If you think Disney characters are drawn in a manner that’s too child-centric, feast your eyes on these Royce Southerland illustrations. The talented artist felt the classic cartoon creations would benefit from a more grown-up re-design, and thus these images of Boo and Mike from Monsters Inc. and the title characters from Lilo and Stitch were born. Not only does Southerland age his characters, with the two females blossoming into teens, but he’s also given the monsters in the respective films hulking biceps. I guess cartoons can also be guilty of spending too much time at the gym.
Though Royce Southerland drew the two initial images, they were later colored by the equally noteworthy artist Joshua Ravello. Together, they reinvigorated people’s interest Disney characters and turned them into something completely badass.
Muscular Disney Monsters
Royce Southerland Renders Childhood Favorites for Adult Audiences
Trend Themes
1. Grown-up Redesign - There is a trend for artists to reimagine classic cartoon characters in a more mature and adult-oriented style, offering new perspectives on beloved childhood favorites.
2. Character Transformation - Artists are transforming once childlike Disney characters into older and more developed versions, tapping into nostalgia while appealing to an adult audience.
3. Muscular Makeover - There is a trend for giving cartoon characters physical transformations, such as muscular bodies, challenging traditional representations and offering new interpretations.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Illustration - The art and illustration industry has the opportunity to cater to the growing demand for reimagined adult-oriented versions of classic cartoon characters.
2. Merchandising and Licensing - The merchandising and licensing industry can take advantage of the popularity of mature redesigns by creating merchandise and products featuring the transformed Disney characters.
3. Entertainment and Media - The entertainment and media industry can explore the potential of producing adult-oriented content and adaptations of beloved childhood characters, appealing to a wider audience.