As a lifelong Disney enthusiast and someone who grew up watching their classic animated films, it’s always intriguing to delve into the stories behind some of the projects that never made it to the big screen. Two such projects – “Penelope and the Twelve Months” and “Princess Academy” – are particular favorites of mine, and I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment knowing they were never brought to fruition.
Apart from Mickey Mouse and Star Wars, the Walt Disney Company is widely known for its princesses. This is one of their most successful and profitable franchises, and it’s no surprise why. Although Disney started with Mickey Mouse, it was the princesses who significantly contributed to its growth. Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in 1937, was the pioneering full-length animated film from the studio.
Prior to the release of “Snow White,” animation was primarily used for humorous skits and wasn’t considered a legitimate art form. When Walt Disney unveiled his plans to transform this beloved Brothers Grimm tale into an animated production, skepticism abounded. Critics dismissed it as a foolish endeavor, especially given the rumors of its extravagant budget and persistent production setbacks. However, the final product proved them wrong with its impressive success.
Starting from 1937, Disney has gained significant success by producing fairy tale adaptations, particularly those featuring princesses. These films have become Disney’s most iconic works. They have been deeply loved and appreciated by numerous audiences over the years and continue to be popular and relevant today.
Discovered in the Walt Disney archives are unused princess storylines, some of which were planned as sequels or live action adaptations, while others introduced new princess characters whose tales never reached the silver screen. Let’s explore these forgotten Disney Princess stories.
Mulan III
Despite not being a real-life princess, Mulan has been included in Disney’s Princess collection due to her popularity. The 1998 movie, “Mulan,” is inspired by the Chinese legend and esteemed heroine who posed as a man, saved her aging father from military duty, and gained remarkable success in battle. “Mulan” was acclaimed by critics and viewers alike and is considered one of Disney’s finest productions during their creative renaissance period.
The first film’s popularity led to the creation of a direct-to-video follow-up called “Mulan II.” There had also been intentions for a third installment, titled “Mulan III.” In this storyline, Mulan would assist a Chinese maiden in rescuing her captured father in Japan. However, due to the unfavorable reception of “Mulan II,” any plans for another sequel were abandoned, leaving the “Mulan” series as a two-part franchise.
Snow White Returns
As someone who grew up watching Disney movies, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the beloved princesses and their stories. Mulan is undoubtedly one of my favorites, but it’s fascinating to note that she isn’t alone in having a direct-to-video sequel. Princesses like Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, and Jasmine have also graced our screens with new adventures.
The short film version was planned to feature cut scenes from the initial movie, including “Music in Your Soup,” a sequence where Snow White instructed the dwarfs on soup etiquette while crooning to them. However, Walt Disney disapproved of this project and halted its production. Following his demise, the studio adhered to his decision, effectively shelving Snow White’s Return.
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales Sequels
As a gamer, I was initially excited about the prospect of the Disney Princess Enchanted Tales. On paper, it sounded like a fun and innovative idea: a series of direct-to-video animated films where we could explore new adventures featuring our beloved Disney Princesses. Sadly, only one installment made it past the planning stage. Released in 2007, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, was the lucky one. In this film, we delved into two enchanting tales, each centered around a different princess from our past experiences: Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and Jasmine from Aladdin.
Instead of: “What if the sequels had continued with two princesses in each film? Which princesses would join them? Was there a possibility of a movie featuring these princesses engaging with one another?”
The answers to these queries are still elusive. Approximately then, John Lasseter of Pixar advanced to the role of Chief Creative Officer at Disney and halted the production of all upcoming direct-to-video films in the Disney Princess Enchanted Tales collection before it truly took off.
Rose Red
Have you heard the less-known version of the story about Snow White and her sister, Rose Red? The Brothers Grimm penned down “Snow-White and Rose-Red.” In this tale, two poverty-stricken sisters, Snow-White and Rose-Red, inadvertently make friends with a prince who’s been magically turned into a bear by an evil dwarf.
Although this Snow-White character shares the same name and features a dwarf, her tale differs significantly from the well-known version. However, Disney intended to merge these stories.
Disney planned to produce a new take on their 1937 timeless tale, introducing Snow White’s sister, named Rose Red. This live-action production would focus on the life of Rose Red, but questions remain: Will there be a prince transformed into a bear as a curse? An evil dwarf causing mischief? And what part will Snow White play in her sibling’s story?
Unfortunately, Disney confirmed in 2021 that “Rose Red” would not be moving forward with production. On a brighter note, we’re looking forward to the live-action version of “Snow White,” which is scheduled for release in 2025. However, similar to its animated predecessor, this project has faced numerous issues and controversies that have raised concerns about its success.
Penelope and the Twelve Months
Instead of focusing on the princess as in other stories on the list, “Penelopé y los Doce Meses” (Penelope and the Twelve Months) is an innovative tale. This animated short film is a new interpretation of Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper.” Instead of following the royal princess, it tells the story of Penelope, a kitchen-maid in the palace who shares an uncanny resemblance with the spoiled princess.
With a mystical artifact in hand, Penelope embarks on an enchanting journey where she encounters diverse supernatural beings. These beings represent the Earth’s elements and the twelve months of the year (as per the title), as she sets out to find snow-flowers for the Princess’s request. What a fascinating tale it is, and we’re sad that Disney didn’t have the chance to bring it to life on the big screen – despite our best efforts.
Mary Blair, a celebrated artist at Disney who contributed to timeless productions like “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella,” and “Peter Pan,” and whose artistic flair shaped the visual appeal of “It’s a Small World” attraction, created concept art for “Penelope and the Twelve Months” during the 1940s. Regrettably, this project failed to progress into production.
During that period, Disney movies primarily catered to grown-ups, as they held the belief that a narrative focusing on a young child wouldn’t resonate. It’s possible that in the future, Disney will reconsider this tale; they could definitely benefit from fresh concepts.
Princess Academy
An intriguing proposal I came across was the creation of an animated short named Princess Academy, unfortunately left unrealized. This project aimed to showcase all the female characters from Disney films, not just princesses.
From 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” to 2010’s “Tangled,” this project would have encompassed a diverse range of Disney animations. It would have featured classics like Pixar movies, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” In addition, “Princess Academy” was planned to introduce an illustrious cast of Disney heroines, mingling together in a prestigious royal school setting. The production team intended to design the short with captivating segments reminiscent of “Fantasia,” and Alan Menken, a legendary figure in Disney music, was set to compose the score.
Starting in 2009, work on the film commenced. For three years prior, animators meticulously created concept art and storyboards. Menken came aboard in 2012. However, in 2013, Disney encountered challenges keeping up with the surging need for 3D animation. Consequently, they closed their hand-drawn animation unit. Nearly all 2D artists, including those working on Princess Academy, were let go unexpectedly.
Despite dedication and effort spent over the years, unfortunately, the “Princess Academy” production came to a halt, missing out on an exciting collaboration between renowned Disney actors and an anticipated musical experience. Oh well, we can only imagine how enchanting it would have been to witness their interaction and harmonious singing. Regrettably, this princess movie never made it to its fairy tale ending.
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2024-07-26 04:02