17 Disney Movies You Never Knew About Because They Were Axed
Some ideas just didn't cut it.
Disney has a long history of creating movies that stick with audiences for years, from animated classics to big-screen favorites that shaped childhoods across generations. But not every Disney project made it to the finish line, and some of the most interesting ones were quietly shelved before most people ever heard of them.
These canceled Disney movies range from ambitious animation experiments to sequels and adaptations that never got their moment in theaters. Some ran into creative problems, others lost momentum, and a few simply faded away before they could become mainstream hits.
Here are 17 Disney movies you probably never knew about because they were axed.
1. Gigantic
"Gigantic" was supposed to be released in 2020. It was Disney's film adaptation of the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.
However, Disney announced in October 2017 that they were dropping the project, along with Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. "Sometimes, no matter how much we love an idea or how much heart goes into it, we find that it just isn’t working," they said.
"With Gigantic, we’ve come to that point, and although it’s a difficult decision, we are ending active development for now."
2. Newt
Newt is Pixar's first and only project that was canceled, and it was supposed to be released in 2012. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though, because when Ed Catmull handed the project to Pete Docter—the director of Up—he had another idea that he preferred over this story of the last two remaining newts, Newt and Brooke.
The cancellation then gave birth to Inside Out.
3. King of the Elves
This one is based on a fantasy short story called Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. It was supposed to come out on Christmas in 2012.
It was described as "a fantastic and imaginative tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves lead them to name him their new king," based on its blurb.
4. Fraidy Cat
This project began in 2004 but was canceled in 2005. Its description states, "In Fraidy Cat, a chubby housecat with frayed nerves is torn from his comfy couch and dropped smack dab in the middle of a Hitchcockian thriller when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit."
5. Wild Life
This was supposed to be Disney's first fully CG-animated, non-Pixar film, but that title was claimed by Chicken Little in 2005. This story takes place in a nightclub, following the owner and the "dwindling popularity of the club's singing starlet, Kitty-Glitter."
6. Morgan's Ghost
This story followed Mickey, Donald, and Goofy "managing the Jolly Roger Inn when a late-night visit brings a strange guest—Yellow Beak, an ex-pirate parrot!" It was in development from 1939 to 1941.
The film was never completed, but it later became a comic book titled Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold in 1942.
7. The Shadow King
From the creators of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and James and the Giant Peach, this project was also supposed to be directed by Henry Selick, the director of the aforementioned films. The story was intended to follow Hap, a nine-year-old orphan in a fantasy adventure with a "living shadow girl who teaches him to create amazing hand shadows that come to life."
This was supposed to be released in 2013, but Disney canceled it when the production goals weren't met.
8. A Few Good Ghosts
This story revolved around three kids and a ghost "helping an Appalachian couple get together."
However, David Stainton, the then-president of Disney Animation, stated that, "Despite the best efforts of the crew, the fundamental idea was not working."
That one clearly never got off the ground.
It’s like the siblings feud when someone planned a surprise vacation after the canceled trip.
9. Mort
The story is about Death, who takes a boy named Mort and teaches him to collect souls. The photo below is a concept art piece from 2016 created by former Disney animator Claire Keane.
claireonacloud
10. The Seven Dwarfs
This was supposed to be a prequel film. "It would have explained how the seven dwarfs met and how the Queen killed Snow White’s father to take the throne," according to Flavorwire.
It was also intended to show how Dopey lost his voice after witnessing his mother's death. The project was canceled in 2006.
11. Catfish Bend
This was supposed to be based on the Catfish Bend book series by Ben Burman.
12. The Three Pigs
This was a retelling of the classic fairy tale and was supposed to be produced using a combination of computer and traditional animation.
It's still unclear why the project was scrapped.
13. Where the Wild Things Are
This was a CG experiment created by animator Glen Keane (Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Tangled) in 1983, based on Maurice Sendak's book.
It was an early idea that never made it past the experimental stage.
14. Tam Lin
Dubbed Scotland's first fairytale, this story is about a man named Tam Lin who is rescued by his true love from the Queen of the Fairies. Unfortunately, internal politics between Michael Eisner and Roy Disney caused the project to be shelved.
15. Dumbo II
This was supposed to take place a day or two after the original movie left off, where we would see Dumbo and his friends stranded in New York. This project was canceled in 2006.
That sequel idea never made it to the screen.
16. Swan Lake
This was in development along the lines of Homer's Odyssey and Pocahontas back in 1992. However, the project was dropped when some agreements couldn't be met.
17. Chanticleer
Based on a pre-WWI French play called Chantecler, this story was supposed to follow the tale of a vain rooster. It was under development from the 1940s to the 1960s, but due to budget problems, Disney opted to make The Sword in the Stone instead.
This all makes us wonder how many Disney films didn't make it to the planning and development stages, and how much more the studio has up its sleeves. Either way, their films still captivate us as adults, which speaks volumes about the quality of the films they produce.
Which one would you have wanted to see from this list? Comment with your thoughts or share this with your family and friends to see!
Some of these canceled Disney movies still feel like lost classics.
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