The creative process is often a convoluted one, with many twists and turns along the way. Disney movies are no different in this aspect. From concept to script, storyboard to animation, voicing to post-production, lots of changes occur before the final theatrical release. Changes even occur after release in some cases. These can be simple cosmetic tweaks such as shortening the height of a character. They can also be drastic visual changes such as hair color swaps. Characters are even added, deleted and/or replaced after the script has already been written and approved for production. The point is, a lot can happen between the proverbial light bulb in the creator's head to home video release, and beyond. That's why it's called the creative process.

Disney's creative process has been refined to a precision art. After almost a century of animation production, the media giant can churn out media property after media property seemingly on an assembly line. While results inevitably vary, this pre/production/post process provides many a cinematic gem. An integral part of this process is the stage of concept art. Concept art and/or storyboarding is a pre-production tool used in virtually every movie, tv show, video game, and comic book. So it's no surprise that, as a step in the creative process, changes would be made. Concept art is just that: a concept. Concepts inevitably morph and change. So here are 20 Pieces of Disney Concept Art That Would've Changed Everything.

20 That's A Whole Lot Of Red

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First on our list is the Lord of the Underworld: Hades. For those whose memories of Disney movies might not be as extensive as others, in the 90s Disney released their interpretation of the Greek myth of Hercules. It wasn't anything groundbreaking. However, it was a bunch of fun and had some catchy tunes to go along with it. Somewhat guilty confession: one of my earliest memories was walking around my house listening to the Hercules soundtrack on cassette tape.

As shown above by the concept image, the antagonist Hades was once much more heavily influenced by the Judeo-Christian image of the Devil.

I mean, can you say hellfire? It's a very good thing the final product was much less Biblical in nature. After all, this isn't VeggieTales!

19 Through A Different Looking Glass

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Concept art of high value is that which portrays unique and new interpretations of the source material. Thus, the final film may have a vastly different art and visual style than many concept images. The point is to get across the look and feel of the character, not necessarily the exact visual style. Such is shown by this piece of art depicting Alice, the rabbit, and an army of Card Soldiers.

Alice more closely resembles a porcelain doll than an actual human.

One wonders how Alice in Wonderland would look if the whole movie were drawn in the style shown above. It would probably resemble more a storybook than a proper movie. I can just hear a narrator telling the story instead of a full cast of voice actors. Very strange!

18 A More Realistic Depiction Of Lions

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While The Lion King is famous for many things, realism isn't one of them. The movie shies away from accurate depictions of its characters' species. Last time I checked, Lions and other African creatures don't have such anthropomorphic faces or can talk. So seeing an early depiction of Mufasa and Simba made me wonder what if. What if the characters in The Lion King looked more like animals found in nature?  They probably wouldn't be quite as relatable to many viewers without humanoid faces. Both humanization and realism have their place in art. It really depends on what you're going for. The point of The Lion King was to tell a compelling story with fun songs, not to dramatize the actual experience of lions in the wild. Films like this are for that.

17 Hipster Under The Sea

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I don't want to be part of that world, it's so bourgeois! That's what I imagine this version of Ariel saying before putting on her horn-rimmed glasses and continuing to read Cat's Cradle. What would Hipster Mermaid Ariel have to say about Bokononism and its critique of religion? Alas, we'll never know as this chill version of The Little Mermaid never made it onto the big screen. After all, it was 1989.

Back then, there was no such thing as millennial angst.

Many millennials (the author included) weren't even alive when the film came out. Heck, the USSR was still a thing, albeit on its last legs. So no, I doubt Disney would have green lit a movie featuring a stoned mermaid playing hacky sack with an equally high crab. Ah, but it would have been glorious!

16 Sully, Is That You?

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James P. Sullivan looks a lot less friendly in this image than the affable Sully we see in Monsters Inc. Methinks he would be a lot better at his initial job of scaring children if he more closely resembled this concept image of him.

Furry things are a lot more endearing to people than skin or scales.

However, the whole point of Sully's character was to show that inspiring joy and laughter is more productive than provoking fear. So Pixar wisely chose to add fur and a smile to Sully. Also, can we talk about Boo? Not only does she have weird glasses, but that hoody? And that attitude? I'm not liking it. Not to mention the hair. Thanks, Pixar, your changes were very much for the better!

15 That Hair, Tho

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Believe it or not, our favorite protagonists aren't always walking, talking creations. Weird, right? Many are constructed with exquisite care using computer modeling software. This requires many layers. Unlike traditional animation, many of these layers don't include color. Or clothes. Or hair apparently. This concept art shows part of the process that endowed Merida with that famous mane of hers. The joy and bane of Merida cosplayers everywhere wasn't always so thick and curly. Once upon a time, Merida's character model was bald! Like many a cosplayer with their wigs, Merida's hair was carefully placed upon her head. But imagine if not as many follicles existed in said model. One thing is certain: the wig would be cheaper!

14 Hello, Dahling!

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The world's most famous fictional fashion icon isn't Derek Zoolander. Mugatu doesn't even come close. Nay, Edna "E" Mode claims that title. As memorable a character as any in The Incredibles, superhero costumes never were more glamorous than when designed by her. She deftly answered the question why capes went out of fashion. Bodies can't grace a catwalk quite like breathing models. This early image of Edna seems very much to exude sass, class, and a bit of mystery. Emphasis on the mystery.

She almost has a villainous feel to her, with the opaque red sunglasses instead of her trademark spectacles.

Plus, her hair doesn't flow in this image quite like it does in the movie. Oh, and she only has 1 hand. That's apparently a thing. I think her final form is better. It's less Red Malicious, more Chic Delicious.

13 Stick 'Em Up, This Here's A Robbery!

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It may be hard to guess, but that's our pal Woody from the Toy Story franchise. Or at least one version of the cowboy action figure. Slap a bandana on the bottom of his face. That's all you need for him to be an exact replica of the archetypal Western Outlaw.

Woody wouldn't be so friendly towards everyone if his primary purpose was to cause discord.

Buzz Lightyear would have been justified in his initial antipathy towards Woody had the cowboy truly been a villain. After all, Woody could have been a minion of the Evil Emperor Zurg! It makes me sad to think that Woody could have turned out this way. However, we can take solace in the fact that Woody the Bandit did not, in fact, occur.

12 Scar In Abstract

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This piece of concept art is very abstract. It's seemingly the opposite of the other Lion King concept image shown earlier. Instead of more or less following nature, the artist portraying Scar completely embraces abstract presentation. His malevolence is clear for all to see. His face is largely obscured by a swirl of black tendrils. It doesn't resemble a mane in the slightest. It seems to be more the physical form of Scar's evil intentions and actions. However, chances are this image would not have made the final cut. I mean, villains can't be that obvious, even in Disney movies. Plus, that picture of Scar gives you no sympathy whatsoever for him. The most compelling villains have some facet that viewers can at least relate to, if not appreciate. Scar is obviously evil, but this portrayal of him is a bit too on the nose.

11 I Show My Face To No Man!

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"But I'm not a man!" Mulan proclaimed as she plunged her sword into the black heart of Shan Yu. I feel like that's the first line of a fanfic inspired by the Mulan concept art shown above. Mulan's main antagonist, based on Atilla the Hun and Genghis Khan (among others) was once depicted less like a barbaric warlord and more akin to a follower of Sauron. You have to admit, he does kind of resemble a Ringwraith in that photo. I can totally imagine this Shan Yu chasing Mushu all the way to Mount Doom.

You wouldn't want to find him in a dark alleyway.

Or any alleyway for that matter. As a matter of fact, just let an awesome Chinese heroine take care of him for you. It's better that way.

10 Pretty In Pink

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I've never been a fan of Jasmine's main dress in Aladdin. It seems unnecessarily revealing. But that's not even the only knock against it. Her costume isn't even an accurate depiction of classical Islamic clothing, whether real or fictional. This dress, though not necessarily the "correct" color, at least attempts to be more culturally sensitive. Modesty is an important aspect of many cultures, Islamic culture included. So showing midriff, shoulders, and more would be a major scandal. No one of either gender would have allowed Jasmine to wear her movie costume in real life. Plus, it really doesn't add anything. So artistic license also goes out the window as an excuse. However, back to this dress. It really suits her. It covers up most of her body while still being flattering. So I really wish Jasmine would have worn this outfit in Aladdin.

9 Why So Blue?

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How can an article full of Disney concept art not include character designs from Frozen? My personal favorite Disney animated feature has also captured the hearts of millions. It features inner conflict, strong female leads, great messages of friendship, and no forced love interests. Sure, Kristof and Olaf could technically be called love interests, but the happily ever after isn't true love's kiss. Happily Ever After is the reconciliation of sisters. So seeing this concept image of Anna and Elsa is quite strange. Elsa very much seems to have adopted her role as Ice Queen. Not in the typical sense, but in the more villainous sense. Here she closely resembles a Frost Giant, not her sister. I guess this might have been her appearance had her inner conflict turned her towards evil. So it's a good thing that Elsa chose the side of good.

8 Putting The Beast In Beauty And The Beast

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I know what we're all thinking: how did that girl end up with that guy? I mean, he's hideous! Unless that's Remus Lupin in werewolf form, I just don't see the attraction. Oh, wait, I have a theory. It's Stockholm Syndrome! Makes a lot more sense now.

Just kidding, this is Disney. I mean, how can it be true love if one of the pair is suffering from a completely rational psychological condition? In order to gloss over the whole involuntary nature of Belle's stay with The Beast, they made him more human looking. Personally, I like the concept image.

It much more closely mirrors the Beast's actions in regards to Belle.

I don't care if he had the best of intentions and he was really a nice guy, abduction is never okay. So the more ghastly the Beast looks, the better.

7 I've Got My Eye On You!

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This is another less than flattering portrayal of an already ugly character. Quasimodo was never exactly gorgeous to begin with, but this concept image takes his deformities to a whole new level. Not only does he have a hunch and a deformed face, but the poor guy has been turned into Dracula's lab assistant. You might as well call him Igor and have him speak with a really bad Romanian accent if this is the direction you're going with the character. Luckily the hunchback in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was much more friendly looking in the final product.

Protagonists usually don't look like they enjoy frying ants with a magnifying glass. 

This concept of Quasimodo certainly seems like experimenting on live kittens would be just another day at the office for him. A sympathetic character this makes not.

6 How The Sausage Gets Made

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Just like in Hamilton, people mostly don't think about how their favorite films are made. Well, not beyond the very basics anyway. According to this concept image, somewhat creepy busts of Buzz Lightyear are part of the creative process. Apparently physical representations of virtual concepts help with the creation of a more realistic final product. I guess it makes sense. However, seeing it depicted in a picture is kind of weird. I mean, it's not truly shocking, but it's kind of strange. We don't think of Buzz as a disembodied tan head. It shatters our ability to suspend our disbelieve. How can you buy into the notion that toys are sentient beings if part of the process of creating them involves Easter Island-like creations? Granted, I may be overanalyzing, but it's certainly interesting how seeing Buzz deconstructed changes one's perception of the character.

5 Disney's Candyland

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What Disney movie is this concept art for, you ask? Well, I'll admit I wouldn't know either from the photo. Apparently, it's from the production of Pinocchio. This was one idea for Pleasure Island. As depicted, Pleasure Island would have been more of a candy land paradise. Unlike how it actually turned out, which is quite different. As put by film historian J.B. Kaufman:

"some of the artists at the time saw it as a relatively benign place. It was all candy and junk food and parades and circuses and so on, which might be appealing to a little boy rather than going to school."

That is of course not what appeared in the final film. Instead of Candyland, it was creepy Donkey Land. Walt Disney pulls an Ayn Rand and gives the message that nothing in life is free, despite assurances to the contrary.

4 Letting Her Hair Down

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This is a more subtle change than many of these concept images. Jasmine looks almost identical to her movie counterpart in this concept art piece. The only real difference is her hairstyle. Instead of her signature almost cobra-like 'do, her hair completely let down. It goes straight to her feet. I personally like her style in the movie better.

Her movie hairstyle makes her seem more exotic and unique.

Although still definitely Jasmine, she seems a bit blander with plain long hair. There's nothing wrong with the style, it just takes away from the magic of her character a bit. Although it does have its advantages. First off, it's probably a lot more realistic. I know most Princess Jasmine's in the various Disney Parks and most Jasmine cosplayers wear wigs instead of their own hair. That tells us the impracticality of the 'do. It's something to ponder.

3 Pirate Dandy

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Wow, that's quite a sight! Captain Hook as a foppish dandy! Seems kind of strange. I don't think it's in his character to be so vain with his appearance. He seems more the rough and ready to murder type. That very much doesn't suit the tone of Peter Pan. Never Never Land doesn't sound like a place that encourages violent behavior, let alone the fatal kind. Which is probably why this concept image exists.

Although not necessarily in character, Hookish Dandy definitely fits the Never Never Land mold. More style and flash than substance. I think he would probably ask you to catwalk the plank and strut your stuff. No long drop into the briny deep. So basically a much more pleasant person. His sword is probably just a great accessory.

2 He's Missing That Special Something

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Poor Mushu. He's already a short dragon who has trouble breathing fire. He almost looked even more pathetic. Look at those eyes on the left, they exude sadness. How could Eddie Murphy possibly sass his way into our hearts with those eyes and that mouth? Not even the master comedian could do that job. So let's applaud Disney for making yet another smart move and nixing this idea. We like our characters to have redeeming qualities. Pathetic looking creatures are only interesting if they are cute or strong in another way. Maybe that was the idea, but it just seems off. Also, what's up with the tail, is it just limp and useless? We'll never know, as Mushu turned out a lot better.

1 New Do, Who Dis?

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I really love this one! Elsa looks amazing with short black hair. She seems like she could totally take charge of a kingdom and rule it with confidence. This appearance says to me: "I'm my own person. I don't need a man to define me!" So go her, strong female protagonist powers activate! Not that she isn't if her blond hair is put back in. I feel like the short black hair just kind of shouts whatever the opposite of what a damsel in distress is. Again, appearance isn't everything, and it's easy to see Elsa as a great female protagonist regardless of the style and color of her hair. I mean, she wasn't made Queen for nothing. Elsa clearly deserves her Crown. She just looks really cool in that concept image.