Hey, folks!
First of all, let me apologize in advance for this week’s “Why for” being so short. But – what with me running all these Magic Kingdom tours for the folks attending MouseFest 2004 – my dance card is kind of full right now. Which precludes me from cranking out any epic length columns this week.
But even so – given the large number of JHM readers who’ve written to me over the past 48 hours asking about “Cars” & “Chicken Little” – I thought that I should at least try & share what little I know about this still-evolving situation.
Typical of these e-mails was the one that I received yesterday morning from Donna E. from Fresno, CA. Who wrote in to ask:
Jim –
Did you see this announcement yesterday?
Walt Disney and Pixar have announced that they are moving the release date of Pixar’s upcoming animated feature film, Cars, from November 2005 to June 9, 2006. *** Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios said, “The move from November 2005 to June 2006 makes perfect sense. Cars is the quintessential summer film for audiences of all ages… In the vein of Finding Nemo, we feel the movie will have legs throughout summer and beyond”. Pixar CEO Steve Jobs said, “Cars longs to be a summer movie. We plan to finish Cars on its original schedule, and look forward to Cars and our future films benefiting by summer theatrical releases and holiday DVD releases”.
What do you make of this? Is Pixar pushing back “Cars” ‘s release date because the film needs to be reworked? Or is what Jobs & Cook saying really true? That Disney’s just shifting this film’s release date because “Cars” will probably perform better during the Summer of 2006?\\Donna E.\\Dear Donna -\\Look, I know that there have been a lot of rumors lately about how “Cars” needs to be seriously retooled based on the public’s somewhat tepid reaction to that movie’s teaser trailer. But what you guys need to understand is that … Well …You saw the trailer. NOT the entire movie.\\And “Cars” … This movie is being directed by Pixar’s big kahuna, John Lasseter. You know, the guy who directed the original “Toy Story.” The man who – when he saw that “Toy Story II” was lacking something – personally waded into that project and helped make that direct-to-video sequel into something truly magical.\\So – given this guy’s track record (More importantly, given that Lasetter’s obsession with toys is matched only by his motor madness) – I seriously doubt that “Cars” is in any real trouble. That trailer … Yeah, maybe it’s not as good as the trailer that Pixar put together for “Monsters, Inc.” But the movie itself? The way I hear it, it’s a great little comedy in the Frank Capra vein. Humor with heart.\\So those of you who are into the doom-and-gloom take on this situation, who have been whispering that Pixar had to push back “Cars” release date by 8 months because this film is the studio’s first flop can just shut up now.\\As for this film probably performing better during the summer months … Sure. That makes sense. Just look at how “Shrek 2” did this summer ($441 million during its initial domestic release) versus the more than $227 million that “The Incredibles” has earned to date. Event movies like this just more money during the summer months. The kids are out of school. There’s not as much outside competition for consumers’ attention. So it just makes perfect sense that Pixar – when given the option by Disney – would have just leaped at shifting “Cars” from November of 2005 to June of 2006. This one move (all by itself) will probably add $100 million to the film’s box office total.\”,1]);//–>
What do you make of this? Is Pixar pushing back “Cars” ‘s release date because the film needs to be reworked? Or is what Jobs & Cook saying really true? That Disney’s just shifting this film’s release date because “Cars” will probably perform better during the Summer of 2006?
Donna E.
Dear Donna –
Look, I know that there have been a lot of rumors lately about how “Cars” needs to be seriously retooled based on the public’s somewhat tepid reaction to that movie’s teaser trailer. But what you guys need to understand is that … well …you saw the trailer, NOT the entire movie.
And “Cars” … This movie is being directed by Pixar’s big kahuna, John Lasseter. You know, the guy who directed the original “Toy Story.” The man who – when he saw that “Toy Story II” was lacking something – personally waded into that project and helped make the, then direct-to-video, sequel into something truly magical.
So – given this guy’s track record (More importantly, given that Lasetter’s obsession with toys is matched only by his motor madness) – I seriously doubt that “Cars” is in any real trouble. That trailer … Yeah, maybe it’s not as good as the trailer that Pixar put together for “Monsters, Inc.” But the movie itself? The way I hear it, it’s a great little comedy in the Frank Capra vein. Humor with heart.
So those of you who are into the doom-and-gloom take on this situation, who have been whispering that Pixar had to push back “Cars” release date by 8 months because this film is the studio’s first flop can stop wringing your hands now.
As for this film probably performing better during the summer months … Sure. That makes sense. Just look at how “Shrek 2” did this summer ($441 million during its initial domestic release) versus the more than $227 million that “The Incredibles” has earned to date. Event movies like this just pull in more money during the summer months. The kids are out of school. There’s not as much outside competition for consumers’ attention. So it just makes perfect sense that Pixar – when given the option by Disney – would have just leaped at shifting “Cars” from November of 2005 to June of 2006. This one move (all by itself) will probably add $100 million to the film’s box office total.
So – to answer your question, Donna E. – there is a lot of truth to what *** Cook & Steve Jobs have been saying. But – that said – I can’t help but notice that people aren’t talking about the THIRD reason that “Cars” release date got pushed back. And that has a lot to do with Pixar’s on-going search for a new distribution partner.\\Look, regular readers of this site already know that representatives from Pixar Animation Studios have been meeting with the heads of all the major motion picture studios out west. Hoping to find some company that would be willing to pay top dollar for the privilege of releasing Pixar’s post-Disney pictures.\\But what many JHM readers may NOT understand is … None of these other companies have what Disney has. A great film distribution company like the Buena Vista Distribution. A marketing department that could probably sell ice to Eskimos. A savvy & well respected studio head like *** Cook. Not to mention all of the great pre-existing outlets for the studio’s characters like Disneyland and/or the Disney Channel.\\Then there’s the Disney geek factor. Lasseter and “Monsters, Inc.” director Pete Docter are just two of the hundreds of the Disneyana fans who work for the Emerville, CA. -based studio. These Pixar employees don’t really want the studio’s decade-long relationship with the Walt Disney Company to come to a close. They like having Buzz, Woody, Flik, Sully, Marlin & Mr. Incredible live in the Magic Kingdom.\\But then there’s Pixar CEO Steve Jobs. Who really doesn’t get long with Disney’s CEO, Michael Eisner. Steve is supposedly so tired of dealing with Michael’s head games and under-handed tricks that – for matter how profitable Pixar’s association with the Walt Disney Company has been – Jobs still wants out of this relationship.\\So – with much fanfare back in February – Steve Jobs announced that Pixar would be ending its production / distribution deal with Disney with the delivery of “Cars” in 2005. And that the Emerville, Ca.-based animation company would soon begin seeking out a new distribution partner for its first post-Disney film, “Rataouille.”\”,1]);//–>
So – to answer your question, Donna E. – there is a lot of truth to what *** Cook & Steve Jobs have been saying. But – that said – I can’t help but notice that people aren’t talking about the THIRD reason that “Cars” release date got pushed back. And that has a lot to do with Pixar’s on-going search for a new distribution partner.
Look, regular readers of this site already know that representatives from Pixar Animation Studios have been meeting with the heads of all the major motion picture studios out west. Hoping to find some company that would be willing to pay top dollar for the privilege of releasing Pixar’s post-Disney pictures.
But what many JHM readers may NOT understand is … None of these other companies have what Disney has. A great film distribution company like the Buena Vista Distribution. A marketing department that could probably sell ice to Eskimos. A savvy & well respected studio head like *** Cook. Not to mention all of the great pre-existing outlets for the studio’s characters like Disneyland and/or the Disney Channel.
Then there’s the Disney geek factor. Lasseter and “Monsters, Inc.” director Pete Docter are just two of the hundreds of the Disneyana fans who work for the Emeryville, CA. -based studio. These Pixar employees don’t really want the studio’s decade-long relationship with the Walt Disney Company to come to a close. They like having Buzz, Woody, Flik, Sully, Marlin, & Mr. Incredible living in the Magic Kingdom.
But then there’s Pixar CEO Steve Jobs. Who really doesn’t get long with Disney’s CEO, Michael Eisner. Steve is supposedly so tired of dealing with Michael’s head games and under-handed tricks that – for matter how profitable Pixar’s association with the Walt Disney Company has been – Jobs still wants out of this relationship.
So – with much fanfare back in February – Steve Jobs announced that Pixar would be ending its production / distribution deal with Disney with the delivery of “Cars” in 2005. And that the Emerville, Ca.-based animation company would soon begin seeking out a new distribution partner for its first post-Disney film, “Rataouille.”
But then – early this summer – Michael Eisner, bowing to pressure from Wall Street as well as the “Save Disney” effort, announces that he’ll be stepping down from his position as head of the Walt Disney Company. Which – depending on who you talk with – could come as early as June of 2005 or as late as September of 2006.\\The smart money is on Michael officially stepping down as Disney’s CEO sometime in late September of 2005. That way. Eisner gets to go out on top. Spending the summer basking in the spotlight as Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary. Then – during the first weeks of fall – he gets to preside over the ribbon cutting at Hong Kong Disneyland. Which – when you think about it – will really be one hell of a victory lap.\\But the best part of this arrangement is … Come the Fall of 2005, Michael Eisner is finally gone. Which leaves Pixar free to re-open negotiations with the Mouse House.\\Which I know that many Disneyana fans (chief among hem Lasseter & Docter) will consider good news. But just remember that this is far from a done deal, folks.\\You see, Jobs doesn’t want anything approaching the old 50/50 deal that Disney & Pixar once had. With the hellp of Simon Bax, Pixar’s current CFO (More importantly, 20th Century Fox’s old CFO), Steve is looking to get from Disney the same sort of deal that George Lucas got from Fox. As in: Lucas gets to keep the lion’s share of the money made by the new “Star Wars” trilogy, while Fox got a smallish fee for agreeing to promote & distribute these films.\\Of course, while Michael Eisner was in charge of the Mouse House, the Walt Disney Company would never agree to that sort of deal with Pixar Animation Studio. But if Robert Iger andor Peter Chernin winds up as Disney’s new Big Cheese … Well, that all could change.\\Which is why Steve Jobs was perfectly happy to shift “Cars” ‘s release date back from November of 2005 to June of 2006. With the hope that — once Disney gets a new CEO (Be it Robert Iger or Peter Chernin) – the company’s new Chief Executive Officer might then be willing to give Steve everything he asks for.\”,1]);//–>
But then – early this summer – Michael Eisner, bowing to pressure from Wall Street as well as the “Save Disney” effort, announces that he’ll be stepping down from his position as head of the Walt Disney Company. Which – depending on who you talk with – could come as early as June of 2005 or as late as September of 2006.
The smart money is on Michael officially stepping down as Disney’s CEO sometime in late September of 2005. That way. Eisner gets to go out on top. Spending the summer basking in the spotlight as Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary. Then – during the first weeks of fall – he gets to preside over the ribbon cutting at Hong Kong Disneyland. Which – when you think about it – will really be one hell of a victory lap.
But the best part of this arrangement is … Come the Fall of 2005, Michael Eisner is finally gone. Which leaves Pixar free to re-open negotiations with the Mouse House.
Which I know that many Disneyana fans (chief among them Lasseter & Docter) will consider good news. But, just remember that this is far from a done deal, folks.
You see, Jobs doesn’t want anything approaching the old 50/50 deal that Disney & Pixar once had. With the hellp of Simon Bax, Pixar’s current CFO (More importantly, 20th Century Fox’s old CFO), Steve is looking to get from Disney the same sort of deal that George Lucas got from Fox. As in: Lucas gets to keep the lion’s share of the money made by the new “Star Wars” trilogy, while Fox got a smallish fee for agreeing to promote & distribute these films.
Of course, while Michael Eisner was in charge of the Mouse House, the Walt Disney Company would never agree to that sort of deal with Pixar Animation Studio. But if Robert Iger and/or Peter Chernin winds up as Disney’s new Big Cheese … Well, that all could change.
Which is why Steve Jobs was perfectly happy to shift “Cars” ‘s release date back from November of 2005 to June of 2006. With the hope that — once Disney gets a new CEO (Be it Robert Iger or Peter Chernin) – the company’s new Chief Executive Officer might then be willing to give Steve everything he asks for.
These terms will (no doubt) include the shuttering the Sequel Lab (AKA Disney’s new computer animation production department. Which is currently slated to crank out home premieres like “Toy Story III” and “Monsters, Inc. II”). Just so Pixar doesn’t have to worry about the value of its library of characters going down thanks to some poorly-conceived sequels.\\But – as I said at the very top of this article – this is a still-evolving situation, folks. And – to be honest – a lot depends on what Michael Eisner does next. According to the terms of his current contract with the Walt Disney Company, Michael can technically remain in power at the Mouse House ’til September of 2006. But – again, as I mentioned earlier – the smart money is on Michael stepping down as head of Disney in September of 2005. AFTER the new CEO has been named and after the ribbon-cutting at Hong King Disneyland.\So – for now – I guess all that us Disney / Pixar fans can do is sit & watch & wait. Hoping that the final outcome of all this corporate maneuvering is that Pixar remains right where it is, with Disney as its distribution & production partner. Only – this time around – Pixar winds up keeping most of the dough that its movies make.\\Now – as for the impact that all of this had on “Chicken Little” – I have heard that this upcoming WDFA film is still having some story problems. In fact, there’s been a lot of talk in-house about how animators who had already begun work on “A Day with Wilbur Robinson” were quietly pulled back to do additional work on “Little.”\\So – when all was said & done – I bet that those Disney Feature Animation execs were glad to have a legitimate excuse to push back “Chicken Little” ‘s release from July to November of 2005. Which will give Mark Dindal & Randy Fullmer four additional months to polish their picture.\\FYI: Doing additional work on “Chicken Little” DOESN’T mean that this picture is in trouble either. You know what “CL” ‘s real problem is? It’s quirky. And Disney studio execs … They don’t get quirky.\”,1]);//–>
These terms will (no doubt) include the shuttering the Sequel Lab (AKA Disney’s new computer animation production department. Which is currently slated to crank out home premieres like “Toy Story III” and “Monsters, Inc. II”). Just so Pixar doesn’t have to worry about the value of its library of characters going down thanks to some poorly-conceived sequels.
But – as I said at the very top of this article – this is a still-evolving situation, folks. And – to be honest – a lot depends on what Michael Eisner does next. According to the terms of his current contract with the Walt Disney Company, Michael can technically remain in power at the Mouse House ’til September of 2006. But – again, as I mentioned earlier – the smart money is on Michael stepping down as head of Disney in September of 2005. AFTER the new CEO has been named and after the ribbon-cutting at Hong Kong Disneyland.
So – for now – I guess all that us Disney / Pixar fans can do is sit ,watch, & wait. Hoping that the final outcome of all this corporate maneuvering is that Pixar remains right where it is, with Disney as its distribution & production partner. Only – this time around – Pixar winds up keeping most of the dough that its movies make.
Now – as for the impact that all of this had on “Chicken Little” – I have heard that this upcoming WDFA film is still having some story problems. In fact, there’s been a lot of talk in-house about how animators who had already begun work on “A Day with Wilbur Robinson” were quietly pulled back to do additional work on “Little.”
So – when all was said & done – I bet that those Disney Feature Animation execs were glad to have a legitimate excuse to push back “Chicken Little” ‘s release from July to November of 2005. Which will give Mark Dindal & Randy Fullmer four additional months to polish their picture.
FYI: Doing additional work on “Chicken Little” DOESN’T mean that this picture is in trouble either. You know what “CL” ‘s real problem is? It’s quirky. And Disney studio execs … They don’t get quirky.
Mainstream blockbusters, they understand. But heartfelt yet satirical movies that – midway through the film – suddenly start feature science fiction-type scare sequences make the suits nervous. Which is why these execs have been bombarding “Chicken Little” director Dindal and Fullmer (I.E. The film’s producer) with pages & pages of notes from the movie’s test screenings.\\Thankfully, Mark & Randy have been ignoring most of these notes. Which is why – as each week goes by – “Chicken Little” keeps getting quirkier & quirkier, funnier & funnier.\\Trust me, folks. You’re gonna love this movie.\\Oops. Look at the time. I gotta go get ready for today’s Magic Kingdom tours. You folks have a great weekend, okay. In the meantime, I’ll try & check in on Monday & let you know how this weekend’s Mega-Mouse Meet went.\\Til then, you folks take care, okay\\jrh\\”,1]);D([“mb”,””,0]);D([“ce”]);//–>
Mainstream blockbusters, they understand. But heartfelt yet satirical movies that – midway through the film – suddenly start feature science fiction-type scare sequences make the suits nervous. Which is why these execs have been bombarding “Chicken Little” director Dindal and Fullmer (I.E. The film’s producer) with pages & pages of notes from the movie’s test screenings.
Thankfully, Mark & Randy have been ignoring most of these notes. Which is why – as each week goes by – “Chicken Little” keeps getting quirkier & quirkier, funnier & funnier.
Trust me, folks. You’re gonna love this movie.
Oops. Look at the time. I gotta go get ready for today’s Magic Kingdom tours. You folks have a great weekend, okay. In the meantime, I’ll try & check in on Monday & let you know how this weekend’s Mega-Mouse Meet went.
Til then, you folks take care, okay
jrh