The enchanting world of Disney, where fairy tales come to life and dreams are made. But, believe it or not, not every Disney classic was destined for a family-friendly audience. In fact, one of the most beloved Disney princess films almost received an R-rating, leaving fans scratching their heads. The 1998 film, Mulan, was originally slated to be a more mature and edgy production, with a darker tone and more intense action sequences. The film’s director, Barry Cook, revealed in an interview that the movie was initially intended to be rated R due to its depiction of war, violence, and mature themes.
The Original R-Rated Script: A Departure from Disney Tradition
A Glimpse into the Past: Enchanted’s Development
When Enchanted premiered in 2007, it was a totally different climate for Disney. The animation industry was in the middle of a major change from traditional hand-drawn techniques to computer-generated imagery. DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise was turning the fairy tale genre on its head to great success. And Disney chose to release their first hybrid live-action and animated film since Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1998). The film headlined some of the biggest stars of the time, including Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon, and Idina Menzel and showcased a relatively green Amy Adams. Enchanted sat in development at Disney for almost ten years. And what began as a film potentially capitalizing on modern audiences’ disillusionment with fairy tales became a nod and homage to the genre. What resulted was a major box-office success that totally turned its own more seedy origins on its head and openly mocked Disney traditions while also reinventing them.
From R-Rated to Family-Friendly: The Script’s Transformation
Disney’s Enchanted has a fairly simple premise. It begins with a maiden named Giselle (Adams) who lives in an animated fantasy world waiting for “true love’s kiss” from her prince in the kingdom of Andalasia. Unbeknownst to Giselle, the evil Queen Narissa (Sarandon) — stepmother to Prince Edward (James Marsden) — vows to stay in power and prevent her stepson from inheriting the throne upon his marriage. So, when Edward and Giselle meet and fall immediately in love, planning to marry shortly thereafter, Narissa does everything in her power to stop it. Narissa disguises herself as an old hag and pushes Giselle into a well as the young bride-to-be is en route to be wed. Giselle is thrust into the real world where she has to learn to navigate the mean streets of New York City with her sunny and ill-fitted disposition. Related: A Controversial Disney Film Cut an Important Scene That Could’ve Changed the Story Entirely There are many controversial Disney films out there, but one that was both beloved and problematic could’ve been very different with a deleted scene. The clash between the animated world of Disney tropes and real-life NYC makes for some fun comedic moments. Disney knocks itself for its many repeated clichés over the years, specifically in its princess films. Giselle attempts to serenade rats and other animals on the streets, recruiting them to assist in cleaning at one point. She and Prince Edward (who follows her into the real world) randomly break into song, much to the chagrin of Giselle’s real-world begrudging rescuer, Robert (Dempsey). Disney songwriting veterans Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz even wrote the songs for the film. Overall, it’s a sugary-sweet, good-hearted movie even when it’s mocking its own production company. A surprising fact about the wholesomeness of Enchanted is that it was once meant to be a more adult-type film. Director Kevin Lima mentioned in a 2007 USA Today article that the movie was optioned about eight years prior to its release and “was a much racier R-rated movie.” In the book Family Films in Global Cinema: The World Beyond Disney it’s mentioned that in an initial draft of the script, Giselle would have been mistaken for a stripper when she first landed in New York. And it would have largely taken inspiration from other films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and American Pie. Original writer, Bill Kelly, saw very little left of his original script (purchased initially by Disney’s adult production company, Touchstone) after Disney had reworked it multiple times. Kelly said of all the changes, “I was so frustrated. I put it in the past. I just moved on.” Enchanted Movie Details Director • Kevin Lima Screenwriter • Bill Kelly Music • Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz Runtime • 107 Minutes United States Release Date • November 21, 2007Still, it would be Kelly who would rewrite the script’s final draft. In 2005, Disney commissioned Kelly to write another version. This time, Kelly worked closely with director Kevin Lima to develop a script that was both comedic and heartwarming, while still retaining some of the original’s edgy spirit.
A New Direction: Enchanted’s Success and Impact
The film’s major box-office success and its impact on Disney’s future projects. The implications of Enchanted’s departure from traditional Disney fare. The film’s influence on future Disney movies and their tone.
The Movie’s Premise and Themes
A Fairy Tale in the Real World
Enchanted’s premise is simple yet effective: a princess from an animated fairy tale world, Giselle, is thrust into the real world of New York City. This clash of worlds creates a unique comedic and heartwarming narrative. Giselle’s optimistic and naive outlook clashes with the cynicism and realism of modern life, leading to both hilarious misunderstandings and touching moments of personal growth.
Subverting Disney Expectations: A Self-Aware Approach
Enchanted is a film that knowingly plays with and pokes fun at the conventions of Disney fairy tales. The film’s use of humor and satire to comment on its own genre. The significance of Enchanted’s self-aware approach in the context of modern cinema. The film’s use of humor and satire to comment on its own genre. The significance of Enchanted’s self-aware approach in the context of modern cinema.
A Heartfelt Message: Love and Self-Discovery
Beneath the comedic surface, Enchanted is a film about love, self-discovery, and the importance of embracing one’s true self. Giselle’s journey from a naive princess who believes in happily ever afters to a more confident and independent woman is both relatable and heartwarming. The film’s message of finding love and happiness in unexpected places resonates with audiences of all ages.
The Making of Enchanted: Cast, Crew, and Music
A Talented Cast: Bringing Enchanted to Life
The film boasts a stellar cast, with Amy Adams giving a breakout performance as the optimistic and endearing Giselle. Patrick Dempsey brings his charming persona to Robert, the cynical lawyer who reluctantly helps Giselle navigate the real world. Susan Sarandon delivers a deliciously evil performance as the scheming Queen Narissa. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the supporting cast adds depth and humor to the film.
A Dream Team: Director Kevin Lima and Screenwriter Bill Kelly
Director Kevin Lima brings his experience in animation and live-action to Enchanted, creating a film that seamlessly blends these two mediums. Writer Bill Kelly’s initial script, while drastically altered, provided the foundation for the film’s unique premise and witty humor. The collaboration between Lima and Kelly resulted in a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
A Musical Masterpiece: The Songs of Enchanted
Enchanting is filled with memorable songs that enhance the story and characters. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, the renowned songwriting duo behind classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, penned the film’s score. The songs are catchy, heartfelt, and perfectly complement the film’s tone, adding an extra layer of magic to the already enchanting experience.
Conclusion
As we delve into the fascinating story of how an 18-year-old Disney Princess film almost received an R-rating, it’s clear that the Disney brand has always walked a fine line between creating wholesome entertainment for children and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The article reveals that the 2001 film “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” was initially intended to have a more mature tone, with darker themes and more intense action sequences. However, ultimately, Disney decided to tone down the film’s content to appeal to a broader audience.
The significance of this story lies in its reflection of Disney’s ongoing struggle to balance creative freedom with commercial appeal. As the article notes, the studio’s willingness to take risks and experiment with new storytelling approaches often clashes with the need to maintain its family-friendly image. This dichotomy has led to some of Disney’s most iconic and beloved films, but also to controversy and debate over the years. The implications of this story are far-reaching, as it highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the audience’s expectations while also allowing artists to explore new themes and ideas.
As we look to the future of Disney’s storytelling endeavors, it’s clear that the studio will continue to face similar challenges. With the rise of streaming services and changing audience preferences, Disney must navigate the delicate balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal. Will the studio continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, or will it opt for a more conservative approach to maintain its family-friendly brand? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the story of “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” serves as a reminder that even the most iconic and beloved films are the result of careful consideration and calculated risk-taking.