What tales do you think would make a great Disney movie?

[Sekaino Jasmine]

I recently read The Pearl Princess. I think that could make a nice Disney film!

[DreamerQ18]

I recently read The Pearl Princess. I think that could make a nice Disney film!

Wow that sounds intreasting whats the story about ?

[Sekaino Jasmine]

I recently read The Pearl Princess. I think that could make a nice Disney film!

Wow that sounds intreasting whats the story about ?

The Pearl Princess

A Fairy Tale of the Value of Salt

Once upon a time, there lived a woman on the top of a mountain that lived in a cottage and had geese. In the large nearby forest, she would pick grass for the geese and fruit to carry home. One morning, a handsome young count came into her presence. He asked if she had no one to help her carry her things. She told him that she was poor and had no one to help her and asked if he would be so kind since he was strong and tall. He agreed but soon he was groaning under the weight. "These are so heavy, can we rest," he asked? "No. Go on a bit more," she coaxed. " He tried and tried to take the bundle from his back and found he could not. He began to think she was a witch. As if she could read his thoughts, she tried to console him by saying: "Don’t get angry. I will give you a present when we get to my home."

Soon they arrived at her little cottage. It was a bit run down though neat and tidy. There was another women there who asked: "Kind mother, you have stayed away for so long. You were missed." "I met with this kind gentleman, who carried my burden," replied the old woman as she took the bundles from the Count. "Sir, you may rest upon the bench. And you, little one, go inside the house lest he fall in love with you." The Count was somewhat surprised at the old woman’s comment. The girl was homely and old looking and he thought love was an impossibility unless she was considerably younger.

The Count fell asleep. When he awakened the old woman was there ready to give him his reward for his kindness of carrying her bundles. She placed an emerald green box in his hand and admonished him to take good care of it. He put the unopened box into his pocket and left. He was unable to find his way out of the forest even though he had been able to before. Finally, after three days, he came to a large town. He was greeted by a guard that was instructed to take all strangers to the King and Queen.

He respectfully explained his situation: "Your Majesties, I am a Count. I have lost my way." The King asked, "How can you prove what you say?" The Count began to search his pockets and found the emerald box and presented it to the Queen. Upon opening it she gasped in surprise and fainted. The guards seized the Count and the King helped the Queen. As the Count was being taken away she awoke and asked that he be released for she wished to talk to him…. alone.

Once alone the Queen began her sad tale. "I have three daughters. The youngest was rare and wonderful. When she cried, pearls fell from her eyes instead of tears. One day, their Father, the King, decided to divide his kingdom so he called our daughters before us. " He said: "All of you love me. But she who loves me best will receive the greatest part of the kingdom." The Queen continued. "Each child giggled and said that she loved her father best but was asked to tell how much. "The first daughter said that she loved her father as much as the sweetest sugar. The second daughter said that she loved him as much as her prettiest dress. Our youngest was quiet. The King asked her…."How much do you love me." She replied, "I know not what to compare my love to, Father." He encouraged her and asked her to think again. "I do not like even the best food without salt. Therefore, I love my father like salt." He became angry not understanding the compliment she had given him for salt is worth more than gold sometimes. "Like common salt," he raged! He had the kingdom divided between the two oldest daughters and placed a sack of salt upon her back and she was lead into the forest by two guards. I begged him not to but he wouldn’t change his mind. I wept. She also wept and the road to the forest was strewn with the pearls from her eyes. After a few days, the King regretted his behavior and the soldiers were sent into the woods to find her. They could not. We have wept since." And so ended the Queen’s sad tale.

"When I opened the emerald box, I saw the pearl that my daughter used to cry. Where did you get it" the Queen implored? "In the forest, I met an old woman and carried some bundles to her home. I didn’t see a beautiful princess." When the King was told of this, the three of them returned to the forest to look for the old woman.

She was in her cottage spinning with the homely child beside her. An owl came to the window and the old woman said, "It’s time to go to the well." Off she went deeper and deeper in to the forest. She brought up a bucket of well water and began to wash her face. As she did so, the homely mask soon came off and in the moonlight you could see she was the beautiful princess.

Meanwhile, the Count had strayed from the King and Queen and climbed a tree to find them. But what he did see was the girl, a beautiful girl. He edged out further on the branch to secure a better look but the tree limb creaked. The girl heard the noise and placed on her mask as she ran from the well. He recognized her as the goose girl from the old woman’s cottage. He climbed down the tree as quickly as possible but the fair maiden had disappeared.

He found the King and Queen and said, "I think I have just seen your daughter. She probably went down this path." The three went hurriedly down the path and came upon the old woman’s house. They peered in the window and saw the old woman alone at her spinning wheel. They knocked softly and heard her response: "Enter. I was expecting you." They asked the old woman if she knew of her daughter, the Princess. The old woman rose from her stool and pointed a finger to the King and said, "Three years ago, you unjustly drove her away. She who was good, kind and pure as salt! She put out her hand, which was filled with salt and asked, "do you know the value of salt and therefore the love your child has for you?"

The King expressed his sorrow and beseeched the old woman to show him his daughter. A door opened and the Princess appeared. Everyone wept tears of joy but only the princess wept pearls. The King asked her forgiveness and said that he had no kingdom left to divide and that he had nothing of worth to give to her. The old woman said: "This child needs nothing. She is as the salt of the earth, pure, life giving and watched over. Her pearls are finer than those of the sea and she shall always have them."

Upon this comment, the old woman put up her hands and said that for the years the Princess spent tending her geese, the cottage was hers to keep. The kindly woman disappeared and the cottage changed into a beautiful palace.

In all of the commotion, the Count was overlooked and he began to go. The Queen stopped him and asked if there was any way that they could repay him for finding their daughter. The King offered his gold, the Queen offered the pearls. He looked at the Princess and asked if she would marry him. The Princess agreed…..

And they all lived happily ever after.

It would have to be tweaked a little, though.

[Ariel Western]

My suggestion is on a list:

Anastasia(Although Twenty Century Fox already produce it!)
Nutcracker (The same series with Sleeping Beauty)
The Swan Lake(The same series with Sleeping Beauty)

What's your suggestion?

I think every Disney classic is ruined after their sequel appeared!

[Wonderlicious]

We've had this discussion a few times before;

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... x+delights

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... x+delights

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... z&start=20

Anyways, there are a number of tales I'd love to see Disney produce into an animated musical film that could help revive 2D;

• *The Frog Prince
  *Puss in Boots
  *The Princess and the Pea
  *Tom Thumb
  *Hansel and Grettel
  *The Ugly Duckling
  *The Wizard of Oz
  *A Christmas Carol (starring animals!)
  *My Fair Lady (starring fish!)
  *Esio Trot
  *The Witches
  *Romeo and Juliet
  *A Midsummer Night's Dream

Wow, I've come up with more than a few titles!

[pinkrenata]

My Fair Lady (starring fish!)

Wow. Any particular reason you'd like fish to have a starring role?

[2099net]

Well, I used to think Box of Delights would make a good Disney film. After getting the TV series on DVD and watching it again over XMas, I'm not so sure.

It would need to be rewritten and rejigged. But it has a wonderful villain who I'm sure would go down as a Disney favourite. However, being as the villains dress as members of the clergy, this may be an issue for a "family company" like Disney.

[Gnomeo]

We know that Pixar "invents" stories. And Disney Animationimation will continue to "adapt" stories... the only difference with his brother Pixar, but ...

...What stories would you like to adapt Disney animation, in the future, as animation feature film?

And... what animation techniques? 2D or 3D?


My opinion:

#1 - AIDA - In 2D, and based in the Leonthyne Price fable or Guissepe Verdi opera (I like the Maria Callas version). I like the songs from the Broadway musical and Heather Headley

Concept art 1997 by Ben Balisteri.





#2 - THE SNOW QUEEN - In 3D/2D mix style Rapunzel, and based in the Hans Christian Andersen fable, and music by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.


#3 - GOOSE CHASE or SWAN LAKE- In 2D or 3D by Joe Harsha. Based in the Brother's Grimm fable/Tchaikovski ballet style Sleeping Beauty.


#4 - DON QUIXOTE - In 2D, based in the Ludwig Ballet version.


#5 - LADY OF THE LAKE - 2D or 3D indifferent. There are many legends about the Lady of the Lake, but a story that was nothing to do with Merlin, of course!!

[Mason_Ireton]

I like the Adia concept art, lil too cartoony but interesting design. kinda reminds me of Hercules' style.

My selections for possible Disney films

1. Dr.Jekyle/Mr. Hyde: Such a classic well known novel, such rich characters, alil few complexes in the story but I think it could boost up some energy for the animators.

2. Wizard Of OZ: Walt tried 2-3x to produce his take on the classic L.Frank Baum tale, if you look at WDT: Your Host, Walt Disney (Disc 1) you can see that a whole episode talks up bout the Mousekeeters possibly starring in a live action Wizard Of OZ. This is somethin that's longing for Animation to bring the magic of Oz to life.

[bluemoon86]

I would love Disney to do Swan Lake.

I also would love to see them do "The Princess and the Pauper" and an animated version of the book "Island of the Blue Dolphins"

[Marky_198]

I would love to see a 2d animated film of Aida!!!

They made some Disney Classics into Broadway shows, so why not the other way around?
I think it's the perfect story and setting (Africa, Egypt, Nubia) for an animated film.

[Mooky]

I like all your ideas, Gnomeo. But if it was my choice, they'd all be 2D (that's my fanboyism speaking).

And that "Aida" concept art looks nice, but it's more fitting for a movie like "Meet the Robinsons" or "The Emperor's New Groove". "Aida" is a serious piece and it deserves a "Hunchback" or "Sleeping Beauty" approach. Of course, Disney would have to find a way to tweak the ending a bit. The Broadway songs are amazing, but I'd like them to use that concept album/pop-stars versions, they sound more movie-like. If you don't believe me, just listen to Spice Girls' version of "My Strongest Suit".

[miklc]

Thats weird I was just thinking about this the other day. There are various novels, fairytales etc. that I would love Disney to create in the form of an animated movie. So off the top of my head here they are, also I invisage them all in traditional animation (some of you have even mentioned some of these):

The Snow Queen- We all now know that there's a possibility that Disney have choosen to develop this in the future so keep your fingers crossed. I think this could be truely amazing. When I think about it I imagine the sceney resembling the Winter Wonderland" segment of Melody Time and the Snow Queen's apperance being inspired by The Wicked Queen's

Swan Lake- This would be truely amazing, if they managed to capture that old age charm, prehaps drawing links from Sleeping Beauty

The Princess and the Pea- I think this would offer Disney so much creativity, they can't say that they've run out of fairytales now!

Romeo and Juliet- This too offers so much potential, obviously Disney would have to give it it's own little alterations (particulary the tragic ending, but hey it wouldn't be the first time, I mean look at The Little Mermaid!)

The Prince and the Pauper- I know that Disney have done this previously with Mickey and the gang, but I still think it would make for a fantastic DAC

Dracula- Now this would be something very different from the traditional Disney! As long as Disney were able to get the right mix of "horror" and comedy then I'm positive that this would work

Frankenstein- Again another horror novel, I'm thinking a Disney adaptation of it crossing Beauty and the Beast with The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Odessey- Now I only know the basic plot of this, but we've already has Hercules so why doesn't Disney turn to Ancient Greece again for inspiration?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses- We all know how well loved the Disney Princesses are, imagine with this film Disney could create 12 new princesses lol! Still this would be wonderful to see

Rumpelstiltskin- Like Rapunzel I've always wondered why Disney haven't attempted this before!

Well off the top of my head this is what I can come up with so far, I look forward to hearing what other ideas people have, if I think of any more I'll be sure to post them

[Wonderlicious]

We've had a million other posts like this, and it wouldn't surprise me if this got merged, but I'll play anyway. I guess that there's pros and cons to adapting most stories, and there are some obvious cons in some of these, but some ones that could be interesting to see include (with favourites with a star by them):

The Snow Queen*
Tom Thumb*
Gulliver's Travels*
Don Quixote
Puss in Boots*
William Tell*
Twelve Dancing Princesses
The Nutcracker
The Wild Swans*
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Romeo and Juliet
Dick Whittington*
Hansel and Gretel
The Bremen Town Musicians*
Rumpelstiltskin
Dracula*
Jack and the Beanstalk*
Pygmalion (as in George Bernard Shaw's play - not the Greek myth)
Around the World in 80 Days
The Princess and the Pea*
The Wizard of Oz*

Also, I think that live-action/animation "biopic" based on the lives of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm could work quite well. I've always thought a few Mickey shorts/featurettes based on classic stories could be quite good. I've personally imagined versions of Treasure Island and The Gingerbread Man could work well. As a matter of fact, blasphemous as it sounds, I wouldn't mind Disney making another package feature or two...

As for the Aida designs...considering that it's supposed to be a serious story, the style looks way too cartoony. And just because it's Egyptian, it doesn't have to have a mummy in it...

[ajmrowland]

I like the style for Aida, even if it is a serious story. Granted, I never saw the musical, so I doubt I have much in terms of credibility with this statement.

[rs_milo_whatever]

I like all your ideas, Gnomeo. But if it was my choice, they'd all be 2D (that's my fanboyism speaking).

And that "Aida" concept art looks nice, but it's more fitting for a movie like "Meet the Robinsons" or "The Emperor's New Groove". "Aida" is a serious piece and it deserves a "Hunchback" or "Sleeping Beauty" approach.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that how concept art starts out? True, the animal sidekicks would take it down a notch into a cartoony setting, that was just the arguable formula of the 90's. Now that I think about it Aida would have been a perfect way for Disney to go back to traditional animation. I won't go as far to say that they missed a golden opportunity by going with The Princess and The Frog, because I can't really tell how that's gonna turn out. But I'm guessing maybe Disney is holding on to the idea to do Aida live-action... They should really do a weigh scale on which they're gonna do it as, if they're gonna do it, as soon as possible because either way I would love seeing either.

[Mooky]

I like all your ideas, Gnomeo. But if it was my choice, they'd all be 2D (that's my fanboyism speaking).

And that "Aida" concept art looks nice, but it's more fitting for a movie like "Meet the Robinsons" or "The Emperor's New Groove". "Aida" is a serious piece and it deserves a "Hunchback" or "Sleeping Beauty" approach.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that how concept art starts out? True, the animal sidekicks would take it down a notch into a cartoony setting, that was just the arguable formula of the 90's.

You're right, it's just that the whole idea presented by this concept art wreaks of something like "The Road to El Dorado" (a movie I loved, btw). And it sort of seems they wanted to make Amneris the villain, which she most certainly isn't.

[DisneyJedi]

We know that Pixar "invents" stories. And Disney Animationimation will continue to "adapt" stories... the only difference with his brother Pixar, but ...

...What stories would you like to adapt Disney animation, in the future, as animation feature film?

And... what animation techniques? 2D or 3D?


My opinion:

#1 - AIDA - In 2D, and based in the Leonthyne Price fable or Guissepe Verdi opera (I like the Maria Callas version). I like the songs from the Broadway musical and Heather Headley

Concept art 1997 by Ben Balisteri.

Dang!

Is that really the concept art?! Looks neat! Though I can't say that I like Amneris's look in this. She looks beyond creepy, compared to how she looked in the show.

However, the art reminds me in a way of the animation style used in Hercules.

But there IS good news. There are rumors of an Aida movie by Disney.

Bad news is that it'll be live action. So the animation's out.

Grrr! It's not FAIR! I REALLY WANT TO SEE IT AS AN ANIMATED FEATURE, DAMN IT!!!

Still, it would have been neat if they WERE doing this as an animated feature.

[toonaspie]

I've developed a full story concept for a Russian folk legend. There's a billion titles and versions of the story but I think it's normall called "Prince Ivan, The Phoenix, and the Grey Wolf". I imagined all the characters, their names, their personalities, and the entire story from beginning to end in a Disney fashion. It's also a great way to get an actual fairy tale where the prince is the main character instead of the princess.

I dunno if it would work best in 2d or 3d though. I think it might work best in the realist 3d concept Disney's planning for "Rapunzel".

[ajmrowland]

The Pearl Princess sounds like a real good story! I'd like that to be adapted into Disney Animation better than half of what's been mentioned here!