Discover the comedic duck from Disney’s Chicken Little: An in-depth analysis of the supporting character, including fascinating facts you didn’t know.
Disney’s first fully computer-animated venture, ‘Chicken Little,’ tells the tale of a high school-aged rooster and his eclectic group of outcasts.
Disney’s 2005 animated film “Chicken Little” tells the story of a young chicken who mistakenly believes that the sky is falling.
The film features several colorful and comical characters, including the duck.
The duck, whose real name is Abby Mallard, is Chicken Little’s best friend.
She wears a pink bow on her head and is a plump, yellow duck.
Throughout the film, she provides comic relief and acts as a supportive friend to Chicken Little.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when Abby, along with Chicken Little and their other friends, Runt of the Litter and Fish Out of Water, try to convince the other animals in the town of Oakey Oaks that the sky is indeed falling.
In this scene, Abby hilariously imitates a spaceship and pretends to be an alien to convince the other animals.
Another funny scene is when Abby and the group sneak into the school to retrieve Chicken Little’s “proof” that the sky is falling, and Abby gets stuck in the ventilation ducts.
Overall, the duck’s character adds a lot of humor and entertainment to the film, and she serves as a great sidekick to Chicken Little.
She is funny and a loyal friend who is always willing to help her friends, even if it means pretending to be an alien.
The Duck from Chicken Little
“Disney’s 2005 animated film “Chicken Little” may be known for its comedic storyline and lovable characters, but one character, in particular, stands out for her unique journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
The Ugly Duckling, or Abby Mallard, is a character inspired by the classic fairy tale of “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen.
In the movie, Abby is initially teased and bullied for her appearance.
She nevertheless becomes a confident and valued member of the group through her friendship with Chicken Little and his friends.
Let’s take a closer look at the character of Abby Mallard, her quest for self-discovery, and how it teaches us to accept ourselves and others for who they are.
Abby isn’t a Mallard
Are you ready for a mind-blowing revelation about Abby Mallard from Disney’s “Chicken Little?
Hold onto your seats because here’s the surprise: Abby isn’t a mallard!
Yes, the grayish plumage of this plump, yellow character indicates she is a swan.
Let’s break it down: mallards are known for their green heads and long bills with black stripes, but Abby’s plumage is a distinct grayish-brown all over.
But why would Disney make her a swan? Well, it’s a subtle nod to the classic ballet “Swan Lake,” which tells the tale of a black swan transforming into a white swan. How cool is that?
So next time you watch “Chicken Little,” keep an eye out for Abby’s swan-like features and appreciate the clever nod to the beloved ballet.
Referencing Friends
Are you a fan of Disney’s “Chicken Little” and the iconic TV show “Friends”?
Well, get ready for a wild connection you never saw coming! Abby Mallard, the plump, yellow duck from “Chicken Little”, has more in common with Rachel Green from “Friends” than you ever imagined!
In the movie, Abby plays a crucial role in helping Chicken Little reconcile with his father and find closure. Sound familiar?
It should, because it’s a nod to the classic “Friends” episode “The One Where Ross Finds Out,” where Rachel is encouraged to find closure with Ross to move on.
Like in the show, Chicken Little and his father reconcile in the end, all thanks to Abby’s guidance.
Other Actresses Considered
Comedienne Joan Cusack voiced Abby Mallard in the movie.
Still, other actresses such as Jodie Foster, Laura Dern, Sigourney Weaver, Geena Davis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Helen Hunt were considered for the role.
In the video game version of the movie, Pamela Adlon provided the voice for Abby.
She successfully portrayed the character as a mature high-schooler secretly obsessed with Chicken Little.
Originally Planned As A Male
Creating an animated movie is a wild ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Take Abby Mallard, for instance.
The character was originally envisioned as an ugly male duckling, with the talented Sean Hayes set to bring him to life.
But as the story evolved, the team had a stroke of genius and transformed Abby into a female character while keeping her Ugly Duckling arc intact.
But Abby wasn’t the only character to change.
Chicken Little, the movie’s main character, was initially written as a female, with the fantastic Holly Hunter slated to lend her voice.
But after eight months of development, the team decided to switch things up and give Chicken Little a gender flip. This shows that anything is possible in the world of animation!
Speech Impediment
Her asymmetrical face and slight speech impediment may have caused Abby to be teased by her classmates, but she never gave up.
She speaks with a slight lisp, reminiscent of beloved Disney characters like Donald Duck and the triplets Huey, Louie, and Dewey.
But like Abby, these characters didn’t let their speech impediments keep them from standing out and rising to the occasion.
Despite her speech patterns, Abby’s caring nature and cathartic observations about her classmates made her an easy character to love and root for.
And just like Abby, these characters prove that a little speech impediment can never stop you from being an important and stand-out character.
Many Disney Ducks
When it comes to Disney’s animated pantheon, ducks are aplenty.
The Disney universe is home to over 200 duck characters, most notably from the Ducktales and Darkwing Duck series. And just like Abby Mallard, these ducks are full of personality and charm.
Donald Duck, Gosalyn Mallard, Huey, Louie, Dewey, Scrooge McDuck, and many more are all examples of these beloved duck characters.
From the clever and resourceful Scrooge McDuck to the lovable and mischievous triplets Huey, Louie, and Dewey, Disney’s ducks have captured the hearts of audiences for decades, and Abby Mallard is no exception.
Chicken Little’s Only Female Friend
Throughout the movie, Chicken Little’s reputation is tarnished by the “sky is falling” incident and is seen as a nuisance by the citizens of Oakey Oaks, including his father.
But he doesn’t have to face it alone, as he has a loyal friend by his side, Abby.
Abby is not just any friend; she is Chicken Little’s rock, his only female ally throughout the movie.
Despite the presence of other female characters like the bully Foxy Loxy, confidante Goosey Loosey, and alien mother Tina, none measure up to the unwavering support and friendship that Abby provides to Chicken Little.
Scrapped Direct-to-Video Sequel
Imagine a world where Chicken Little’s story continued in a new adventure, a sequel entitled “Chicken Little 2: The Ugly Duckling Story”.
The proposed movie would have seen Chicken Little caught in a love triangle between Abby and a new student named Raffaela, a French sheep.
The plot would have revolved around Abby’s journey to win Chicken Little’s heart, even going through a makeover.
Even animation reels were created to entice Disney to approve the film.
Unfortunately, DisneyToon Studios closed before the sequel could be produced. And in hindsight, it’s probably for the best.
Conclusion
the character of Abby Mallard in Disney’s “Chicken Little” is a unique and endearing addition to the Disney animated pantheon and the Duck universe.
From her speech impediment and asymmetrical face to her unwavering support and friendship with Chicken Little, Abby’s character stays with the audience long after the movie ends.