady and the Tramp’ raises the bar for inclusiveness and diversity in remakes

Does the ‘Lady and the Tramp’ remake honor the iconic Disney classic?

Dog training secrets from Lady and the Tramp (use these to train your dog too!)

Yvette Nicole Brown says Aunt Sarah isn’t the villain in ‘Lady and the Tramp’

Need more Lady and the Tramp in your life? Here is some other excellent coverage from Inside the Magic for this new film debuting on Disney+ November 2nd. If you are here after the movie’s release be sure to let us know your thoughts of the movie in the comments.

Disney’s live-action “Lady and the Tramp” will be different from other remakes

Why didn’t Disney release ‘Lady and the Tramp’ at the box office?

First Look at live-action Lady and the Tramp canine cast

D23 Must-See: Adorable live-action “Lady and the Tramp” trailer drops

New “Lady and the Tramp” trailer: First look at the spaghetti scene!

Finally, check out our exclusive clip of the “Welcome to the Family” scene followed by the “Tony’s Special” and “The Dog Moves Out” Scenes.

 

Cocker Spaniel Lady and Terrier Mix Tramp sitting with Inside the Magic's Kurt Schmidt
From the set of Lady and the Tramp Cocker Spaniel Lady and Terrier Mix Tramp sitting with Inside the Magic’s Kurt Schmidt

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