What made Disney decide to create Tarzan in 1999?

[DodgerGirl]

When it was announced that Disney's Tarzan would debut in theaters in 1999 I wondered how odd of a choice it was? And when it debuted in theaters I couldn't figure out how Tarzan became popular and Phil Collins music from the movie was tops on the music charts and I even dressed as Jane for Halloween of that year. The only two reasons it scored well in theaters was because Rosie O'Donnell and Seinfeld's Wayne Knight provided the voices for Terk and Tantor and another thing I found shocking and my dad noticed it as well that Jane looked like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and i'm surprised the creators of Tomb Raider didn't sue Disney over copying Lara Croft when Disney designed Jane. But I can't even figure out why Tarzan got the straight-to-video release Tarzan And Jane and the actual sequel Tarzan II. Was Tarzan not successful for Disney when it debuted?

 

[jade1]

The only two reasons it scored well in theaters was because Rosie O'Donnell and Seinfeld's Wayne Knight provided the voices for Terk and Tantor and another thing I found shocking and my dad noticed it as well that Jane looked like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and i'm surprised the creators of Tomb Raider didn't sue Disney over copying Lara Croft when Disney designed Jane. But I can't even figure out why Tarzan got the straight-to-video release Tarzan And Jane and the actual sequel Tarzan II. Was Tarzan not successful for Disney when it debuted?

That's the only 2 reasons?

How about it was a great movie with great reviews and an academy award winning soundtrack? The most expensive animated film ever made up until then, leading to half a Billion dollars in theaters.

Not sure about the Laura Croft comparison. I only remember Angelina.

 

[Karin1984]

It was a very logical choice for Disney to make Tarzan as it is a well known classic story. The story and characters appealed to all kinds of demographics. It gave great opportunities for the animation department to excel.

It was very successful at the box office due to the animation and the music.

Jane doesn't look like Lara Croft. The only similarity I see is that they both have some loose locks of brown hair next to their temple.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yea, can't say I see Lara Croft being related to Jane either! That comparison never entered my mind.

Not necessarily one of my most memorable Disney features, but absolutely one of my favorite soundtracks!

 

[BrianL]

Yea, can't say I see Lara Croft being related to Jane either! That comparison never entered my mind.

Not necessarily one of my most memorable Disney features, but absolutely one of my favorite soundtracks!

Yeah, it's a decent movie, but it's a GREAT soundtrack! I remember working at Blockbuster and this would be a movie we would play in the overhead TVs (had to be rated G), and I always remember Jane's line, "Daddy, they took my boot!"

 

[Karin1984]

Yeah, it's a decent movie, but it's a GREAT soundtrack! I remember working at Blockbuster and this would be a movie we would play in the overhead TVs (had to be rated G), and I always remember Jane's line, "Daddy, they took my boot!"

Minnie Driver was such a great casting for Jane.

 

[Kit Jackson]

The soundtrack is amazing. Phil Collins gave his all and it's fantastic. Also, I personally love "Trashing the Camp." I will admit it adds nothing to the story, reveals nothing about the wants/feelings/emotional state of a character, but it's a fun upbeat song and it's enjoyable to watch the scene.

I think part of the reason to do a Tarzan story was that Disney wanted to do something that was less princess/feminine focused and might appeal to boys more than the princess movies would. Jane still allows for a woman to be part of the adventure story and have someone to appeal to girls in the audience.

 

[tinkerhon]

That's the only 2 reasons?

How about it was a great movie with great reviews and an academy award winning soundtrack? The most expensive animated film ever made up until then, leading to half a Billion dollars in theaters.

Not sure about the Laura Croft comparison. I only remember Angelina.

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Totally agree !! One of the most underrated Disney scores in my opinion ! And at that time, did that many ppl even know who Wayne Knight was ?

 

[Kit Jackson]

Totally agree !! One of the most underrated Disney scores in my opinion ! And at that time, did that many ppl even know who Wayne Knight was ?

Wayne Knight is one of the those actors that people may not recognize the name, but they recognize him/his work. If you said Wayne Knight, you might get a blank stare, but if you said, "the computer guy who tries to steal the DNA in Jurassic Park" or "Newman from Seinfeld" people (especially in 1999 when the movie came out) would probably know who you meant.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I was very glad to see Rosie O'Donnell provide the voice for Terk and as a Rosie O'Donnell fan I instantly liked Terk and Terk was really funny. But why Phil Collins was chosen to perform the music in Disney's Tarzan was because seeing how Elton John worked on The Lion King they thought Phil Collins would work the same magic for Tarzan

 

[tinkerhon]

I was very glad to see Rosie O'Donnell provide the voice for Terk and as a Rosie O'Donnell fan I instantly liked Terk and Terk was really funny. But why Phil Collins was chosen to perform the music in Disney's Tarzan was because seeing how Elton John worked on The Lion King they thought Phil Collins would work the same magic for Tarzan

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/tarzan-disney-soundtrack-feature/

Actually, they wanted to go AGAINST the grain of using Broadway type music, (and composers— such as Elton John) and wanted a more Rock music feel, hence the hiring of Collins