The Troubled History of Disney's Abandoned Animated Films

TLDRA look into the abandoned animated films by Disney, including the ones that were shelved and the ones that were revived with drastic changes. The history spans from the late 1980s to the present day, showcasing the struggles and successes of these projects.

Key insights

🎥Disney has a long history of abandoned animated films, which can be categorized into two groups: ones that were shelved and never released, and ones that were revived with major changes.

📚One example of a shelved film is Walt Disney's attempt to adapt the classic fairy tale 'Beauty and the Beast', which proved difficult to rework for modern audiences and was abandoned. It was later revived and became a major success.

❄️Another example is the troubled history of Disney's attempt to adapt 'The Snow Queen'. Over the years, multiple versions were developed and abandoned, until the final version became the hugely successful 'Frozen'.

🐶Oliver and Company played a significant role in Disney's return to glory during the Disney Animation Renaissance era. It showcased the talents of Howard Ashman, who later worked on The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

The Disney Renaissance era was marked by successful films like Aladdin, which were influenced by Howard Ashman's work on Oliver and Company. Ashman's contributions helped revive Disney's animation studio.

Q&A

What are the two categories of abandoned animated films by Disney?

The two categories are films that were shelved and never released, and films that were revived with major changes.

What is an example of a shelved film by Disney?

An example is Disney's initial attempt to adapt 'Beauty and the Beast', which was eventually abandoned but later revived and became a major success.

What is an example of a troubled history in Disney's animated films?

One example is the multiple attempts to adapt 'The Snow Queen', which went through various versions before finally becoming the successful film 'Frozen'.

What role did 'Oliver and Company' play in Disney's history?

'Oliver and Company' was part of the Disney Animation Renaissance era and helped revive Disney's animation studio. It showcased the talents of Howard Ashman, who later worked on 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin'.

What is the significance of Howard Ashman's work on Disney films?

Howard Ashman's contributions, including his work on 'Oliver and Company', played a major role in the success of Disney's animated films during the Renaissance era. His collaboration with composer Alan Menken brought memorable music and storytelling to films like 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin'.

Timestamped Summary

00:03Disney has a long history of abandoned animated films, categorized into shelved and revived projects.

01:13The shelved film 'Beauty and the Beast' was initially challenging to adapt for modern audiences but later became a major success.

08:31The troubled history of 'The Snow Queen' includes multiple attempts and versions before the successful release of 'Frozen'.

11:55 'Oliver and Company' played a significant role in Disney's return to glory during the animation Renaissance era.

12:59Howard Ashman's contributions, particularly in 'Oliver and Company', helped revive Disney's animation studio and led to the success of films like 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin'.