'Once Upon a Time' Is Crowded, but These Disney Characters Should Appear on the Show
The "Once Upon a Time" fairytale world is already crowded with a hodgepodge of characters from almost every animated Disney movie inspired by a storybook. However, there are some popular characters who haven't appeared on the show yet, and it would be fun to see them pop up in the future. Here's a look at the princesses, villains, and heroes who should make an appearance before Emma Swan and her family finally get their happily ever after:
Chernabog from "Fantasia"
The Evil Queen, Peter Pan, and The Wicked Witch look like those chubby-cheeked "Fantasia" cherubs next to this mountain-sized demon. The massive creature looks like something out of an H. P. Lovecraft novel, and he has the power to control an undead army of harpies, skeletal ghosts, and impish demons. If Chernabog ever makes an appearance in "Once Upon a Time," the show might become just a shade darker. I could see the monster getting a Cthulhu-like story with evil, obsessive members of his cult trying to awaken him from his slumber. Regina, Emma, and Mr. Gold also might need to summon another powerful sorcerer to defeat the beast, so this would be an excellent time for Merlin to make an appearance.
The Headless Horseman from "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad"
Headless characters have been pretty popular recently. There's the "Sleepy Hollow" Headless Horseman, Kathy Bates' decapitated head from "American Horror Story: Coven," and Hershel's zombified head from "The Walking Dead." The Headless Horseman was one of Disney's spookiest characters, so it would be fun to see the character haunting the Enchanted Forest and chucking flaming pumpkins at terrified residents of the fairytale world.
Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog"
Isn't it about time for someone to kiss a frog on "Once Upon a Time?" Many "OUAT" fans were probably disappointed to discover that "The Walking Dead" star Sonequa Martin-Green was playing one Peter Pan's magic-hating minions, not Princess Tiana. If "OUAT" ever does try to cast a Tiana, I would love it so much if Sonequa could talk "The Walking Dead" costar Danai Gurira into going for the role. It would be awesome to see Tiana re-imagined as a swashbuckling heroine who knows how to use a sword, and perhaps her frog could be another jealous green-skinned character from Oz (envy actually makes you turn green in the Wonderful Wizard's world). Better yet, maybe Tiana could become Mulan's new love interest after failing to find love by kissing a cursed toad.
Elsa from "Frozen"
Now that the Evil Queen character has pretty much been redeemed, it's time for another resentful and powerful ruler to get her chance at redemption. We've already seen quite a few far away lands on "Once Upon a Time" and "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland," including Victorian England, Wonderland, Neverland, Storybrooke, and Oz. Since there are so many vastly different worlds out there, surely one of them is covered in ice (Santa just has to be real on "Once!").
Cruella de Vil from "101 Dalmatians"
Pongo already exists on "Once," so his sadistic nemesis has to show up eventually. It would be interesting to see her re-imagined as a powerful, puppy-hunting sorceress. Another idea would be to combine her character with that of Yzma from "The Emperor's New Groove." Obviously she would turn whoever she's upset with into a Dalmatian instead of a llama.
Princess Jasmine and Aladdin from "Aladdin"
It seemed inevitable that these two would pop up in "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" since that short-lived series featured Jafar and genies, but perhaps the beloved princess and wannabe prince are being saved for "Once." We've already visited Agrabah a few times and didn't get to stay long, so perhaps we'll go there again. Prince Eric once said that the land is separated from the Enchanted Forest by a vast desert, so maybe our heroes will end up having to trek there in search of another important magical MacGuffin.
Hades from "Hercules"
A wise-cracking Hades would certainly be a formidable foe for Mr. Gold, and we already know that at least one character from Greek mythology used to exist in the "Once" world (RIP, Medusa). If Jafar's floating fortress from "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" is a possibility, surely a powerful sorcerer would be capable of creating a fiery underground lair.
Which Disney characters would you like to see on "Once," and do you think any characters would be a bad fit for the show? - Aida Ekberg
