The whispers of a Disney remake for FernGully: The Last Rainforest are fluttering through the grapevine. In the realm of animation, Disney reigns supreme, leaving no room for contenders. The movie studio’s animation magic — coupled with their captivating narratives — have birthed ageless masterpieces that still bewitch legions of viewers.
But let us not forget that this media giant has not always been the epitome of fairness, as was oh-so-clearly demonstrated by the dramatic saga that unfolded around the release of FernGully: The Last Rainforest. So amid the swirling rumors of a potential rebirth of this gem, let us remember the cunning tactics employed by Disney back in the day to overshadow its triumph.
Is FernGully: The Last Rainforest owned by Disney? Its history explained
While Fox — once the proud distributor of FernGully: The Last Rainforest — has now been gobbled up by the mighty Disney, the animation giant doesn’t hold the current distribution rights. So, the film isn’t even free for Disney’s taking, after all. In a stroke of brilliance, the dynamic duo of Shout! Factory and Machine Media Advisors joined forces to create an epic entertainment distribution deal for the timeless animated gem two years ago, just in time for its 30th Anniversary. According to Animation Magazine, Shout! Factory’s FernGully multi-year deal grants them digital, video-on-demand, broadcast, theatrical, and home entertainment rights.
Now, let’s look at the film at the heart of the drama. In case you haven’t heard of it, FernGully: The Last Rainforest is a 1992 animated film utilizing the voice talent of a plethora of Hollywood actors, including Tim Curry, Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater, Jonathan Ward, Robin Williams, and Grace Zabriskie. The film is based on the stories by Diana Young and directed by Bill Kroyer, with a screenplay by Jim Cox and a score by Alan Silvestri.
The film follows Crysta, a fairy living in FernGully, an unspoiled jungle left untouched by humanity. In FernGully, whimsical creatures frolic, and fairies naively think humans are as extinct as dinosaurs. The film was ahead of its time, delving into environmental themes before they were all the rage, championing the preservation of nature and aiming to enlighten young minds on the wonders of environmentalism through a captivating and delightful experience.
Unfortunately, the film’s grand entrance was rudely upstaged by the dazzling arrival of Disney’s Aladdin. And this was no ordinary coincidence. Disney’s cunning move to strategically schedule the release of this masterpiece was an attempt to rain on FernGully‘s parade. In a classic case of David vs. Goliath, Disney unleashed their cinematic warrior, Aladdin, mere weeks after the humble FernGully hit the screens. Suffice it to say; poor FernGully got swept away in a tidal wave of Disney magic, leaving it gasping for attention, box office success, and perhaps a genie of its own.
This move truly showcased the fierce battle royale in the animation industry. However, it also revealed a rather cavalier attitude toward the opportunity to enlighten a generation on the significance of environmental conservation. FernGully wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill cartoon; it was a cleverly disguised, passionate call to action for ecological awareness, packaged as a delightful children’s film.
Why did Disney start throwing blows and become the ultimate messy queen?
It turns out Disney wasn’t just playing the role of the evil stepmother for kicks and giggles, although they did go a tad overboard with the drama. The seeds of animosity were sown when the brilliant Wayne Young, a mastermind behind the enchanting FernGully, joined forces with the esteemed Bill Kroyer, owner of Kroyer Films, and the talented Jim Cox, both of whom had once graced the halls of Walt Disney Studios as animator and screenwriter. In a riveting tale shared with Vanity Fair, it appears Cox pulled off a covert operation, smuggling Young into the sacred halls of Disney’s studio offices with a fake name badge, all in the pursuit of poaching one of Disney’s finest talents. Disney was not too pleased with this sly swipe, unleashing a relentless quest to put the brakes on the movie-making process of FernGully: The Last Rainforest.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Disney was at the same time fuming because Robin Williams dared to star in not one but two animated films back-to-back. And to add salt to the wound, FernGully was his first foray into animation. Blameless, Williams already had plans to voice Batty Koda when Disney approached him about doing Aladdin. Moreover, the playful character was tailor-made to showcase Williams’s unparalleled talent. So Disney not only played the villain role by trying to kick Robin out of the film, but they also decided to flex their muscles by attempting to snatch up all the studio space the animators desperately needed to bring the movie to life.
Will we be seeing a new version of FernGully soon?
The 1992 release of Ferngully had a moderate effect on the box office. It cost roughly $24 million and earned nearly $32 million in the U.S. alone. It was a small box office success but turned a profit and became more well-known thanks to home video and TV airings. The film’s critical reception was lukewarm at best. The film’s animation and environmental message were appreciated, and both Robin Williams and Tim Curry’s performances earned kudos from reviewers.
Nonetheless, the movie has transformed into quite the cult classic, captivating the hearts of those who relish its environmental wisdom and indulge in a delightful dose of ’90s animation nostalgia. It also spawned a 1998 direct-to-video sequel, FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue, which was not nearly as successful. So while there has been no formal announcement regarding a remake of FernGully: The Last Rainforest, it’s easy to see why some supporters are holding out hope.
And though remakes constantly stir up strong opinions, imagine a FernGully comeback; it’s like giving a fresh coat of paint to a timeless message so a whole new generation can get in on the magic. However, this time around, we can only wish that business maneuverings take a back seat to the film’s quality, message, and ability to captivate moviegoers as its success deciding factors.