We’ve grown up loving many beloved animated characters, but what if they had appeared on screen exactly as their creators initially envisioned? Filmmakers often tweak character designs to make them more appealing, relatable, or suited to their final storyline. As a result, the characters we know today sometimes look entirely different from their original concepts.

1. Elsa — Frozen

Elsa, as we know her, is a powerful yet graceful queen with platinum blonde hair and an icy blue gown. However, her original concept was drastically different. In early sketches, Elsa was supposed to be the primary villain of Frozen. She was envisioned as an older woman with short black hair—or in some versions, an ethereal high, transparent hairstyle. Her demeanor was much colder and meaner, making her a true antagonist rather than the conflicted heroine we know today.

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2. Jane — Tarzan

Jane Porter’s character in Tarzan is known for her classic yellow dress and prim British charm. But in her original design, she was meant to look far more realistic. Early sketches show her without makeup, wearing more practical, neutral clothing, making her a less stylized and more grounded character compared to the final version we see in the movie.

3. Maleficent — Sleeping Beauty

One of Disney’s most iconic villains, Maleficent is known for her sinister horns and elegant dark robes. However, her original concept was far less glamorous. Instead of horns, she had antennae that resembled those of an insect, and she sported a hooked nose. Despite these differences, her eerie green skin tone remained consistent from the start.

4. Cruella de Vil — 101 Dalmatians

Cruella is famous for her over-the-top, eccentric look, complete with black-and-white hair and a dramatic fur coat. But early sketches painted her as a much younger and strikingly glamorous woman. Although various designs were explored, the animators ultimately kept her distinctive two-toned hairstyle, making it one of the few elements that remained unchanged.

5. Ursula — The Little Mermaid

The process of finalizing Ursula’s design took an incredible four years. The sea witch we know today, inspired by the drag queen Divine, almost had a completely different lower body. In one early version, her upper half was human, but her lower half resembled that of a lionfish—giving her a more stylish, almost flamboyant look. However, animators ultimately decided to simplify her appearance and settled on the octopus-like form we recognize today.

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6. Hiccup — How to Train Your Dragon

Hiccup’s character in the How to Train Your Dragon film series closely resembles his description in the original books—small, scrappy, and underestimated. However, one notable difference is that in the books, he was depicted with striking red hair, giving him a distinct and fiery look compared to his brown-haired animated version.

7. Aladdin

The Aladdin we see in Disney’s animated classic is a charming and street-smart young man with a lean, athletic build. But his early concept designs painted a much different picture. Originally, Aladdin looked much younger, appearing more like an actual teenager. Early sketches show him with oversized ears, round eyes, and a more awkward, boyish appearance, making him feel even more relatable as a street urchin before the studio decided to age him up.

8. Boo — Monsters, Inc.

Boo, the adorable toddler from Monsters, Inc., was almost unrecognizable in her initial concept. In early designs, she appeared much older, resembling a young child rather than a toddler. She wore a green hooded tunic, round glasses, and had red hair, making her character feel drastically different from the innocent and playful Boo we fell in love with in the final film.

9. Ariel — The Little Mermaid

Ariel’s bright red hair and green tail are two of her most iconic features, but early designs had a much different vision for the beloved mermaid. In the original concept art, she had a pink tail instead of green, and she wore a waistcoat. Another major difference was her yellow eyes, which were later changed to blue, giving her a more youthful and expressive look.

10. Aurora — Sleeping Beauty

Aurora is known for her flowing golden hair and elegant pink and blue gowns, but early concept art envisioned a vastly different princess. The initial sketches depicted her with long black hair, wearing a simple pink blouse paired with a blue skirt. This design gave her a much more down-to-earth and humble appearance, which contrasts with the regal elegance she ultimately embodied in the final version of the film.

Final Thoughts: How Character Designs Shape Our Favorite Stories

Character design plays a huge role in storytelling, influencing how audiences connect with a character. While many of these animated figures went through dramatic transformations before making it to the big screen, their final versions have become ingrained in pop culture. It’s fascinating to imagine what might have been if animators had stuck with their original visions.

Do you think these characters would have been just as beloved in their initial designs? Let us know which transformation surprised you the most!