Pixar’s Vault of Secrets: Movies Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know About!

The studio is known for consistently producing successful films. However, not all concepts conceived within this creative powerhouse have seen the screen. These films, which range from exceptional concepts to less innovative ones, didn’t make it due to various reasons such as changes in studio ownership or prolonged development processes.

Occasionally, it’s astonishing when Pixar/Disney decides to shelve a project, given that they, like many studios today, are heavily invested in sequels. Creativity, after all, doesn’t always guarantee success, and some projects may be more famous than others.

The Good Dinosaur Originally Had Another Version

The Movie That Was a Rare Box Office Bomb for Pixar

In 2015, the movie seemed like a re-imagining of “The Lion King” featuring dinosaurs instead of lions, particularly in its final release. However, it didn’t come close to matching the success of Disney’s 1994 animated masterpiece. The story revolves around a young dinosaur named Arlo who gets lost and befriends a human called Spot while searching for his way back home. The movie is somewhat like an odyssey, complete with breathtaking landscapes beautifully depicted by the Pixar animation team.

Initially, longtime Pixar artist Bob Peterson was slated to direct and intended to create a film that delved into the mind of a dinosaur. However, by 2013, about five years after Peterson first proposed the concept, he was no longer involved in his own project. It is said that he struggled to finalize the movie’s climax, leading to a new script being written instead.

Newt Is One of Pixar’s Most Well-Known Unfinished Projects

It Was Deemed Too Similar to Other Animated Movies

The storyline of the movie titled “Newt” originally planned to feature two blue-footed newts as the sole survivors of their species. Their mission was to ensure the continuation of their kind, but they had an intense dislike for each other. This animosity would have propelled them on a rollercoaster journey, eventually leading them to develop a bond and possibly even fall in love. However, announced in 2008, the movie “Newt” was later shelved in favor of “Brave” which hit screens in 2012. This film took an entirely different direction compared to its predecessor.

There were thoughts that the storyline of Newt might have been too much like Rango (2011) from Nickelodeon and Rio (2011) by Blue Sky Studios. Unfortunately, the script for Newt didn’t turn out as planned, leading to the entire movie being scrapped in favor of other projects in 2015. Fans are left curious about what the completed version of Newt might have looked like.

Sam & Max Ultimately Didn’t Suit Pixar’s Style

It Starred Characters Created by a Pixar Alumni

Sam and Max, two popular characters, were initially sketched out by cartoonist Steve Purcell and debuted in their own comic book back in 1987. Over the years, Purcell has contributed significantly to several successful Pixar productions. He served as a writer and director for films like “Brave” (2012), developed the upcoming miniseries “Cars on the Road” (2022) based on “Cars” (2006), and created the short film “Toy Story That Time Forgot” (2014). Despite witnessing his own creations flourish in comic books, television shows, and video games, Purcell often felt that their style didn’t align with Disney or Pixar’s distinctive tones.

Essentially, Sam Max isn’t so much the nearly-made movie as it is the one that never materialized. Given the unique essence of his characters, it might be more fitting to preserve their distinctive edge rather than sanitize them. Regrettably, Purcell met his end in 2023, and he decided to leave Pixar around that time.

Onward Once Had a Much More Literal Title

And Maybe Could Have Played up More of the Fantasy

Debuting during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the animated film Onward didn’t quite garner the box office success Pixar had hoped for initially. Prior to its streaming release on Disney+, it was screened at a few film festivals. To this point, it’s not often regarded as one of Pixar’s biggest blockbusters. This could be due to its unique focus on themes of grief and complex sibling relationships, which may have limited its appeal. Despite its innovative premise, it tackled very authentic issues.

Initially, instead of the title “Onward,” the film was called something far more descriptive during production: “Suburban Fantasy World.

The Yellow Car Was Based on the Ugly Duckling

An Idea That Was Scrapped for Toy Story 2

The “Yellow Car” was an abandoned idea, lying somewhere between the realms of “A Bug’s Life” and “Toy Story.” It shared the same narrative structure as “The Ugly Duckling,” focusing on a small, electric, yellow car navigating a world dominated by gas-guzzlers. Initial sketches were made around 1998, but the project never progressed beyond this stage. Later, elements of it were repurposed to create “American Car” and eventually evolved into what we now know as “Cars.

In essence, the Yellow Car shares a similar appearance with Luigi from “Cars,” but beyond their looks, they have little in common. It’s intriguing to imagine where a Pixar movie based on this character might have taken us. However, the original “Cars” film was successful in its unique storyline, distinct from this potential alternative.

Toy Story 4 Was Once a Romantic Comedy

With a Script by Rashida Jones And Will McCormack

In the world of Toy Story 4, I found myself reconnecting with a transformed Bo Peep, who had taken on a grittier persona after years as a lost toy surviving on the streets. She was no longer the same cherished character I once knew from the earlier films, having evolved into a tougher and nearly unrecognizable version of herself.

At first, Rashida Jones and Will McCormack – both writers, actors, and producers – were part of the team tasked with writing the script. Their initial concept for the movie was to craft a romantic comedy, with Woody and Bo Peep’s reunion at its core. The idea was to create something fresh and distinctive, focusing more on this new story rather than serving as a direct continuation of Toy Story 3.

Initially, Pixar wasn’t satisfied with the initial script, leading to a revamp by screenwriter Stephany Folsom. Whether this rewrite significantly enhanced the original idea is still under discussion. It’s plausible that a romantic comedy would have better aligned with the spirit and atmosphere of the Toy Story universe. Director Josh Cooley utilized this film as an opportunity for a significant character transformation in Woody, which some might argue was unnecessary.

The Shadow King Would Have Shared a Director With The Nightmare Before Christmas

Premiered a Stop-Motion Pixar Film

In a different phrasing, “The Shadow King” is renowned for his creations such as “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), “James and the Giant Peach” (1996), and “Coraline” (2009). Notably, he preferred to work with stop-motion animation. Initially planned to be produced at his studio, Cinderbiter, under the title “ShadeMaker,” this project was a collaboration between Selick’s studio, Disney, and Pixar. The storyline centered around a young orphan named Flap who possessed the unique ability to control shadows.

Because of escalating creative disagreements between Selick and former Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, along with increasing production costs, the film was discontinued. Disney permitted Selick to reacquire the rights. As of 2022, Selick continues to have aspirations for eventually releasing the movie. It’s unfortunate that Pixar and Disney missed the chance to showcase another exceptional stop-motion work by Selick.

The Second Monsters Inc. Once Had a Totally Different Premise

Before Monsters University, Pixar Had Another Idea

Following the successful debut of “Cars” in 2006, as per their contract with Pixar, Disney was eager to churn out a series of films under their own banner, serving as sequels to beloved classics like “Toy Story” (1995), “Finding Nemo” (2003), and “Monsters Inc.” (2001). In a bid to expedite these projects, Disney established a new studio called Circle 7 Animation. This creative hub was the genesis of an intriguing concept for a “Monsters Inc.” sequel, titled “Monsters Inc. 2: Lost in Scaradise”. As a movie critic, I can’t wait to see what magical tales these animated titans will weave next!

In the tale, Mike and Sulley endeavor to celebrate Boo’s first birthday in the human world, but discover she has relocated. Eager to reconnect with their young friend, they embark on a journey to find her and try to make it back to their own realm. Unfortunately, the film never came to fruition when Disney purchased Pixar and closed Circle 7 Animation – a decision that, in hindsight, might not have been so unfortunate.

The Graveyard Book Would Have Been Pixar’s First Adapted Work

As Well as a Collaboration With Neil Gaiman

In 2012, Disney revealed they had obtained the rights to Neil Gaiman’s novel “The Graveyard Book.” The tale centered around a boy named Nobody Owens who was brought up by spirits. Initially, Selick was set to direct, employing stop-motion animation as he had done before. However, after investing over a year into the project, Selick eventually decided to step away from it.

Following Selick’s departure, the project was relocated from Pixar to Disney, who were determined to complete it. However, numerous script revisions ensued without finding a version that satisfied the studio. As of 2023, Disney continues to hold the rights for The Graveyard Book. Given recent developments, it seems unlikely that Disney will finance any movies adapted from his works. Consequently, The Graveyard Book persists as a permanent resident… in the realm of unproduced films.

1906 Would Have Seen Pixar Delve Into Live-Action

Brad Bird Would Have Penned the Script

2005 saw Pixar venturing into live-action films for the first time, a plan initiated prior to Disney’s acquisition of the studio. Instead, they were planning to partner with Warner Bros. Brad Bird, renowned for his work on “The Iron Giant” (1999), “The Incredibles” (2004), and “Ratatouille” (2007), was assigned to pen the script. The story was inspired by a novel written by James Dalessandro, focusing on an imaginative portrayal of the events leading up to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Initially, Pixar decided to abandon the project because of complications with the script and escalating costs. It’s fascinating to imagine how they might have approached live-action filmmaking, given their track record. Considering Bird’s previous works, this could have been both a deeply emotional and historically significant voyage.

2025-05-13 06:58