Buzz
The most devoted fans of Dreamwork or Disney are in for a treat with these intriguing tidbits.
Are you proud of your extensive knowledge of animated classics, from rewatching Beauty and the Beast countless times to belting out every Elsa song? Well, there's more to uncover! Producers always astound audiences with initially unconventional yet captivating ideas.
1. Shrek almost had a red nose, crooked teeth, and a career in... garbage collecting
The first draft of Shrek looked very different from the one we know. Our beloved ogre sported a red nose, misshapen teeth, wore clogs, and resembled a character from the mean streets. In fact, this early Shrek even breathed fire and lived in a... garbage dump. Fortunately, these ideas didn't align with the image of a misunderstood loner. After much deliberation, Shrek underwent an 'upgrade' in both appearance and living arrangements, trading the dump for a swamp.
2. Prince transformed into the Beast due to a 'relationship complication'
Fairy tales always have an ancient version with a somewhat dark twist, far from the dreamy tales Disney crafts. According to folklore, the prince loses his father at a young age, the queen remarries, leaving him in the care of a malevolent fairy. Rejecting the advances of this wicked fairy, the prince is transformed into a hideous Beast, feared by all who approach.
3. Bookworm Belle draws inspiration from Little Women character
The first film adaptation of the renowned novel 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott, released in 1933, served as the inspiration for the creators of Beauty and the Beast. Belle's independent and determined personality was learned from the character Jo March. Jo, the smartest among her sisters, is an avid reader and writer, staunchly against the idea of settling down.
4. Beastly prince in China suddenly speaks in ... Jackie Chan's voice
When released in China, the Beastly Prince was dubbed by the world-famous action star Jackie Chan. Chan even underwent musical training at an opera school to better serve this special character. Apart from lending his voice to the Beast, Jackie Chan also contributed vocals to several film songs, including the iconic 'Beauty and the Beast' by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.
5. Simba's original adversary was a Dog-Headed Monkey
The Lion King has a vastly different original version from what Disney brought to the screen. Instead of the epic battle among mighty lions as in the famous animated film, the original confrontation is between a lion and a dog-headed monkey. Simba's formidable adversary, Scar, remains a villain, but as a dog-headed monkey. The wise baboon Rafiki, on the other hand, is a leopard. The 'hero' Simba doesn't leave the kingdom but turns into a terribly lazy character manipulated by Scar to overthrow the throne upon reaching adulthood.
6. Sleeping Beauty's three fairy godmothers inspired by... market-going aunties
The producers of Sleeping Beauty observed middle-aged women at parties and in supermarkets, noticing two distinct features of most aunties: frequent hat-wearing and brisk walking, no matter where they were headed. And so, the three kind-hearted fairy godmothers—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather—were inspired accordingly.
7. Rapunzel's hair is a work of art
One of the main goals of the creators of Tangled was to give Rapunzel's magical hair the effect of an oil painting. Instead of a realistic, sharp appearance like a photograph, they aimed for hair that looked genuinely radiant while still maintaining a classic touch. The works of French painter Jean-Honore Fragonard served as reference material for Rapunzel's hairstyle.
8. Elsa's prototype drawn from Amy Winehouse
One of the two main characters in Frozen was initially inspired by Amy Winehouse, the British singer with a rather tumultuous life. This revelation surprised many audiences as the singer did not possess the typical 'princess' appearance associated with the Mouse House. In the early stages of production, Elsa had long black hair and large round eyes. Illustrator Claire Keane, who contributed to shaping Elsa's character, also mentioned that in her imagination, Elsa had a deep, soulful voice that could express a range of emotions from sunny to rainy, uplifting to melancholic. However, the personality of the ice princess underwent significant changes. Nevertheless, the dramatic intensity in Elsa's large eyes remained intact.
9. Almost losing the spaghetti kiss in Lady and the Tramp
One of the most famous romantic scenes in Lady and the Tramp almost vanished from the animated film. Walt Disney believed that 'sharing' food between dogs was impractical, illogical, and, most importantly, aesthetically unpleasing, let alone romantic. Ultimately, animator Franklin Thomas created a rough draft of the scene and successfully convinced Disney, preventing a regrettable omission.
