Don Bluth's Dracula and other unknown projects

[AnimatorX]

Don.

I hope this isn't an off-limits topic, but a few of my fellow animators here in Los Angeles told me about your DRACULA project that was abandoned in the 90's (80's? ) Can you tell us a bit about that? Or is it under wraps ( for legal purposes )?

I heard awesome things about it, that it was to be dark, and scary. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

[lavallelee]

interesting.. im curious too

hopefully some characters to be in the ragbag :)

[CanAur]

AnimatorX
I changed the topic name.

Here is an interesting Don Bluth's "Beauty and the beast" old concept art. :)
http://www.prodisney.ru/images/facts/14.jpg

[AnimatorX]

Oh gosh. I remember that image. And that's ALL I remember of that. It's too bad Disney got to it first. But then, man does not live by fairy tales alone. Don's capable of telling any kind of story. I think he's better at doing darker material, but that's just one fellow's opinion.

[Don Bluth]

Don.

I hope this isn't an off-limits topic, but a few of my fellow animators here in Los Angeles told me about your DRACULA project that was abandoned in the 90's (80's? ) Can you tell us a bit about that? Or is it under wraps ( for legal purposes )?

I heard awesome things about it, that it was to be dark, and scary. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Dracula was a very interesting project. It was shelved because of story problems. The first pass at the story played Dracula as the hero - a not too sympathetic one, you can imagine, since he went about the city biting people on the neck. We originally thought we could find some form of redemption in this infamous vampire, but we failed. I couldn't help notice, however, that a vampire series called, "Angel," appeared on TV shortly thereafter. scripted by Joss Whedon. Wait a minute, Isn't Joss Whedon the same writer that sat in on the story meetings hired by Fox to write the Dracula script? Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

[AnimatorX]

Really? Joss Whedon? That IS a major coincidence!

*copyright copyight copyright script register with writers guild hire lawyer*

[zanekohler]

Ha wow that is interesting. Getting some great juicy behind the scenes stories :D

[lavallelee]

any chance to see concept art from the dracula project??

[admin]

any chance to see concept art from the dracula project??

We don't have access to the artwork. It is in the archives of 20th Century Fox.

[lavallelee]

understood, still would of been cool to see

[Wearedoomed]

Dracula was a very interesting project. It was shelved because of story problems. The first pass at the story played Dracula as the hero - a not too sympathetic one, you can imagine, since he went about the city biting people on the neck. We originally thought we could find some form of redemption in this infamous vampire, but we failed. I couldn't help notice, however, that a vampire series called, "Angel," appeared on TV shortly thereafter. scripted by Joss Whedon. Wait a minute, Isn't Joss Whedon the same writer that sat in on the story meetings hired by Fox to write the Dracula script? Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle.

That's extremely interesting, Mr. Bluth! Given the usual Vampire mythology, it'd be hard to show Dracula in an heroic light...Unless the story was written as to where the whole story of Dracula was exaggerated due to increasing paranoia? Say like Dracula is the first Vampire, and that he only tries using his gifts for good, but after some sort of horrific mishap, the humans automatically condemn him as an evil entity and the movie would've been him trying to prove them wrong.

"But, Doomed, if it were just about his struggles, who would be a fitting antagonist?" you ask? Well, given what I've written so far, the enemy would be in my opinion one of the toughest enemies you could pit him against: Himself. Like anyone, this confused and conflicted Vampire would surely have a dark side which embraces his powers and tries to assume full moral control of the "hero". So, not only could you focus on a redemption theme, you could also utilize the concept of morals/choices! :)

[johncbeggs]

That's extremely interesting, Mr. Bluth! Given the usual Vampire mythology, it'd be hard to show Dracula in an heroic light...Unless the story was written as to where the whole story of Dracula was exaggerated due to increasing paranoia? Say like Dracula is the first Vampire, and that he only tries using his gifts for good, but after some sort of horrific mishap, the humans automatically condemn him as an evil entity and the movie would've been him trying to prove them wrong.

"But, Doomed, if it were just about his struggles, who would be a fitting antagonist?" you ask? Well, given what I've written so far, the enemy would be in my opinion one of the toughest enemies you could pit him against: Himself. Like anyone, this confused and conflicted Vampire would surely have a dark side which embraces his powers and tries to assume full moral control of the "hero". So, not only could you focus on a redemption theme, you could also utilize the concept of morals/choices! :)

30 days of night, was an awesome movie and at the end He himself was a vampire and sacrificed himself. :)

[Wearedoomed]

To be completely honest, I've never seen that movie lol.

[johncbeggs]

To be completely honest, I've never seen that movie lol.

30 days of night is one of the few scary shows I actually like, I thought it was a cool idea to make a film of vampires like that :)

go watch it! it gets a little too bloody tho lol

[feliceworkshop]

well, since we're on the topic of unknown projects ......
I've found this incredible video on YouTube:
0WHDRFl0rSs

....I kinda discovered an article that briefly mentions the project here:
http://www.cataroo.com/DBwalk.html

...well I know that more likely I will be reprimended for stepping on a off-limit topic... but I must at list give it a shot. My question to you mr.Bluth is: how far into production the animation managed to get? ....will you ever disclose more animated clips from this project?....
Thank you, and sorry for intruding.

[Wearedoomed]

30 days of night is one of the few scary shows I actually like, I thought it was a cool idea to make a film of vampires like that :)

go watch it! it gets a little too bloody tho lol

Don't worry, man. It'll take a lot more then a lil' blood to creep me out lol. I'll be sure to put it on my Netflix at some point.

[BrioCyrain]

Dracula would make an interesting hero, he could of made it more of a parody movie like some of those 80s/90s cartoons do with "old material". Maybe Dracula just had "long teeth" and somehow he tripped on someone and accidently bit them, and after the supposed victim sees blood dripping off their neck and see his long teeth they shout "Vampire"....and it goes on from there.

Yeah wierd ideas but that what happens when your also a writer kind of guy.

I would love to see another Beauty and the Beast since I don't see why Disney would have full control over a book's copyright.

Maybe he could do something like Norse Mythology? It won't be impending on Disney's Hercules line up.

[Hana]

Ahahaha that's a pretty funny take on vampire. Poor guy.

I think the problem with taking on Beauty and the Beast is that many people might frown upon it for perhaps being too close to Disney/ripping off Disney even if they're not. Also that there is a lot to live up to as Beauty and the Beast is arguably one of Disney's best of their renaissance period.

[Moneyguns]

I heard that The Land Before Time got a pant load of footage cut out of it because it was to frightening and had to much paril and stress for the characters. Any one know if that's true?
It does have a lot of random and unexplained transitions in it.

[OwenWelsh]

I heard that The Land Before Time got a pant load of footage cut out of it because it was to frightening and had to much paril and stress for the characters. Any one know if that's true?
It does have a lot of random and unexplained transitions in it.

Yup Spielberg and Lucas cut out some of the T-rex scenes, it was simply too frightening for the children. I could have handled it!!! This isn't the only movie that had stuff cut from it many others had scenes removed, even Titan A.E. has some deleted scenes on the DVD. It kills me to think that animated scenes get cut, especially when it isn't warranted. The director should be KING of all editing decisions. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. You have to learn to share the power with the other little children.

http://www.cataroo.com/DBland.html

[Wearedoomed]

The director should be KING of all editing decisions. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. You have to learn to share the power with the other little children.
]

I agree. If Mr. Bluth were to go independent with LBT or even managed a clause into his contract that gave him complete creative control, chances are he would've kept those scenes in. If those scenes still ended up on the cutting room floor, he could've also restored them and released a Director's Cut edition. Personally I don't really understand the higher-ups' reasoning over the cut scenes. Mr. Bluth's other works had mature themes to them, characters dying, and other things (In NIMH, Justin said "Damn!" onscreen!) and NONE of that "psychologically damaged" me or anyone I know. So, how is a few extra minutes of a T-Rex and the main characters overcoming various obstacles any different?

What really intrigues me, though, is a rumored "original ending" to LBT. It would've saw the cast actually die and show that the Great Valley was ultimately the dinosaurs' interpretation of heaven. If that rumor was true, that would be one heck of an interesting watch. And I bet if Mr. Bluth would've known that the higher-ups were going to send LBT into a spiraling descent into DTV madness, he probably would've made that the definite ending. Also, it would teach children an interesting moral: That one cannot win ALL of the battles.

[Moneyguns]

What really intrigues me, though, is a rumored "original ending" to LBT. It would've saw the cast actually die and show that the Great Valley was ultimately the dinosaurs' interpretation of heaven. If that rumor was true, that would be one heck of an interesting watch.

That sounds like the saddest most depressing ending in history! Usually only dog movie's and war movie's make me cry but THAT would be a tear jerker.

If I were to make a movie I would never make it just for kids. If I'm going to make something, I'm going to make sure it's something I'd want to watch. Not that I'm saying that about The Land Before Time. I loved that movie, but it dose make me upset that it could have been more.

[Rodney]

I'm enjoying the discussion and find the subject of Dracula particularly interesting. I surely would have loved to have been able to sit in on those story meetings!

There is a twist on the vampire theme that I've never seen exploited.

We perhaps can never know all the facts about the real man who inspired the dracula mythos but therein lies the secret to cracking the script. For my part I'd find it utterly compeling to cast the count as a persecuted christian.

Following that basic premise would provide ample demonstration of how imagination creates such overpowering myths and how truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

[Wearedoomed]

I'm enjoying the discussion and find the subject of Dracula particularly interesting. I surely would have loved to have been able to sit in on those story meetings!

There is a twist on the vampire theme that I've never seen exploited.

We perhaps can never know all the facts about the real man who inspired the dracula mythos but therein lies the secret to cracking the script. For my part I'd find it utterly compeling to cast the count as a persecuted christian.

Following that basic premise would provide ample demonstration of how imagination creates such overpowering myths and how truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

So, you're basically saying that if you wrote it, the main themes would've been the extent of escalation/exaggeration? .....I could see that. :)

Also, I'm a bit confused with something; since during those times Christianity was a major influence, why would a Christian be persecuted by other Christians? If he were an Atheist or a "heretic", maybe, that could work. OR, say he became the first vampire and (because of his power) slowly began seeing himself as a divine deity, the villagers/townspeople could see that as a direct insult to their beliefs. With those things in mind, you could go in many directions with a vampire story.

[Rodney]

Also, I'm a bit confused with something; since during those times Christianity was a major influence, why would a Christian be persecuted by other Christians? If he were an Atheist or a "heretic", maybe, that could work. OR, say he became the first vampire and (because of his power) slowly began seeing himself as a divine deity, the villagers/townspeople could see that as a direct insult to their beliefs. With those things in mind, you could go in many directions with a vampire story.

One doesn't have to look at the history of religion for long to begin to understand how things like this happen. The simple test is that those who persecute others generally aren't christians. Those who follow Christ (hence the label christians) would rather die themselves than participate in such acts.

Anyone labeled a heretic usually got the special treatment so its a safe bet that if the Count ran afoul of those in power he was labeled a heretic.

While its great fun and entertaining to believe in vampires the closest the world has seen to such a creature is in the from those who prey on others who aren't able to protect themselves. Many of these folks may have believed they were creatures of the night but were simply deranged. We still have many who qualify, some dangerous, even in our day.

Prior to the advent of christianity the world was rife with ritualistic practices. As the new age dawned on mankind the old ways were abolished with no more need for blood sacrifices. However, those seeking power found fear and misunderstanding still fit their needs better and so they charged their enemies with practicing the sins of the past. All it usually took to remove their enemies was a false accusation (its hard to prove a negative). Mob mentality would handle the rest.

Of course its complicated than that and a supreme challenge for a film dealing with such a subject would be to keep it from being preachy or dogmatic. The focus should remain on how the main character is seen by others throughout.

The problem with my take on the story is that few audiences want to watch a vampire movie where the main charcter isn't really a vampire. The real work of the story would be to guide the viewers through the myth and legend, perhaps aided by the perspective of those who feared or hated the count. The transformation of one or two sympathetic charcters as they discover the count's true nature would help the audience's understanding.

The fact this man held the title of Count means something to us.
Perhaps it was his wealth others coveted. Perhaps it was thought that his acts or ommisions had to be undone or avenged. Perhaps others sought to possess the secret of eternal life which it was claimed he had.

Christians still remember the blood sacrifice (note the singular) in their modern day communion service. With the exception of those practices where the wine transforms into real blood and the bread to real flesh I find no reason why anyone involved would be considered vampires.

As far as I can tell, there are three roles for a historical Dracula; persecutor, persecuted or both at one time or another. It seems reasonable this man would start out as one and find himself transformed into the other.

It should be noted that in my take on the Dracula mythos the supernatural elements aren't real but are brought about by the fear, imagination and paranoia of all those participating (even the count). The primary plot of the story treats the mythos as utterly real but at the climax of the movie, reality comes crashing down as the truth behind the legend weaves its way back through history to reveal the mystery.

(Heading seriously off topic here so I'd be glad if someone brought us back. I'd love to hear more about Don Bluth's Dracula)

[Wearedoomed]

One doesn't have to look at the history of religion long to begin to understand how things like this happen. The simple test is that those who persecute others generally aren't christians. They'd rather die themselves than participate in the act.

Anyone that was labeled a heretic usually got the special treatment so its a safe bet that if the count ran afoul of those in power he was labeled a heretic.

While its great fun and entertaining to believe in vampires the closest the world has seen to such a creature is in the from those who prey on others who aren't able to protect themselves. Many of these folks may have believed they were creatures of the night but were simply deranged. We still have many who qualify, some even dangerous, even in this day.

Prior to the advent of christianity the world was rife with ritualistic practices. As the new age dawned on mankind the old ways were abolished with no more need for blood sacrifices. But those in positions of power found fear and misunderstanding to fit their needs better and so they charged their enemies with practicing the sins of the past. All it usually took to remove their enemies was a false accusation. Mob mentality would handle the rest.

Of course it gets more complicated than that and a supreme challenge of such a film would be to keep it from being preachy or dogmatic. The focus should remain on how the main character is seen throughout.

The problem with my take on the story is that few people might want to watch a vampire movie where the main charcter isn't really a vampire. The real work of the story would be to guide the viewers through the myth and legend, perhaps aided by the perspective of those who feared the count. The transformation of one or two sympathetic charcters as they discover the count's true nature would help those in the audience understand.

The fact this man was held the title Count means something to us.
Perhaps it was his wealth that was coveted. Perhaps it was thought that his acts or ommisions had to be undone. Perhaps it was to possess the secret of eternal life which it was claimed he had discovered.

Christians still recall the required blood sacrifice (note the singular) of the past in their modern days communion service. With the exception of those practices where the wine is said to transform into real blood and the bread to real flesh I find no logical reason to consider any of those involved vampires.

As far as I can tell, there are three roles for a historical Dracula to assume, persecutor, persecuted... or both at one time or another. It seems reasonable he would start as one and find himself transformed into the other.

It should be noted that in my take on the Dracula mythos the supernatural elements aren't real but are brought about by the fear, imagination and paranoia of all those participating (even the count). The primary plot of the story treats everything in the mythos as utterly real. At the climax of the movie, reality comes flooding in with the truth behind the legend weaving its way back through history revealing the mystery.

(Heading seriously off topic here so I'd be glad if someone brought us back. I'd love to hear more about Don Bluth's Dracula)

You bring out some good points, man. Personally, I think that take on Dracula's origins would be great on the big screen. It seems like too many vampire movies are the same. If you were to make this into a film (or even a television series), this would be a well-needed breath of fresh air for the vampire mythos. :D

[Rodney]

I think I set a new record for mispelled words and bad grammar in that last post. Apologies for where some of that made no sense. I'll try to go back and fix that.

One of the things that tires me of films in this day and age is how the line isn't just blurred between good and evil but completely transposed. Scriptwriters have crossed over the proverbial 180 degree character arc and created a doppleganger of the original character where there is effectively no difference between good and bad.

If roles are reversed too often that leaves very little room for clarity in storytelling and audiences and end up identifying with the wrong characters. Its confusing, so save those roleplayers for the tale twisting mysteries and who-dunnits okay?

Make the good guys liable to fall but able to stand. Make the bad guys bad and try to keep them bad as much as you can. When bad guys do good things its usually just a temporary relapse.

Solid characterisations will make more sense in context of the story and will in turn enhance it.

[Wearedoomed]

I think I set a new record for mispelled words and bad grammar in that last post. Apologies for where some of that made no sense. I'll try to go back and fix that.

One of the things that tires me of films in this day and age is how the line isn't just blurred between good and evil but completely transposed. Scriptwriters have crossed over the proverbial 180 degree character arc and created a doppleganger of the original character where there is effectively no difference between good and bad.

If roles are reversed too often that leaves very little room for clarity in storytelling and audiences and end up identifying with the wrong characters. Its confusing, so save those roleplayers for the tale twisting mysteries and who-dunnits okay?

Make the good guys liable to fall but able to stand. Make the bad guys bad and try to keep them bad as much as you can. When bad guys do good things its usually just a temporary relapse.

Solid characterisations will make more sense in context of the story and will in turn enhance it.

I see what you mean. But, to me though, one of the most lethal villains a hero could be against is one who he believes, no matter how evil the act, that's he's ultimately doing good. A couple VERY good examples of such villains are Prince Nuada (from Hellboy II: The Golden Army) and Ozymandias (from Watchmen).

*Spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn't seen either film*

--> Prince Nuada, though the central antagonist, was only trying to reactivate the Golden Army preserve/save his father's Elven kingdom; especially since it became more of an underground society due to the overwhelming expansion of mankind. Sure, he killed some humans, sent an Earth Spirit to terrorize the city, and nearly ended Hellboy's life a couple times; the fact is, while he was an adversary, he acted that way because of his disgust with the human race and his strong desire to see his world restored to it's former glory.

--> Ozymandias can be best described as more of an "Anti-villain" then the former. He's a retired superhero who spends time building a series of powerful reactors that use the same energy as their co-creator, Dr. Manhattan. Since the story takes place in an alternate timeline which sees the United States and Russia on the brink of nuclear war, the machines were being designed to counteract Russia's weaponry (in case of war starting). Near the end, he's revealed to be responsible for the murder of a former superhero that kicks off the events of the comic/movie (and throwing the others off his scent via elaborate means). The other heroes ultimately fail to prevent him from activating the reactors as he secretly intended; as powerful weapons placed in several major cities scattered across the planet. And since they used the same cosmic energy as Dr. Manhattan, he is sequentially blamed by the panicking media and referred to as the countries' "common enemy". Ozymandias reveals to have done this as a means to end the overheating tension between the two countries by scaring them greatly enough to force them into a truce. So, he made world peace a reality AND practically prevented World War III, but at the cost of millions of lives.

[Rodney]

I see what you mean.
I don't mean to suggest that good intentions on the part of either a hero or a villian might go awry or that someone with bad motives might not bring about the greater good. However, I think storytellers can get lost in the transition of it to the point we end up not caring anymore.

Watchmen is a special case.
Alan Moore was writing an expose of how heroes might work in the real world and how their mere presense could alter the course of history. I think its important to consider that the characters in the movie were originally planned to be the old superheroes from Charltan comics that had recently been purchased by DC comics as well. The story of how the characters changed can be found online but the basic summary is that the powers that be at DC Comics deemed the more mature storyline might have a negative impact on merchandizing of these old characters and it wasn't worth the risk. Better to make them entirely new characters. So that's what they did.

It is interesting that the change to new characters had something of a unintented consequence. When the characters were the old Charlton heroes (Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, etc.) there was already a recognition and an associated investment on the part of readers who were familiar with the old chracters. When the characters took on new personas that connection with the reader was broken and a new rapport with the new characters had to be wholy invented and established. While te new characters are interesting and even sympathetic at times this had a rather unfortunate effect of having the readers (viewers in the case of the movie) care less about the fate of the characters because they didn't have time to get to know them better.

I liked the film but I imagine much of that is because I enjoyed seeing how well it was translated from the comic.
For the record I thought they did an outstanding job.

Keep in mind that just because Dracula might do a good deed or two doesn't make him less evil. It would likely just make him more of a tragic character.

This gets us into the realm of archetypes and I can't help but think of the Cyber Garage Project's characters. In it the characters play against type but the caricatures play their part as well. The fox has a role to play with respect to the little rabbit. Is he evil just because he want's to eat poor Shasha? At its core I'd say most definitely but of course its going to more complicated than that.

[Wearedoomed]

Keep in mind that just because Dracula might do a good deed or two doesn't make him less evil. It would likely just make him more of a tragic character.

This gets us into the realm of archetypes and I can't help but think of the Cyber Garage Project's characters. In it the characters play against type but the caricatures play their part as well. The fox has a role to play with respect to the little rabbit. Is he evil just because he want's to eat poor Shasha? At its core I'd say most definitely but of course its going to more complicated than that.

I can see how that might happen. But, it must be taken into consideration that villains in comics/movies aren't born evil; they don't spend nine months in the womb twirling their mustache and going "MUH HAHAHAHAHAHA!!". They're made to be "evil" because they were victims of circumstance. Something had to happen to make them think that they had been wronged or they were just desperate. For example, in Pixar's UP, the main "antagonist" was a kindhearted adventurer who went to South America to find a living specimen of a rare bird after the skeleton he found was considered a fake by skeptical scientists to prove it was the real deal. While the intentions were good, he was eventually driven insane by his own obsession of finding one. Yes, I know there are classic, stereotypically greedy villains who want to rule the world and loathe the hero with a passion and whatnot; and I'm a fan of the Ratigans and Dr. Evils, but the more realistic villains are those who were created to be so via circumstance and/or desperation. You could say that Dracula was a "antagonist" when he first became a vampire, but it was only because the uber-religious people wouldn't leave him alone, thus he was desperate to protect himself and make the community stop persecuting him.

As far as the "Cyber Garage Project" goes, I don't really keep an eye on it lol. But, with the fox trying to eat a rabbit, I wouldn't necessarily call him "evil", either. Sure, in the rabbit's POV, the fox can seem antagonistic, but all it really is is just pure animal instinct. The fox was raised on meat like chickens, rabbits, anything it's parents killed and brought back to the den. So, the fox sees the rabbit as food because he's simply hungry and sees the rabbit as food. That's all it is as far as that goes: Instinct and hunger. How the fox couldn't simply go through a Drive-Thru, though, is completely beyond me..:laughing:

[well]

Hello, I would like to know if there are any storyboards, model sheets or anything else from Don Bluth's Beauty and the Beast ( it sounds beautiful by the way .. Don Bluth's Beauty and the Beast).

[samuelvictorjones]

What really intrigues me, though, is a rumored "original ending" to LBT. It would've saw the cast actually die and show that the Great Valley was ultimately the dinosaurs' interpretation of heaven. If that rumor was true, that would be one heck of an interesting watch.

That's pretty much STILL how the film ends, it just depends on how you interpret it. As a child I completely thought the "Great Valley" was their heaven. Ending up at a "real" great ~Valley would not be a happy ending, as we all know what happened to the dinosaurs in the end! Showing that although the Dinosaurs all died out, as far as they knew themselves they were in a magical place where they were all perpetually well, happy and with the ones they loved is a far nicer ending.

Essentially all they'd have had to do to make this a definite ending rather than implied, would be to have Littlefoot meet his mother there in one last shot. I prefer it left out and being ambiguous however, incase younger kids are upset by the idea.

As far as the Dracula project goes, a few weeks ago when I asked Don about some more macabre ideas for animation in the seminar, he talked in some detail about the project, and I found it fascinating.

Learning that Joss Wheadon was involved or at least sat in at script meetings is very interesting to say the least. Don mentioned with some (jokingly?) irony that it was before "Angel", but I'd be interested to know whether it was before Joss made the Buffy series, or the original Buffy movie (as far back as 1991 in development, which I'm pretty sure is before Don moved to Fox?).

Joss has always been interested in vampire projects based in the real world, as far as I'm aware, so I can understand him either being interested in this project's development, or, even being brought in as consultant, depending on his level of success with Fox at the time...

[danparkerstudios]

Now, a while ago, I was looking at Don's other incomplete projects on Cataroo website and Wikipedia.

Well, Don's Beauty and the Beast is already mentioned here. And Don still wants to make his Dragons Lair movie.

On the sites, he had plans to make two whale movies; one called The Baby Blue Whale and Song Of The Ice Whale. These would have been similar to Bambi.

He also planned to make a film adaptaton of a book called "Satyrday".

Didn't he had plans to make a Hansel And Gretel film and a Rapunzle film as well.

And I know Don hated The Pebble and the Penguin, but let's know that it had a script and characters change multi-times by MGM. Wasn't it called The Penguin Story?

What about My Fair Lady and Barlowe's Inferno, and Ice Age as 2D?

[well]

I wrote an article about Don Bluth's beauty and the beast, here: www.theredanimation.canalblog.com. :)

[OriginalGagBonkers]

I know that its obvious that there are ideas that are planned but don't get off the drawing board. I heard about Don Bluth doing Beauty and the Beast, but it was a joke from my older brother who didnt like animation from Bluth. But little did I know, he had planned on it. I think we would have gotten something different out of it than the legendary Disney take of it. Then again, something that isn't made brings people to wonder with questions that have no answers.

I am curious to know what Dracula would have been like. In my own view, it may be difficult to bring a dark character that has been portrayed as a bad guy to a good guy. Unless if some effort with a person with good imagination with a love for fantasy and horror has their shot on the script then it is a solid good movie. Say Don. Aside from asking if there is any concept artwork of this along with storyboards of the sequences that were not animated, were you trying to aim for a PG13 rating for Dracula? Or at least the PG rating? It sounds like it would have gone in that direction. In my own view, if it was handled correctly I think we would have gotten a whole better story than Twilight.

What about My Fair Lady and Barlowe's Inferno, and Ice Age as 2D?I remember reading that Fox asked Don if he could remake My Fair Lady or Anastasia as an animated film, he chose Anastasia over my fair lady. I dont know much about Barlowe's Inferno other than it was supposed to be a CG flick. Ice Age as a 2D film I don't know much about. I think Don was fed up with Fox's executives "meddling" in with Titan A.E. And didnt want to have any part of it. But thats my two cents on it.

[Rodney]

Any and all insight into these unfinished projects is appreciated.

I think Don was fed up with Fox's executives "meddling" in with Titan A.E. And didnt want to have any part of it. But thats my two cents on it.

You may be right here but it also appears a major reason for Ice Age shifting to CG was because it was a product of the times.

Fox Animation had previously released upward to 300 artists and animators almost a year before Titan A.E. debuted with a confirmed poor return at the box office. It was now going to be difficult (next to impossible?) to create a mega blockbuster animated feature film with the remaining crew (around 70?).

We must recall that at this time the entire industry was abandoning hand drawn animation wholesale as they rushed to embrace CG and in this Fox Animation was no exception. That environment simply wasn't conducive to continuing Ice Age in the traditional way. Even if the staff was present, the studios were all tooling up for computer animation and had no budget for artists to draw more features. Perhaps this is where Don gets his saying of "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." He's lived through that crazy experience.

With money already invested and the basic premise already in hand it was a relatively easy choice for Fox to retool Ice Age under the banner of 'Blue Sky' and proceed with computer animation.

Just my 2 cents... and guesswork.

[Lina-chan]

Don.

I hope this isn't an off-limits topic, but a few of my fellow animators here in Los Angeles told me about your DRACULA project that was abandoned in the 90's (80's? ) Can you tell us a bit about that? Or is it under wraps ( for legal purposes )?

I heard awesome things about it, that it was to be dark, and scary. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Do you have concept art, storyboards, character designs of the cancelled Don Bluth film "Satyrday"?