28 Years Versus 28 Months...

Game on, again...




I'm sure you all saw that post over at Ain't It Cool News yesterday...

Now, I have no confirmation of this. In fact, I've been waiting to hear back from several bothans, and I know as of last week the Bothans in Glendale were still waiting to hear if their proposals would be moving forward out of the blue sky phase.

But according Harry and his sources, the Mouse is about to green light a third Tron film. A sequel to Legacy would be the second of a proposed new trilogy that sets the original in a place of its own. Now I know many people didn't expect another Tron film, several have considered this one a bomb. It's not a bomb, but it certainly isn't the "Star Wars" type of blockbuster that Disney was hoping for. That said, it has just crossed the $300 million figure and will likely top out between $350 and $400 million global. Not bad, but for it to have been the hit Burbank Suits were wanting, it would have had to come close to half a billion. Still, the merchandise is selling well, the ElecTRONica event at DCA is a HUGE hit that has been extended to April (at least) and there are still those cable, pay-per-view and DVD/Blu-Ray sales to consider.

When it all comes to a close the film will be profitable, but the question is how popular? And if that will be enough to green light another film. One thing I can tell you is that if another film comes together, John Lasseter and the Brain Trust will have much more say in the story. Rich Ross has been actively involving John in the process far more than Dick Cook ever did. He's been picking apart what the folks at the Lamp feel about much of the upcoming slate. So if we do get to go on the grid, next time you're going to see a more solid script before they start filming. From what I've heard, the animated series is still going ahead. Nothing has been stopped, no plugs have been pulled. So all you haters can hold off on your funeral for Kevin Flynn and his kin.

There may yet be another chance to ride those light cycles...

Perspecticle...

The show must go on...


Tomorrow morning we get a look at what Rich Ross has in store for the Mouse in film...

That's when he has a press gathering to talk about the future of films at Walt Disney Pictures. We'll finally get a look at some of the ideas he has decided to move forward with (hopefully greenlighting a few). I for one will be interested in how much he diverts from Dick Cook's plans for the company. Will he go more comedy? Less Action? Another internally developed property (Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Robinson, ect.)?

It's going to be interesting to see what he's got up his sleeve. Cook was a master showman at these events and added a great deal of theatrical spectacle to these presentations. Ross is a rookie at this part. We finally get to measure him up. Of course, we won't be able to take him to task until several of the projects he finally approves arrive at the box office. Then it'll be up to the audience to decide if Bob Iger made the right choice. But I have one suggestion.

Please don't have are no more comedy movies in this line-up staring Travolta...

International Treasure From Persia...

Was there really any doubt that this was going to happen...

Really? One of the last things Dick Cook did before he got tossed out on his tookus, was announce plans for a third "National Treasure" film. Now comes news of who will be writing the sequel. Jerry Bruckheimer has hired screenwriters Carlos Bernard and Doug Miro to script the latest adventures of Nick Cage's historian adventurer. If you don't know, these guys are the ones that wrote the adaptation of "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time" for The Bruck and The Mouse. They seem to be the new go-to guys in Burbank. We'll get a chance to see their work later this year with Prince and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," which they also wound up adapting for Disney. Are they worth of the sequel? Will it be an equal?

Time will tell...

Mouse House Shuffle/Tussle...

And so the deck of cards changes even more...

Truthfully, I was surprised when he wasn't let go when Dick Cook was fired. If you haven't heard the news, Oren Aviv, the President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production has been fired. Or resigned if you believe that Dick Cook did the same.

Much of the slate for this anointed marketing wundkind hasn't exactly panned out. He was one of Dick Cook's chief suits and was believed to be the one to succeed him should he step down. Aviv was the one primarily responsible for "National Treasure" and had guided much of the production as well as development over the past two years. Many of the projects he approved were disappointing in their box office returns, others like the "Jungle Cruise" adaption have failed to materialize. Here is his announcement:

Today, Oren Aviv announced that he is resigning his post of president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.

Avis said, “As of today, I'm stepping down from my position as president of Production, Walt Disney Studios. I have loved every day that I have been at the studio and feel incredibly privileged to have been part of a team that enriched my life for 20 years.

I will miss all the amazing filmmakers, the many talented actors and most importantly the lifelong friends I've been so lucky to work with throughout my Disney career.

I'm proud of the hundreds of movies I've helped to make and market, especially the studio's upcoming films, from Alice in Wonderland and Prince of Persia to The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Tron. All have been extremely rewarding creative and personal endeavors for me, and have allowed me to work with the best group of executives and staff in the business.

I wish Disney, Bob Iger, Rich Ross and their new teams great success for many years to come.“

Rich Ross, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios stated, “Oren’s significant contributions to The Walt Disney Studios are well-documented and countless movie-goers have been entertained by his diverse portfolio of films,” said The Walt Disney Studios Chairman, Rich Ross. “We appreciate his work and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

A successor will be named at an appropriate time.

Expect more fallout as the Studio shakes off the last remnants of the Cook regime and moves forward with Ross' vision. As the NY Times artile mentions; expect a shake up in the home entertainment division soon, as well. And then there are "other" evolving situations.

Developing much more than you would know...

Dick Cook's Long Goodbye...

It's still hard to believe that Dick Cook is gone from the Mouse...

But his legacy will remain and his impression on the imprint of Disney will carry over for at least another couple years. There are many films in production and post-production that will be released between now and 2012 that Cook greenlit as Chairman of the studios. Some will be hits and others could be disappointments, but the final say on his effect on the company he worked at so long, has yet to be written.

I thought we'd look at several films in production that Dick Cook gave the go to:


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Rapunzel - the Nathan Greno and Byron Howard directed, Glen Keane heavily designed CG film that has been in development almost a decade comes out during the holidays next year.

Secretariat - the Diane Lane vehicle about that famous horse, directed by Randall Wallace (who did a draft of the 20k prequel that I just happen to be trying to get a copy of).

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - the Nick Cage staring/Jon Turteltaub directed /Jerry Bruckheimer produce film from the group that brought you "National Treasure" comes this very loosely film based on the classic short from "Fantasia."

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - the next franchise, which insiders have labeled as "Pirates of Arabia" that the Mouse hopes to have from Bruckheimer was Cook approved a couple years ago with the hope that that would be what happens.

Alice in Wonderland - the first of two pictures with Tim Burton. This story tells how Alice finds her way back to Wonderland after confronting a real world in which the events that unfold prove to be too much for dear Alice.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 - Do I really blame him for making this? Yes and No. It made a ton of money and would naturally spawn a sequel. So far Ross hasn't pulled the plug on this one.

When in Rome - the romantic comedy vehicle with Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel that will show the world my future ex-wife is capable of opening a film. Thanks Dick.

The Last Song - the Nicholas Sparks/Miley Cyrus vehicle that also happens to star Greg Kinnear as the dad of a rebellious teen. This is Cyrus attempt to move beyond the Hannah Montana role and Cook helped her out with this project made specifically for her. Thanks Dick!


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Winnie the Pooh - the return of the silly ole' bear that John Lasseter wanted and Cook whole heartily approved of comes to silver screens spring of 2011. There's that year again.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - the return of Jack Sparrow, which Cook announced at D23 is still on, but with Depp's schedule continually piling up with projects around the time this is supposed to start shooting you have to wonder. Any more projects announced for Johnny early next year and you can kiss the summer 2011 opening goodbye. The longer we don't here about this, the greater the chance that it'll fall apart due to the firing of Cook.

Frankenweenie - the second of the two films that Cook got Burton to agree to will be a stop motion retelling of the short, live film that Burton did years ago. Word I hear is that some of the Suits are so taken with "Alice" that they're wanting to extend the deal with a possible third film.


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John Carter of Mars - this is Andrew Stanton's first live-action tale and his interpretation of the iconic pulp character. Cook approved this project after the prodding of Lasseter, and then looking at the the box office results of "Finding Nemo" and "Wall-E" didn't hurt either.

The Snow Queen - the new Chris Buck directed interpretation of the classic story has been in development as long as "Rapunzel." In fact, it's had some of the same people working on it. Glen Keane left this project years ago to work on "Rapunzel."

This is by no means a complete list, but a collection of several of the films that will play a role in writing the epitaph that is/will be Richard Cook's decades worth of service to Disney. There is also the possibility of films coming along based on agreements already in place (del Toro's Disney Double Dare You), sequels to past or current hits (Pirates of the Caribbean, Prince of Persia, Tron) or long gestating Disney properties (The Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Robinson) that could be taken in to account. Clearly Dick Cook's influence will be felt long into the coming decade whether Iger likes it or not. One wonders if Ross' influence will linger as long after he's gone.

Studio executives have such a short lifespan I think we'll find out sooner, rather than later...

The Pros & Cons Of A Cook...

With Rich Ross taking the spot Dick Cook has held for the better part of this decade, I thought we might take a look at the films that have been greenlit during his time at the top...

Now remember that this is clearly from the standpoint of Blue Sky Disney and I'm sure others will/can/should disagree. In coming up with this list I'm not necessarily mentioning films I like, but talking about films that were hits and made money. Remember, money is god in show business and there are no atheist in this town. Some will be a mixture of both, this isn't a science... it's opinion. Mine and only mine.

Dick Cook took the reigns of Walt Disney Studios in 2002, replacing Peter Schneider who had replaced Joe Roth in 1999. He's lasted longer than most studio suits, but unlike most executives in Hollywood, Cook was genuinely liked by almost everyone. A very, very rare thing in the film industry.

This will take in an account of many/most films that were greenlit during his tenure; I'm sure some will be missed but most will be mentioned. I'm not focusing on any that came out in 2002 because he just got there and nothing he approved would be out the pipeline until 2003 at the earliest. And these include all three labels of Walt Disney Studios: Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures. Miramax is a rebellious sibling that answered very little to the Chairman.

So without more excessive blathering let's focus on his good and bad choices...

The PRO's:

Tron Legacy
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (and its sequels)
Miracle
National Treasure (and its sequels)
The Pacifier
Sky High
Glory Road
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (not so much its sequel)
Invincible
Enchanted
A Christmas Carol
Old Dogs
Alice in Wonderland
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Frankenweenie
John Carter of Mars
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo (I'm crossing my fingers on this one)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (just pure speculation here based on the director)
When in Rome
The Proposal
Wild Hogs
Apocalypto
Deja Vu
The Prestige
Flightplan
Cinderella Man

The CON's:

The Haunted Mansion
Home on the Range
Around the World in 80 Days
Herbie Fully Loaded
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Eight Below
The Shaggy Dog
Underdog
The Game Plan
College Road Trip
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Bedtime Stories
Race to Witch Mountain
G-Force
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Miracle at St. Anna
Surrogates
Swing Vote
King Arthur
The Alamo
Hidalgo
Open Range
The Ladykillers
The Village
The Invisible

If you notice, there are several on the list that haven't yet come out and their slot on this list is a result of my own opinion mixed with the buzz I've heard as well as market speculation about how it appears the film will do.

Also not taken in to account are certain films from ImageMovers, Disneynature, DreamWorks and Disney's Double Dare You which were deals that Cook was intimately involved in putting together. As well, the Marvel deal is in the very early stages and since the ownership won't be finalized till the end of the year there really won't be much that would have the influence or involvement of Dick Cook.

So now that I've listed my take on the matter, I'm sure you'll give yours...

Box Office Recipe...

It appears that after Cook there may not be a Chef, I mean Chief...

The trade, Variety is reporting and Hollywood gossip queen, Nikki Fink seems to be confirming pieces of what may happen to the Mouse's theatrical unit over the next few weeks. Walt Disney Studios may no longer have one Suit to lead them all, but instead have several executives to handle various wings of the film division of the Mouse.

The non-Disney brands (Touchstone, Hollywood, Miramax, Bruckheimer, DreamWorks, Marvel) could under this scenario report to someone like Oren Aviv, the current production chief. The Disney brands (Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios) would report to someone, possibly Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide. Now granted, WDAS and Pixar reporting to this studio Suit would be more like confirming release dates and such, because all theatrical animation would be handled by Lasseter himself.

This will in a sense, fragment power across the company with everyone reporting to Iger. That way, in the future if someone does get fired, the effect will be localized and not disrupt other aspects of the various film divisions. It will be interesting to see how the different units work under this model, because if one of the divisions does dramatically better than the rest it's going to create pressure on the others to perform and place scrutiny on their own unit's business model. What hasn't been addressed if this happens is what will be done with a film that is handled by one division, say Touchstone Pictures moniker (like National Treasure) that later turns out to be worthy of the Disney Pictures moniker (like National Treasure). It seems they thought it would turn out to be too intense and harsh a rating to be under the family banner. Will they all willingly move films to other labels or will they create content that could in essense, compete amongst themselves?

It'll be interesting to see how this model works. Think of it as Iger the king and his many lords within the film kingdom. If Lasseter is able to work that Lamp magic at Disney Animation, he could inadvertently amass even more power and sway under this model. No matter if that were the intent or not. Interesting.

Developing...

The First/Last Keynote...

The bitter, inside details...

The Los Angeles Times has a great story on how Dick Cook's firing (and yes, he was actually fired as several Bothans have now informed me) went down. It's really sad to see Dick Cook fired from a company that he didn't just work for but truly loved. He had the Mouse in his DNA.

I have a feeling he's going to make a big impression somewhere else, either as a studio head or perhaps his own production company. He's got a lot of friends and will be able to attract talent to anything he's connected to rather easily.

My best wishes go with him...

Disney Fires Its Cook...

The Walt Disney Company has fired Dick Cook...

Or he resigned, depending on who you believe. Wow, now that's a surprise I wasn't expecting after his D23 Expo keynote which was held a week ago today.

Now who to replace him? I like Cook, he's been a good Suit. It's going to be hard to replace someone with the connections he has in Hollywood. But two names are floating around as replacements. One is Kevin Feige, who is head of Marvel Productions. The other choice is John Lasseter, currently head of Pixar and Disney Animation, and Head of Creativity at Imagineering. Wow, Lasseter has a shot at running the whole Disney film division. Now as interesting as that could be, I don't want the animated division to suffer. He's a very, very busy man now. But imagine what the Disney line up would look like under his guidance. More commentary to follow later.

Here's Dick Cook's official statement:

"STATEMENT FROM RICHARD W. COOK, CHAIRMAN, THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

I am stepping down from my role as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, effective immediately.

I have loved every minute of my 38 years that I have worked at Disney…from the beginning as a ride operator on Disneyland’s steam train and monorail to my position as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. To wrap up my Disney experience in a neatly bundled statement is close to impossible. But what I will say is, during my time at the Studio, we have achieved many industry and Company milestones. Our talent roster is simply the best in the business. I believe our slate of upcoming motion pictures is the best in our history. But most of all, I love the people, my colleagues, my teammates, who are the most talented, dedicated and loyal folks in the world. I know that I leave the Studio in their exceptional hands.

I have been contemplating this for some time now and feel it’s the right time for me to move on to new adventures…and in the words of one of my baseball heroes, Yogi Berra, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Here's Bob Iger's official statement:

"STATEMENT FROM ROBERT A. IGER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Throughout his distinguished 38-year Disney career, Dick Cook’s outstanding creative instincts and incomparable showmanship have truly enriched this company and significantly impacted Disney’s great legacy,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “We thank Dick for his tremendous passion for Disney, and his many accomplishments and contributions to The Walt Disney Studios, including a very promising upcoming film slate. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we wish him the best with all the future has to offer."

If only this story was about Rasulo I'd be throwing a party instead of a wake...

The Mouse Is Looking For A New Navigator...

And another film from my childhood is being remade...

You know, when I was a wee, young lad, I had no idea how good I had it. I didn't realize that everything I saw was gold and everything I read was worth a mint. But the 80's sure are a treasure chest for studio Suits in the current world we live in.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Walt Disney Pictures is going to remake "Flight of the Navigator" which I remember fondly from my childhood. It's not the best film ever made, but it's a sweet, nostalgic family film that deserves more credit than it gets. Hopefully, whoever was in charge of the "Race to Twit Mountain," err I mean "Race to Witch Mountain" remake will be nowhere around on the development of this. You hear that Mr. Cook? You too, Aviv. Please get people who know what the heck they're doing... because whoever you put in charge of RTWM obviously didn't. And if you guys are the ones that came up with that then do me a favor and fire yourselves. Perhaps you can call Lasseter for help? He seems to know a thing or two about STORY. What am I thinking? The man is too busy with all those animated units, the Imagineering projects and the other live action adaptations he's currently working on.

Someone please stop these Suits from sneaking into my head at night and destroying the dreams of my childhood...

Mouse Loses Big Fish...

"It was a tough decision because I love the whole legacy of the Walt Disney Co. ... But when it came down to my final decision, it was about my feeling that it was right to return to the lot that gave me my first chance to be a director." - Steven Spielberg


Bob Iger, Dick Cook and their team at Disney gave a very enticing offer to Spielberg, but alas, loyalty to Universal Studios won out...

Such is life. While it is a deal to distribute up to six films a year, the deal doesn't prevent him from directing films from other studios, meaning that there is a chance the Mouse could still see a film directed by Spielberg over the next few years.

They just have to find the right script...

The Race Is On...

All the studios are vying for the privilege to get into business with Steven Spielberg and his soon to be freed Dreamworks SKG...


The two main studios that are the odds on favorites are Universal and Walt Disney Studios with Fox a distant second. While the chances of Disney getting the distribution agreement aren't as good as Spielberg going with Universal,(he's had a long history with the studio) don't count Iger and Dick Cook out. They're a new face and don't carry the baggage that Eisner had when dealing with some of the talent in town...

Seems like the situation we described earlier this year is finally playing out.

Developing...

Disney Gets Back To Nature...

The Walt Disney Studios today announced a new label dedicated to making films/documentaries about nature and our planet:

"Disneynature"

This is an extension or modern reinterpretation of the old "True-Life Adventures" series that Walt Disney started back in 1948 with "Seal Island". I personally love this idea and think it'll be a great addition to the Disney line of films. Not to mention it will a great synergy for Disney's Animal Kingdom. Hehe... I know, I know. Had to get all corporate on you there, but it's true and this could a very entertaining, educational and financially rewarding endeavor for the Mouse and us Disney Geeks/Fans. Clink on the link to the actual website for a pretty flashy and interactive introduction to Disneynature(a spiffy example of how Web 2.0 technology should work, btw).

Here's the official Press Release:

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Burbank, California – April 21, 2008 -- The Walt Disney Studios is launching Disneynature, a prestigious new production banner that will literally go to the ends of the earth to produce major big screen nature documentaries, Studios Chairman Dick Cook announced.

In the great tradition established by Walt Disney himself, Disneynature will offer spectacular entertainment about the world in which we live. The significance of the new banner goes beyond the studio, with The Walt Disney Company embracing this new initiative around the world through a number of its businesses, including publications, licensing, parks and educational outreach. Disney veteran Jean-Francois Camilleri, who has served as senior vice president and general manager for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures France will head the new unit. Disneynature will be based in France, where Camilleri and his team will oversee the initiation, development and acquisition of high quality feature projects.

Among the first films to be released domestically under the new label will be Earth, from award-winning British producer/director Alastair Fothergill, whose credits include the landmark Planet Earth series for the BBC and The Discovery Channel and The Blue Planet. Earth, which is produced by BBC Worldwide and Greenlight Media and co-directed by Mark Linfield, will take us on a tour of our home planet as we’ve never seen it before. It will be narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones and will premiere theatrically on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The film will also be released under the Disneynature banner in Latin America.

“We love balancing heritage and innovation and Disneynature is a perfect example of this. We are placing the legacy of Disney’s ‘True-Life Adventures’ in the hands of great modern filmmakers using dazzling technology,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “Disneynature is a concept we look forward to building across the company and across the globe for years to come. And, we hope these films will contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our natural world.”

Dick Cook added, “Our goal is for Disneynature to offer event films that will appeal to everyone who is captivated by the grandeur of nature and the wonder of great filmmaking. Thanks to today’s state-of-the-art creative tools, filmmakers have an unlimited ability to tell nature’s limitless stories. These stories are as engrossing as any works of fiction and are of a scale and scope that can only be fully appreciated on a big screen. At Disneynature, the sky is truly the limit.”

"Nature invents the most beautiful stories. Our role at Disneynature will be to tell these stories with passion and enthusiasm to the largest public possible around the world,” said Camilleri. “By working with the best wildlife directors, we will offer nature as never seen before, help the audience to discover the incredible beauty of our world but also understand the challenges for the future generations."

Alastair Fothergill added, “This is especially exciting because, thanks to the wide-ranging appeal of Disney, we can expect Earth, as well as Chimpanzee and Big Cats to be seen by the broadest possible audience. Disney has been an inspiration to wildlife documentarians for generations and it’s a genuine thrill to advance this extraordinary legacy under this new label.”

Among the other Disneynature projects currently in development or production are:



THE CRIMSON WING: Mystery of the Flamingos – Co-directed by Matthew Aeberhard and Leander Ward, and produced by Paul Webster (Kudos Pictures), this film will take viewers to the isolated shores of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania for a birds-eye view of the mysterious lives of flamingos. Worldwide roll-out begins December 2008



OCEANS -- Nearly three-quarters of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans. French co-directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud have set out to capture the full expanse of these waters that have played such a crucial and constant role in the history and sustenance of man. The deep and abundant oceans are places of great mysteries and dangers that this film will dare to explore. Domestic release 2010



ORANGUTANS: One Minute to Midnight – Directed by Charlie Hamilton James and produced by Frédéric Fougea, this film tells the true story of a six-year-old male orangutan and his little sister, who must take an incredible journey to find a home and a family. Worldwide release 2010



BIG CATS – Audiences will get to meet three mothers – a lioness, a leopard and a cheetah – as they explore their world on the great plains of Africa. Co-directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill and produced by Alix Tidmarsh, this film will show how these magnificent animals survive on their power and their cunning, while they protect and teach their cubs the ways of the wild. Worldwide release 2011



NAKED BEAUTY: A Love Story that Feeds the Earth – In this film, nature is ready for its close-up … a very close-up, as exacting macro photography takes us to the realm of flowers and their pollinators. Acclaimed filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg introduces us to a bat, a hummingbird, a butterfly and a bumblebee, demonstrating their intricate interdependence and how life on earth depends on the success of these determined, diminutive creatures. Naked Beauty is produced by Blacklight Films and Alix Tidmarsh. Worldwide release 2011



CHIMPANZEE -- Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield co-direct this intimate look at the world of chimpanzees, with Christophe Boesch, head of the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, serving as principal consultant and Alix Tidmarsh as producer. To be shot over three years in the tropical jungles of the Ivory Coast and Uganda, Chimpanzee will help us better understand this exceptionally intelligent species. Worldwide release 2012
About Jean-François Camilleri:

After beginning his career working in France with Warner Bros. International, which at the time distributed Disney films overseas, Camilleri came to Los Angeles in 1990 to work for Disney’s Buena Vista International (BVI). When Disney took over its own overseas distribution, he returned to Paris to help develop BVI’s offices in Europe. He then became in 1997 Vice President and general Manager for Gaumont BVI France. In 2004, BVI opened an office dedicated solely to the French market, with Camilleri as senior vice president and general manager. In this position, he also developed local co-productions and acquisitions, including The March Of The Penguins, which became the most successful French film ever in the US and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. He will be serving as executive vice president and general manager of Disneynature.

About the filmmakers (in order of films):

Alastair Fothergill joined the BBC’s esteemed Natural History Unit in 1983, where, among many projects, he produced films with Sir David Attenborough. He served as head of the Natural History Unit from 1992-1998, when he chose to step down to work full-time on the award-winning Blue Planet. From 2002-2006, Fothergill was series producer of the landmark Planet Earth. He has entered a multi-picture deal with Disneynature.

Mark Linfield has had a prolific career, producing and directing many award-winning films, including The Battles of Braveheart, Orangutans: The High Society, The Temple Troop and The Life of Mammals with Sir David Attenborough. His most recent work has been the multi-award award winning Capuchins: The Monkey Puzzle and two episodes of Planet Earth, including the opening show, Pole to Pole, which won several Emmys.

Matthew Aeberhard worked with famed naturalist and filmmaker Hugo van Lawick on the feature films The Leopard Son and Serengeti Symphony before helming his own films on such subjects as golden jackals and baboons for National Geographic.

Leander Ward first encountered flamingos while filming in Mexico. He was cameraman on the BBC documentary Cape Buffalo: The African Boss, where he met Matthew Aeberhard and the two began developing the film that will become The Crimson Wing.

Academy Award nominee, Jacques Perrin, is a prolific French actor, director and producer. In 1968, he produced at age 27, the landmark film, 'Z'. In 2003, he produced the acclaimed film LES CHORISTES: both films were nominated for Best Foreign Film Academy Award. He also produced two of the most important natural history films ever made: MICROCOSMOS in 1996 and THE WINGED MIGRATION in 2001 which he also directed. Both received numerous awards around the world. Since 2005, he has been producing and co-directing Oceans.

Jacques Cluzaud is one of the leading French filmmakers working with innovative new cinematic technologies. In addition to traditional productions, he has created films for such formats as IMAX, water screens and a giant wall consisting of 850 monitors. While co-directing Oceans, he is also developing new technologies for sea and underwater shooting.

Charlie Hamilton James began his career as a wildlife filmmaker at age 16, working on David Attenborough's Trails of Life. He went on to serve as a cameraman working on such prestigious BBC productions as Life of Mammals, Wildlife on One, Andes to Amazon, Big Cat Diary and Planet Earth. At 26, James produced his first film with his wife Philippa Forrester – My Halcyon River – which won numerous international awards and elicited more requests for repeats than any other film in the BBC's history.

Frédéric Fougea is a nature documentarian and producer who has received more than 100 awards, including an International Emmy Award, Best Film at the European Nature Film Festival and the Gold Medal at the New York Film Festival. Among his provocative films are The Rise of Man, A Species Odyssey, The Fabulous Adventure of Man and Animal and Yeti, The Call of the Snowman.

Keith Scholey was born in Tanzania and raised in East Africa until his teens. He has returned to Africa to make a wide range of films, including Leopard: A Darkness in the Grass, The Great Rift and Big Cat Diary. He succeeded Alastair Fothergill as head of the BBC’s Natural History Unit from 1998 until 2003, being responsible for a wide range of award-winning films, including two David Attenborough productions and The Blue Planet. He is currently the Controller of Factual Production, responsible for all the BBC’s factual productions.

Louie Schwartzberg, as a director and cinematographer, has created some of the most iconic and memorable film moments of our time. His time-lapse, nature and aerial photography has brought audiences images never captured before. He has directed award-winning documentaries for National Geographic, The Hallmark Channel, The Discovery Channel and PBS, and his work has been featured in theatrical films ranging from War of the Worlds and Crash to American Beauty and E.T. In 2004, he produced and directed the award-winning Walt Disney Pictures release, America’s Heart & Soul.

For more updates on the newest production banner of The Walt Disney Studios, go to www.disney.com/nature (domestic) and www.disneynature.com (international).
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More to follow...

More Mouse Droppings...

That didn't sound right, did it?

Quint from Ain't It Cool News has his part two from Disney's New York Press Conference last Tuesday. In this one he focuses on the details about the upcoming Disney animated slate for the next four years. I'm looking forward to "Rapunzel" the most and after that "Princess", but I'm really optimistic about "King of the Elves".

Check it out...

More Lamp Illumination...

Quint from Ain't It Cool News discusses his attendance at Disney's New York Press Conference yesterday. He focuses on the details about the upcoming Pixar animated slate for the next four years in this one. It would have been nice to have actually made it to this one but I've had my own deadlines to work with so, oh well.

Have a looksie...

The Right Stuff...

Over the last few years the Mouse has had a good stretch at the box office. Between the Pirate movies, the Pixar films and several other smaller surprises the Disney brand, along with its Touchstone division to a lesser degree has enjoyed being at the top or near the top in terms of success and growth.

One wonders if this streak will continue or could the film division be just lucky? As in everything else, decisions are made at the top and head down hill. Success or failure comes from those that make the decisions affecting the whole of the company... that's why they make the big bucks of course. So in seeing how the near and far end future of the Mouse is concerned we'll have to take a look at the top. The main people running the Walt Disney Studios. That would start first and foremost with the Chairman of the company, Dick Cook.

Cook became the top exec at Walt Disney Studios in 2002, after Eisner named him to succeed Peter Schneider the former head of the studios. Here's an example(one of the few) of Eisner actually making a good decision, btw. Of note, Cook is the only high level executive to have worked for Disney since Eisner took over in 1984.

He's one of the most likable Suits in Hollywood today... this is a great asset in a town built on relationships. Johnny Depp, Nicholas Cage and many others regard Cook as a friendly bridge between management and talent. He's someone that can get an actor to look at something who normally wouldn't. And besides all this, he's something that you don't normally see in Hollywood. A truly nice guy.

Now right beneath him we have an enigma that is forming...

Oren Aviv, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group President who succeeded Nina Jacobson in the "Big Cut" that happened in July of 2006. He's been moving to increase the Disney Brand of films, which is quite the opposite of what Eisner did back in the mid 80's(which Eisner was right to do back then, btw). The Touchstone Brand will still be active, but the focus will be on more family movies and to associate the Disney label with better quality movies. This might puzzle some, because many Disney Geeks will recall one of Aviv's famous(or infamous) statements about the kind of films he's looking to make:

"I want to make movies like The Pacifier"

I know, I know... just like you, that statement makes the hair on the back of my head raise up. That movie was nothing more than a glorified rip-off of "Kindergarden Cop" and an average one at that. But to be fair to Mr. Aviv, I think it may have been taken out of context. I have a feeling I know what he was trying to say, even though it probably didn't come across so well. The movies he's wanting to get into production are supposed to reach a certain audience and creating films that have a generational crossover appeal(especially internationally), are what he wants to market. Now many of the Disney faithful will find that this could include those dreaded "tween" movies that we don't care for. You know, the "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour", "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" and other things that have keep many a Disney fan from even venturing into clicking the remote to the Disney Channel for fear of running into "Raven" or "The Suite Life". While I agree that it ain't my cup of tea, I can understand why the Mouse wants to get this group of teens. Aviv understands this too. I tend to try and brush off this as the modern day equivalent of "The Absent Minded Professor", "That Darn Cat" or "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes". While movies like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series or the "Narnia" series are representative of something along the line of "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" or "Treasure Island". I'm sure back in the 50's many an adult audience would have rather seen Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot" or another film that these films for their bobby-sox teenager. Things change and sometimes they don't...

Aviv understands the Disney style of movies it seems from some of the projects that have been greenlit over the past year or so. We have "Bedtime Stories", "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"(think "That Darn Cat"... hopefully), "The Chronicles of Narnia" Prince Caspian", and others set for the calendar year. Coming up next year are "When In Rome", "Fraggle Rock" and "Old Dogs", "A Christmas Carol" and a couple others. Not everything will fit my taste, but that's not his job. It's to fit the audience, both here in America and the world. And if he doesn't do that, well he won't be there long. We're about to find out as movies that are part of his philosophy begin taking up the majority of the Mouse's pipeline starting this summer. If his projects flop over the next year and a half then we'll know his taste is not the audiences and he'll be typing up one of those farewell letters that Suits tend to issue when they want to spend more time with their family.

Now across from the Walt Disney Studios lot in temporary headquarters of Walt Disney Animation Studios known as "The Hat Building" sits that figure that blurs the line between Suit and Creative. John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios... essentially the head of almost anything animated at the Mouse. Now, he's an interesting hybrid, because as well as heading both of these animated units you, he'll be involved in live-action for the Pixar unit over the next few years with the co-production with Warner of "1906" and then Pixar's own "Princess of Mars" films. Should the animation unit in Burbank be blessed by his box office abilities at the Lamp and then the live action works succeed they you'll see more and more of his power seep over to Walt Disney Pictures. Aviv will have a powerful shadow looming over his desk. But come this fall we'll finally get to see the freshman work of Lasseter's tenure at Disney when "Bolt" comes to theaters this November. The reign of the "Mousetro" really starts kicking up dust next year when "The Princess and the Frog" debuts though... many inside the walls of TeamDisney are said to be very excited about that film and "Rapunzel" the following year. There are a couple of projects that could get the greenlit to move into story later this year as one already has moved into this position to follow Glen Keane's co-directorial debut. Lasseter's the monkey in the wrench, fly in the ointment that has the unknown quantity.

We'll find soon as to how things are going. By the end of this year the new leadership at Disney will have weathered it's first test of fire. If they survive past next year is something no one in Hollywood can know... because the life expectancy of a Suit in Tinsel Town is usually very short. Half a decade is an eternity for most. Dick Cook has already survived that... Oren Aviv is a question about to be answered... and John Lasseter, well he doesn't have to worry about problems for a while since he has the backing of that guy in Cupertino. He's got at least four or five years before he has to worry and that is only if just about everything he touches turns to "FLOP!". That ain't likely to happen.

This is a Disney Fairy Tale we're talking about, after all...

Interview With The Cook...

Not an interview with Skinner, actually... and this is not even a post about "Ratatouille".

Box Office Mojo has a good interview with Dick Cook, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, that talks about the coming films, his philosophy and other interesting items. He even addresses the coming "Jungle Cruise" a bit:

"There will be a family involved. The skipper will play a very important role. He'll be more of an Indiana Jones kind of guy, with a little Jack Sparrow in him, who's going to be able to take this family on an adventure that they never dreamed they were going to be on when they first got on board. In true Disney fashion, it will definitely have the adventure and the intensity—but also the heart and the fun. We hope we have a good outline of where we want to go and what we want to do with it in the next year."

And in regard to having seen Alfred Gough & Miles Millar's script:

"Not yet. It's being worked on. David Hoberman, whom we have asked to produce it, has been hard at work. He knows that it's a top priority for us—one that we're very, very excited about. It's a real tentpole [picture]. He'll deliver it and when he does, it will be something special."

That is a script I am actively trying to obtain, just so you know...

The rest of the article is a good read. I'd recommend going over and taking a looksie. Although I have problems with the Head Suit of Disney's theme parks, Jay Rasulo... I have none with Dick Cook. He's not only a nice guy, but a smart guy and one whose strategy I believe in.

Let's hope the writer's strike doesn't throw a monkey wrench into that "Jungle Cruise" tentpole idea...

Adventures By Disney...

No, this is not a story about Disney's travel agency and the deals it offers you if you plan your vacation through it...

What am I talking about then?

Film. Motion Pictures. Movies...

Huh, you say?

Allow me to illuminate for you. With a previous article I touched on some of Disney's past films. From Walt's animated features to his hybrid live-action/animated films like the memorable "Mary Poppins" to his live action "Treasure Island" or "Swiss Family Robinson" there was particular type of film that was defined as a Disney Film. Walt Disney Productions has went through several evolutionary moments. The most obvious being when Walt was no longer around... the languishing period of the 70's. The Eisner Era that changed the company around in the mid 80's brought about a change with Touchstone's ability to market pictures that were deemed too controversial or adult in them. This period also included Disney's "Second Golden Age" of animation.

During the last couple of years under Eisner the company was going through another change... with audience taste ever-evolving, there was a focus on a broader acceptance of films that the public would accept, or expect rather of a Disney Film. With the promotion of Oren Aviv to the position of President of Walt Disney Pictures, Dick Cook now believes he has the right person to help him make Disney's films box office gold.

What will change?

Well if you look at the pattern started by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" then you have the right direction. The beginnings of the studios current path were set during this period with films like "POTC:Black Pearl" and "National Treasure" which Aviv had a great deal to do with.

Essentially, when it comes to Disney's tent pole movies, its epics that will define its summer releases and holiday openings... the answer is adventure.

Adventures by Disney.

From the release over the last few years of the Pirate films to the Narnia series, the coming slate are a departure from Eisner and Katzenberg's philosophy of developing small films with writers contracted for the studio and avoiding big spectacles... for the most part. WDP did try to create its own franchise like the "Rocketeer," but had little success. Many of the chances it had to have one of these series Eisner simply wouldn't agree to spend the money on. He let "The Lord of the Rings" go because he didn't "get it" and wasn't willing to put up the money to support it. It was only through a partnership with Walden Media that they agreed to do the "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," since Eisner was worried about the financial cost. Only years after watching other studios create franchises like "The Matrix" did he finally agree to pony up the cash to make a film like "Black Pearl".

So over the few years we can look forward to many films under the Disney brand that we would have never thought to have seen under the Disney label just a few years ago. We had the last(yeah, right...) of the Pirates series end this summer. Later this year a sequel to "National Treasure" comes out called "Book of Secrets." If this film is a success then expect to see at least one more movie of Benjamin Franklin Gates. Next summer we have the next in the Narnia series "Prince Caspian." If that film does well, and it should, there will be a new Narnia film once every year until they've exhausted the book series. In summer of 2009 we'll be treated to the epic Arabian adventure "The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." This will be the Mouse's tent pole release for that Summer... can you imagine the plans WDI wants to draft up for Tokyo DisneySEA's Arabian Port if this appears to be a success? If all goes well, we could see "Jungle Cruise" the movie, later that year unless production gets postponed. Then we have the unannounced "The Lone Ranger" set for release summer 2010. There are at least two or three other adventure films Disney has in development for the next few years, but they are too far back to discuss at this time.

As I stated in an earlier article... change happens. Sometimes for good, other times for bad. We happen to be in one of the good times, thankfully. The films we see coming out of the Disney Studios till the end of the decade will demonstrate the magic and wonder we all know and love about Walt Disney. The dream is still alive. You can be sure when you step into a darkened theater to see a Disney film... you're in for an adventure.