Just to entertain the child inside me, I've decided to give you a BROAD concept I thought of for a new Disney/Pixar movie. In recent years, Pixar has become extremely successful in the movie industry by knowing how to draw children, and adults alike, to their movies. However, did you know that the most successful movie Pixar did, is also one of their worst reviewed (if you can call them bad reviews)...for the movie "Cars". This movie is largely successful because of kids love for the characters (which, in turn, means they've made a fortune in merchandising). But also because the filmmaker's found a perfect way to appeal to American audiences. Pixar earns most of its revenue through U.S. sales, and what's more American than "auto racing" and "small town life".
So, here's another way I feel they could appeal to an even broader American niche, as well as audiences overseas...do a Pixar western. This concept doesn't just involve any western, but a sort of "expedition like" western that starts back east and ends in Oregon. The two main characters (a single father and his son), should be the two horses leading the "charge out west": one older, wiser, and experienced, while the other youthful, wild, and inexperienced. This format is a cliche, but with the Pixar twist (unique and interesting characters) can still appeal to adults, and is a great teaching tool for children...as you'll see. And, since Pixar is sooo good handling emotion within their films; take the "Disney/Bambi approach" even further, and have either the father or son die in a very dramatic fashion (once the audience has a connection to each character). This is shocking, and risky in appealing to children and their parents. But, if the storyline is handled respectfully, and goes deeper than any previous children's movie has; showing the reality of accepting, living with, and eventually "moving forward" following a significant loss...then it could pay off with audiences. Include a young replacement horse, as either the surviving father or son is pushed into taking on their new role as father figure (could be an interesting story in either direction). Also, include a variety of ethnic animal and insect characters within the movie; this, of course, appeals to a wider audience, and helps showcase the real diversity of the American West (the new horse being Mexican or Native American, a Canadian wolf, an Irish immigrant fly, etc. etc.) An idea for one particular scene, which could be incredibly impressive in animated form, is to have a Peregrine Falcon character (which can fly upwards of 200mph) give us the animated perspective of what this bird sees when flying (using different speeds). This would be unbelievably tricky animation; but, if pulled off, could be one of the movies 'stand-out' scenes. It might be a good idea not to involve the human characters much; focus on the story and displaying the beauty of the animals and environment. You could simply show the people from the waist down (like the adults in a "Peanuts" cartoon)...until the ending. Then reveal at the end that this was the "Lewis & Clark Expedition".
Obviously this is an early concept. But, if done right, with a tight and impactful storyline, and a real showcase of the incredible diversity and beauty of the American West...could be a great Disney/Pixar movie. 