Top Five Animated Films that Underwent Major Production Changes

Any change in a stories script can create month of work for the production team. These can be anything from script changes to actor health issues. A major reworking half way through could result in the scrapping of a project or a completely new movie.

These five films (one of which is still in production) have seen major reworkings in mid production.
Check it out after the break!

Number 5 : Ratatouille

“I’ve always believed with hard work and a little bit of luck,
it’s only a matter of time before I’m discovered!”
– Remy

Ratatouille the family friendly tale of believing you can become anything was originally directed by Jan Pinkava and was supposed to be his first full length animated feature film. It was he who fleshed out most of the story of this rat becoming a chef. However, Pixar was worried about the direction of the film and felt pressured as this film was the first outside of the original Disney-Pixar deal. 

The story goes that due to a lack of confidence by Pixar in Pinkava's story direction he was replaced in 2005 by Brad Bird who had works like The Iron Giant (1998) under his belt. Bird came in just 18 months to spare which in animation terms is more then half way through production.

The details of the exact changes were never released (outside of Bird changing the looks and feel of the rats to make them more amenable to audiences).  Although, Pinkava in a 2008 interview with Animated-Views.com is quoted as saying "Where the movie differs most from the story I imagined is in its tone, in the story's core idea and in Remy's character. Perhaps this is, at least in part, a matter of... 'European Sensibility'."

Pinkava who got a Co-director credit in the film did also  receive an Oscar nomination  for best original screen play.

Number 4 : Shrek

Dreamwork's beloved Ogre who has become his very own meme, but many don't know that the voice of Shrek is actually completely different then the original project.

Mike Meyer's wasn't the first choice the the great green lug. Chris Farley the original actor for everyone favorite ogre sadly died in 1997. Meyers then came in and they had to re-record the role from scratch. Everyone loves Meyer's Shrek but if you'd like to hear Farley's version you can view it HERE

Number 3: Toy Story 2 and 3

Toy Story 2 like many of Disney sequels was originally scheduled to be a straight to video. The film was originally planned to run for about an hour until Disney after seeing the work in progress on the film ordered a full length sequel. This caused the company to have to rework the films script fleshing out most of the story to better hash out the plot. 

Toy story 3 was originally developed by Disney without any involvement from Pixar. This was due to the companies being at odds and thinking of going separate ways. The plot of the film involved things like Buzz being sent to Taiwan for repairs, with malfunctions of other toys becoming a problem and the toys trying to get to the root of the issue.

Another script for a straight to dvd involved the Toys being sent off to Andy's grandmothers house which wasn't a nice place apparently. 

After Disney officially purchased Pixar in 2006 and John Lasseter was given control lead over Toy Story the production finally found its ground and the dvd sequel idea was scrapped and the production on the Toy Story 3 we received began.  

Toy Story 4 is expected in 2019. Hopefully they haven't had as many issues with it as the last two.

Number 2: How to Train Your Dragon 3

Still in production sources tell us that the story for Dragons 3 has only recently been finalized. With only 18 month left until its expected delivery date this puts pressure on the production staff to work overtime. Dialogue will have to be re done, animations and scenes changed etc. Still I'm confident they will deliver a great film.

Number 1 : Zootopia

Zootopia! Animated Film of the year for 2016! One of my favorite Disney films to date. The story had many many version go through the cycle. It was a spy movie at one point! How awesome would that have been? who knows, but the other concept is something I really wish to see.

 In this one version Nick was the lead character focus, in a dystopian sort of society where predators were forced to wear TAME" collars. These collars which all prey were told were there to keep the "savage predators" under control, shocked preds for becoming excited from anything! Anger, sadness, fear, joy, any emotion that was just a mute version of itself gave a shock.

Nick in this version gets the idea to open an amusement park where predators can be free of the collars and enjoy themselves. After being denied loans from every bank in the city however he is forced to seek help from a mobster. He goes on to create is park in secret, even has a secret entrance disguised as a health clinic (vet clinic, HaHa). Eventually Judy (who is the protagonist in the final film) catches on to Nick operation, partly on accident which would lead to unintended consequences that had the two working together and Judy learning the horrible truth of the collars and their effects.

Disney eventually decided the plot would be too dark if they went with this story. Shame, I loved the little bit of concept we received and actually wish Disney would do it as some sort of alternate narrative or prequel. Chances are like abysmally low, but hey it won multiple awards so a sequel is almost a guarantee, eventually, maybe, Please?

Anyway if you wish to see more about what Zootopia could have been check out the video(s) below!

So what are your favorite animated films? What kind of changes did they go through during production? Let us know in the comments below!