Disney's Treasure Planet is mostly known for its commercial failure even though it was actually successful critically and is still beloved by many viewers. In fact, many Disney fans would probably consider it an an underrated classic despite its obvious flaws such as the outdated look of the CGI it uses.
Interestingly, the story behind Treasure Planet's creation is just as fantastical as the story presented in the movie. It's amazing just how many stars had to align for the movie to actually be approved by the studio and to enter the official development stage, let alone production itself.
10 It Is The Most Expensive Traditionally-Animated Movie Ever Made
Anyone who has watched Treasure Planet knows that the movie isn't entirely traditionally-animated. In fact, its uniqueness comes from the way it combines 2D traditional animation with 3D computer animation.
That being said, this aspect doesn't prevent it from being the most expensive traditionally animated movie ever made with a budget of $140 million.
9 It Had A Team Of Talented People Involved
Co-directors Ron Clements and John Musker are known for working together and had previously directed such Disney classics as The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules. They later directed The Princess and the Frog and Moana.
The story was also developed by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio who are also known for working as a duo. The two had co-written many Disney and non-Disney movies including Aladdin, The Road to El Dorado, Shrek, and the first four Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
8 It Has A Cast With Some Well-Known Actors
The lead character of Jim Hawkins is voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt while Emma Thompson voices Captain Amelia. Though these are the two most recognizable names in the movie's cast, there were some other notable people involved.
For example, David Hyde previously voiced a character in Pixar's A Bug's Life while Martin Short voice acted in such movies as The Prince of Egypt, Madagascar 3, Frankenweenie, and The Wind Rises. Other cast members include Laurie Metcalf, Michael Wincott, Peter Cullen, and Tony Jay.
7 It Is Disney's Third Adaptation Of Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island has been adapted numerous times for the screen. Even just during the era of silent films, the novel was adapted twice.
For Disney, Treasure Planet wasn't the first adaptation of the novel. In 1950, the studio released Treasure Island which was the first fully live-action movie for Disney as well as the first adaptation of the book in color. The next adaptation done by the studio was 1996's Muppet Treasure Island. which is the fifth installment in The Muppets movie franchise.
6 The Idea For The Movie Was Pitched Back In 1985
In 1985, co-directors Ron Clements and John Musker pitched the idea of The Little Mermaid. At the same time, Clements pitched Treasure Planet to Michael Eisner. Back then, the movie was called Treasure Island in Space.
Interestingly, at the time of Treasure Planet's release, it was no longer an original idea to set the classic story in space. There already existed a 1987 Italian adaptation in the form of a miniseries called Treasure Island in Outer Space.
5 The Movie Was Pitched & Rejected Multiple Times
Considering that the idea for Treasure Planet was pitched way back in 1985, it is not hard to imagine just how troubled its development and production were. In fact, the idea was pitched and rejected multiple times before finally being accepted by the studio.
After the pitch was rejected in 1985, Clements and Musker approached the studio with the idea again in 1989 (after the release of The Little Mermaid), but it was rejected again. The two pitched it yet again after the release of Aladdin but Jeffrey Katzenberg, the chief of the studio at the time, wasn't interested. Instead of waiting for another time to pitch, Clements and Musker approached chairman Roy E. Disney about it, who finally approved the idea.
4 The Filmmakers Were Inspired By Steven Spielberg & James Cameron
One of the reasons why Treasure Planet is beloved is its action. Such visuals wouldn't be achieved with the technology available in the 1980s or early 1990s, so the delay the filmmakers encountered actually allowed them to work with better technology later on.
Moreover, it is said that Clements and Musker wanted to move the camera in a similar way to how Steven Spielberg and James Cameron shoot their movies. This made the animation more dynamic and entertaining to watch.
3 There Was A Lot Of Attention Put Into The Look & Design Of The Movie
Allegedly, Clements came up with an idea that the crew called the "70/30 law." This meant that 70% of the movie's artwork had to look traditional while the other 30% was sci-fi. The filmmakers took the illustrations of the Brandywine School of Illustration which usually featured a warm color palette and looked like classic storybook illustrations.
The design of the characters themselves was also influenced by their respective voice actors. The actors' physical appearance and mannerisms were used throughout the animation process.
2 Tarzan's Deep Canvas Was Used For Animation
A special technology called Deep Canvas was previously developed for 1999's Tarzan. This software was used on Tarzan mostly to create three-dimensional backgrounds, but it was also applied to Treasure Planet.
Deep Canvas allowed the filmmakers to design complete 360 degree sets and then stage the scenes they wanted to make. Traditionally-animated characters would then be placed in this environment.
1 It Remains One Of Disney's Most Expensive Flops
Treasure Planet was Disney's first feature to be released both in regular and in IMAX theaters simultaneously, but this didn't really help it at the box office where it only earned $109.6 million against its budget of $140 million. In fact, Treasure Planet is often considered to be one of the most expensive flops of all time.
Nevertheless, the movie received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences, particularly praising its visuals and action scenes among other things. Treasure Planet even got nominated for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award as well as numerous Annie Awards.