 The initial script of Enchanted , written by Bill Kelly , was bought by Disney 's Touchstone Pictures and Sonnenfeld / Josephson Productions for a reported sum of $ 450 @,@ 000 in September 1997 . However , it was thought to be unsuitable for Walt Disney Pictures because it was " a racier R @-@ rated movie " . To the frustration of Kelly , the screenplay was rewritten several times , first by Rita Hsiao and then by Todd Alcott . The film was initially scheduled to be released in 2002 with Rob Marshall as director but he withdrew due to " creative differences " between the producers and him . In 2001 , director Jon Turteltaub was set to direct the film but he left soon after , later working with Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer on the National Treasure franchise . Adam Shankman became the film 's director in 2003 , while Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle were hired by Disney to rewrite the script once again . At the time , Disney considered offering the role of Giselle to Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon . However , the project did not take off . 
