Disney sequels, namely those of the animated species, carry a sort of stigma about them, don't they? Most of them range from the tolerability of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride to the absolute cringe-fest of The Hunchback of Notre Dame II. But then there are those that make us wonder what might have been.
As shocking as it might sound, Treasure Planet was actually scheduled to receive a sequel. In fact, the creative team behind the first film spent a year drafting the frame for a follow-up film shortly before the original's release. But due to reception and financial trouble, the project was canceled. Have a look at these ten tidbits of the Treasure Planet sequel we never got to see.
A Finished Script Was Made By The Original Film’s Crew
During the completion of the first film, members of Treasure Planet's crew were already working their hardest to push for a sequel to further this stand-out sci-fi story. With an incredible world featured in the first film that blended the sci-fi with the colonial stylings, why wouldn't we want to see more?
Despite the financial backlash of the film's release, the amount of attention and care that went into crafting it shows tremendously. If this much detail and dedication to character, story, and environment was put into a sequel, it would be an absolute treasure worthy of Flint's Trove.
Certain Cast Members Were Scheduled To Return
Of course, you can't have a proper sequel without a cast of characters to bring it to life, and Treasure Planet had some serious top talent behind its characters. With the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Martin Short, and David Hyde Pierce in the original cast, the filmmakers had their pick.
For the sequel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, and presumably Martin Short were all scheduled to reprise the roles of Jim, Captain Amelia, and BEN, respectively for this new adventure. Though Silver would have played a large part in the plot, it's unknown if Brian Murray would have reprised the part. Either way, it's good to know some were still attached to the project.
The Film Would Have Covered Jim’s Time At The Academy
The first film ends with Jim Hawkins coming home to the Benbow Inn, returning from his time spent at the Intergalactic Academy. Naturally, the sequel would have picked up where the first left off, showing the viewers some of Jim's time spent learning the ways of the galactic navy.
This would show Jim not only learning how to be a better pilot and explorer but maturing from his stereotypical bad-boy self. Let's face it, Jim's development in the first film mainly meets the standard requirement for protagonists of his type. The sequel would have shown us a different side to that rugged exterior.
Jim Had A Rival/Love Interest
Not only did Jim get a plot that furthered his development, but he got his own love interest to back him up. But this gal was no damsel to be rescued in a swashbuckling feat. She was meant to be Jim's equal and level-headed foil to his wreckless adventurer persona.
The character known as Kate was to have been mainly Jim's Rival at the academy, constantly tieing with him for the top of the class at the academy. This would have not only created a very interesting love story for the film's leads but also show some more development from Jim's character. Sort of a literal love-hate relationship.
There Was A Villain Named Iron Beard
Before we get into this character, we must ask a simple question. How dare you not let Willem DeFoe play an evil robot pirate?! Just look at this concept art, the design alone makes us want to know more about this robotic renegade's exploits. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. This is Captain Iron Beard, folks.
Iron Beard was to have been the film's big bad, a bloodthirsty Buccaneer who became more machine than man. He and his pirate crew would have stolen a powerful spacecraft from the Galactic Academy and plunged the characters into the adventurous plot. Which brings us to our next entry.
The Plot Involved The Ultimate Pirate Ship, The Centurion
We've heard about hailing the mothership, but this solar-sail powered beauty would make Captain Jack's compass spin like a weathervane. The Centurion was meant to be the fastest ship in the galaxy, making her the ultimate prize for a ruthless pirate like Iron Beard to snatch.
The plot would have seen the leads, including a return appearance from Long John Silver, following Iron Beard to catch the uncatchable ship. There's something very Pirates of the Caribbean about this pirate ship pursuit plot, but we're definitely not complaining.
Silver Got A Backstory
Now, this is something we'd very much like to see carry out to the fullest extent, a backstory for one of the most famous pirates in fiction. Even if this version does have a few mechanical augmentations, Treasure Planet's swashbuckling cyborg is definitely one of our favorites.
Silver would have related his backstory to Jim after a fight with Kate, revealing a tragic lost-love story that resorted in his cybernetic additions and life of piracy. This is possibly a callback to his line "You give up a few things chasing a dream" and that only makes us wish we could know more about Silver's mysterious past.
Musker And Clements Wouldn’t Direct, But Assist
Though the direction would have been under Disney director Jun Falkenstein, who previously worked on The Tigger Movie, Treasure Planet's original directors, John Musker and Ron Clements, would have played a creative role in the development of the film. This might seem like a minor detail, but not to those who know the work of the pair.
Musker and Clements are Disney legends, responsible for bringing us films such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog. Knowing that, their contribution to the sequel would have definitely won it some much-needed appeal.
There Were Rumors Of A TV Spinoff
Though there's mostly speculation on this concept, we can't deny that the idea for a Treasure Planet animated series would have been something we would have thoroughly enjoyed. Plus, it's logical that a Musker and Clements property would go the way of their other films. Much like how The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules got their own series, Treasure Planet would have been next on the list.
Unfortunately, with the sequel's cancellation, the hope of a series based on the original film went down the tubes. But with a year-long development, a decent script, and the right pieces in place, what kept us from having the loot of a thousand worlds?
The Film’s Reception Killed The Sequel
If you truly want to know why we didn't get the sequel so many of the original film's team worked for a year to achieve, you need look no further than the dollar signs. Because the film did so poorly at the box office, Disney saw no need to continue the legacy of a story that wouldn't succeed financially.
Despite being nominated for an Academy Award next to Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, there wasn't enough pirate gold in the galaxy to save this sinking ship. Though it's regarded as a cult classic in the vein of Atlantis: the Lost Empire, a sequel to this film has been dead in the water for some time. It was just not meant to be.