The 4 Vultures — Based on the Beatles
In animation, it’s not uncommon for character designs to draw influence from the appearance and personalities of their voice actors. This was supposed to hold true for the four vultures in Disney’s classic film, “The Jungle Book.” Initially, the plan was to base these avian characters on the legendary British rock band, The Beatles. However, due to the Fab Four’s hectic schedules and John Lennon’s reluctance to participate in the project, they ultimately didn’t take on the roles as originally intended.
Nevertheless, despite the change in voice actors, the character designs for the vultures remained intact. They still retained the distinctive appearance and personalities influenced by The Beatles. In the final film, the vultures showcased mock Liverpudlian accents. They delivered a musical performance of “That’s What Friends Are For” in a style reminiscent of a barbershop quartet, paying homage to The Beatles creatively and endearingly. This unique twist added a layer of charm to the characters, showcasing Disney’s ability to adapt and create memorable moments even when faced with unexpected challenges.
