The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film) and say 'Things just aren't happening.'". Ultimately, the directors desired to portray Quasimodo with a younger voice different from the previous portrayals since "[Victor] Hugo described Quasimodo as 20". Additionally, Hulce was permitted to do his own singing after performing a demo recording of "Out There". Desiring a huskier voice different from the leading Disney heroines, Demi Moore was cast as Esmeralda, and met with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz on singing. After several singing demos, the actress said "You'd better get someone else,'" according to Schwartz. New York City cabaret singer Heidi Mollenhauer was selected to provide the singing
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 film) gross over $100 million surpassing the domestic box office gross, and went on to accumulate $225.2 million, surpassing "Pocahontas" $204.5 million international gross. Worldwide, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" grossed over $325,338,851, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 1996. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 74% positive rating based on 53 reviews with its consensus stating, "Disney's take on the Victor Hugo classic is dramatically uneven, but its strong visuals, dark themes, and message of tolerance make for a more-sophisticated-than-average children's film." "Chicago Sun-Times" film critic Roger Ebert rewarded the film 4 stars, calling it "the