Disney’s early film concepts reveal shocking twists for *Frozen* and *The Lion King*
Disney has revealed intriguing details about the early concepts of several of its animated films. These initial ideas differed significantly from the final versions, offering a fascinating glimpse into the creative process.
In 'Frozen', the dynamic between Anna and Elsa was initially quite different. They were not sisters, and Elsa was cast as the villainous Snow Queen. Meanwhile, 'The Lion King' had Timon and Pumbaa as childhood friends of Simba and Nala, not just comedic sidekicks.
The original story for 'Up' was set on an alien planet, with two princes living in a floating city. 'Inside Out' had Riley with 27 potential emotions, including Logic, which almost made the final cut.
'The Emperor's New Groove' was initially a musical titled 'The Kingdom of the Sun', with a different plot and a cast that included Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and others. Later, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Brenda Song, and Andy Samberg joined the project.
'Lilo & Stitch' was initially set in Kansas, with the alien interacting with woodland creatures instead of Hawaiian culture. The original concept for 'Monsters, Inc.' involved a man confronting his childhood fears that came to life.
In 'Frozen', Olaf was initially one of Elsa's henchmen, not the lovable snowman we know today. The first draft of 'Encanto' had some Madrigal siblings with different magical gifts. Lastly, the original villain in 'The Incredibles' was a James Bond-like character named Xerek, who was also an ex-boyfriend of Helen's.
These revelations offer a unique perspective on the creative process behind beloved Disney films. They show how initial ideas can evolve significantly, leading to the final, cherished versions we know and love.
