Dreaming...

How many hours a day and a week...




Jeffrey Katzenberg is a very busy man...

The Mouse's major competition, DreamWorks Animation apparently wants to create its own cable channel. It looks like after buying Classic Media, Jeffrey is looking for a place that he can exploit all those properties, as well as expand the properties his company already has.

I wonder if the rebroadcast rights to his series revert back to the company in a few years? That way he can have the "Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness" series, "The Penguins of Madagascar" and anything else rerun on his new channel. Not to mention the ability to create new content for the channel. But it's all in the early stages right now, so we don't know exactly what form it will take just yet. Or when.

It looks like he's planning on expanding the DWA brand beyond that new theme park...

The World Of Tomorrow (Films)...

It's amazing, it's astouning, it's the world of tomorrowland...








Time passes so quickly that you tend to lose perspective of what has happened...

Or what could happen. The middle of the decade is only about three and a half years away. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at where the Mouse will likely be then.

When we get to 2015 you have to wonder where the Walt Disney Company will be. What will the film business be like? The theme parks division? How will the events and advances in technologies change or advance the Burbank entertainment company? In this post, I thought we'd look at the film division.

Walt Disney Studios -

This division is divided into five branches that includes Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Touchstone Studios.


Walt Disney Pictures:

The live action family division of the Mouse at the middle of the decade will have released "John Carter," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," probably "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" and various others. A "TR3N" will likely have been released if the reception to "Tron: Uprising" meets the Suits approval. And should many of those films be successful, then you can imagine sequels to several of them would be on the way. Another John Carter would be close to production or already being filmed based on how much box office receipts came in in 2012. A sixth, and likely final Pirate film starring Johnny Depp would undoubtedly be in the making as well. The likelihood of Rich Ross still being in charge will depend on the success of many of these films as well as several comedies recently approved. Should we get more stinkers like what has come out with over the past year, another head of the studios could be in charge by the middle of the decade. Success in this business has a way of leveling out and rolling heads.

Walt Disney Animation Studios:

The heart and soul of the company will look dramatically different come a few years. The output of films will have been of a consistently better quality for the good part of a decade by then (Pixar bought in 2006, "Bolt" two years later). With Lasseter making sure stories count more than bean counter opinions, audiences will hopefully have started to regain faith in the brand by then. Also the variety of films will have broadened. While princesses and queens and kings will still be present, stories that you wouldn't normally think of coming from Disney will have come or be soon coming from Disney. By 2015, you can expect "Wreck It Ralph," "King of the Elves," and likely "Snow Queen" to be out come the middle of decade. But the most interesting ones are yet to come from the trailers of what Dean Wellins and Don Hall have planned. By this time WDAS will have likely rebuilt a reputation that war torn down over the late 90's/early 2000's.

Pixar Animation Studios:

Up north in Emeryville, Disney North will be passed all the announced films that we know will continue through 2013. Next year is "Brave" which presents a princess tale from the Lamp's point of view. Afterwards, "Monster University" will roll into theater the following year. 2014 and 2015 have yet to be announced, but one of those films is likely to be by Pete Docter, and there are four or five other projects that are in various states of active development up there and anyone of them could be moved on the production slate. It all depends on which ones Lasseter believes are ready to move into production. I would expect an expansion of the slate of films from Emeryville to be announced within the next year or so. We're about due for another list.

Marvel Studios:

Disney's latest sibling has a much fuller and more open slate over the next few years. Now, this is a list of films the studio is producing itself, not the characters that have been licensed to other studios. But by 2015 expect to see "Avengers," "Iron Man 3," "Thor 2," "Ant Man," "Captain America 2," and possibly a "Runaways," film, a "Doctor Strange," film and a "S.H.I.E.L.D." film. This isn't even counting several other projects that are gestating like "Iron Fist" and others that the comic book powerhouse are planning for the silver screen.

Touchstone Pictures:

Over at the adult live-action division, which has basically become a distribution house for Steven Spielberg, will have just had the five year/thirty picture deal expire the year before. Should DreamWorks and Disney seem to be enjoying the marriage at this time, you could expect a similar five year plan to be announced. Films like "Lincoln," "Robopocalypse" and several others will have been released within this time frame. That would mark a decade worth of relationships with Spielberg and his company. Hopefully, some of his talent will be used in other areas of the company throughout these coming years.

The many divisions of the studio focus on different aspects of the market. Walt Disney Pictures concentrates on the live-action family entertainment. Walt Disney Animation Studios concentrates on classic animated entertainment. Pixar Animation Studios concentrates on cutting edge animated entertainment. Marvel Studios concentrates on live-action adventures of its vast catalog of characters. Touchstone Pictures which used to be another label of Disney produced/non-Disney stories will now concentrate on the new mission of being a simple distribution label for DreamWorks. It's come a long way from where it was as a small, animation company that made shorts for RKO Pictures to play in front of their features.

It's going to be interesting to see where it after the the middle of this decade...

Keane Observations...

Since Blue Sky broke the news about the Moon looking to buy a star the Internet has been a buzz...

At least, for those of us that keep track of such things. Not everyone knows who does what in Disney Animation (or cares for that matter). But for those that love Disney, Glen Keane is the animated equivalent of Brad Pitt or some such other that would set Tween hearts a flutter.

Well, Steve Hulett (a former story man at the Mouse and son of famed Disney background artist, Ralph Hulett) over at the TAG Blog happened to have stumbled into Glen and posted this conversation about the rumor we reported on:

"My contract is up at Disney in May, and I'm doing due diligence, looking around, seeing what's out there. I'm 57 years old and I want to make the rest of my career count.

"I've known Jeffrey Katzenberg for a long time, and like him. And DreamWorks Animation is a dynamic studio. I also like what's happening at Disney. I think Tangled was one of our best features, and I did more drawings on it than I did working on Tarzan. It was great working with the animators on the crew, helping them take the work to the next level ..."

Check out the post for a bit more on Hulett's observations and some really snarky comments afterwards. Let's just hope that the Suits in the Hat Building know what they'll be losing, because DreamWorks Animation KNOWS what they'd be getting. Talent can sometimes come cheap, but reputations never do.

Keane is a major reason many a young animator would wind up choosing WDAS...

Dreaming A Future...

Dream a big, little dream...


The Mouse's main competition announced their animated film slate through 2014 today...

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who happened to have ran WDAS during the Second Golden Age has created a very formidable rival in DreamWorks Animation; something that many thought was impossible. Year after year, he's been able to create another hit. While the story and tone of DWA films sometimes draws snarks and name calling, the thing that stands out is how much Katz is a survivor, and a successful one at that. It's not easy to make it in Hollywood, it's not something that everyone can do, even though many try; most fail. I have to commend Jeffrey and his Suits for putting together a large collection of very talented animators (that may or may not include Keane, whenever he decides on that offer) and the collection of hits they've had in a very competitive industry.

So as I mentioned, today the Moon gave everyone a peek at what to expect between now and the next three years. It's a very crowded schedule.

Here's the official announcement:

GLENDALE, Calif., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced its feature film release slate through 2014.

The Company's current plan features six original films and is anchored by three sequels based on its hit Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon franchises.

DreamWorks Animation's theatrical release schedule is currently planned as follows: Kung Fu Panda 2 for May 26, 2011 and Puss In Boots for November 4, 2011; Madagascar 3 for June 8, 2012 and Rise of the Guardians for November 21, 2012; The Croods for March 1, 2013, Turbo for June 7, 2013 and Me and My Shadow for November 8, 2013; Mr. Peabody & Sherman for March 21, 2014 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 for June 20, 2014.

"At DreamWorks Animation, our creative ambition has never been greater and the release schedule we're unveiling today is designed to give our movies the time and resources they need to realize their full potential so each one can become a true event for our audiences," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. "Thanks to the extraordinary talent base at DreamWorks Animation today, our feature film slate is full of both original story ideas and exciting new franchise chapters that will form a solid foundation for the studio's creative output through 2014," added Bill Damaschke, the Company's Chief Creative Officer.

Below is additional detail on the feature films that comprise DreamWorks Animation's theatrical release schedule:

Kung Fu Panda 2 will be released on May 26, 2011. It is being directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda), produced by Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda) and written by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger (Kung Fu Panda). It stars Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong and Michelle Yeoh. In the sequel, Po is living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po's life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins... only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

Puss In Boots will be released on November 4, 2011. It is directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third) and produced by Joe Aguilar (Merry Madagascar) and Latifa Ouaou (Monsters vs. Aliens). It is being written by Tom Wheeler (The Cape). Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) are serving as executive producers on the film, which stars Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris. Way before he ever met Shrek, the legendary Puss In Boots goes on a heroic journey, teaming up with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty Softpaws to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs. It's the adventure of nine lifetimes!

Madagascar 3 will be released on June 8, 2012. It is directed by Eric Darnell (Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) and produced by Mireille Soria (Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) and Mark Swift (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa). It is being written by Noah Baumbach (Fantastic Mr. Fox) and once again stars Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer and Andy Richter. Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for the comedic adventure. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent – Madagascar style.

Rise of the Guardians, based on the forthcoming books by William Joyce, will be released on November 21, 2012. It is directed by Peter Ramsey (Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space) and co-directed by Joyce. The film is being produced by Christina Steinberg (Bee Movie, National Treasure) and Nancy Bernstein, long-time head of Production at DreamWorks Animation. Rise of the Guardians is being written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and Michael Siegel. It stars Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law. More than a collection of the well-known childhood legends, Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes – each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

The Croods will be released on March 1, 2013. It is being written and directed by two-time Academy Award® nominee Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) and Kirk DeMicco (Space Chimps) and produced by Kristine Belson (How to Train Your Dragon) and Jane Hartwell (Shrek). It stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman. The Croods is a comedy adventure that takes us back to a previously undiscovered era in the history of our planet known as the Croodaceous, when nature was still a work-in-progress... full of never-before- seen creatures and landscapes. Audiences will relate to the hilarious family antics as an imaginative and resourceful newcomer helps the Croods navigate their way through the fantastic world beyond their cave.

Turbo will be released on June 7, 2013. It is being directed by David Soren (Merry Madagascar), who first brought the project to the studio, and produced by Lisa Stewart (Monsters vs. Aliens). It is being written by Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After) together with Soren. Turbo tells the story of an ordinary garden snail with an impossible dream: to become the fastest snail in the world. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make this dream come true.

In Me and My Shadow, which will be released on November 8, 2013, the studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of both CG and traditional animation techniques seamlessly together throughout the film. The film is directed by Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, The Emperor's New Groove) and produced by Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) and Teresa Cheng (Shrek Forever After, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron). It is being written by Tom Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart). Me and My Shadow tells the story of Shadow Stan, an extremely frustrated shadow who yearns for a dynamic life but happens to be stuck with Stanley Grubb, the world's most boring human. Finally pushed to the brink, Shadow Stan breaks the singular rule of the Shadow World – "They lead, we follow" – and takes control of Stanley!

Mr. Peabody & Sherman will be released on March 21, 2014. It is directed by Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, The Lion King) and produced by Jason Clark (Monster House, Stuart Little) and Denise Nolan Cascino (Megamind). It is being written by Craig Wright (United States of Tara, Six Feet Under). Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Bullwinkle Studio's Tiffany Ward and Classic Media's Eric Ellenbogen are serving as executive producers on the film, which stars two-time Academy Award® nominee Robert Downey Jr. Based on Jay Ward's classic cartoon, Mr. Peabody is the world's smartest person who happens to be a dog. He and his "pet" boy Sherman discover that someone has stolen their time traveling WABAC machine and is changing moments in history to disastrous and comical results. It's up to this most unexpected of father-son teams to somehow put a stop to this villain before his actions destroy the space-time continuum in Mr. Peabody & Sherman.

How to Train Your Dragon 2, the sequel to the Academy Award®-nominated original film from 2010, will be released on June 20, 2014. It is being directed and written by Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon) and produced by Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon). Also based on the book series by Cressida Cowell, the sequel is being executive produced by Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon) together with DeBlois. How to Train Your Dragon 2 again stars Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, TJ Miller and Kristen Wiig.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques.

Busy company, hmmm? While it's been noted that WDAS slate was thin (it was), things have started to pick up as we've reported here. Slowly they're putting together a list of films, steadily building a collection of stories that can work their way through the production line. Eventually a film should/could come out ever year to a year and a half depending on how smoothly things go over the next year as plans become more defined.

But I'm sure it's not coming together as fast as some would like to hold the talent there though...

Between The Mouse & The Moon...

Sabbatical or retreat...







Some interesting stirrings in the Hat Building of late...

Or perhaps that should be out of the Hat Building? With the stunning hit that is Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Tangled," one would think that the success has everyone with their heads a bit in the clouds. This starting out as Glen Keane's pet project, it would seem that his head would be up there as well. And it is, or was. Right now Glen is on sabbatical from Disney and enjoying a much needed, and much deserved break from the grind of animating.

That said...

It appears that some folks (Bothans included) think that Glen isn't happy with the current slate of projects at WDAS and is looking for greener pastures to ply his trade. Or maybe he's simply just looking for a change? And a certain animation studio knows this. They dream of working with the likes of someone of Keane's stature. And it has the Suits at this particular place in Glendale trying/attempting to woo him over to this side of the valley. And they're wooing him very aggressively.

Glen has had meetings with people at that studio recently and while no decision has been made, they want him and are wooing him with opportunities and dangling carrots in front of his face to get him to make that walk across the long yard from Burbank to Glendale.

Nothing is set in stone, but losing Glen Keane, who is one of the premiere talents and master animators that have defined the Second Golden Age of Disney Animation, would be a major blow to the recently revived studio. He's my favorite living animator, a living legend, a true talent and a genuinely nice guy. Hopefully, he'll decide to stay, but the very fact that he's entertaining the offer is something that is frightfully scary. It would be like Babe Ruth leaving Boston Red Sox for the New York Yankees. A truly monumental leap for someone who has been iconically linked to the Disney name for over three decades.

Then again, maybe with starting the Third Golden Age for Disney, he feels it's time to move on to a new, and different chapter of his life?

Time will tell...

Del Toro's Secret DreamWorks Film Revealed...

With del Toro, Jeffrey has a big opportunity...



I really think Katz's House is going to start being greater competition with the Mouse...

And I'm not talking just box office. I'm talking quality. If Guillermo del Toro is going to be more involved in producing some of the upcoming releases then we may see a lot less fart jokes. The last two films that DreamWorks Animation has done are the best they've ever made, in my opinion. "Kung Fu Panda" is their best and only film that is equal to a film from the Lamp, "How to Train your Dragon" came close as well, but I still prefer Panda.

Now we've known from the press that del Toro was helping out on "Megamind" and working on "Trollhunters," but that he had a secret project he couldn't reveal. We now know what that project is.

"Alma."

For those that don't know or haven't yet clicked the link, the short was written and directed by Rodrigo Blaas, a former Pixar animator that did the film in his spare time. It's about a young girl that becomes facinated with a toy doll in the front display of a window and the enchantingly creepiness that follows. Blaas will direct and Guillermo will produce the film for the company. Rodrigo will also co-direct Trollhunters with del Toro. Another project by someone from Pixar or Disney that got away.

I wonder what other projects Guillermo del Toro was thinking up that might someday wind up as a DreamWork film instead of a Disney film...

Truth In Labeling...

With all the new films coming out under the Mouse's House I thought it was time focus on what's what and who's who...

First off, it's amazing how times have changed since Michael Eisner became CEO in 1984. When he came to power, the Disney name was in so disrepair that to have that name attached to it was considered box office poison. The films that were coming out of Walt Disney Productions were either bombs or disappointments. So much so that Ron Miller created the Touchstone Pictures label to produce films that would not have the stigma. Many were under the misconception that Eisner created it. He didn't, but he did exploit it to make films that Disney wouldn't make before. Times have changed. Here's how.

The film division of the Walt Disney Company now is powered from a different place. The Disney brand is the most valuable asset of any of its divisions. A generation after the company when outside to the name to be successful, it now is reaching inward.

Walt Disney Studios encompasses several brand names. Bob Iger is all about branding in this highly competitive environment. The divisions of each department are focused on delivering different, specific types of entertainment.




Walt Disney Pictures - This, most known division is responsible for all live-action family entertainment and through Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, all animated family entertainment.





Touchstone Pictures - This division that was used to distribute all adult or mature content will now be a shingle that handles all the films that DreamWorks Studios creates. Over the next five years, between five and six films a year will come out under this label. There is the off chance that the odd film from Disney will be released from this division, but that will be very rare. From now on this logo will adorn Steven Spielberg & Co.'s films that used to be under Paramount Pictures and before that Universal Pictures.



Hollywood Pictures - This division is currently viewed as unneeded. It's been literally shuttered for the time being. If a purpose comes up for the use of it, they may try and restart this as a specialty house for genre-specific films, but for the most part of the coming decade don't count on it.



Marvel Studios - This new division will be it's own entity, like the Lamp, it will handle it's own films working from properties in its 5000+ character library.

It's interesting and amazing that for family films the company has reached out to its past to create and focus on film content. It's equally interesting and amazing that for it's other live-action films not under the Disney label it has reached out to the man that is considered the modern day Disney.

It will be interesting times/films to watch...

What Might Have Been, Is Now Just A Dream...

So here we are reporting sad news that's also great news...

How can that be? Well, what was to be a "Disney Double Dare You!" project will finally get made, but as a DreamWorks Animation film. If you haven't heard, Guillermo del Toro has brought his animated project, "Trollhunters" over to Jeffrey Katzenberg's diggs. And he is directing it as well as writing and producing it. Where does this man find the time? And to add insult to injury, the film will based on a book he wrote that he turned into Hyperion Publishing two weeks ago. That ring a bell to you guys? It's Disney's publishing arm. Sigh. There is an opportunity for a brand franchise that Iger has missed. Sigh again.

While I'm excited about the idea of actually seeing it come to the screen, it's a sad situation when it could have been under the shuttered Disney shingle. I know that Guillermo del Toro's decision to go forward with "The Hobbit" was a major factor in this falling apart, but I can't help but feel that the Mouse Suits couldn't have fostered a better relationship to try and salvage this and other projects. Still, with Sean Bailey, the new President of Production, I feel that the relationship with del Toro could be strengthened. Hopefully the production of "Haunted Mansion" will go smoothly and foster more opportunities with the director.

Still, DreamWorks Animation is moving up in my own opinion. Between hiring world class cinematographers and Oscar winning screenwriters for their future projects, now the involvement of del Toro, the future of Jeffrey's House is now brighter than ever. Not only is del Toro doing "Trollhunters," but he will be listed as an executive producer on "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Puss in Boots" and did fix-up work on the upcoming "Megamind." While I still believe the Lamp is the premiere animation studio to be knocked from the top of the mountain, Katzenberg's company is making a serious play at knocking them from that place. It's going to be interesting to watch over the next few years. Let's hope Bailey can cement a solid working relationship with the director so the Mouse can benefit from him as well.

Hollywood is nothing if not relationships...

DreamWorks & del Toro...

I've known some bits about this for a couple weeks...

I got a few e-mails that Guillermo del Toro was setting up an office over at DreamWorks Animation. Seems he's working on an evolving animation deal with Jeffrey Katzenberg's little animation house.

As it's all still coming together, we don't know what to expect yet, but it won't be "Trollhunters" or any of the ideas that were going to be part of the now defunct Disney Double Dare You!, so maybe there's still some hope that those projects can be revived or morph into something further. I'd love to see his involvement with the "Haunted Mansion" project grow into a much closer deal with the studio. Heck, if was up to me, he'd be exclusive to the Mouse the way that Jerry Bruckheimer is. But I think the deal that Guillermo has with Universal will prevent that. One can dream, though.

Developing...

Kung Fu Writer...

It appears that Katzenberg has got a big gun to come in and do a polish on the KFP sequel...

Charlie Kaufman, the brilliant screenwriter of "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Adaptation" among many others has came in to tighten the story of "Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom."

This sounds like great news. I happen to be a big fan of Charlie's work. I have high expectations for this sequel and anybody who read my review knows how much I love KFP. It's the high watermark that all films from DreamWorks Animation have to measure themselves by. I don't know if this will be as good as the first, but the quality of the story definitely got elevated. Well, at least we have that Kung Fu Panda holiday special to look forward to until the sequel.

Here's to hoping there's no doom in boom...

Hat Tip to The Hollywood Reporter's HeatVision blog.

"EX"odus...

So with the shelving of "King of the Elves" and "The Snow Queen" there are a lot of story artist that are looking for something to do...

And not all of them are looking inside the Mouse. In fact, Jeffrey Katzenberg's house has had a lot of people looking to rent rooms since the end of January.

Like, you ask?

Mark "Rhino" Walton and several others have decided to move over to DreamWorks Animation, not just for the job security that seems to come with a line up of films that look pretty stable, but more money. It seems success can do that to/for people/animators.

Here's to wishing them well, and someday, once WDAS has had a few hits under their belts, wishing them back...

UPDATE: It should be noted that Paul Briggs was mentioned in the original article as having left with Mark and others. This isn't the case and Paul is still at Disney Animation. And I'm very happy to report this correction.

Katz Talez...

There's a really nice interview with DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg over at Fast Company...

Say what you want about Katzenberg, but the man does deserve his share of credit for Disney's Second Golden Age. Not all, obviously but a fair amount. I've always been fascinated by the man. His ego is legend, but his ability to work with people and get things done is something I genuinely admire. His knack for getting things that others couldn't has created a cottage industry of folklore about him. Some true and some tall tales, but all entertaining. My favorite is the one where, when he was at Paramount under Eisner, they went to the airport to catch a flight. When they arrived at the gate, the plane was already moving out on to the runway. Eisner turned to Katzenberg and said: "Jeffrey, go stop that plan!" Katzenberg walked over to the flight attendant at the desk and made a few comments that resulted in a hushed, but heated debate. Finally, they saw the plane turn around and taxi back to the gate as Katzenberg walked back over to Eisner: Mission Accomplished.

I remember attending a Q&A with Katzenberg when he was head of Disney that he gave at USC's Film School. I asked him about the status of the new Tom Cruise film he was working on with John McTiernan known as "A Princess of Mars." Sound familiar? But I was impressed by his candor and accessibility. And I was surprised to see this Hollywood mogul drive away in an old 80's Mustang (he's moved up to a black Prius now). But he's an intriguing fellow and worthy of following.

Just like this article about him...

From The Creative Minds of Disney and Steven Spielberg...

Not...

It appears that Steven Spielberg has renegotiated his deal with Universal. While his relationship with Universal had changed now that he has a new home for the next six years at the Mouse instead of the Globe; it was known that his contract with Disney didn't include anything related to building theme park attractions. It's long been known that Spielberg had a deal with Uni where could buy him out. That deal comes dues soon, or would have. So many, myself included, speculated that he might possibly work with Disney being as they have the most famous theme park division in the world. Won't happen. Not for eight years at least.

According to Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood, the famous producer/director signed a deal that expires in 2017. Is it me or is it ironic that that date comes a couple years after his deal with the Walt Disney Studios expires (2014-15)? So, unless some further tiff comes up over the next few years you can expect not to see any collaboration between the two on Shanghai Disneyland or anything else with Disney's name on it. Of course, should Steven and Bob get along well and the deal gets an extension after the current deal expires, something could happen.

Just not in this deals lifetime...

Friends With The Cook...

There's a lot of reaction from people in Hollywood about Dick Cook suddenly stepping down from heading the Mouse's film division...

Key among these is Johnny Depp, who has developed a bond over the last half decade. It's not surprising, Cook's developed that kind of trust from many people in the industry. In front or behind the camera, Walt Disney Studios chairman was liked by all and many are still shocked as to what happened. Depp did a phone interview with the Los Angeles Times Friday about the events and his relationship with Cook:

"shocked and very sad, it seems like the whole town is shocked, I didn't see this coming. There was no reason to see this coming."

"the sweetest man on the planet and such a gent."

"He is the utmost gentleman, so he made the call himself. He said, 'I'd like you to hear it from me before you hear it from someone else or read it,' He said today was my last day. He didn't give me a reason."

"He's instantly trustworthy. And you generally don't meet people at the studios you trust, he's a rare beast."

And his comment about his feelings for a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film shows he's temporarily a little less enthused:

"There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment, it was all born in that office."

And he still believes that he'll work with/for Cook again, just not at Disney:

"He will be somewhere and I will always look forward to working with him. I consider Dick a friend inside an insane system. He's someone I understand and I think he understands me."

And he's not the only one, big producer Scott Rudin, whose production company has a first-look deal with Disney Studios:

"I'm completely shocked - as is literally everybody I've spoken to,"

According to Nikki Finke of Dateline Hollywood, Spielberg is supposedly devastated that Dick Cook's gone. Cook was a major reason why Spielberg and Stacey Snider decided to go with Disney on DreamWorks new distribution deal. "Steven worships Dick Cook," a DreamWorks insider told Finke.

He was instrumental in working out this new deal with Guillermo del Toro and his new label at Disney. He seems to know what the company is lacking and has tried to attract talent that seems to have their finger on the pulse of what audiences like.

Cook also is supposedly on very friendly terms with Lasseter ever since the Pixar deal went through, I wonder what John thinks of all this? Having Cook by his side was a very reassuring thing for Lasseter and Ed Catmull. How will the new leader deal with Lasseter? Granted, John Lasseter is a big fish, and he pretty much gets his way, but it helps having those around you that you know you can trust. Cook was one of those guys, but we don't know if the next guy/gal will be.

You can see these people have a great deal of loyalty to Dick Cook, as do so many countless others. Relationships in Hollywood, true relationships, not the plastic kind, are hard to come by. Walt Disney Studios had something going for it with a leader that was so trusted. It'll be a very difficult challenge for Iger to find someone with the cache of credibility Cook had.

Here's crossing our fingers and wishing for the best for both Disney and Cook...

A Deppless Pirate Film For Disney...

Since all the new films that the newly reborn DreamWorks develops will be distributed by Disney this is ironic...

According to a USAToday article, Steven Spielberg is developing a Pirate film based on perhaps the last novel Michael Crichton did before his death entitled, "Pirate Latitudes." David Koepp is writing the adaption and Spielberg is producing with the possibility of directing it. The plot essentially is a "men on a mission" story wrapped in a pirate narrative about a group that tries to get into Port Royal and steal a Spanish galleon's treasure. It sounds a whole lot more exciting than Spielberg's remake of "Harvey."

Let's just hope the director isn't going through another "Hook Phase." He had a series of mostly forgettable pap before he finally did the trilogy of "Jurassic Park," "Schindler's List" and "Amistad" back to back. Although the last one was the weakest of the three, it clearly put Spielberg back on track after several years wandering around looking for creativity. Perhaps he may have found it with some pirate gold?

He certainly didn't find it looking for a Crystal Skull...

Fun(ding) Times...

I meant to post this yesterday, but it was another case of life getting in the way...

Steven Spielberg's reincarnated DreamWorks and the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group announced that they've completed the first phase of funding for films for the new company. Which basically means they now have the money to move forward with a slate of films.

I've always assumed that the company will still be known as DreamWorks since the name is owned by Spielberg through Jeffrey Katzenberg, of course. He could essentially call it anything he wants but everyone believes it'll still be that name and they're probably right. I wish they'd call it something else simply because the name will be associated with the animation division and many people will assume that their animated films are by default Disney... which they're not. Here's a name for Spielberg to use free of charge: "Amblin." My two cents.

For those of you scratching your head as to how this is in any relation to Disney, hang on. The distribution deal for DreamWorks that expired/expires this year will now be handled by the Mouse. The deal with Paramount after it bought the company became a point of contention and the relationship became very stressful for all the movie moguls involved. A Hollywood divorce on a corporate scale was what happened and Spielberg's team went looking for a new partner. Universal was widely expected to be the suitor given Spielberg's longtime association with the company, when that didn't happen Disney found themselves in the position of new lover, so to speak. Lovers are temporary and disposable in Tinseltown so it's an appropriate name I believe. But basically that's the short and skinny of it. The first films as part of the agreement will appear sometime next year.

Of course, the theme park attractions will have to be negotiated at a later date...

This Generations' Star Wars...

So that's the feeling of Stuart Beattie...

He's the guy that wrote the "Halo" script that supposedly Spielberg fell in love with. Now, from all I'm hearing this is the same script that Peter Jackson was going to make. Which was the same one I read. And it was... good, but not mind-shattering or brilliant. At least in my opinion. And like I said, I can't spend an entire movie never seeing my main character as he walks around in a motorcycle helmet. I have to feel empathy, I have to relate to them and I have to know they're human. That's what a face is for, that's what eyes communicate, that's what a mouth is there to convey. Along with a million other facial ticks that we associate with humans.

And don't get me wrong, there are many other things that need to be better in this script for a Suit to justify shelling out somewhere between $150-$200 million dollars. I have a feeling there's a great story here, but maybe it needs a rewrite. Justin Marks, anyone? Just kidding. His "Supermax" script wasn't the best or worst I've ever seen, but somewhere in the better middle. If I was to have someone do a polish or rewrite on this, it'd be Mark Protosevich, one of my all time favorite screenwriters. He keeps having great scripts rewritten and turned into good scripts... perhaps it's time he took a good script and turned it into a great one? Now, if only the Suits would agree.

If you'd like to read what Beattie said about his love for all things Halo, then go HERE and check out what he had to say to Sci Fi Wire while he was on a press junket for "G.I. Joe: The Rise of ADD" recently.

Time will tell...

Lovely...

Hauntingly beautiful...

Too bad this isn't the first film under the Mouse's agreement to distribute Spielberg's Studios theatrical releases...

Peter Jackson's first small film since "The Lord of the Rings" comes out in December. Based on the best selling book, "The Lovely Bones," this film tells the story of a girl examining the lives of her family and her killer after being murdered and haunting search for justice that follows. The book is a mesmerizing read and Jackson is a perfect director to translate this material. Not so much for his Rings work, but because the subject is along the lines of his "Heavenly Creatures" film he did before reaching star status with the fantasy trilogy. This will be a great film and this is a great trailer. Be sure and check it out.

The deal with DreamWorks doesn't begin until next year, and sadly, it starts with a remake of a film that doesn't need to be remade: "Harvey." It doesn't need to be touched. The last thing Spielberg adapted was "A Guy Named Joe" which he turned into the forgettable "Always."

Now "The Lovely Bones" is a dream that works...

A Lost Secret Agent For The Mouse...

I'll have a Martini like the gentleman over there with the broad.



Sometimes things are unlikely to happen and then sometimes they are...

And then there are times when the improbable becomes not only possible, but reality. And in Hollywood reality is something rarely seen. Remember all that talk about Disney getting a distribution deal with DreamWorks? How it was in the running for it along with Steven Spielberg's old home Universal Studios? And naturally Universal won out... but then didn't. At the last moment the deal fell through and the Mouse was there to take on a roll that was thought impossible.

Here is another such case. Just as improbable, but possible. I've been a fan of the old Dean Martin "Matt Helm" films since I was a kid. Sure, they're cheesy, guilty pleasures, but in a world filled with the negativity we find rampant, it was a refreshingly silly break from the environment outside your window. Good was good and bad was bad. And when it was all over there was a fresh martini to drink and a beautiful woman to love. Of course, the Matt Helm of those films bears almost no resemblance to the one you find in Donald Hamilton's novels. No one has ever really explored what an adventure with the real Helm would be like. Variety is reporting that Spielberg is interested in turning that into a reality. Until a year or so ago we got word that DreamWorks had hired Paul Attanasio to do a rewrite on a new film version of the American spy. It has now been confirmed that Spielberg will produce the project. Were he to direct it, he and his DW partners would likely co-produce the film with Disney. The Helm project is one of many that Paramount Pictures retained ownership of in the divorce between the two companies last year. Spielberg and company would have to convince the studio to give up a hefty percentage of the production, something not likely unless Paramount finds themselves in a severe cash crunch. So, with Sony having James Bond, Universal has Jason Bourne and Disney could have had Matt Helm. And they may still have.

Remember, this is Hollywood and things can change on a dime. After all, that Universal deal with DreamWorks is doing swell, ain't it?

Developing...

V's Competition...

I was aiming to mention this the other day...

The deal that Steven Spielberg and Bob Iger signed a short while ago between DreamWorks and Walt Disney Pictures/Touchstone Pictures specifically covered the distribution of films and not the television unit of the company. Those films, about four to five a year starting in late 2010/early 2011 and going for five to six years will be interesting to follow. I'm curious as to what will be the first one distributed by the Mouse.

That said, I found this television project interesting. Continuing his fascination with all things alien, Spielberg has hatched another idea for a television series about what the earth would be like after an alien invasion wipes out most of the human race. The pilot which is being produced for TNT, will be written by Robert Rodat ("Saving Private Ryan") and follows a rag tag group of resistance fighters as they work to free our world from the cluthces of these foreign invaders. Noah Wyle, who has had a little experience working with Spielberg before (you remember a little series called "ER," right?), is set to play one of the resistance leaders. So "V" won't be the only series following nasty space aliens trying to take over our planet.

Developing...