Kingdom Hearts Success Sparked Abandoned Disney Crossover Fighter Concept
Former Disney Interactive concept artist Ken Christiansen revealed that the commercial success of the original Kingdom Hearts game prompted Disney to briefly develop a Super Smash Bros.-style crossover fighting game. The project, initially titled Disney's Action Figure Face Off, aimed to feature characters from franchises like The Lion King and Tarzan battling in a toy-themed arena. Although the game never progressed beyond the prototype stage due to corporate hesitation, it laid the groundwork for later successful crossover titles like Disney Infinity and Disney Speedstorm. Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled to launch in late 2026, alongside a new animated series.