Unraveling the Unbelievable: Disney's Serendipitous Serenade with Sailor Moon

Live-action adaptations of popular anime and manga have a longer history than one might think, with countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan producing such adaptations for years. Even Jackie Chan got in on the action, starring in a live-action adaptation of City Hunter. In recent times, Hollywood has also begun to venture into adapting anime and manga for live-action movies, although most of them have gained notoriety for their poor execution. Dragonball: Evolution was a prime example of a disastrous adaptation, while Speed Racer is now hailed as a modern masterpiece that was ahead of its time. The latest attempt at adapting an anime for American audiences, Knights of the Zodiac, also seems to be heading towards infamy. With its enduring popularity in North America, Sailor Moon appears to be a prime candidate for an American film adaptation. Surprisingly, the only serious attempt thus far was made by The Walt Disney Company in the mid-nineties, but unfortunately, the project ultimately failed. How exactly did Disney manage to obtain the rights to Sailor Moon in the first place?

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon is a manga created by Naoko Takeuchi that later became an anime series. It gained immense popularity and led to the creation of multiple films, musicals, and merchandise. The protagonist, Usagi Tsukino, discovers that she is the reincarnation of the ancient moon princess, Sailor Moon. She is joined by a group of magical girls called the Sailor Senshi, each with their own unique powers and identities associated with celestial bodies.

The series incorporates elements of fantasy, romance, and action as Usagi and her friends battle against various adversaries to protect the Earth and the princess they are destined to serve. Throughout the storyline, they unravel the mysteries of their past lives, encounter additional Sailor Senshi, and confront increasingly formidable foes. Sailor Moon is widely credited with revitalizing the magical girl genre and has garnered a devoted fan base consisting of both men and women. It has also received praise for its empowering themes of love, friendship, and female empowerment. Even today, Sailor Moon remains one of the most iconic anime characters, sparking ongoing rumors about a potential American adaptation.

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DiC Entertainment, an animation production company founded by Jean Chalopin in 1971, initially operated in France before expanding its operations to the United States. Under the leadership of Andy Heyward, the current CEO of Genius Brands International, Inc., DiC Entertainment gained recognition for its diverse range of shows in various genres, including children's animation, action-adventure, and educational programming.

Among their notable productions are Inspector Gadget, The Real Ghostbusters, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! DiC Entertainment was also responsible for the initial dubbing of Sailor Moon for American audiences. Although this adaptation introduced the character to American viewers, it garnered notoriety for its significant alterations to the dialogue, character names, and storylines to cater to Western audiences. This involvement with the franchise ultimately led to the acquisition of Sailor Moon's rights by the Walt Disney Company.

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DIC Entertainment faced financial difficulties in the late eighties due to the oversaturation of the syndication market. The company had to borrow money to cover the costs of previously produced shows, as there were more kids' programming being created than available time slots for airing. To address this issue, DIC Entertainment, in partnership with Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises, Inc., established a joint venture named DIC Entertainment, L.P. on July 26, 1993. This partnership aimed to manage DIC's production library and provide content for distribution in international markets by Capital Cities/ABC and PolyGram.

Eventually, DIC Productions L.P. was formed as a new company, with Heyward retaining a small ownership stake while Capital Cities/ABC and PolyGram held 95% ownership. This partnership proved beneficial as it allowed DIC Entertainment to relocate to Burbank, expand its operations with a movie and video game division, and acquire international properties such as Ultraman and Sailor Moon. In January 1996, The Walt Disney Company merged with Capital Cities/ABC in a deal valued at $19 billion, resulting in DIC becoming a part of The Walt Disney Company.

The company later established DIC Films, a feature-film unit, and secured a first-look deal with Walt Disney Pictures. This agreement granted Disney the opportunity to produce films based on various DiC properties, including Sailor Moon. Disney showed immense interest in the property, leading to the initiation of pre-production for a Sailor Moon film. Talks were held with Melissa Joan Hart, known for her role in the popular ABC show Sabrina The Teenage Witch, for the role of Sailor Moon, and Academy Award-winner Geena Davis for the role of Queen Beryl. However, despite the progress, the film never came to fruition. Nonetheless, it's fascinating to consider that Disney unintentionally acquired the rights to a Sailor Moon movie, even if it was never made.