Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
15 Famous Characters Had Different Names During Early Development
Many famous characters had different names in early drafts before creators settled on the versions audiences know.
The examples span films, books and cartoons, including Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear, Mickey Mouse and Sherlock Holmes.
Writers and filmmakers often try out several names while developing a character.
Indiana Jones was nearly Indiana Smith, while Pixar considered calling Buzz Lightyear Lunar Larry.
Mickey Mouse was first considered as Mortimer Mouse, but Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, suggested Mickey.
Some changes came after an original name was already in use, as happened when SpongeBoy became SpongeBob SquarePants.
These examples show how character names can change through the creative process before a work reaches its audience.
Fifteen famous characters had different names during early development, according to Den of Geek.
The early names included Indiana Smith, Luke Starkiller, Lunar Larry and SpongeBoy.
Some names changed after suggestions or because a name was already taken.
The article also describes characters whose original names appeared in early notes or drafts.
- Who
- Fifteen famous characters, including Indiana Jones, Mickey Mouse and SpongeBob SquarePants.
- What
- Their names differed during early development before later choices became familiar.
- When
- The development periods vary; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Creators and writers tried different names before settling on ones they preferred; SpongeBoy was changed because the name was already taken.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Disney introduced the character later known as Goofy as Dippy Dawg.
Mortimer appeared as a separate character in the cartoon Mickey’s Rival.
The monkey later known as Curious George first appeared as Fifi in a book by the Reys.
George Lucas changed Luke Starkiller’s surname before Star Wars was released.
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg agreed on Indiana Jones instead of Indiana Smith before Raiders of the Lost Ark was released.
Toy Story used the name Buzz Lightyear after Pixar considered alternatives including Lunar Larry.
- Characters covered
- 15
- Indiana Jones’s original name
- Indiana Smith
- Luke Skywalker’s early name
- Luke Starkiller
- Buzz Lightyear’s considered name
- Lunar Larry
- SpongeBob SquarePants’s original name
- SpongeBoy
- Publication date
- October 13, 2026
Sources
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