Stories / Literature Disney Could Adapt Well, But Hasn't Yet For Some Reason

[DVCscott]

Considering all the popular stories in world literature that Disney has adapted over the years into full-length animated features, the Grimm fairytales, and other works like Robin Hood, Treasure Island, Sword In The Stone, the list goes on... we know 'em all...
One in particular jumped out at me the other day as seeming ideal if adapted into a Disney animated film, but never has been done... Alexander Dumas's French novel The Count Of Monte Cristo.

Now granted, I've never read the novel, but I've seen one of the films based upon it starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce.
I love the heck outta this movie, and started thinking how it has all the elements that would make a great animated feature to go along with other classics.
-The love story
-Adventure/sword fights/pirates as allies
-A TRADITIONAL villain again finally. Not a twist or misunderstood watered-down character. A full baddie with jealousy and betrayal at heart.
-A likable sidekick.
-A main protagonist who hits rock bottom and makes the audience root for his rebound
-A time period piece

The list goes on, but IMO, this story should have been made into a Disney animated film years ago. This got me wondering what other stories out there which would fit this potential have also been left out, and for whatever reason. What stories/films/etc have you come across that you have thought would make good Disney animated tales, but have been overlooked after all these years since Snow White's debut?

 

[Magenta Panther]

Great topic! My choice would be Peter S. Beagle's book The Last Unicorn. It's a great book, full of magic, humor, tragedy, wit and not one but TWO great villains - Mamma Fortuna and King Haggard. It also has an unconventional romantic couple - Schmendrick the Great (a bumbling wizard) and Molly Grue ( a dour, bitter but compassionate flip-side version of Maid Marian). Now, it's true that Rankin-Bass made an animated theatrical version many years ago - and it's not bad for what it is - but Disney could make it an outstanding film out of it, no question - maybe even a musical. It would also be my choice to be made in 2D - if Disney were to ever venture that way again. IMO, audiences would love that. I think there's a hunger out there for a lush, lavish Disney 2D-animated fairy tale. Anyway, it's fun to think about...

 

[Robbiem]

Great topic!

I’d love to see Disney animate a Japanese samurai saga like Golden boy or urashima taro using traditional animation and traditional art direction it could be a really beautiful film.

Artemis by Andy Weir is a great modern sci fi book set on a moonbase. It would make a great movie or Disney plus series.

I know it was done as a b movie before but if it was done right Tai Pan by James Clavell would make a fantastic mini series, maybe if the remake of shogun goes well Disney would consider it as their next cinematic universe