Breaking News: Steve Jobs announces Pixar breaking off from Disney

[Instidude]

This has been an interested evening of reading on the net. Some analysts think this may be a ploy by Pixar to get Disney to accept their offer. Others say Disney was giving up too much.

Jim Hill had an article a month ago that mentioned that Roy had been working on Steve Jobs to try to use Pixar as leverage to get rid of Eisner. the timing of this announcement is suspicious, as Disney has just released their annual report, they are due for their fiscal first quarter earnings report, and the shareholder meeting is in a month. Seems a bit too orchestrated to me.

If this was coordinated in any way by Roy & Stan, I hope they covered their tracks, because if any of these dealing were occurring while they were still on the board, the SEC will be investigating (I would expect that Disney has its lawyers looking into things like that right now).

Now, a slightly different point.. Disney's big money maker for merchandise is being hifted from the animated features to the TV features. If you've noticed lately, a lot of the reason for Buzz Lightyear's continued popularity was the TV show. Lilo & Stitch are making Stitch extremely popular, then you have Kim Possible, Raven, and now Dave the Barbarian. Even Tarzan's popularity is high due to the TV show, and Timon & Pumbaa have continued to keep Lion King in people's minds.

Disney announced last year that they were going to change mercahndising strategy to rely less on animated features (got burned with too many discount bins of stuff from Hunchback, Hercules, Atlantis, TP, etc. etc.), and focus on using the TV properties that can be determined if they will last or not very quickly ( a couple weeks of neilsons will give you that answer). As big of a hit as Monsters was, you don't see a lot of Mike & Sully merchandise around. This is where the money is made.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, how Ry uses it, and what they official response is from Disney. How hard will Disney push the Incredibles and Cars now? and if one of those does not make $300 million, what does that do to Pixars position? Brother Bear will make Disney a lot of money, expecially once it hits home video. The reason Disney does these sequels and TV shows (Mulan II, Cinderella II) is to keep the characters fresh for the other divisions of the company.

[Meyers]

I am dismayed that Eisner could not make a deal with Pixar. I want him to return the $5 million dollar bonus he supposedly "earned" last year. Such a reward should not be given to utter failure on his part in negotiating. Big man, bigger ego.

Who in the heck has been responsible for Disney's best animation successes the past few years but Pixar? I hope Finding Nemo wins an Oscar and Pixar's honchos pick it up at the ceremonies, thumbing their noses to Eisner.

And I hope this all results in Eisner finally being forced to resign.

Roy is the real man of the hour! His Uncle Walt would be proud.

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Meyers

[Nemo88]

But if what is waiting in the wings is only that ugly looking pidgeon movie and Chicken Little, I'm not too optimistic about Disney Animation at this point.


early buzz on Home on the Range is really good,in fact a columnist on JHMedia saw a early screening of the film and said its probably one of Disneys funniest animated films to date...plus it has music by Menken...I think that sounds like a very promising flik

Chicken Little is also getting a positive early buzz and judging from the look/style of it,it also looks promising,I think the stylequality looks just as good as Pixar.

and the other CGI aniamted film "A day with Wilbur Robinson" is based on a extremly popular childrens book,from the same author/creator of the Rolie Polie Ollie stuff,that sounds pretty intresting too.

I dont know but I am pretty optistic on Disney Animation...but thats just my opinion of course.

[tservo]

I'm pretty excited about Home on the Range as well. Unfortunately, I think it's been in the can for awhile (if I remember the Jim Hill article correctly) and It seems like a pretty different atmosphere at WDFA these days. I'm thinking Home on the Range could do well, but in light of recent changes, I don't think it can be taken as an indication of things to come.

I'm hoping Disney does well with there CGI stuff, but I'd expect some severe growing pains before they get it right.

[Nemo88]

Jim Hill had an article a month ago that mentioned that Roy had been working on Steve Jobs to try to use Pixar as leverage to get rid of Eisner. the timing of this announcement is suspicious, as Disney has just released their annual report, they are due for their fiscal first quarter earnings report, and the shareholder meeting is in a month. Seems a bit too orchestrated to me.


it sounds very suspect,also Steve Jobs is all over the savedisney.com website...Roy keeps singing Steve's praises...it really does sound like Jobs and Roy are in talks with each other.


Who in the heck has been responsible for Disney's best animation successes the past few years but Pixar? I hope Finding Nemo wins an Oscar and Pixar's honchos pick it up at the ceremonies, thumbing their noses to Eisner.


its comments like this that make me glad Disney and Pixar broke up...Disneys pumps all this money into these Pixar films,then the success of the movie gets thrown back into Disneys face...honestly Disney gets nothing out of these Pixar movies,it doesnt help the Disney brand since everyone knnows Pixar makes the films...they have to split the profits with Pixar,even if a Pixar film makes 300 mil when you split it 50/50 its only 150 mil which is about what Lilo made,forget Pixar, Disney can make that on its own without having to cower down to Pixar..and they have to fight with Pixar every few years to continue the contracts,its really not worth it...Disney is better off just re-tooling thier own aniamtion and making thier own great films...I wish Pixar the best but im glad Disney is on thier own and can start pumping its own money into its own films...good riddance.

[tservo]

I wish Pixar the bestbut im glad Disney is on thier own and can start pumping its own money into its own films.

You've mentioned this before, and I don't understand it. If Pixar hadn't made Nemo for Disney, Disney would have $300 million LESS to invest in their own films. Pixar was a Money Machine for Disney (under their existing contract). Likely the easiest money Disney ever made. And I'm sure it made the Stockholders happy!

And I don't think it's a lack of dollars that is hurting Disney. Wasn't Treasure Planet the most expensive animated movie ever made? And wasn't Lilo and Stitch made reasonably cheaply?

I've been interested to read your thoughts on this up until now. This comment just doesn't make sense to me.

[MattO]

Chicken Little is also getting a positive early buzz and judging from the look/style of it,it also looks promising,I think the stylequality looks just as good as Pixar.

Chicken Little, from the picture I've seen, looks like Jimmy Neutron.

[hippie1kenobi]

early buzz on Home on the Range is really good,in fact a columnist on JHMedia saw a early screening of the film and said its probably one of Disneys funniest animated films to date...plus it has music by Menken...I think that sounds like a very promising flik

We are discussing CG here, I don't think Home on the Range is an indicationof things to come, since Disney is cutting back on traditional animation.

Chicken Little is also getting a positive early buzz and judging from the look/style of it,it also looks promising,I think the stylequality looks just as good as Pixar.

Can you provide a link to some of this buzz for Chicken Little? I've seen a couple snippets here and thier, but nothing I would call "positive early buzz".

I dont know but I am pretty optistic on Disney Animation...but thats just my opinion of course.

Well, I like L&S, TP and BB, so I'm not one to say that recent films have been artistic failures. It's not that I am not optimistic about Dinsey animation in general, I;mjust not sure that the transition to 3D animation is gonna be too smooth.

Didn't work very well the last time they tried it.

[Mortimer]

and the other CGI aniamted film "A day with Wilbur Robinson" is based on a extremly popular childrens book,from the same author/creator of the Rolie Polie Ollie stuff,that sounds pretty intresting too.

Which company is developing this film for Disney? Is that the Canadian animation outfit?

Disney owns the rights to the big money makers, (Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear, A Bugs Life, Nemo, Monsters). If the films after the 2 remaining on contract turn out to be mediocre, Pixar may fall by the wayside, nobody knows at this point.

Disney would not lose in that situation becuase they still have the core classic Pixar/Disney films. They will always be able to promote these films and offer sequels, merchandise, and theme park attractions.

[Nemo88]

You've mentioned this before, and I don't understand it. If Pixar hadn't made Nemo for Disney, Disney would have $300 million LESS to invest in their own films.


Disney didnt make 300 mil on Nemo though,dont they give Pixar 50%? on top of that they paid for distribution and marketting.


Can you provide a link to some of this buzz for Chicken Little? I've seen a couple snippets here and thier, but nothing I would call "positive early buzz".

ill look for the link,I saw it a few weeks back,forgot the site,Ill look for it and post it when I find it though.


I;mjust not sure that the transition to 3D animation is gonna be too smooth.

Didn't work very well the last time they tried it.


well in all fairness,Dinosaur made alot of money,didnt it make well over 100 mil? I think the only reason it was considered a bomb was because it didnt make its money back since it cost so much to make...but ppl went to this movie,it garnered enough intrest to make over 100 mil

Which company is developing this film for Disney? Is that the Canadian animation outfit?


I could be wrong,but I believe Disney Feature Animation is making this film...again I could be wrong

sidenote:my Pixar views are not popular,im one of the few that doesnt beleive Disney should cower and give Pixar anything they want.yes I know they make alot of money for Disney,which is great,but I think its pretty stupid on Disneys part to pump money into these Pixar films so Pixar can get the good reputation and then turn around and use it against Disney...Im glad Pixar is walking and im glad Disneys money will go towards its own movies now...I know this isnt the popular viewpoint on this subject,alot of ppl worship the ground Pixar walks on,I think they make good movies but I dont think they are Gods gift,I still think "Disneys best" is wayyy supieror to Pixars best and I think once Disney gets back on track they will blow Pixar away...again just my view