Retric mentioned the term "chilling effect," which is certainly relevant here. Wikipedia defines chilling effect as "the inhibition or discouragement of the leg

Retric mentioned the term "chilling effect," which is certainly relevant here. Wikipedia defines chilling effect as "the inhibition or discouragement of the legitimate exercise of natural and legal rights by the threat of legal sanction." You're probably right that such an adaptation would be deemed not infringing on Disney's copyright by a court. The issue is that a studio might not have the resources necessary to make it that far into the legal process. In that case, the choice is either make the movie, and risk going out of business if Disney brings a lawsuit, or not make the movie. Legal issues aside, which do you think they're going to pick?