List of unproduced Universal Pictures animated projects

__NOTOC__

This is a list of unmade and unreleased animated projects by Universal Pictures. Some of these projects were, or still are, in development limbo. These also include the co-productions the studio collaborated with in the past (i.e. Amblimation, Universal Animation Studios, Illumination Entertainment, and DreamWorks Animation) as well as sequels to their franchises.

id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" summary="List of Disney animated short films" Only years that had releases that were canceled are listed.
Contents: \| 1940s: 1941 1990s 1991{{·}}1993{{·}}1996{{·}}1997{{·}}1998 2000s: 2001{{·}}2006{{·}}2007{{·}}2008{{·}}2009 2010s: 2010{{·}}2011{{·}}2012{{·}}2015{{·}}2017{{·}}2018{{·}}2019 2020s: 2020{{·}}2023 See also{{·}}References

id="toc" class="toc plainlinks" summary="List of Disney animated short films" Only years that had releases that were canceled are listed.

Contents:

1940s: 1941

1990s 1991{{·}}1993{{·}}1996{{·}}1997{{·}}1998

2000s: 2001{{·}}2006{{·}}2007{{·}}2008{{·}}2009

2010s: 2010{{·}}2011{{·}}2012{{·}}2015{{·}}2017{{·}}2018{{·}}2019

2020s: 2020{{·}}2023

1940s

=1941=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Aladdin and His Lamp	In 1941, after hearing the success of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Universal's first animation studio Walter Lantz Productions was given $750,000 to produce their first feature film called Aladdin and His Lamp, which was based on the famous tales of Aladdin. It was set to star the voices of comedy duo Abbott and Costello, and Frank Churchill was set to compose the musical score. However, Walter Lantz cancelled the project in light of the cut-off of the overseas market and the financial risk that came shortly after the Fleischer Studios' film Mr. Bug Goes to Town failed at the box office.{{cite book\|last=Kanfer\|first=Stefan\|title=Serious Business: The Art And Commerce Of Animation In America From Betty Boop To Toy Story\|publisher=Scribner\|page=113\|year=1997\|isbn=978-0684800790}}{{cite magazine\|last=McCracken\|first=Harry\|url=http://www.harrymccracken.com/theme.htm\|title=The Ones that Didn't Make it\|magazine=Animato!\|issue=39\|year=1998\|publisher=www.harrymccracken.com\|access-date=September 8, 2018}}

1990s

=1991=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Shrek	Shrek	In 1991, Steven Spielberg purchased the rights to William Steig's 1990 children's book Shrek!. Spielberg originally envisioned his adaptation as a traditionally animated film through his animation studio Amblimation, with Bill Murray as the voice of the titular character and Steve Martin as the voice of Donkey. Despite co-founding DreamWorks Animation—the eventual owner of the Shrek franchise—in 1994, 3 years before Amblimation ceased operations, Spielberg moved on to other projects. This film is starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz and turned into a CGI film when it was completed and released in 2001.{{cite magazine\|last=Cormier\|first=Roger\|title=15 Giant Facts About Shrek\|date=March 22, 2016\|magazine=Mental Floss\|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/64343/15-giant-facts-about-shrek\|access-date=July 17, 2018}}{{cite magazine\|last=Denninger\|first=Lindsay\|title=5 Actors Almost Cast In 'Shrek' Because Mike Myers Wasn't Supposed To Voice The Ogre\|date=May 18, 2016\|magazine=Bustle\|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/160924-5-actors-almost-cast-in-shrek-because-mike-myers-wasnt-supposed-to-voice-the-ogre\|access-date=July 17, 2018}}
Feature film and television series	The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob	Following the release of the album of the same name, Virgin Music and Universal Pictures briefly discussed producing a live-action/animation feature film featuring MC Skat Kat, but nothing ever materialized. Singer Paula Abdul had even pitched the idea of a live-action/animation series starring Skat Kat to air on Fox Kids, but it failed to materialize due to the poor reviews and sales of the album.{{cite web\|url=http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/adventures_of_mc_skat_kat.php\|title=Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob\|publisher=paula-abdul.net\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}

=1993=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Jurassic Park	Escape from Jurassic Park	In June 1993, after the theatrical release of Jurassic Park, spokesmen for Amblin and MCA confirmed that an animated series based on the film was in development and awaiting Steven Spielberg's final approval.{{cite web\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7933279/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/\|title='Jurassic' series?\|date=June 17, 1993\|work=The San Bernardino Sun\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} The series, titled Escape from Jurassic Park,{{cite web\|url=http://jurassicoutpost.com/escape-jurassic-park-1993-animated-series-detailed/\|title=Escape from Jurassic Park – 1993 animated series detailed\|last=Pugh\|first=Chris\|date=June 1, 2016\|work=JurassicOutpost.com\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} would have consisted of 23 episodes for its first season. The series would have centered on John Hammond's attempts to finish Jurassic Park and open it to the public, while InGen's corporate rival Biosyn is simultaneously planning to open their own dinosaur theme park in Brazil, which ultimately ends with their dinosaurs escaping into the jungles.{{cite web\|last1=Squires\|first1=John\|title=Art and Story Details from Cancelled 'Jurassic Park' Animated Series Finally Surface\|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3417036/art-story-details-cancelled-jurassic-park-animated-series-finally-surface/\|website=Bloody Disgusting\|access-date=November 10, 2018\|date=December 6, 2016}}{{cite web\|last1=Scott\|first1=Ryan\|title=Canceled Jurassic Park Animated Series Full Season Details Revealed\|url=http://movieweb.com/jurassic-park-animated-series-full-season-details/\|website=MovieWeb\|access-date=November 10, 2018\|date=December 6, 2016}}{{cite web\|last1=Pugh\|first1=Chris\|title=The Entire First Season of the Cancelled Jurassic Park Television Series Revealed (Exclusive)\|url=http://jurassicoutpost.com/entire-first-season-cancelled-jurassic-park-television-series-revealed-exclusive/\|website=Jurassic Outpost\|access-date=November 10, 2018\|date=December 5, 2016}}

=1996=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Cats	By October 1996, an animated adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats was in development at Amblimation. Phil Nibbelink and Dick Zondag were attached to direct while Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow were brought on to rework an earlier script from Tom Stoppard.{{cite news\|last=Errico\|first=Maurice\|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/33619/cats-will-be-a-movie-and-a-cartoon\|title="Cats" Will be a Movie--and a Cartoon\|publisher=E! Online\|date=October 1, 1996\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} The film was turned into the critical and commercial failure version of the same name with Tom Hooper directing.
Casper the Friendly Ghost	Casper 2	Following the release of Casper, Simon Wells co-wrote a screenplay for Casper 2, in which he was set to direct, but in July 2000, Universal Pictures cancelled the sequel due to the disappointing sales from the direct-to-video Casper films and the hesitation of Christina Ricci.{{cite magazine\|last=Duke\|first=Paul\|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/wells-sets-time-with-wb-d-works-1117783662/\|title=Wells sets 'Time' with WB, D'Works\|magazine=Variety\|date=July 12, 2000\|access-date=November 12, 2018}}{{cite web\|last=Mink\|first=Sammy\|url=http://www.tracking-board.com/tb-exclusive-casper-the-friendly-ghost-set-to-fly-back-into-production/\|title={TB Exclusive} Casper the Friendly Ghost Set to Fly Back Into Production!\|publisher=The Tracking Board\|date=March 10, 2014\|access-date=November 12, 2018}}
Feature film	InterWorld	The idea of InterWorld surged in 1996, when Michael Raeves was developing an animated series for DreamWorks. Suggesting to Gaiman an idea for a possible animated television series, they collaborated on the story and unsuccessfully tried to sell it to various studios, including DreamWorks, which was not interested. The InterWorld idea ended up as a novel that was not released until 2007. In June of that same year, author Neil Gaiman reported in his journal that he had pitched the idea of InterWorld to DreamWorks back in 1996, but the executives were confused on the concept. Along with Michael Raeves, they later published their work into the novel, in which DreamWorks Animation had optioned into producing an animated film.{{cite web\|last=Gaiman\|first=Neil\|url=http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2007/06/news-and-musing.html\|title=News and musing\|publisher=neilgaiman.com\|date=June 16, 2007\|access-date=February 12, 2011}}{{cite web\|title=Neil Gaiman's Film Work \|url=http://www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff/Essays/Essays_About_Neil/Neil_Gaiman's_Film_Work \|publisher=Neil Gaiman \|access-date=November 2, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302121927/http://www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff/Essays/Essays_About_Neil/Neil_Gaiman%27s_Film_Work \|archive-date=March 2, 2016 \|url-status=live}} Nothing came of it until June 2016, when the plans to make InterWorld as television series were revived by Universal Cable Productions, in association with Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller and his partner Flody Suarez,{{cite magazine\|last=Amato\|first=Allan\|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/20/interworld-tv-neil-gaiman-hamilton-producer\|title=Hamilton producer to develop TV adaption of Neil Gaiman's Interworld\|magazine=Entertainment Weekly\|date=July 21, 2016\|access-date=July 21, 2016}} but with no further updates since.
Scooby-Doo	Scooby-Doo	The film was planned to be an origin story of Scooby, Shaggy and the Mystery Inc. gang. It was written by Craig Titley who later went on to write the 2002 film of the same name. The film was scrapped when Warner Bros. bought the rights to Hanna-Barbera by buying Turner in 1996. The script for this version of the film was leaked in 2014.{{cite AV media \|url = https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Fopen%3Fid%3D0B9iQjJnJSEGIZHpTd3o4WTl6YnM&redir_token=MfXTdZz7svYTReKz_hkTVUVc9Sl8MTU0MjUwODg1OUAxNTQyNDIyNDU5&event=video_description&v=m0TUclvgtWw \|title = YouTube, a Google company \|website=YouTube}}{{Better source needed\|reason=Source comes from a description of a YouTube video\|date=September 2019}}

=1997=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Alvin and the Chipmunks	Alvin and the Chipmunks	In June 1997, director Robert Zemeckis was slated to direct a live-action adaptation of Alvin and the Chipmunks,{{cite news\|last1=Beck\|first1=Marilyn\|last2=Jenel Smith\|first2=Stacy\|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/447049143/\|title=Spielberg Ready to Work with Robert Zemeckis\|newspaper=Santa Maria Times\|via=Newspapers.com\|format=Subscription required\|date=June 19, 1997\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} but in September 2000, the estate of Ross Bagdasarian Sr. filed suit against Universal Pictures for which development on the film was cancelled.{{cite news\|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-12-fi-19557-story.html\|title=Family of Chipmunks' Originator Files Suit Against Universal Studios\|agency=Reuters\|work=Los Angeles Times\|date=September 12, 2000\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} A live-action/CGI film was ultimately released by 20th Century Fox in 2007.
Feature film	Just So Stories	This project from Amblimation and Universal back in the 1990s was Just So Stories based on the book by Rudyard Kipling. Amblimation did only 3 films such as An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991), We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993), and Balto (1995) but never released Just So Stories and the animated musical adaptation of Cats as the studio closed its doors in 1997 and everyone involved moved on to DreamWorks.{{cite web\|url=https://www.deviantart.com/rowserlotstudios1993/journal/Amblimation-s-lost-Project-Just-So-Stories-856885631\|title=Amblimation's lost Project Just So Stories\|last=Studios1993\|first=Rowserlot\|work=DeviantArt\|date=October 2, 2020\|accessdate=October 2, 2020}} The other animation studios of Just So Stories are Soyuzmultfilm, Marble Arch/Interama/Strengholt Films, Bevanfield Films, Les Films de l'Arlequin and Je Suis Bien Content.
Jurassic Park	Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect	Part three of the four-part comic adaptation of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, published by Topps Comics in July 1997, confirmed to readers that a cartoon series based on the film was in development. The animated series was commissioned by Steven Spielberg and was to be developed by DreamWorks Animation under the supervision of Steve Lyons.{{cite web\|url=http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews28.htm\|title=What's New\|last=Finkelstein\|first=Dan\|date=July 20, 1997\|work=Dan's The Lost World Page\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000603124700/http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews28.htm\|archive-date=June 3, 2000}}{{cite web\|url=http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews28.htm\|title=What's New\|last=Finkelstein\|first=Dan\|date=July 22, 1997\|work=Dan's The Lost World Page\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000603124700/http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews28.htm\|archive-date=June 3, 2000}} The cartoon was to be accompanied by Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect, a series of dinosaur toys produced by Kenner and based on a premise that scientists had created dinosaur hybrids consisting of DNA from different creatures. The new toys were based on the then-upcoming cartoon. The cartoon was scheduled for release date of March 1998, as a mid-season replacement.{{cite web\|url=http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews31.htm\|title=Chaos Effect\|last=Finkelstein\|first=Dan\|date=November 11, 1997\|work=Dan's The Lost World Page\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990909113130/http://users.nac.net/splat/lw/oldnews31.htm\|archive-date=September 9, 1999}} The Chaos Effect toyline was released in June 1998,{{cite web\|url=http://www.jptoys.com/toy-database/chaos-effect/index.htm\|title=Chaos Effect\|website=JPToys.com\|access-date=November 10, 2018}} but the animated series was never produced, for unknown reasons.{{cite web\|url=http://www.jptoys.com/jptoys-files/interviews/tim-bradley-interview/index.htm\|title=Interview With Tim Bradley\|website=JPToys.com\|date=March 1, 2008\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}{{cite web\|title=Never Before Seen Art Surfaces From Cancelled 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' Animated Series!\|url=https://jurassicoutpost.com/never-before-seen-art-surfaces-from-cancelled-the-lost-world-jurassic-park-animated-series/\|publisher=Jurassic Outpost\|date=May 29, 2019}}

=1998=

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class="wikitable"
Feature film	Frankenstein	In October 1998, Universal Pictures and Industrial Light & Magic jointly announced to produce a computer-animated film featuring Frankenstein. S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock were attached to write the script under the condition that it would not be a family-oriented film. Tom Bertino was attached to direct the film. It was intended to be released by Halloween 2000.{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.wired.com/1998/04/universal-studios-making-digital-frankenstein/\|title=Universal Studios Making Digital Frankenstein\|magazine=Wired\|date=April 2, 1998\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}{{cite magazine\|last=Petrikin\|first=Chris\|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/u-ilm-plan-frankenstein-1117481019/\|title=U, ILM plan Frankenstein\|magazine=Variety\|date=October 2, 1998\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}{{cite web\|last=Cohen\|first=Karen\|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/animated-side-star-wars\|title=The Animated Side of Star Wars\|publisher=Animation World Network\|date=August 1, 1999\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}

2000s

=2001=

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class="wikitable"
Feature film	Where the Wild Things Are	Universal acquired rights to the book's adaptation in 2001 and initially attempted to develop a computer-animated adaptation with Disney animator Eric Goldberg, but in 2003 the animated concept was replaced with a live-action one, and Goldberg was replaced with Spike Jonze.{{Cite news \| first = Daniel \| last=Etherington \| title = Where The Wild Things Are Preview \| url = http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=164068§ion=review&page=all \| publisher = Channel 4 \| access-date = January 5, 2010}} The film was originally set for release from Universal, and a teaser of the film was attached to the studio's 2000 adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.{{Cite news \| first = Mark \| last = Hooper \| title = Catch of the day: Where the Wild Things Are \| work = Guardian Film Blog \| date = February 25, 2008 \| url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2008/feb/25/catchofthedaywherethewil \| access-date = March 26, 2009 \| location=London}} Disagreements between Universal and Sendak over Jonze's approach to the story led to a turnaround arrangement where the film's production was transferred to Warner Bros., resulting in the live-action adaptation released in October 2009.{{cite magazine \| url = https://variety.com/2006/digital/features/wild-ride-for-warner-1117935686/ \| magazine=Variety \| date=January 8, 2006 \| title='Wild' ride for Warner \| first=Gabriel \| last=Snyder \| access-date=October 17, 2009}}

=2006=

class="wikitable"
style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
Feature film \|Jack & Ben's Animated Adventure \|When Laika Entertainment opened, they announced their first projects, the stop-motion film Coraline, and the CGI animated film Jack & Ben's Animated Adventure.{{cite news\|last=Williams\|first=Christina\|url=http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/48/1353\|title=Laika ramps up Oregon animation industry\|publisher=OregonBusiness.com\|date=July 2006\|access-date=July 13, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724001929/http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/48/1353\|archive-date=July 24, 2011\|url-status=dead}} The studio laid off a significant portion of its staff in 2008, when its second planned feature was cancelled.{{cite news \|last=Rogoway \|first=Mike \|date=December 17, 2008 \|title=Laika lays off 65, shelves CG film \|work=The Oregonian \|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/12/laika_lays_off_75_shelves_cg_f.html \|access-date=September 23, 2009}}

class="wikitable"

style="width:150pt;"| Series || style="width:100pt;"| Title || Description

Feature film

|Jack & Ben's Animated Adventure

|When Laika Entertainment opened, they announced their first projects, the stop-motion film Coraline, and the CGI animated film Jack & Ben's Animated Adventure.{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Christina|url=http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/48/1353|title=Laika ramps up Oregon animation industry|publisher=OregonBusiness.com|date=July 2006|access-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724001929/http://www.oregonbusiness.com/articles/48/1353|archive-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=dead}} The studio laid off a significant portion of its staff in 2008, when its second planned feature was cancelled.{{cite news |last=Rogoway |first=Mike |date=December 17, 2008 |title=Laika lays off 65, shelves CG film |work=The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/12/laika_lays_off_75_shelves_cg_f.html |access-date=September 23, 2009}}

=2007=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	The Legend of Spyro 3D	By September 2007, the film rights for Spyro the Dragon were purchased by The Animation Picture Company.{{cite magazine \| title = Spyro to fire up theaters \| magazine = Variety \| date = September 25, 2007 \| url = https://variety.com/2007/digital/markets-festivals/spyro-to-fire-up-theaters-1117974762/ \| access-date = September 25, 2007 \| first=Marc \| last=Graser}} Daniel and Steven Altiere wrote the script, which was going to be based on the recently released The Legend of Spyro trilogy. The film was going to be titled The Legend of Spyro 3D and was planned to be made from Los Angeles, California, with animation by a South Korean Animation studio, Wonderworld Studios, alongside Universal Animation Studios. The film was planned to be produced by John Davis, Dan Chuba, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Brian Manis and Ash Shah, and distributed and advertised by Velvet Octopus along with Universal Studios. Mark Dippe was going to direct the film, which would've made it the first theatrical film Dippe directed since Spawn. This film was originally planned for release in theaters on Christmas 2009 in the United States and Canada, but was delayed to April 10, 2010, for its North American release. It was later confirmed by Daniel Altiere himself that the film had been officially cancelled due to decisions made by Activision to go in a different direction,{{cite news \| title = Spyro Movie No More \| publisher = darkSpyro \| date = April 11, 2010 \| url = http://darkspyro.net/news/28705/ \| access-date = April 13, 2010}} which was later revealed to be in the form of Skylanders.

=2008=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Emily the Strange	Since 2000, Rob Reger has been trying to make a feature film adaptation of Emily. In 2005, Fox Animation went to make a live action/animated feature film,{{cite news\|title=Emily The Strange Heads For The Big Screen\|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=16913\|accessdate=October 7, 2011\|date=June 29, 2005}} with Chris Meledandri and John Cohen producing it.{{cite news\|last=Laporte\|first=Nicole\|title=Fox brewing 'Strange' pic\|url=https://variety.com/2005/digital/markets-festivals/fox-brewing-strange-pic-1117929995/\|access-date=October 7, 2011\|newspaper=Variety\|date=September 29, 2005}} Mike Richardson, of Dark Horse Entertainment, came on board as a producer in 2008.{{cite news\|last=Sciretta\|first=Peter\|title=Emily the Strange – The First Movie Adapted From a Sticker?\|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/emily-the-strange-the-first-movie-adapted-from-a-sticker/\|accessdate=October 7, 2011\|newspaper=Slash Film\|date=May 30, 2008}} The same year it was unofficially reported that the film moved to Universal Studios' owned Illumination Entertainment, along with the studio's founders, Meledandri and Cohen.{{cite web\|title=Issue 639\|url=http://lists.unc.edu/read/attachment/4915609/2/PW120808.pdf\|work=Production Weekly\|accessdate=October 7, 2011\|date=December 11, 2008}} In September 2010, Universal Studios acquired the rights to the comic, and the actress Chloë Grace Moretz was cast in the role of Emily.{{cite news\|last=Fleming\|first=Mike\|title=Chloe Moretz Will Be 'Emily The Strange'\|url=https://deadline.com/2010/09/chloe-moretz-will-be-emily-the-strange-69618/\|access-date=October 7, 2011\|newspaper=Deadline\|date=September 23, 2010}} Melisa Wallack, who wrote the script for Mirror Mirror, was hired to write the adaptation in the following year in August.{{cite news\|last=Kit\|first=Borys\|title='Snow White' Writer to Pen Universal's 'Emily the Strange' (Exclusive)\|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/snow-white-writer-pen-universals-218214\|accessdate=December 14, 2011\|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=August 2, 2011}} Two months later it was confirmed that the film was indeed in the works at Illumination Entertainment.{{cite news\|last=Kit\|first=Borys\|title=Johnny Depp to Become Dr. Seuss for Illumination and Universal (Exclusive)\|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/risky-business/johnny-depp-dr-seuss-universal-illumination-245072\|accessdate=October 7, 2011\|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=October 6, 2011}} Kealan O'Rourke was brought to rewrite the film's script.{{cite web\|first1=Lucas\|last1=Shaw\|first2=Jeff\|last2=Sneider\|url=http://www.thewrap.com/kealan-orouke-to-rewrite-chloe-moretz-movie-emily-the-strange-exclusive/ \|title=Kealan O'Rourke to Rewrite Chloe Moretz Movie 'Emily the Strange' (Exclusive) \|publisher=Thewrap.com \|date=September 27, 2013 \|accessdate=November 7, 2013}} By December 2016, Universal abandoned the project, and Dark Horse Entertainment and Amazon Studios were in negotiations to make an animated film.{{cite news\|last1=Kit\|first1=Borys\|title='Emily the Strange' Animated Movie in the Works at Amazon Studios (Exclusive)\|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/emily-strange-animated-movie-works-at-amazon-studios-953422\|accessdate=December 7, 2016\|work=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=December 6, 2016}}

=2009=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Flanimals	An animated feature film based on the Flanimals book series was in production at Illumination by April 2009. Series creator Ricky Gervais was set to be the executive producer and also lend his voice to the lead character, while The Simpsons writer Matt Selman wrote the script,{{cite news \|first1=Michael\|last1=Fleming \|url=https://variety.com/2009/digital/markets-festivals/gervais-flanimals-heads-to-bigscreen-1118002966/ \|title=Gervais' 'Flanimals' heads to bigscreen \|work=Variety \|date=April 28, 2009 \|access-date=August 14, 2010}} but the project was later removed from the development schedule.{{cite magazine\|last1=Debruge\|first1=Peter\|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal\|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/\|access-date=January 7, 2017\|magazine=Variety\|date=July 17, 2013}}
Where's Waldo? \|Where's Waldo? \|In June 2009, Universal and Illumination Entertainment acquired the rights to turn Where's Waldo? into a live-action film, was to be produced by Chris Meledandri with Classic Media's (now DreamWorks Classics) executive producer Eric Ellenbogen,{{Cite web\|last=Fleming\|first=Michael\|date=June 1, 2009\|title='Waldo' finds his way to the bigscreen\|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/news/waldo-finds-his-way-to-the-bigscreen-1118004377/\|access-date=June 5, 2020\|website=Variety\|language=en}} but the project was then scrapped.{{Cite news\|last=Debruge\|first=Peter \|date=July 17, 2013\|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal\|work=Variety\|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/\|access-date=July 18, 2013\|quote=At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. "Waldo" and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion "The Addams Family" are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn't crack "Clifford the Big Red Dog."}}
Feature film	Cryptozoology movie	In December 2009 (1 year before Illumination's Despicable Me was released to a positive response), Illumination Entertainment was producing an animated film based on a pitch by actor-comedian Jack Black and Jason Micallef on cryptozoology, which is the study of legendary creatures whose existence has never been confirmed (i.e. the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot). Jack Black had the intention to produce the film alongside Ben Cooley and Chris Meledandri through his production company Electric Dynamite. Additionally, he also had no intention to voice any character as he did with DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda, along with the other 3 sequels (2011 to 2024).{{cite magazine\|last=Fleming\|first=Michael\|url=https://variety.com/2009/digital/news/jack-black-animates-film-pitch-1118012301/\|title=Jack Black animates film pitch\|magazine=Variety\|date=December 6, 2009\|access-date=November 10, 2018}}

2010s

=2010=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Curious George \|Curious George \|By July 2010, Illumination was developing a live-action animated film based on Curious George, with Larry Stuckey writing the script,{{Cite web\|date=July 30, 2010\|title=With 'Curious George', Illumination looks to make more animation mischief\|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/07/curious-george-illumination-movie-book-universal.html\|access-date=June 5, 2020\|website=LA Times Blogs - 24 Frames\|language=en-US}} but in November 2015 the film project was cancelled.{{Cite web\|last=Debruge\|first=Peter\|date=November 17, 2015\|title='Minions' and Illumination Create a Blockbuster Animation Unit for Universal\|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/spotlight/universal-illumination-minions-animation-1201641899/\|access-date=June 5, 2020\|website=Variety\|language=en}}
Feature film	Pluto	In October 2010, Illumination Entertainment and Tezuka Productions jointly announced to develop a live-action/animated film of the Japanese manga series Pluto.{{cite press release\|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-20/universal-illumination-get-film-rights-for-urasawa-pluto-manga\|title = Universal, Illumination Get Film Rights for Urasawa's Pluto Manga\|location = Universal City, California \|publisher=Universal Pictures \|agency= Anime News Network\|date = October 20, 2010}}
The Addams Family	The Addams Family	In 2010, Universal and Illumination acquired the underlying rights to the Addams Family drawings.{{cite web \|first=Mike \|last=Fleming \|url=https://deadline.com/2010/03/tim-burton-next-3d-animated-film-da-da-da-snap-snap-the-addams-family-28841/ \|title=Tim Burton's Next 3D Animated Film? Da Da Da Da, Snap Snap: 'The Addams Family' \|website=Deadline Hollywood \|date=March 18, 2010 \|access-date=July 10, 2010}} The film was planned to be a stop-motion animated film based on Charles Addams's original drawings. Tim Burton was set to co-write and co-produce the film, with a possibility to direct.{{cite web \| first=Mike \| last=Fleming \| url=https://deadline.com/2010/08/tim-burton-reunites-with-ed-wood-scribes-for-addams-family-and-big-eyes-62229/ \| title=Tim Burton Reunites With 'Ed Wood' Scribes For 'Addams Family' And 'Big Eyes' \| website=Deadline Hollywood \| date=August 19, 2010 \| access-date=November 16, 2010}} By July 2013, the film was cancelled; had been made, this would have been Illumination's first stop-motion animated film.{{cite news\|last=Debruge\|first=Peter\|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal\|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/\|access-date=July 18, 2013\|newspaper=Variety\|date=July 17, 2013\|quote=At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. "Waldo" and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion "The Addams Family" are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn't crack "Clifford the Big Red Dog."}} Eventually, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picked up rights to the film and an animated film was released in 2019, with Sausage Party directors Greg Tiernan and former DreamWorks Animation staff member Conrad Vernon to direct.{{cite web\|url= https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sausage-party-animated-addams-family-pic-1202588895/\|title='Sausage Party's' Conrad Vernon to Direct Animated 'Addams Family' Movie\|work=Variety Magazine\|last1=Kroll\|first1=Justin\|date=October 12, 2017\|access-date=November 9, 2017}} Universal handled the international distribution rights for the film, as well as physical home media worldwide distribution rights.

=2011=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Uglydolls	In May 2011, Illumination acquired the rights to Uglydolls to make an animated feature film,{{cite news \| last=Fleming \| first=Mike \| url=https://deadline.com/2011/05/chris-meledandris-illumination-to-turn-uglydoll-into-animated-film-135225/ \| title=Chris Meledandri's Illumination To Turn Uglydoll Into Animated Film \| website=Deadline Hollywood \| date=May 26, 2011 \| access-date=May 28, 2011}} but the project never came into fruition. An animated film based on Uglydolls became the first family and animation project produced by STXfilms{{cite magazine\|last1=Lang\|first1=Brent\|title=STX Entertainment Plans Uglydoll Film, Launches Family Division (Exclusive)\|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/uglydoll-movie-stx-entertaiment-1201507456/\|access-date=May 28, 2015\|magazine=Variety\|date=May 28, 2015}} and was released in May 2019.{{cite magazine\|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/robert-rodriguez-ugly-dolls-animated-movie-1202017936/\|title=Robert Rodriguez to Direct 'Ugly Dolls' Animated Film for STX\|last=Khatchatourian\|first=Maane\|date=March 28, 2017\|magazine=Variety\|access-date=March 29, 2017\|language=en-US}}
Woody Woodpecker	Woody Woodpecker	By November 2011, Universal and Illumination planned a Woody Woodpecker feature film. Writing duo John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky (Blades of Glory and King of the Hill) were in talks to develop a story,{{cite magazine\|first=Borys\|last=Kit\|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/woody-woodpecker-movie-universal-illumination-262540\|title=Woody Woodpecker Movie in Development at Universal, Illumination (Exclusive)\|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=November 16, 2011\|access-date=September 13, 2016}} but in July 2013, Illumination canceled the project.{{cite magazine\|first=Peter\|last=Debruge\|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/\|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal\|magazine=Variety\|date=July 17, 2013\|access-date=September 19, 2016}} The film was eventually released as a live-action/CGI hybrid film in 2017.

=2012=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	The Cat in the Hat	In March 2012, following the financial success of The Lorax, the animated film adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book of the same name, Universal and Illumination announced plans to produce an animated adaptation of the book The Cat in the Hat.{{cite news \|url=http://blog.bcdb.com/cat-hat-animated-feature-3528/ \|title=The Cat In The Hat comes back as animated feature \|first=Ethan \|last=Minovitz \|newspaper=Big Cartoon News \|date=March 18, 2012 \|access-date=March 18, 2012 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203093819/http://blog.bcdb.com/cat-hat-animated-feature-3528/ \|archive-date=December 3, 2012 \|url-status=dead}} Rob Lieber was set to write the script, with Chris Meledandri as producer, and Audrey Geisel as the executive producer, but the project never came into fruition.{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-cat-hat-movie-works-warner-bros-1077973\|title=New 'Cat in the Hat' Movie in the Works From Warner Bros.\|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=January 24, 2018\|last1=Kit\|first1=Borys\|access-date=January 24, 2018}} By January 2018, Warner Animation Group was in development of an animated Cat in the Hat film as part of a creative partnership with Seuss Enterprises which is set to be released in 2026.{{cite web\|url=https://www.thewrap.com/cat-in-the-hat-animated-film-dr-seuss-franchise-warner-bros/\|title='The Cat in the Hat' Animated Movie to Kick Off Dr Seuss Franchise\|date=January 24, 2018\|website=TheWrap\|access-date=September 8, 2018}}
Feature film	Clifford the Big Red Dog	In May 2012, Universal and Illumination began to develop a live-action/animated feature film based on the Clifford the Big Red Dog book series. Matt Lopez was hired to write the script, while Chris Meledandri and Deborah Forte were attached to produce the film.{{cite magazine\|last=Kit\|first=Borys\|title=Illumination and Universal Adapting 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' (Exclusive)\|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/clifford-big-red-dog-illumination-universal-321711\|access-date=May 9, 2012\|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter\|date=May 8, 2012}} In July 2013, Illumination dropped the project.{{cite magazine\|last=Debruge\|first=Peter\|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal\|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/\|access-date=July 18, 2013\|magazine=Variety\|date=July 17, 2013\|quote=At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. Waldo and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion The Addams Family are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn't crack Clifford the Big Red Dog.}} Paramount Pictures later acquired the rights to develop the film, which was eventually released on November 10, 2021, following a number of delays due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web\|last1=Fleming\|first1=Mike Jr.\|title='Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen\|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/clifford-the-big-red-dog-movie-paramount-justin-malen-1201781593/\|website=Deadline Hollywood\|access-date=August 10, 2018\|date=June 30, 2016}}{{cite news \|last1=McClintock \|first1=Pamela \|title='Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie Lands November 2020 Release Date \|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clifford-big-red-dog-movie-lands-november-2020-release-date-1191324 \|access-date=February 28, 2019 \|work=The Hollywood Reporter \|date=February 27, 2019 \|language=en}}{{Cite web\|last=D'Alessandro\|first=Anthony\|date=August 29, 2020\|title='Scream' Relaunch Eyes 2022 Release, 'Snake Eyes' Rolls To 2021 & More – Paramount Release Date Changes\|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/scream-relaunch-eyes-2022-release-snake-eyes-rolls-to-2021-more-paramount-release-date-changes-1203026483/\|access-date=August 31, 2020\|website=Deadline\|language=en}}
Feature film	Goblins	Laika Entertainment was interested to adapt the Philip Reeve's book named Goblins into an animated feature, but nothing came up of the project since the initial announcement.{{cite web \| url=https://collider.com/goblins-laika-mark-gustafson/ \| title=Laika Studios to Adapt Goblins \| website=Collider \| date=April 18, 2012}}

=2015=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Johnny Express	In 2015, Universal and Illumination planned to adapt the South Korean CGI animated short Johnny Express into a feature-length animated film.{{cite news\|last1=Byung-yeul\|first1=Baek\|title='Despicable Me' founder shares secret of success\|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2015/05/178_179218.html\|newspaper=The Korea Times\|access-date=May 24, 2015\|date=May 19, 2015}}{{cite magazine\|last1=Fleming \|first1=Mike Jr.\|title='Minions' Maker Illumination Forges Pact With South Korean Animator Kyungmin Woo, Options His Short 'Johnny Express' For Feature\|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/minions-illumination-entertainment-johnny-express-south-korean-animator-kyungmin-woo-comic-con-1201472886/\|magazine=Deadline\|access-date=July 10, 2015\|date=July 9, 2015}}

= 2017 =

style="width:150pt;"\| Type \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Spooky Jack	In 2017, DreamWorks announced an original feature called Spooky Jack, with a planned release date of September 17, 2021. Jason Blum was to serve as executive producer, and would have been a co-production with Blumhouse Productions.{{cite magazine\|last=Kroll\|first=Justin\|title='Croods 2' Revived as Animated Sequel and Jason Blum's 'Spooky Jack' Get Release Dates\|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/croods-2-spooky-jack-release-dates-1202563635/\|magazine=Variety\|date=September 19, 2017\|access-date=September 19, 2017}} The premise would have been about three siblings who moved into an eerie new home and discover that all the creatures that have been told do not exist. By October 2019, Spooky Jack was removed from the schedule, with its original release date replaced by The Bad Guys, based on the Scholastic book series by Aaron Blabey.{{cite news \|last1=D'Alessandro \|first1=Anthony \|title=DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021 \|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/ \|access-date=8 October 2019 \|work=Deadline \|publisher=Deadline \|date=7 October 2019}} Concept art for the film have been released.
Feature film	The Wizards of Once	In March 2017, DreamWorks purchased film rights to the book from How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell to make it into another animated fantasy film series.{{cite web\|last1=Hipes\|first1=Patrick\|url=http://deadline.com/2017/03/the-wizard-of-once-dreamworks-animation-movie-cressida-cowell-1202056526/ \|title=DWA Books New Fantasy Series From 'How To Train Your Dragon' Author Cressida Cowell \|website=Deadline Hollywood \|date=March 30, 2017\|accessdate=March 31, 2017}}

= 2018 =

style="width:150pt;"\| Type \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Mice and Mystics	In October 2018, DreamWorks Animation acquired the rights to the role-playing game for a potential animated film adaptation of the board game of the same name. Alexandre Aja, long-time horror film director, was set to direct and write the film's script along with David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Vertigo Entertainment's Roy Lee and Jon Berg were also set to serve as producers.{{Cite web \|last=McNary \|first=Dave \|date=2018-10-24 \|title=DreamWorks Animation to Develop 'Mice and Mystics' Movie (EXCLUSIVE) \|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/dreamworks-animation-mice-and-mystics-movie-1202992375/ \|access-date=2023-05-31 \|website=Variety \|language=en-US}} But as of 2025, nothing came of it.
Feature film	Spudnik's Guide to Earth	In April 2018, Leo Matsuda sold his project to DreamWorks his film idea based on a children's book of the same name Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who was also attached to co-write the screenplay.{{Cite news\|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/leo-matsuda-sells-multiple-projects-to-dreamworks-animation-157742.html\|title=Leo Matsuda Sells Multiple Projects To Dreamworks Animation\|date=April 11, 2018\|work=Cartoon Brew\|access-date=April 16, 2018\|language=en-US}} Matsuda was also attached to direct the film. However, nothing came of it since.
Feature film	Yokai Samba	In April 2018, Leo Matsuda was hired to write and direct Yokai Samba, based on the trade reports that are inspired by a folk story Matsuda heard in his youth about growing up and has Brazilian and Japanese influences. By March 2021, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon began to develop the film.{{Cite web\|last=Fleming\|first=Mike Jr.\|date=2021-03-02\|title=New Line Sets Jennifer Coyle, Leo Matsuda To Direct 'Hello Kitty' Animated/Live Action Hybrid Movie\|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/hello-kitty-movie-directors-jennifer-coyle-leo-matsuda-new-line-1234704997/\|access-date=2021-06-16\|website=Deadline\|language=en-US\|quote=His original animated feature Yokai Samba is in development at Nickelodeon.}}

=2019=

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
rowspan="1" \| VeggieTales	Untitled VeggieTales film	In March 2019, just around the same time as the announcement of The VeggieTales Show, series creator Phil Vischer revealed that a new film based on VeggieTales is in development,{{Cite web \|title=philvischer/status/1111372778039476230 \|url=https://twitter.com/philvischer/status/1111372778039476230 \|access-date=2023-09-12 \|website=X (formerly Twitter) \|language=en}} later said to be centered around a Bible story similar to Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie.{{Cite web \|title=philvischer/status/1241348735386427393 \|url=https://twitter.com/philvischer/status/1241348735386427393 \|access-date=2023-09-12 \|website=X (formerly Twitter) \|language=en}} In 2020, Phil completed and turned in the screenplay's first draft. He was given notes and the go-ahead to revise and write a second draft before the official pitch to studio executives.{{Cite web \|title=The Holy Post: Episode 412: This is Your Brain on God with Dr. Jim Wilder \|url=https://thephilvischerpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-412-this-is-your-brain-on-god-with-dr-jim-wilder \|access-date=2023-09-12 \|website=thephilvischerpodcast.libsyn.com}} Phil completed the final draft of the screenplay and Universal was in talks with a co-production partner for the film.{{Cite web \|title=December Patreon Livestream \|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/december-patreon-45569962 \|access-date=September 12, 2023 \|website=Patreon}} Eventually, Phil, alongside Mike Nawrocki, Lisa Vischer, and Kurt Heinecke, departed from Big Idea Entertainment, thus putting the company in limbo.{{Cite web \|date=2021-06-29 \|title=Phil Vischer on Twitter: "(Because this tweet confused people… Mike and Kurt were fired 5-7 years ago to save $. Mike and I recently asked to have a larger role in VT - other than freelance voice talent. We were told "no", and our voices are now being recast. Hence the bittersweet theme song tweet.)" \|url=https://twitter.com/philvischer/status/1409926275683307522 \|access-date=2023-09-12 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629172649/https://twitter.com/philvischer/status/1409926275683307522 \|archive-date=June 29, 2021}}

2020s

= 2020 =

style="width:150pt;"\| Series / type \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles	In September 2020, DreamWorks began development on a film adaptation of Tom Lennon's book of the same name with The Angry Birds Movie director Fergal Reilly directing.{{Cite web\|last=McNary\|first=Dave\|date=2020-09-15\|title=DreamWorks Animation Developing 'Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles' Movie\|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/dreamworks-animation-ronan-boyle-and-the-book-of-riddles-movie-1234770734/\|access-date=2021-02-20\|website=Variety\|language=}} However, nothing came of it since.

= 2023 =

style="width:150pt;"\| Series \|\| style="width:100pt;"\| Title \|\| Description
class="wikitable"
Feature film	Another Me	In 2023, the website Cartoon Brew reported that a Bollywood-themed film project titled Another Me had been shelved due in part to "significant reductions in staffing".{{cite web \|last=Amidi \|first=Amid \|author-link=Amid Amidi \|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/dreamworks-animation-to-significantly-cut-staff-in-coming-months-exclusive-239058.html \|title=Dreamworks Animation To Significantly Cut Staff In Coming Months (Exclusive) \|website=Cartoon Brew \|date=March 15, 2024}}

References

Universal Pictures

Category:Universal Pictures animated films

Universal Pictures

Unreleased Universal Pictures

Category:Lists of unproduced works