Bruno was originally named Oscar

Early Encanto concept art shows that Bruno was initially named Oscar. However, songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda changed his name to Bruno to better fit the flow of the hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” “We don’t talk about Oscar no, no no,” doesn’t roll on the tongue as smoothly. Ironically, even though the song has been topping charts and everyone is expecting it to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, it looks like the award won’t be possible. That’s because Disney couldn’t submit the song in time. We don’t talk about Oscars more like?

Isabela’s scrapped love interest

One of the concepts that didn’t make it to the final film was Isabela’s love interest named Bubo Marquez. He is the total opposite of Mariano, who is basically a Disney prince charming. Bubo was vertically challenged and conventionally unattractive — everything Abuela wouldn’t have approved of.

Encanto Heads of Story Jason Hand and Nancy Kruse introduced the scene entitled “Isabela goes into the woods.” There, Mirabel speaks to her sister to help her uncover the magic of the Encanto. The rough animation showed Isabela climbing out of her room Rapunzel-style by growing a vine. A wild creature “abducts” her. Mirabel runs after her sister only to discover that the animal was actually Bubo “wearing a jaguar-print coat.” The deleted scene even had a weirdly graphic moment of Isabela and Bubo kissing. Eventually, Mirabel finds out Isabela intends to elope with Bubo.

concept art of isabela and a dorky suitor who was gonna be named bubo who she loved! pic.twitter.com/wGrwbd3IxF

— ; bruno !! papa johns arc (@7footframe) January 8, 2022

Mirabel demanded an explanation for the shocking discovery. “What did you do to her?” she asked Bubo. “He saw me,” says Isabela. “Bubo was the only person who has ever really seen me.”

To that, we say “Awwww.” But at the same time, we’re kind of glad she didn’t end up with anyone. Strong, independent women don’t need a man to make them feel complete.

Isabela growing a potato family

Here’s another fun concept for Isabela that wasn’t included in the final movie — her powers allow her to grow a sentient potato family. She goes beyond growing beautiful blooms, a gift that makes her one of the most powerful in the family. Isabela’s potato creation tended to the crops and plants in the house. How cute would it have been if they made it to the cut?

Other characters that didn’t make it to the final movie

Encanto creators had a pool of too many initial characters to choose from before they settled with the final members of the Madrigal family. There’s a character named Fuega who seemed to have the gift of fire, Princesa who looked like she was an original version of Isabela with flower powers, and a quirky-looking Gabriel who looks like he became Camilo in the final movie.

The art book also had detailed drawings of characters named Alejandra and Miranda as well as twins Leta and Pepa. It looks like Tia Pepa was supposed to have a twin. If Disney pursued a series for Encanto, these characters could come to life.

Luisa has an awesome secret room

It’s a shame the movie didn’t get to explore all the Madrigal family rooms. If Antonio could fit an entire rainforest in his and Isabela gets to practically live inside a flower field, then Luisa’s room must also reflect her gift and desires. Well, Disney’s Art of Encanto book showed concepts of Luisa’s room which looks normal enough for anyone dropping by but which actually has a secret door only she knew of. Where does this door lead? To a colorful carnival where she can just play all day and let her worries go. Some concepts from the novel Disney Encanto: A Tale of Three Sisters also showed how she had “a maze of weights and pulleys” in her room to be in tip-top shape.

Camilo as Mirabel’s bully

Can you believe that sweet, mischievous Camilo was initially written to be Mirabel’s arch-nemesis? It makes sense if you think how every family has a rivalry. And since Camilo has this chaotic energy around him, it was easy to picture. Thank Encanto creators that he didn’t end up as Mirabel’s bully. She already has enough antagonists and drama in her life without his help.

Camilo’s name was a play on “chameleon,” which is his symbol for his shape-shifting gift. Aside from that, he was also named after Camilo Garcia Escobar who was apparently a biologist and served as the Encanto team’s tour guide in Colombia.

Tia Pepa’s gift of being indestructible

Tia Pepa can affect the weather with her mood, but that wasn’t her original power. Encanto creators said her gift was supposed to be being indestructible. However, since Luisa already had super strength which basically made her indestructible, Pepa’s gift was changed to her emotion affecting the weather instead.

 Different versions of the Casita

Before the animators settled on the final version of the Casita, there have been different styles and concepts in the drafts. One design featured a whimsical Casita sitting on top of a hill. Another Casita design is a draft of it beside a waterfall, and one where it’s built intertwined with a boulder. There’s also a design where the Casita would expand and add more rooms to accommodate the growing Madrigal family. You can tell the creators had fun exploring the concepts before deciding on the final look.

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