List of abandoned projects

[Farerb]

The World According to Winnie the Pooh
Cartoon Saloon's rejected pilot from 2014

https://youtu.be/rcSoUMNiNrU

[blackcauldron85]

Idk how I feel about the voices but otherwise it was super cute!

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Found this about Steven Hahn:

2003 thru 2004, developed First Pets, a theatrical CGI animation project with Roy Disney of Walt Disney Studios as Disney acquisition project for the world-wide release.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150420014 ... m/Hahn.htm

I'm not sure what "acquisition project" mean in this context. That Disney should just distribute the movie and Hahn-production make it, or that Disney should produce the movie themselves and Hahn direct or produce. Only if it was a Disney production can it be called an abandoned project.

[blackcauldron85]

I obviously don't know, but I read it as Disney would acquire Hahn Productions' project? A Google search is bringing me no info, though.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Yes, it is impossible to find much information about it. The only way would be to find a way to ask Steven Hahn or Jeffrey Scott about it. But since they worked with Roy Disney on it, and he Hahn felt confident enough to mention it on his page, they must have written an outline and maybe also made some concept art.
One reason why nothing happened could be because Disney bought Pixar in 2006, it made Lasseter and Catmull the new bosses. There were some projects that were dropped, like Chris Sander's original idea for American Dog, or Clements and Musker's Fraidy Cat.

[The Disneynerd]

For anyone interested, someone made a Video of the "Lost and found" arrbook where they showed some Info and Concept Art for movies like Mickeys Nightingale, Wild Life and My peoples. I know the book doesnt really show any New artwork or Info but its still nice. Always wanted to get the book but it sells for about 80$+ so im like "no thanks". Anyways you can check it out here: https://youtu.be/bnumBvytiVA?si=8Aa-j_rmi1GYRR75

[blackcauldron85]

I own that book, so if anyone wants any particular info or pictures from it, I'd be happy to help.

[Mooky]

This seems like a wonderful project/resource:

Have you ever seen incredible development artwork for an animated project that you couldn’t wait to see come to fruition, only to discover that it never got made? Or have you ever fallen in love with an animated film that nobody else seems to remember existed? Or maybe you saw a teaser that was so bad it was good and you don’t know how the project got that far?

If so, there’s a good chance that some incredible images, videos and the behind-the-scenes story of the film’s downfall are included, or one day will be included, in Drawing for Nothing, a new, free ebook that compiles artwork and anecdotes from the development and production of canceled and troubled animated films.

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/books/drawi ... 38845.html

[The Disneynerd]

Leaked Chicken Little "TV Series" footage, i thought it was from the scrapped Disney toon sequel as the the Animation is too good for a 2000s TV series and almost on par with the movies
https://x.com/nobynobi_02/status/179518 ... 97313?s=46

[Jules]

That's fascinating! Agreed that the animation looks highly accomplished for a 2006ish TV series. It looks too good, in fact. How was this possible?

[Sotiris]

Concept art for a recently shelved TV show based on The Aristocats.

https://imgur.com/a/07F38bY

[The Disneynerd]

Cancelled disney princess fairytale movie storyboards by Joe Haider from the 2000s
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-BOwNqSKMU ... lnM2wwdmRr
Ahhhh it looks really exciting what do u guys think this would have been? Maybe that Goose Girl type mixture fairytale book but which got cancelled due to Tangleds similarities...?

Instagram.jpg (155.51 KiB) Viewed 3783 times

After 'Home On The Range' with no 2d
feature in sight I asked to be moved into development.
started working with @celtichris2 on some early
development artwork based on a book that Disney was
trying to option at the time, It was a funny fractured fairy
tale. Unfortunetly they weren't able to make the deal
Nonetheless 1 had fun doing these marker gag ideas!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C92uOVMyHpc ... p0aGNjZG41


He also uploaded storyboards but its uploaded in low quality:

These were early storyboards (ink/paper)
that I did years ago after I moved into development at
Disney Feature Animation. This was a scene in a
fractured fairy tale story that Disney was possibly
interested in optioning at the time (see previous posts).
For my part, I was less concerned with camera and
composition and more with
character relationships and trying to convey a comedic
tone. Not the way I would I would tackle it now but
always fun revisiting my work back then

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-BOwNqSKMU ... lnM2wwdmRr

[Sotiris]

Maybe that Goose Girl type mixture fairytale book

Yes, it's most likely "The Goose Chase". Everything we know about it matches the information given here. The time it was in development, the fact it was based on a book and it was a fractured fairytale-type of story, the presence of ogres, witches, and geese...That has to be it.

[Sotiris]

In a new interview, John Musker and Ron Clements revealed that "A Princess of Mars" was a project in development at Disney Animation in the '90s and Jeffrey Katzenberg wanted them to direct it instead of Treasure Planet after Aladdin. The project fell through because Disney lost the rights.

In a new interview, layout artist Ed Ghertner revealed that after The Hunchback of Notre Dame had wrapped, directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale were planning to adapt A Princess of Mars for their next feature at Disney.

[Mooky]

Lots of info about the story, look and development of this canceled project:

Who Killed ‘Fraidy Cat’? - The untold story of a canceled Disney feature

[blackcauldron85]

I'm definitely interested in the Ed Ghertner interview series; I just haven't sat down to listen yet (thank you for sharing, Soriris! As a John Carter fan, it's so interesting what could have been, even if I'm happy with the outcome)(I mean, the sequel(s) would have been nice...).

And Mooky, that article/interview on Fraidy Cat was amazing! And it didn't even go into the Musker/Clements version! So much history in these unmade films. I think even if kids wouldn't understand the Hitchcock angle, they'd appreciate the mystery aspect, right? I'm always so amazed at how much time and money are spent on films that never come out. Like Piet Kroon said, maybe someday it will be made but...it just boggles my mind. I read the article last night and even an hour ago walking my dog, I thought of things to type here about it here, but I'm so worn out that I can't think of it. I'll definitely give the article a re-read.

[The Disneynerd]

Thank you Mooky for the article! Love every new snippits we can get from Cancelled WDAS films. Friday Cat Was sureley one of the most interesting approaches, and I think about this one atleast like once a month. Such a shame it got cancelled, I would have loved a dark thriller in the WDAS lineup, especially one that is a Hitchcock hommage

Seems like the story was promising and only axed due to marketing problems, so releasing it now shouldnt be a problem, besides of Animation it was basically finished, such a shame as like the article said it was Extremely well recieved at each pitch presentation.
Also him constantly saying the CG style would have its own destinctive look makes me really wanna see some 3D models or Tests. I think Friday Cat may take the cake for most outstanding shelved WDAS feature


I like how he talked about the "Disney Politics" lol.
Let them go bold and risks that could be mistakes
Time will always get the opportunity to critizice the past and their output will never be 100% correct in historybooks anyway, like the Song of the South, Peter Pan or whatever. Next Generations will always find a way to critizise something. Like Apparently the reason we get those pointless Live Action Remakes to "fix" something.

Also wow didnt knew Gnomeo and Juliet originated from WDAS

[Sotiris]

A Rescue Rangers reboot was in development at DTVA by the DuckTales reboot co-creator.

Q: Tell us something weird you pitched on that never got made.

Francisco Angones: A Rescue Rangers reboot influenced by “The Kingsmen”. It incorporated “The Rescuers” and “The Great Mouse Detective” as well. Chip had grown up obsessed with a secret organization known as The Rescue Aid Society, a group of rodents and other animals that have been secretly helping humanity since it was formed in Victorian London by Basil of Baker Street’s protégé, Olivia Flaversham. Chip tracks the organization to a lone agent in a tree in Central Park: Old Bernard, who’s been a one man operation since a horrible attack caused the Society to disband. Bianca’s whereabouts are unknown. By-the-Book Chip and Freewheeling Dale beg to join, but Bernard refuses because no chipmunk has ever been allowed to join the Society. “Chipmunks don’t stop trouble, they cause it.” Eventually, with Bernard’s begrudging help, they form an offshoot of the Rescue Aid Society (Bernard refuses to let these yahoos use the original name), along with other agents connected to the RAS. With episodes that explore all three time periods (Basil’s London, Bernard and Bianca’s 1980s, and present), the Rescue Rangers track a conspiracy to destroy humanity originally conceived by the fiendish Professor Ratigan and carried out in the present by Fat Cat.

It...may have been too much continuity for a kids show. Says the guy who writes DuckTales. My dirty Disney Afternoon secret is that Rescue Rangers was actually my first love. Would still love to take a crack at it, but I think the Rangers are constantly caught up in the features department.

Frank Gibson: This was our experience pitching them too.

Francisco Angones: Bummer, because I love your designs for them so much.

Frank Gibson: I think Becky Dreistadt also did some art for your Kingsman-influenced one somewhere. I'll have to dig it up.

Francisco Angones: I would love to see it! I heard a rumor that at some point it was kicking around without my knowledge for a second.

Source: https://x.com/FrankAngones/status/1231828633171496960


A Rescue Aid Society show was also in development at the studio by the co-director of Tangled: Before Ever After that shared similarities with the aforementioned Rescue Rangers reboot.

Tom Caulfield: A while ago, I had a pitch for the Rescue Aid Society. Influenced by the Rescuers movies, this was an updated R.A.S, more akin to the Kingsman or Mission: Impossible. It was never meant to be. Here's some rough images from the pitch.

Emily Carson: This was so fun!

Tom Caulfield: I hope Bill Motz and Bob Roth are still marinating on this in-between The Ghost of Molly McGee. It has so much potential.

Amber Vucinich: God, I loved this pitch so so much. It was so fun!

Tom Caulfield: Thinking back on it, there was some awesome stuff in there and Bill and Bob working their magic too. I’m a bit sad it never got a look in.

Q: I wonder what Bernard and Jake would do in this world?

Tom Caulfield: I had plans for Bernard. Jake would have been so much fun to get in there.

Q: Would Bianca and Bernard still be married?

Tom Caulfield: Absolutely. I think they both truly love each other.

Q: Is that a descendant of Basil, I see? I always wanted a crossover of Rescuers and Great Mouse Detective as a kid!

Tom Caulfield: Yes. You have very awesome detective skills.

Q: Would've love to see this on TV. Love The Rescuers. Perhaps also have a Chip n' Dale/RAS crossover, if it could've lead to that.

Tom Caulfield: I think we’re on the same wavelength. I did intend to have Chip and Dale in there.

Q: Wonder why this didn’t get greenlit?

Tom Caulfield: I think a recent CGI/2D release had something to do with it.

Q: Which one is that?

Tom Caulfield: Chip and Dale. To be fair I’ve not seen it, so I can’t say for certain.

Source: https://x.com/TomCaulfield01/status/1531040684114726912

[The Disneynerd]

Omg just stumbled on this New Lost Animation Test Footage for WILD LIFE :
https://youtu.be/fZ4X2iGQTQU?si=FIXMYSHVoa6B3gnX
This looks so fun, always gonna mourn its cancellation

[Sotiris]

Omg just stumbled on this New Lost Animation Test Footage for WILD LIFE :
https://youtu.be/fZ4X2iGQTQU?si=FIXMYSHVoa6B3gnX
This looks so fun, always gonna mourn its cancellation

That test footage isn't "new". It was unearthed in 2008. There's even a whole thread about it, here.