Outlander as Disney Characters
Though Outlander and Disney might not draw the most obvious comparisons, many of the characters fit together surprisingly well! So here are my picks for Outlander character’s Disney counterparts!
Roger/Prince Eric
I can definitely see the similarities between Roger and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. They are both smart, brave, and in love with adventurous redheads. They both come through with big, romantic gestures, one being the death of a sea-witch, and the other travelling through time. They are both very thunderstruck when they meet the right girl, and are true romantics at heart. They definitely have some physical similarities, too, with dark hair, piercing eyes, and a tall, broad-shouldered physique. They absolutely don't give up when they have something they want, namely Ariel or Brianna. Eric also has some issues, such as falling for a girl who literally doesn't talk, which has some disturbing correlations to Roger's lack of listening to Brianna's beliefs and opinions. But in the end, both come through and do what needs to be done, and are dashing heroes.
Brianna/Ariel
There are lots of similarities between Bree and the Little Mermaid herself. First, there are obvious physical parallels as they are both beautiful redheads. They both are curious and brave with strong wills and personalities. Ariel takes a huge risk by wanting to go on land, in a place totally foreign to her. Brianna does the same as she plunges into the past and has to face many difficulties and struggles. Both have a heart of gold but a deep strength. Ariel also has a desire to learn how things work, like her collection of surface objects. This could possibly relate to how Bree loves engineering and understanding the mechanics of the world around her. Both also have complicated relationships with their fathers, albeit for very different reasons. Ariel and Bree are fiercely independent and strong, and fall for courageous, handsome, dark haired men. Overall, they are both awesome women!
Black Jack/Scar
Black Jack is the worst villain in Outlander, and Scar is certainly one of the worst villains in the Disney pantheon. They are both vicious and conniving. Scar does possibly the most heinous thing in Disney in the murder of Mufasa, and totally gaslights Simba. That's some BJR level manipulation. Randall obviously is a dastardly planner, just like Scar, and ends in an intense, final battle. Scar also definitely has a creep factor around the lionesses, which is a very Black Jack move. They are both deeply creepy and kind of disgusting. The way Randall toys with people and shows his sadism is very reminiscent of Scar playing with the mouse. They also have very complex relationships with the leading men of their respective stories, albeit for very different reasons. They are both absolutely terrible people -- or animals.
Fergus/Flynn
Fergus and Flynn have so much in common! Both are obviously these handsome, suave men with a deep, vulnerable past. Both are orphans (not hard to find in Disney or Outlander), but the similarities go deeper than that. They are both thieves with a heart of gold who fall for a young but courageous and spunky blonde. They are clearly both very wounded, with Flynn's coming out as more of a jaded outlook on life. Fergus, though, because he has Jamie to lean on in his youth, is able to be more open and vulnerable. Both though use a dry wit as a filter for the world. Not to mention they are both dashing, dark-haired characters with a killer smirk. They also both excel at getting into trouble, but often for the best of reasons, for the people they love. Love both of these two, and love the similarities between them.
Marsali/Rapunzel
Beautiful, strong, resourceful, curious...the list of similarities between these two goes on and on. Obviously they are both lovely blondes. More though, both Marsali and Rapunzel take huge risks by leaving behind everything they've ever known. They go on big adventures where they really get to find themselves, not to mention finding a suave, handsome brunette with a spotty past and a heart of gold as well. Both ladies are truly remarkable for their curiosity and their compassion. While Rapunzel encourages everyone around her to follow their dreams, Marsali supports and protects the people she loves. Both Marsali and Rapunzel are absolutely incredible characters for all of their love and passion.
Rupert & Angus/Timon & Pumba
The (arguably) two best sidekick characters in Disney history, and again, two of the best sidekick characters in Outlander, have to go together. They are a fantastic duo in both instances, and compliment each other so well. Timon is certainly more uptight than Angus, although they both are a bit odd and outlandish (I'm seeing Timon in a hula costume). Rupert is very Pumba, warm and genial, and always supportive. They are an inseparable pair that loves to laugh and have fun, and both pairs charge into grave danger because the people, or animals, they care about are in need of their help. Both Timon and Pumba, and Rupert and Angus, provide welcome comic relief, and also an incredible, heartwarming friendship. Rupert and Angus are sorely missed, at least by me, and I think a lot of Outlander fans.
Lord John/Prince Phillip
Our wonderful, adorable, basically perfect LJG has a few similarities to Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty. They both have beautiful, youthful faces and light brown hair, and wear funny hats. Aside from the physical similarities, there are personality ones as well. Since there isn't a gay Disney Prince (don't get me started; where you at with your representation Disney?), we'll make do. However, Prince Phillip and Lord John both form deep, quick attachments to the loves of their lives. They are also massively heroic in coming to the rescue of those they love, whether it's fighting dragons or protecting their prisoner. The biggest mark they have in the favor is counting love as the most important thing rather than societal rules. Phillip would rather marry the girl he falls for in the woods than the princess he's betrothed to, and John, though he follows a conventional life in many ways, risks a great deal to follow his heart. Even after Jamie rebuffs his advances, John is caring and loyal. That's quite princely. In the end, they are both handsome, brave, romantics in red coats, and that makes them similar on at least a few levels.
Dougal/Gaston
Dougal Mackenzie and Gaston have a lot of similarities! They are both brash, masculine, and intense. They also have a bit of a creepy relationship with a smart, feisty, brunette who doesn't hesitate to put them in their place. Both Gaston and Dougal make bad decisions and selfish ones. They are not heroes, but their more dastardly acts have at least an internal logic, if they aren't exactly moral. They are big guys who like war and fighting, and they certainly inspire loyalty from many close to them. They are both clearly brave, with Dougal's many acts and desire for Scottish freedom, and Gaston marching out to fight the beast. Obviously Gaston should have listened to Belle, but he is not the only fairy tale or historical guy to sideline the leading lady. But Gaston does what you do when you're big and handsome in a fairy tale: you kill the beast. Dougal, too, might have been a hero if things had gone differently, if he had been a little more understanding or humble. Both these guys are interesting figures with some serious flaws, and a lot of similarities.
Murtagh/Maui
Murtagh and Maui don't necessarily feel like they go together perfectly right away, but as I reflected on them, I saw more similarities. Both have a gruff exterior and are slow to warm up to people; however, once they do, they are fiercely loyal. Murtagh and Maui have a lot of bluster, and obviously a lot of power behind their words. They each have a long journey with a spirited brunette where singing plays a key role. And they are certainly a bit prickly at first, in particular regard to said brunettes. But the relationship grows with both Maui and Moana, and Murtagh and Claire. They also have no romantic inclination toward those leading ladies and instead nurture a much more fatherly, or at least a mentor relationship. Murtagh and Maui both start off seeming kind of shallow characters, albeit for different reasons. Yet they end up as fun, fascinating, heartfelt characters who are a thorough delight.
Frank/Prince Hans
Frank and Prince Hans, two surprise villains with a big role in their respective stories. They both are the original love of the main lady, be it Claire or Anna, before the girl finds the actual right guy and love of her life. They start off seeming pretty charming and as though they really love their lady. Frank, though, seems to actually have strong feelings, shown especially while he searches for Claire. Hans, though, cops to not loving Anna but instead being after her title. From there, though, they become cold and vicious in the story. Frank humiliates and belittles Claire, and Hans is planning double murder to get what he wants. The clincher that shows their similarities is that they start off as a fairytale hero, whether they're a handsome prince or a historian/soldier, and eventually show their true colors. You could argue that Frank's was more of a development than a revelation, but I think at least some of those tendencies were always there.
Jamie/Adam (Beast)
Prince Adam and Jamie definitely have some similarities both in what they look like and their character. First off, both Adam, especially as the Beast, definitely as a temper, and so does Jamie Fraser. Fiery redheads, certainly. Both are stubborn and strong, and are certainly bettered by the love of a good woman. That woman, by the way, is a courageous, intelligent, selfless, and beautiful brunette, so their taste in women is dead on. Moreover, both Adam and Jamie are throughly heroes, swooping in to save the woman they love from danger, be it wolves or crazed English captains. They are beloved by the people who serve and care for them. They both also prove to have a lot more going on in both brains and heart than many might assume on first sight. They really are romantics at heart, from beautiful dances to symbolic rings. Perhaps what sets them so uniquely apart is that they're both willing to learn from their woman and grow with her. That's a rare quality in any person, let alone a historical romantic male lead, and a welcome one.
Claire/Belle
Belle and Claire have so many similarities! Belle is a beautiful, brunette girl, and so is Claire. But they have an incredible curiosity and bravery that is unique and delightful to watch. Both are obviously very bright, and tinged in a strong curiosity and desire for adventure. And adventure certainly finds both these ladies. They are plunged into magic and intrigue where they are thrown in with a stubborn but oddly charming, and a bit brutish, young man. What cements them in my mind as so similar, though, is two things: self-sacrifice and their romantic partnerships. Belle trades her own life for her father, showing brash and selfless bravery. Claire gives all she has to save Jamie and the people she loves, and can be a bit brash herself. They also have very impressive relationships with their men in that both the Beast and Jamie learn so much and develop from the example and gentle care of the woman they love. It's a tale as old as time...and so beautiful! Both Belle and Claire are fantastic heroines of their tales, and it's great to watch!
