We all have favorite animated characters that feel timeless, but what if they had made it to the big screen exactly as their creators first envisioned? Many legendary cartoon characters went through drastic design changes before reaching their final forms.

1. Elsa – Frozen’s Ice Queen Was Almost Unrecognizable

Elsa is widely recognized for her platinum blonde hair, icy blue gown, and regal grace. But early drafts of Frozen portrayed her as a full-fledged villain rather than a conflicted queen.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Early sketches showed Elsa with short black hair or, in some cases, a tall, transparent icy hairstyle.
• She was older, meaner, and far less sympathetic, acting as a traditional Disney villain rather than a misunderstood sister.
• Some designs gave her a dramatic fur coat, emphasizing her detached and cold personality.

Video:

What Famous Cartoons Were Originally Supposed To Look Like

Thankfully, Disney reshaped Elsa’s story into one of self-discovery and empowerment, which made her one of the most beloved modern Disney characters.

2. Jane – A More Realistic Explorer in Tarzan

Jane Porter is known for her prim British charm, yellow dress, and adventurous spirit. However, her early designs aimed for a more practical and less stylized look.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• She originally had no makeup and wore muted, earthy tones rather than a bright yellow gown.
• Her face was more realistic, with less exaggerated Disney-style features.
• Animators considered making her less polished to reflect her journey in the jungle.

Disney ultimately went with a more classic and romantic look, but it’s fascinating to imagine Jane as a more rugged and raw character.

3. Maleficent – More Insect Than Evil Sorceress

Maleficent is one of Disney’s most iconic villains, famous for her horned headpiece, eerie green skin, and gothic elegance. But her original design was far more bizarre and insect-like.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Instead of devilish horns, early sketches gave her antennae, making her look more like a bug than a sorceress.
• Her hooked nose and hunched posture made her seem less regal and more grotesque.
• Some early versions featured dragon-like wings, foreshadowing her later transformation.

The decision to refine her look into something majestic and imposing helped make Maleficent one of the most unforgettable Disney villains ever.

4. Cruella de Vil – Once a Young, Glamorous Woman

Cruella de Vil is instantly recognizable with her black-and-white hair, eccentric fur coat, and maniacal grin. But her earliest designs painted her as a strikingly glamorous woman rather than an over-the-top villain.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Some early versions had a much younger Cruella with a sleek, fashionable bob rather than her wild hair.
• She was initially more sophisticated and elegant, similar to a high-fashion model rather than a crazed socialite.
• Over time, animators amped up her exaggerated personality, making her larger-than-life and instantly iconic.

5. Ursula – A Lionfish Instead of an Octopus?

Ursula, The Little Mermaid’s sea witch, is bold, theatrical, and deliciously wicked, but it took animators four years to finalize her design.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Early sketches gave her a lionfish-inspired lower body, which made her look more delicate and decorative.
• Some versions portrayed her as half-human, half-snake, adding a different kind of menace.
• The final octopus-inspired design helped give her a larger, more powerful presence, perfectly matching her dramatic personality.

Video:

The Little Mermaid – Poor Unfortunate Souls

6. Hiccup – A Fiery Redhead in How to Train Your Dragon

Hiccup, the unlikely hero of How to Train Your Dragon, has always been depicted as small, scrappy, and underestimated. But in the original books, his hair color was drastically different.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• The books describe him as a redhead, which was considered for the film but ultimately changed to brown.
• His original concept art gave him larger, more exaggerated features, making him more cartoonish than his final, polished design.
• DreamWorks opted for a more grounded and expressive look, which helped him feel relatable to audiences.

7. Aladdin – From Awkward Kid to Charming Hero

Disney’s Aladdin is known for his rugged charm, mischievous grin, and effortless confidence, but early versions painted a much different picture.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Originally, Aladdin was designed as a 13-year-old boy, complete with oversized ears and wide, innocent eyes.
• He had a more awkward, boyish appearance, which made him feel less like a romantic lead.
• Disney later aged him up and gave him a more athletic frame, taking inspiration from Tom Cruise’s charisma.

8. Boo – A Much Older Character in Monsters, Inc.

Boo, the adorable toddler from Monsters, Inc., was originally envisioned as a completely different child.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• Early sketches showed her as much older, around 6 or 7 years old, rather than a toddler.
• She originally wore a green hooded tunic and had round glasses, making her look more like a quirky kid than an innocent baby.
• Pixar realized that making her younger would create a stronger emotional bond with Sulley, leading to the final design we love today.

9. Ariel – A Different Hair Color and Eye Shape

Ariel’s red hair and green tail are instantly iconic, but her early designs featured drastically different colors.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• She originally had a pink tail instead of green, making her look less like an ocean creature.
• Her eyes were yellow, which was eventually changed to blue to make her more youthful and relatable.
• Animators chose red hair over blonde to contrast with the blue ocean background, a decision that became one of the most recognizable choices in Disney history.

10. Aurora – A More Humble Look in Sleeping Beauty

Aurora is known for her long golden locks, elegant ballgowns, and fairy-tale beauty, but early designs had her looking far more modest.

Original Concept vs. Final Look

• She initially had black hair, giving her a more grounded, humble appearance.
• Her outfit was less royal, featuring a simple blouse and skirt rather than her iconic pink-and-blue gowns.
• The final version gave her a more ethereal, dreamlike beauty, which perfectly matched Sleeping Beauty’s artistic style.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Character Design

Character design isn’t just about aesthetic choices—it plays a huge role in how audiences connect with a character. Many of these iconic figures went through drastic changes, proving that the right tweaks can elevate a story and leave a lasting impact.

It’s fun to imagine what might have been, but ultimately, the final versions of these characters have stood the test of time.

Which of these original designs surprised you the most? Let us know what you think about these cartoon character transformations!