Disney’s Toy Story 3 Forces Stephen King’s The Monkey to Change Iconic Toy Monkey’s Look

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Summary

  • The Monkey had to change toy from cymbals to a drum after Disney had trademark ownership due to Toy Story 3.
  • The horror movie stars Theo James alongside Elijah Wood and other big names in the industry.
  • The Monkey is set in the 90s because an initial 80s plan seemed overdone thanks to Stranger Things.

Fans of Stephen King can look forward to an exciting development this month with the imminent release of “The Monkey“, a film adaptation aiming to breathe life into the 1980 short story on the silver screen for the first time, under the direction of Oz Perkins. However, in preparation for the upcoming adaptation, “The Monkey” had to make a significant alteration to its original plot, which can be attributed to the success of a well-known Pixar film.

In a refreshing blend of comedy and horror, the upcoming movie titled “The Monkey” is directed by Osgood Perkins, a filmmaker who gained recognition with his 2024 release, “Longlegs“, where Nicolas Cage played an enigmatic serial killer and Maika Monroe was cast as FBI agent Lee Harker investigating the case. The plot of “The Monkey” revolves around two twin brothers who stumble upon a vintage toy monkey in their attic, but instead of being adorable and fun, this specific toy is the catalyst for a series of terrifying deaths. As the brothers attempt to distance themselves from their haunted past, the cursed toy resurfaces years later, resuming its deadly spree. The film features Theo James, known for his role in “Divergent”, playing both twins, as well as Elijah Wood from “The Lord of the Rings“, Tatiana Maslany from “Black Orphan“, and Adam Scott from “Severance“.

Toy Story 3 Was the Reason The Monkey Director Had To Change Horror Movie

In an exclusive piece by Games Radar, director Osgood Perkins disclosed he was informed that Disney held the rights to the original appearance of the monkey toy featured in the film, necessitating a change from one that made cymbal sounds to one that beat a drum. The rationale behind this alteration? Simply put, the monkey toy had previously appeared in Toy Story 3, which meant Disney owned the copyright for depictions of toy monkeys playing cymbals in cinemas, making it unsuitable, particularly for use in a horror movie.

In my own words, here’s how I’d rephrase the statement:

“Initially, when I received the task, the producer mentioned casually that Disney owned the cymbals due to the toy monkey in Toy Story. This meant we couldn’t use cymbals. Instead of viewing it as a constraint, I saw it as an opportunity. If you’re not open to embracing such challenges, then you might be in trouble!

Luckily, this change didn’t deter me, and in the end, I found the idea of the monkey pounding on a drum to be much more intriguing, lending it a darker edge. In fact, I was thrilled when I realized that the drum would work better for our purposes. It’s like a battle drum, signaling ‘Drum roll, please!’ before an event. That’s far superior to cymbals, in my opinion. So, thank you, Disney, for this unexpected twist! I prefer it!

Perkins elaborated on why the film, titled “The Monkey“, is situated in the 90s instead of any other decade. Originally, the director desired the movie to be set in the 80s as it resonated with him as “very Stephen King.” However, he altered this decision because Stranger Things had already claimed that concept. Additionally, “The Monkey” encountered other hurdles when its promotional trailer was turned down by multiple television networks due to an abundance of violence.

The Monkey opens in theaters on February 21, 2025.

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2025-02-20 12:54