Original Walt Disney Production Cels on Courvoisier Background from Fantasia featuring Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice

Once again it all started with a Mouse. Walt Disney wanted Mickey Mouse to star in an animated version of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. However, as Walt Dinsey began developing Fantasia with animator Leopold Stokowski in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was on the verge of becoming a blockbuster. To ensure the success of Fantasia, it was suggested Dopey play the Sorcerer’s Apprentice instead of Mickey Mouse.

Leopold Stokowski pitched the idea to Walt Disney saying, “What would you think of creating an entirely new personality for this film instead of using Mickey? A personality that could represent you and me. You may have strong reasons for wishing Mickey to be the hero…. [But] I feel that if you create a new personality which represents every one of us, it might be a valuable factor in the years to come, and enlarge the scope. This is merely a suggestion… discard immediately if it does not interest you.” 

Unsurprisingly, Walt Disney in fact did have strong feelings about why Mickey Mouse should be the star. He believed Mickey represented a kind of “everyman” (or “everymouse”). While Mickey Mouse did end up portraying the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the influenced of Dopey can be seen in his movements, shoes and loose-fitting wizard robe. 

As veteran Walt Disney Studios director Ben Sharpsteen said decades later, “Mickey Mouse was, when you come right down to it… a good choice.” We are pleased to offer Walt Disney production cels on Courvoisier background from Fantasia, featuring Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Own a piece of animation history today! SOLD