7 Disney Princesses Who Never Came to Be

The world of animated Disney characters is a magical and exclusive one—I like to imagine it being guarded by the sort of golden gates that surrounded King Triton’s underwater Little Mermaid castle. And the Disney princesses are an even more elite squad—a group of gutsy, gorgeous heroines whom, I have recently learned from reading Disney trivia, never make eye contact when portrayed together.

One thing that’s helped them keep the clique tight over the years: scrapped, changed, or otherwise delayed Disney projects that just might have yielded new candidates for the tiara—or at least the unofficial princesses brigade that boasts just as many fans.

Odette, Swan Lake

Nest Entertainment later interpreted the tale with an animated movie called The Swan Princess, which was directed by a former Disney animation director, Richard Rich—but before that, in 1993, it planned a more classic version of the iconic ballet, then canceled it. Perhaps that Odette would’ve made the cut, because Princess‘s protagonist, despite having the key word right there in her film’s title, did not. [Eds. note: Several Disney-savvy readers have pointed out that The Swan Princess was actually directed by a former Disney animator but produced by another company. Since Disney did scrap a Swan Lake adaptation, we’ll still call Odette a missed opportunity.]

Lady-Newt, Newt

In 2010, Disney canned an expensive joint venture with Pixar, one that was supposed to find a male and female newt on a quest to save their species. She would’ve looked a little something like the above, taken from a fan-trailer of sketches the movie was to be based on. Now, I know Pixar creatures aren’t typically in line for the throne, but I think this little lady could’ve broken into the ranks. And speaking of Pixar…

Princess Vanellope, Wreck-It Ralph

Though Sarah Silverman’s sassy anime-ego is revealed, in the film, to be the princess of Sugar Rush, she is apparently ineligible for Disney princess ranks (according to the Wiki) because she rejected her title to become president. Let that sink in for a minute.

Hebe and or Megara, Hercules II

Disney decided not to go forward with Hercules II, a video sequel that would’ve found the title character with his wife (Megara) and daughter (Hebe) in Athens. Boo, I would’ve enjoyed a toga-party princess.

Aida

What later became a Broadway hit was originally envisioned as a Disney animated film before production was shut down in 1997. Audra McDonald was to have voiced the title character. (Disney reportedly later explored a live-action version starring Beyonce, but that never went anywhere either.)

Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle, Swabbies

Obviously Minnie doesn’t need the accolades, but Donald Duck’s and Goofy’s female counterparts sure could’ve used some recognition. Swabbies, which was pretty far along before Disney nixed it in 1989, would have found Mickey, Donald, and Goofy joining the Navy—and meeting the lady characters, who are already enlisted and kicking butt. In other words, they would’ve had much bigger stuff to do than embrace their triumphant men, as in the above Three Musketeers scene.

Gwen Stefani, Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster

OK, so maybe being the centerpiece of an attraction doesn’t make you a Disney princess—but Gwen must have been psyched when Disneyland planned a No Doubt-themed version of the famous Florida coaster. It’s pretty much as close to princess-ship as any real-life human could come, but the ride never came to be.

Who are your favorite non-princess Disney heroines?

P.S. This article was update to reflect that Nest Entertainment made The Swan Princess.

Photo: ABC, Disney, Splash, IMDB