History Trivia / ChickenLittle

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Chicken Little was going to stay closer to the original story, by having Chicken Little be a [[http://jimhillmedia.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles-00-00-00-00-03/0211.Clarke_2D00_5.jpg_2D00_500x0.jpg female]], and the original villain of the movie was called "Wolf-in-Sheep's-Clothing." This character wound up being cut out of that animated feature entirely when WDFA dropped this picture's original sleep away-camp-based plot and opted to go with an aliens-from-outer-space-invading storyline instead.

This film was the first AllCGICartoon film to come out of Disney (CGI having been used in several of their animated features since 1991) and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too just as well as competitor Creator/DreamWorks and to prove to Pixar it'll do just fine without them, thank you very much. That was the intent anyway but the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]] and performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though it did do much better than Disney/TreasurePlanet and Disney/HomeOnTheRange had though not critically). The film was often derided for its giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends of the time along with a cameo in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of critical failure for Disney and and only helped convince Pixar and the filmgoing public that they were still not ready for this new game without LuxoJr by their side.

* TheOtherMarty: Chicken Little was originally going to be voiced by Holly Hunter (because he was originally female)

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Chicken Little was going to stay closer to the original story, by having Chicken Little be a [[http://jimhillmedia.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles-00-00-00-00-03/0211.Clarke_2D00_5.jpg_2D00_500x0.jpg female]], and the original villain of the movie was called "Wolf-in-Sheep's-Clothing." This character wound up being cut out of that animated feature entirely when WDFA dropped this picture's original sleepaway-camp-based plot and opted to go with an aliens-fron-outer-space-invading storyline instead.

''Chicken Little'' came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]] and performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though it did do much better than the previous four films they had released that decade). The film was often derided for its giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

Luckily, 2005 was also a good year for switcheroos and with long-term CEO Michael Eisner stepping down to be replaced by Rob Iger, [[TheBigLebowski new shit was about to come to light, man]]. Iger sat down with the guys at Pixar and a year later announced the buyout of Pixar essentially making it their own. In exchange, Pixar's head honcho John Lassetter got the plum slot of Chief Creative Officer for Disney Animation Studios (as Disney Feature Animation became known) whilst keeping his other position at Pixar. All this due to the activities of one small fowl[[note]]Not completely responsible you understand but it did have an effect[[/note]], awesome huh?

Chicken Little came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]] and performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though it did do much better than the previous four films they had released that decade). The film was often derided for its giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

Luckily, 2005 was also a good year for switcheroos and with long-term CEO Michael Eisner stepping down to be replaced by Rob Iger, [[TheBigLebowski new shit was about to come to light, man]]. Iger sat down with the guys at Pixar and a year later announced the buyout of Pixar essentially making it their own. In exchange, Pixar's head honcho John Lassetter got the plum slot of Chief Creative Officer for Disney Animation Studios (as Disney Feature Animation became known) whilst keeping his other position at Pixar. All this due to the activities of one small fowl[[note]]Not completely responsible you understand but it did have an effect[[/note]], awesome huh?

** And, of course, [[Series/{{Scrubs}} J.D.]] as Chicken Little, [[Film/ToyStory Jessie]] as Abby Mallard, and [[Literature/DiaryofaWimpyKid Frank Heffley]] is Runt.

* HeyItsThatVoice: Creator/PatrickStewart voiced Chicken Little's teacher and AdamWest voiced the movie version of Chicken Little.

** And, of course, [[Series/{{Scrubs}} J.D.]] as Chicken Little, [[Disney/ToyStory Jessie]] as Abby Mallard, and [[Film/DiaryofaWimpyKid Frank Heffley]] is Runt.

** And, of course, [[Series/{{Scrubs}} J.D.]] as Chicken Little.

* HeyItsThatVoice: PatrickStewart voiced Chicken Little's teacher and AdamWest voiced the movie version of Chicken Little.

<1930's newsreel announcer>Dateline: 2004. Disney is in a quandary as lessening box office returns on their own in-house animated features hit their bottom line whilst their partner Pixar ride high on the hog with several critical and box office hits under their belt. With increasing pressure from their main rival DreamworksAnimation and a soon-ending deal with their pals in Emeryville, the guys at the Mouse House decide to make their own CGI works and show those guys who's boss. Go gettem boys!</1930's newsreel announcer>

** And, of course, [[{{Scrubs}} J.D.]] as Chicken Little.
** In Spain and Denmark, Chicken Little is [[{{Anime/Pokemon}} Ash Ketchum]].

Luckily, 2005 was also a good year for switcheroos and with long-term CEO Michael Eisner stepping down to be replaced by Rob Iger, [[TheBigLebowski new shit was about to come to light, man]]. Iger sat down with the guys at Pixar and a year later announced the buyout of Pixar essentially making it their own. In exchange, Pixar's head honcho John Lassetter got the plum slot of Chief Creative Officer for Disney Animation Studios (as Disney Feature Animation became known) whilst keeping his other position at Pixar. All this due to the activities of one small fowl[[hottip:*:Not completely responsible you understand but it did have an effect]], awesome huh?

Chicken Little came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]] and performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though it did do much better than the previous four films they had released that decade). The film was often derided for its giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

** The alien officer near the end is [[TheEmperorsNewGroove Kronk]].

Chicken Little came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]] and performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though it did do much better than the previous four films they had released that decade). The film was often derided as nothing more than a giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

<1930's newsreel announcer>Dateline: 2004. Disney is in a quandary as lessening box office returns on their own in-house animated features hit their bottom line whilst their partner Pixar ride high on the hog with several critical and box office hits under their belt. With increasing pressure from their main rival DreamWorks Animation and a soon-ending deal with their pals in Emeryville, the guys at the Mouse House decide to make their own CGI works and show those guys who's boss. Go gettem boys!</1930's newsreel announcer>

This movie came about during a tumultuous time at Disney but also brought about huge change in it's wake. As something of a key part of the film's creation, here's a potted history of the situation at the time.

Chicken Little came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm reviews]], performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though much better than their previous four films). The film was often derided as nothing more than a giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

Luckily, 2005 was also a good year for switcheroos and with long-term CEO Michael Eisner stepping down to be replaced by Rob Iger, [[TheBigLebowski new shit was about to come to light, man]]. Iger sat down with the guys at Pixar and a year later announced the buyout of Pixar essentially making it their own. In exchange, Pixar's head honcho John Lassetter got the plum slot of Chief Creative Officer for Disney Animation Studios (as Disney Feature Animation became known) whilst keeping his other position at Pixar. All this due to the activities of one small fowl, awesome huh?

Chicken Little came as the first fully 3D (no, not that 3D) computer animated feature for Disney Feature Animation after really bad turnouts for most of their films in the early 2000s and Pixar threatening to leave for a better deal on profit sharing with another studio once their partnership expired. Traditional animation production was being thrown out (very literally in some cases) and it seemed like Disney was gearing up for life post-Pixar. This was the first film to come out of Disney in the new raytraced light of CGI and existed purely to show it can do the pop culture skewering fractured fairytale too and as a statement of "lookit me now, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]]!" to Pixar. That was the intent anyway. After a barrage of advertising, the film ultimately got [[SoBadItsAverage lukewarm reviews]], performed poorly at the box office compared to the competition (though much better than their previous four films). The film was often derided as nothing more than a giant marketing push with the titular lead having two consecutive appearances in the Macy's Parade, advertisements parodying other popular films and trends along with a cameo in ''KingdomHeartsII'' for the pint-sized star in hopes of ensuring the loyalty of Japanese filmgoers. The end result was one of defeat for Disney and and did nothing to convince Pixar or the filmgoing public that they were ready for this new game.

Luckily, 2005 was also a good year for switcheroos and with long-term CEO Michael Eisner stepping down to be replaced by Rob Iger, [[TheBigLewbowski new shit was about to come to light, man]]. Iger sat down with the guys at Pixar and a year later announced the buyout of Pixar essentially making it their own. In exchange, Pixar's head honcho John Lassetter got the plum slot of Chief Creative Officer for Disney Animation Studios (as Disney Feature Animation became known) whilst keeping his other position at Pixar. All this due to the activities of one small fowl, awesome huh?

** You know what? This movie kind of abused this trope.
** And, of course, [[{{Scrubs}} J.D.]] as Chicken Little.

** And, of course, [[Scrubs J.D.]] as Chicken Little.