Raiders Of Lost Games...

Lucasfilm licensed their Star Wars gaming rights to Electronic Arts recently...

And even though the company is primarily known for that property, and it's primarily why the Mouse bought the company, it's not the only property they are known for.  Kathleen Kennedy was the mover/shaker behind this decision with EA, dispite everyone thinking it was motivated by Iger or Horn.  They did sign off on it, but the decision was hers.

She's the one who initiated the deal for the three games (yes, three) that EA are working on.  But one has to wonder where the deal will go.  Again, Lucasfilm isn't known just for these characters.  Kennedy knows that and wants to expand the brand within the Disney empire over time.  It's one of the reasons she is moving forward with Gary Rydstrom's animated film.  Hopefully somewhere down the line she'll get to work on cultivating more Man in the Hat possibilities.

You all know my long wished dream of an animated series/movies based on George Lucas' inspired hero.  But there are other uses for him. The last decade has shown that Lucasarts didn't know what to do with this property.  "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings" was a waste of an amazing character and a squandering of time for anyone playing it.  If you wanted to play an Indy game, you had to have a PS3 and you needed to own a copy of  "Uncharted".

I've talked about this before, but if only Naughty Dog were in charge of coming up with a game or series of adventures for the famed archeologist, then we would get the game we've all been waiting for.  Now that Lucasfilm has handed over the rights to their most famous creation, what will they do with their next most famous IP?  Now this is speculation combined with geek dreaming.  I have no knowledge that anything like this will happen.

But what if Kennedy likes what EA is doing?  The direction that the games they're working on could lead to alternative opportunities.  The idea of licensing other properties could be suggested.  Maybe even game designers in the companies many divisions could pitch a form of this to her.  Would it be out line to think that someone at DICE or Bioware wouldn't want to create their own Uncharted?  And with the original character that inspired it?

With teams that have worked on "Battlefield 4" and "Mass Effect 3" with all their talent, couldn't this become a possibility?  How many game developers with the various divisions wouldn't jump at the chance to create a game like that?  Imagine the mythos they would be working with?  The stories could involve old characters on new adventures, recreations of old adventures, or expansions of entirely original stories.  

What about a new game on Raiders of the Lost Ark with expanded story elements, Temple of Doom where you could play as Short Round, or an adventure with Indy finding the Spear of Destiny or the City of the Gods?  The possibilities are endless.

The treasure awaits someone willing to go on the journey...

Forecast, Extended Reign…

It looks like Bob Iger is going to be around a few more months than expected…

Those of you that haven't seen it yet, the news came out yesterday that Bob Eiger will retain his CEO title in addition to his chairman title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Originally, he was supposed to relinquish the CEO title in April 2015, while retaining the chairmanship title until the expiration of his contract in 2016.  Now they both will end together.  This means his leadership will not be split, and it also gives him and the board more time to decide on a successor.

It's going to be a difficult position, many people will be vying for that title as I mentioned in a previous post.  Right now, the odds on favorite is Tom Staggs, but other powerful people are still in the running.  This includes two people who weren't even at the company a year ago, Kathleen Kennedy and Alan Horn.  Lastly, there is the Dark Overlord, Jay Rasulo.  Let's cross our fingers that that one doesn't happen.

So what does all this mean?  Well, it means that Iger will be there through the end of his contract, and the players have a little more time to show their worth.  Three years worth.  That's a long time in the entertainment business, a lifetime compared with any other.  It'll be interesting to see how the jockeying goes over the next couple of years.  The CEO and Chairman of the largest entertainment company in the world is leaving it in an even bigger position that it was under Eisner.  His successor will have to do a lot of shuffeling to compete in this global market that entertainment has transformed into over the last decade.  The world is a lot different than it was at the beginning of this century.

Even the Disney World…

Timelines & Deadlines...

Well, it looks like Sony is trying to stake a claim on the gold they've been mining...

The Studio has just announced two more sequels to the current film that is shooting.  Here's the press release with commentary to follow:

CULVER CITY, Calif., June 17, 2013 – With Sony Pictures Entertainment now in production in New York on The Amazing Spider-Man™ 2, slated for release on May 2, 2014, the studio is planting its flag on two future release dates for one of the most successful franchises in studio history, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures. The next two films in the story of Peter Parker will be released on June 10, 2016, and on May 4, 2018, respectively.

Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, “Spider-Man is our most important, most successful, and most beloved franchise, so we’re thrilled that we are in a position to lock in these prime release dates over the next five years.”

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner, with a previous draft by James Vanderbilt, and based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are the producers. The executive producers are E. Bennett Walsh, Stan Lee, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci.
The Amazing Spider-Man took in over $750 million at the worldwide box office last year.

You think this is a huge finger in the eye to Kevin Feige and the Suits of Marvel/Disney?  Yes.  Yes it is.  It's knowing the cash cow they have has an expiration date and trying to keep it as far away as possible.  Marvel has been of late been keeping an eye on all the productions that are not under its own in-house production.  The lawyers for the Mouse are making sure each contract is kept to the letter of the agreement.  There will be no deviation.  Any such chance to get out of the deal will result in a swarm of legal activity.

It's less likely that we'll see director Marc Webb finish out these films as the production schedule is going to be insane.   He'd have to spend the better part of the next decade doing nothing but comic book films, which I'm sure he enjoys, but doesn't want to be known for it for the rest of the next decade.  I'm sure he has other stories to tell.  So expect other directors to be lined up for the fourth film, maybe even the third.  And those productions will be hard pressed to meet their dates.  Disney will be counting down the minutes until the agreement expires.  And there won't be a renewal. 

Sony knows this and that's why they planted the flag so early...

A Galaxy Far, Far E3...

Very soon we'll know what the direction of the Star Wars universe...

I mean the gaming part of it, of course.  EA will be at E3 next week and the announcement of their plans for the next few Star Wars games are supposed to be announced.  I don't think we'll see any game play as plans they have are still in the early stages.  The only way we'd see something like "Battlefront 3" would be if they had made a deal to acquire the already almost completed game: highly unlikely but not totally out of probability.  But at least we'll have a road map of what is to come.

Expecting artwork and titles isn't entirely out of the question, but the type of game and story that players will be involved in is what EA's head suit, Labels president Frank Gibeau will likely give us the 411 about.  Since it'll be a press briefing for their entire line up, the focus won't be on Lucas Arts/ EA Star Wars as the entire line of games they have coming out.

Still, having that Star Wars license will be something to brag about...

A Spider's Web...

About that possibility of Marvel getting the film rights to "Spider-Man" back...

Will the Arachnid be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon?  If you'd have asked me that this morning, I'd have said "No".  But now comes a report that Sony has been in a bit of a financial bind of late and is looking to an investor group to help shore up its balance sheet.  The group led by investor David Loeb (no relation to Jeph Loeb) has proposed selling off particular entertainment franchises (in music and studio divisions) to make it more attractive to investment.  Two of the entertainment franchises listed are "Resident Evil" and "Spider-Man".  As for RS, I have no opinion on the sale because the films are so utterly lifeless and devoid of anything that makes the games fun and interesting. Spidey on the other hand is a whole other ballgame.

Would the Mouse be interested in purchasing the rights back?  Yes, they would were this to be true.  Would the price be right is the more appropriate question.  The Walt Disney Company paid a sizable amount versus a projected box office take to buy out the remaining rights to Paramount Pictures deal with Marvel a couple years ago.  That deal included the "Avengers" film and "Iron Man 3".  Paramount made a nice little fee for the release, but Web Head is clearly worth a great deal more than Shell Head, and Sony, if they decide to sell them will be asking for a much better deal than Paramount got.  But don't hold your breath.

If this does happen, the last hold out would be Fox.  And they're clearly moving ahead with their reboot of the "Fantastic Four" property and the expansion of the mutant franchises.  They have no desire or inclination to give up such money making machines, but Disney will be watchful and holding them to the letter of the contracts.  It's doubtful they'll give 20th Century Fox any wiggle room in any adaptation of Marvel characters.  Over time, the characters will find their way back into the company fold, but unless some extremely pricey deal is made, it'll have to wait until they lose interesting in the properties.  That will likely not happen until the box office for the films becomes at least a disappointment, or an outright financial dud.

But in the meantime, the Mouse's lawyers are ready to pounce...

Hat Tip to Comic Book Movie via Comic Book Therapy.

UPDATE:  Harry over at Ain't It Cool News has been in touch with Sony Pictures Entertainment Co-Chair Amy Pascal.  And this is something that isn't going to happen.  So, until the films become unprofitable, or they miss a deadline for making one of the films, Marvel fans will have to wait for Spider-Man to debut in the MCU.

Child Of The Mansion...

Today marks the official end of the Extreme Expansion and the opening of the final piece of it...

Mystic Manor opens today in Hong Kong Disneyland.  The attraction, which is the result of planning for the Haunted Mansion in China, is a layered hybrid of taking the lessons learned from dealing with unique cultural perceptions.  The views on ghosts in Chinese culture represented a challenge to the Imagineers designing the initial phase of the Hong Kong Chinese version of the popular attraction.  While, the ride is not officially a clone of the classic ride, there are no plans for a version of the original at the park because of the connective DNA that they share.

The guest riding the attraction since it soft opened yesterday, will travel along a mansion owned by Lord Henry Mystic, purveyor of fine antiques of his adventures around the world.  As a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, he's collected a large collection of artifacts that he's set about the manor to show off to guest to his home.  The result is a "Jumanji" like experience filled with clever displays of magical mischief.  Danny Elfman's score does a great job creating the atmosphere of slightly scary, while still having a subtle tone of humor.  If you want to read more about the area, Alain's coverage of the opening over at Disney and More has excellent analysis, pics and videos.

The attraction and it's lushly themed Mystic Point is perhaps the best layered in the park.  It's narrative story is pure Disney, and this will be the first of several attractions that will hopefully give HKDL it's own identity, to separate it out from the other sibling parks.  The Imagineers have been working on several other projects that the Suits will try to present to their Chinese partners in the near future.  But don't expect anything big for the next few years as the park gets guests to experience the fruits of expansion.  There is plenty of land for more Disney themed experiences in the areas surrounding the new openings.  And right now the Imagineers are focusing further into inland China.

Shanghai is a much bigger task...

Mouse EARnings...

The Mouse seems to be doing quite well on Wall Street...

Yesterday, the Walt Disney Company released its second quarter earnings report to investors and the world.
And they beat expectations:

- Earnings were up 36 percent over the previous year.

- Net income went up 32 percent from a year ago.

- Media Networks had a 6 percent turnover.

- Studio Entertainment was up 13 percent.

- Parks and Resorts rose 14 percent.

- Consumer Products increased 12 percent ahead of 2012.

- Interactive (the Achille's heel of the Mouse) even was up 8 percent (Now if they'd only change their gaming strategy and buy a big name company.).

All in all, the investors are really happy with the direction of the company.  Critics may not agree with Iger's decision to acquisition his talent, but it's effect on the bottom line is boosting prospects for the company.  While parts of the entertainment giant have languished over periods of the past decade, the idea of bringing in successful talent to shore up the lack of creativity has/will produce results that put smiles on investor's faces.

It's a much more solidified/lean/dominating behemoth that Bob Iger plans on leaving his successor...

Playing Games With A Mouse...

Some fans worried about the end of Star Wars gaming with the closing of LucasArts...

But the franchise is too big to be closed down.  There is simply too much opportunity to make money with this universe: and it's a big, big universe.  Kathleen Kennedy has had numerous meetings with gaming companies over the past few months, just as she's had multiple meetings with film makers.  She's entertained a voluminous amount of pitches for films, shows and games.  And now we know who gets to carry on the Lucasfilm gaming legacy.

Electronic Arts.

Lucasfilm and Disney Interactive announce their multi-year deal with EA today:

Electronic Arts Selected for Multi-Year Agreement for the Future of Star Wars Gaming May 06, 2013

Today it was announced that Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney Interactive are entering into a multi-year, multi-title exclusive licensing agreement with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) for the creation of new high quality Star Wars games spanning multiple genres for console, PC, mobile, and tablets.
Industry leaders and creators of best-in-class blockbuster games, the development and publishing teams at EA will collaborate with the creative teams at Lucasfilm to provide audiences with all-new gaming experiences set in the ever-expanding Star Wars galaxy. As part of the agreement, EA studio teams DICE (Battlefield series) and Visceral (Dead Space series) will join BioWare (Mass Effect series, Star Wars: The Old Republic) in the development of newStar Wars games.
"Our number one objective was to find a developer who could consistently deliver our fans great Star Wars games for years to come," said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. "When we looked at the talent of the teams that EA was committing to our games and the quality of their vision for Star Wars, the choice was clear."
While EA studios will develop for the core Star Wars gaming audience, Disney Interactive will focus on delivering new Star Warsgames for casual audiences on mobile, social, tablet, and online gaming platforms.
"This agreement demonstrates our commitment to creating quality game experiences that drive the popularity of the Star Warsfranchise for years to come," said John Pleasants, co-president of Disney Interactive. "Collaborating with one of the world's premier game developers will allow us to bring an amazing portfolio of newStar Wars titles to fans around the world."
"Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Warsuniverse," said EA Labels President Frank Gibeau. "Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Warsfans. The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay."
More information, including titles in development, will be announced in the coming months. Continue to check StarWars.com for updates on the future of Star Wars gaming.

And if you want to see the quality the new games will have then check out the Frostbite 3 gaming engine (warning: NSFW).  This will be the technology they'll be using for the new games.  Imagine this quality of gaming with lasers, light sabers and Sith Lords.  Impressive.

I've always felt that Iger should pursue a similar strategy that he's used in purchasing film companies like Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm when dealing with Gaming.  Instead of going after one of the big companies, he's went for mid-level or lower level companies that have had predictable results.  Perhaps in a few years he or his successor can bring someone like EA into the Disney family and have it under Disney Interactive?  It would certainly be a boost to the one part of the company that seems to continually be flailing behind companies like the Warner Bros.  Warner Games is certainly a much more profitable division of the Bunny than the Mouse's Disney Interactive.

But we have years to go before we get there...

2015: Becoming A Disney World...

With all the major purchases over the last five years, the Walt Disney Company is about to have a bumper crop...

What am I talking about?  Well, between the purchases of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, not to mention the live-action/animated films coming from the main branch, the Mouse is gearing up for a monster year.  That year will be 2015.  Just a little more than two years from now Disney will dominate the box office.  It's simply a given.  What films will they release that year?  Take a look at what most likely will be the summer offerings:


Avengers 2

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Star Wars 7

Finding Dori

Walt Disney Animation Studios release (which one hasn't been determined yet, more in a future post.)

Tron 3 (not announced, but likely)

Ant-Man

Can you imagine the box office that year?  The public is going to get very used to seeing that castle every time they go see something at the local movie theater.  I don't believe any other film studio has had such a dramatic effect on the box office of an entire year this much.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  I'm trying to picture what the other major studios are going to line up against it.

And it's not just the films they release that will mark the year for Disney, but the theme park expansion as well.  There are several expansions (including a rather nice one for Disneyland if it's green lit) that could happen, but aren't approved as of yet.  These are the main two expansions that are on schedule to be opened.


Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pandora: The World of Avatar (tentatively)

Shanghai Disneyland 


This year will mark the end Disney's normal content distribution system as well.  Starting the next year, Netflix will be a primary driver of Mouse entertainment that will likely change distribution channels.  So this year will close on a normal way people get shows, films, and possibly even gaming.  Better sign up now.

Bob Iger is going to be leaving the company on a high note.  The opposite of how Eisner left the entertainment giant.  It's hard to believe how large the company has grown in the last decade, but it shows the popularity of the Disney brand.  Of course, Iger will still be there for a year or so after his resignation as "Chairman Emeritus", but the day to day of the company will be handled by one of four people who now report to him.

Just don't let it be Rasulo...

The Dream's End...

If he's taught them well, we don't have to worry...

Today a legend is letting go of the Mouse...

Tony Baxter, one of the great Imagineers announced his retirement from the company.  He will become a part-time advisor to Walt Disney Imagineering after 47 years with the Walt Disney Company.  Starting as an ice cream scooper on Main Street USA, he worked his way up to Senior Vice President, Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering with rock star status to Disney geeks.  Known as the primary force behind attractions like "Big Thunder Mountain" and "The Indiana Jones Adventure", he is a creative force to be reckoned with.  He's been with Disney for almost half a century, and at some point he was bound to move on.  We here at Blue Sky Disney wish him the best in his future endeavors and hope that his consulting title will be more than just a title.  That of course, remains to be seen.

AN OPEN LETTER TO FELLOW IMAGINEERS 

Decades ago, Imagineering had the bold notion to start the 21st century 18 years early by unveiling the "future" at Epcot in 1982. This positive look at tomorrow had a numbing effect on the bleak vistas depicted in George Orwell's dystopian novel, 1984. As a kid beginning my career at Disneyland in the mid 1960s, both of these "futures" were far off from a universe where Disneyland was the only Disney park, Mr. Lincoln was a state of the art attraction, and everything operated under Walt Disney's guidance. 

Today, while there is a new set of "futures" to explore, the time has come for me to evolve my role at Walt Disney Imagineering. Beginning this February, I will be transitioning to a position as a part time advisor. While I will not be here on a regular basis, I will continue to be available to any and all of you as needs arise. Though my time will be limited, my passion for the magic WDI creates will be just as strong. 

Since early last year, I have been thinking about what I would say to all of you when this time arrived. It has been a wondrous 47 years spanning the opening of Walt Disney World to Big Thunder and Star Tours … from Epcot's original Journey into Imagination to Disneyland Paris and Indiana Jones. The Imagineers I have known and shared these times with have provided invaluable experiences not to be found anywhere else on earth. 

As one of the lucky second-generation Imagineers, I had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the core philosophies of our company. I was fortunate enough to work with Claude Coats, Marc Davis, John Hench and the many others who built this industry alongside Walt Disney. I was able to soak up their wisdom and partner with them on creative projects. I have passed forward many of their key philosophies, and as our culture and scope have evolved, I have tried to balance my support of these foundations, with the business of charting "what's next." Now the 21st century brings a new reality … for the first time, the younger generation is master of the key technologies driving the future. While upcoming generations deal with tech tools that are evolving almost daily, many of Disney's keystone philosophies remain stable and relevant. These philosophies help define our creative edge to a world that is eager for aspirational content. With no particular order, here are five that continue to inspire me, and I think you may find useful in shaping "creative futures" for the years to come. 

Creating Lasting Experiences - Legendary Imagineer Marc Davis once said, "We don't really have a story with a beginning, an end or a plot … It's more a series of experiences … building up to a climax." Guests still want to be astonished, and our best attractions deliver that wow factor with visions and emotions. I always start with the notion that it is the 20th repeat ride, not the first that is the most important. Park experiences are by nature less able to focus on linear stories and tangible feelings than motion pictures. Unlike a movie, what separates an OK attraction from a great one is that people find themselves "in" the great ones. They have been taken to a place they couldn't have imagined without Disney. How intriguingly we craft the level of guest engagement has direct bearing on desire for an umpteenth ride down the same track. 

In Fantasyland, a simple line of dialogue heralds the beginning of one of the most aspirational ride experiences ever created; "Come on everybody … here we go!" After riding Peter Pan, futurist Ray Bradbury was moved to write; "Walt, I'll be eternally grateful that you made it possible for me to sail from a child's window, out over moonlit London in a galleon on its way to the stars!" Despite the fact that by today's standards Peter Pan's technology is dated, its mystique has remained unwavering. The WDI challenge is finding ways to ensure today's more sophisticated experiences have similar intangible qualities that provide groundwork for lasting appeal. 

Sincerity - One of Walt Disney's ways of overcoming what sophisticates tended to see as corny or sentimental was his absolute belief in sincerity. Defending Disney's signature animation style in the movie Cinderella, Walt expressed what is to me a true hallmark of the Disney difference: "You have to believe in the honesty of Cinderella's world, or you will not believe in the magic as it unfolds around her either." The power of sincerity to win over an audience is "front and center" in the new Cars Land. Here, a truly believable environment fuses with the fantastic to give rise to new reality. 

Valuable Mental Real Estate - Awhile back there was talk about the elusive "Disney Difference." What the "difference" is may be open to various interpretations, but I see it centered on cultivating "Valuable Mental Real Estate." Since the early days at the studio, Disney has excelled in focusing diverse talents on plussing core ideas. Enhanced value stems from something as simple as the emotional appeal of Epcot's Figment character in comparison to hundreds of other generic dragons. When the whole team undertakes a mission to make "our dragon" stand out in every way, mental real estate values go up. 

At Imagineering, where we must deal with equal parts of controlled insanity and disciplined evaluation, this can be complicated. Years ago, who else could have come up with the crazy idea for Flying Saucers and then make the concept work! (Sort of). Piloting flying saucers is every kid's dream, and in spite of the ride's technical shortcomings, people will forever recall the Flying Saucers as an E ticket. This rides aspirational, "bucket list", once-in-a-lifetime intrigue, more than made up for any less than stellar performance. 

Disney Hallmark Values - Current culture and the structure of our company are vastly different from the time when I began my career. Yet within that dynamic, hallmark values continue to add major appeal to today's more socially sensitive content. Disney's feature Beauty and the Beast shared many hallmarks with its ancestor Snow White, but it spoke to a vastly different audience with a finer tuned voice. Likewise, the more recent Tangled fuses traditional Disney values with relevancy aimed at a new generation. 

Beyond the WDI walls, Pixar and Marvel achieve a consistency of success in their fast paced arenas. Each Pixar team is confident enough in their individual productions to freely reach out and tap into links that insure Pixar's hallmark differentiators are a part of every project. Marvel has taken a different route, tasking individual creative teams to bridge their storylines under an overarching and epic saga. Regardless of the diversity of deliverables, hallmark values are key to all Disney entities, and everyone needs to be alert to where they reside, and how and why to fuse them to the DNA of a project. 

Mentoring - At both ends of a career one of the most important working relationships is achieved through mentoring. When you are in your 20s and 30s it critical to find a mentor you can admire and trust. What proved most valuable for me was a mentoring partnership that skipped a full generation. A wide age gap creates a cross-generational opportunity for two-way learning. A young mentee sees a mentor's still bright light as support for his or her own growing visibility, and the gap vanquishes the sense of competition. In a complementary way, a mentor's satisfaction is fueled by the growing knowledge and skills transferred to their younger partner. My mentor was Imagineering legend Claude Coats, nearly four decades my senior. For Pixar director Pete Docter, his mentors were animation giants Joe Grant and Ollie Johnson. Pete and I absorbed as much knowledge as we possibly could during a period of growth in our careers. I would like to think our esteemed mentors also drew inspiration from our curiosity and unexplored visions! 

A mentorship is not a few hours of counseling every so often; it is pulling together on real projects, with business/creative goals and knowledge gains to be made by both sides. This is the partnership I had with Claude Coats, and we remained lifetime friends because of our shared working time together. 

Going Forward - No company is perfect, and like any other corporation Disney has its own politics and challenges. We are artists, engineers, managers, filmmakers and musicians. But our company is unique; there is no place like it on earth. We are lucky. At the end of the day, it is my hope that this letter will add to the special culture that I have been privileged to grow in. I see the probability for that happening in my interactions with younger Imagineers like Michel, Josh, Zach, Dylan, Laura, Manuel, Vanessa and Brandon, which are beyond rewarding to me. At a time when "unlearning" is as critical as "learning," it's important to listen to the way these people think and enjoy the things they do. Creativity I have mined from their game-changing perspectives, now effectively influences my own design process. I hope that when their careers peak some decades from now, they will look back on our time together as I value the time I was able to spend with Claude Coats. 

And now it comes down to the point at hand. I am not suggesting that I could be a mentor to you all, but that said, you should all have someone you can turn to in this manner. I do hope to be available to help support your ideas, give advice or even join a team whenever appropriate. My role will be one of supporting your visions in the best way I can, and encouraging you to maintain and build upon this already special place. I will have availability, and if you would like my assistance in any way, please e-mail Bruce Vaughn's office to request my time. 

This is not a goodbye, but hopefully a letter of introduction to the many of you that I have not yet had the chance to meet personally…

Tony Baxter
Feb. 1, 2013

And the official recognition from the WDI Suits, Bruce Vaughn (Chief Creative Executive) and Craig Russell (Chief Development and Delivery Executive) has been released as well:

From: WDI CommunicationsDate: February 1, 2013, 8:02:16 AM PSTSubject: Organizational Announcement - Tony Baxter 

We'd like to share that, as of today, Tony Baxter is leaving his role as a creative development executive to become a part-time advisor to Imagineering. Tony began his 47-year Disney career as an ice cream scooper on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland while in college. After joining WDI in 1970, he was heavily involved in the concepts for some of our most iconic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones. He also oversaw the creative aspects of the "original" New Fantasyland at Disneyland and was the creative lead for our second international park, Disneyland Paris. 

In addition to his extensive portfolio work, Tony has long been an enthusiastic mentor to new Imagineers and will continue this mission in his new role. Like so many Imagineering greats before him, his creativity, passion and knowledge will have a remarkable impact on the next generations of WDI dreamers and doers. We thank Tony for his immeasurable contributions to the Disney legacy so far, and look forward to his next chapter. 

Bruce | Craig

What does this spell for WDI?  Nothing in the immediate future.  It'll depend on who gets his position, and what direction that person takes the division.  The Walt Disney Company, as Tony says, is a vast, large company filled with many people and many tasks.  The politics/economics of the situation have yet to be sorted out.  When the dust settles, we'll see what the lay of the land is.  But there are still many great Imagineers (both senior and just getting started) that strive to do great things within the walls at Flower Street.  Where they go and what happens?

Time will tell...

Twenty-Six Years Of Star Tourist...

I wanna go to Hoth... 

Twenty-six years ago today, Star Tours opened to the public at Disneyland...


For two and a half decades the Star Wars universe has been a part of the parks.  Today, many kids think of Darth Vader as much Disney as Mickey Mouse.  For decades guest have enjoyed being transported to that galaxy far, far away as if it were another adventure by the Mouse.

After the surprising announcement last October of the Walt Disney Company purchasing Lucasfilm, you can expect to see a lot more Star Wars in the parks.  From films, to television, to rides, to lands, to merchandising, there will be a lot more star touring.

And with any luck, someday an entire theme park...

A Hundred Wars...

The forever war...

The Clone Wars celebrated a significant milestone on Friday...

100 episodes.  That's quite an achievement.  Now, not all of the episodes are great, a few are, but many are of a higher quality than the Prequels.  Certainly better than the first two, at least.

And this is the last, and fifth season of the contract for the show to be on the Cartoon Network.  If there is to be a sixth, then it'll likely be on Disney XD now that the Mouse owns it.  The problem lies in the rerun rights to the show, which will belong to the Cartoon Network for the near future unless Disney buys them out.

It's unknown how long the show will go, but it is still very popular.  The Clone Wars were only supposed to have lasted about three years in the films, so with a six season happening you'd have to wonder what time these events take place?  Two seasons every year?  And if they go beyond that, how would that work out?  Time in the Star Wars galaxy must be different than it is here I guess.

If you'd like to see a cool montage of the episodes over the last five years then check out Entertainment Weekly's article on the show.  And prepare for more episodes, and more series for the Star Wars universe.  Besides "Star Wars: Detours," I hear they're working on other ideas for animated shows.  I still like the idea of one that takes place in the original trilogy with Luke, Han and a bad guy named Darth.

Now if they could get ABC to work out something for that live-action series...

Adoption Complete...

The story of a boy, a girl, and a whole galaxy waiting for a mouse... 

Well, the Mouse officially has a new addition to the family...

The Walt Disney Company completed the purchase of Lucasfilm today.  With the closing of the bell on Wall Street, George Lucas' famous company now becomes another sibling in the colossus that is Disney.  Here is the official press release:

BURBANK, Calif., December 21, 2012 – Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) announced today that Disney has completed its acquisition of Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lucasfilm to the Disney family,” said Iger. “Star Wars is one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time and this transaction combines that world class content with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets, which we believe will generate growth as well as significant long-term value.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, at closing Disney issued 37,076,679 shares and made a cash payment of $2,208,199,950. Based upon the closing price of Disney shares on December 21, 2012 at $50.00, the transaction has a total value of approximately $4.06 billion.

Lucasfilm’s assets include its massively popular Star Wars franchise, operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production, as well as a substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies. It operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound.

Strange that they don't mention "Indiana Jones" in that.  I know that "Star Wars" is the primary motivation for the purchase, but the famed archaeological professor ain't no wall flower.  He can hold his own.  Not to mention all the other properties Disney has access to (American Graffiti, etc.).

But what fans have wanted for years has come to pass.  George no longer has control over his creation.  Now, the future of Star Wars is in the hands of someone else, for another generation.

And the ones after that...

A3Dventure Is Coming...

Yes, I know Blue Sky mentioned this a while ago...

And we got a lot of serious flack from people saying it was just fanboi rumors and masturbatory dreams, but it wasn't and isn't still.  See, the only way what I said wasn't true, would be if the Lucasfilm Suit that told it to my Bothan was lying to his face.  And this particular Bothan I know very well, and would trust with my life.  He's in the know.  And the Suit I'm talking about is high up, not an underling.  So when Lucasfilm started issuing parsely worded statements, and then outright denial, they're not exactly telling you the truth.  You see, it's not a lie, if they haven't actually done it yet.  Read between the actual words when you hear their press releases.

The powers-that-be wouldn't want to announce it right now anyway, but that doesn't mean it's not in the planning.  The only thing that will stop this from happening is if the box office from the next few Star Wars 3D conversions turn out to be disappointing.  Now, Episode I wasn't a box office bonanza, but remember the film isn't exactly beloved by my most fans.  As each release comes out we'll be able to get a better reaction to the audiences' warming up to the conversions.  I'd think that Sith, Hope, and Empire will get a bigger slice of the box office pie when they come out.  Should they not, the guys in Burbank/Marin County might start having doubts, but second thoughts aren't in the cards right now.

If Kathleen Kennedy and her Lucasfilm Suits get cold feet then the Raiders conversion may be shelved, but as of a couple weeks ago it was still in the planning.  So adventure in the third dimension is up ahead.

It's just not around the corner yet...

A Study In Plaid...

Oh, tell us great plaid one... 




 

We have another short interview George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy...

It's the third in a series.  Each is about five or so minutes, and there are two more to go over the coming weeks.  Each one adds a little layer of thought, peeling the onion back to see the workings of a private man giving up his baby.

It's going to be interesting seeing what happens in a few years.  I know Kennedy has said that they want to get to a point where Lucasfilm is putting out 2-3 films a year, and I don't if this is a typo.  Did she mean a film every three years?  As in Star War films?  Or did she mean others as well?  Perhaps this is in regard to that magical creatures/fairies animated film that they were working on.

It's interesting times we live in.  Maybe the galaxy up north will be a bit larger than Star Wars and Indiana Jones?


Episode I: Disney and the Future.

Episode II: Getting Started On New Star Wars.

Episode III: An Interesting Proposal.


May the Forth episode of this be with us next week...

Disney North...

That's no planet, that's a space station... 

 

Walt Disney is synonymous with America, but also with California...

But specifically southern California.  Since arriving in the Golden State in 1923 and setting up shop, the man and the company that lived on has had a permanent presence in this area.  From his early days on Hyperion, to the formal home of the Burbank Studios, or the Golden Oak Ranch, this area is treaded territory of the Mouse.  And it's been that way for decades.

While northern California has been in films, it has has never been a crucial, or pivotal part of the company's story; until the middle of this decade.  That's when the importance of the land up north began to play a much crucial part of it's history, and now its future.

When Bob Iger bought that little plot of land in Emeryville it was the beginning of a gradual expansion that most people haven't noticed.  The $7.4 billion purchase of Pixar gave the company a permanent, albeit small presence up north that would play a vital part in the creative direction that it charted.

Who would of thought that within the next five years it would grow so rapidly?

Besides the Lamp, across the bay you will find the Walt Disney Family Museum.  Now, I know that it isn't owned by the company, but it does a valuable service and provides great influence/advertising the Disney brand in the NoCal area.  So it's a step-son in the Walt Disney Company that provides a valuable service.

With the purchase of George Lucas' Lucasfilm, a great deal more real estate, and valuable entertainment icons became part of the company.  The Letterman Digital Arts Center, just down the way from the Walt Disney Family Museum houses Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts, and Lucasfilm's marketing/licensing arm.  This is truly a dream factory in the green setting of the Presidio.

Lastly, a little further up in Marin County lies Skywalker Ranch, the original home of Lucasfilm, which is a haven for creative types that seek it out for writing and other services, but the jewel there is Skywalker Sound.  UPDATE: It appears that Lucas will retain the right to the land and surrounding ranch, but it's unclear if their services will be used, or if Skywalker Sound and other parts of the company will move out to other parts of the Bay Area.

Think about all the property that now exists up north.  There is probably more land in use by Disney in the bay area than in the area surrounding Hollywood.  And just seven years ago there was really no presence by the Walt Disney Company up there.  The state of California has Walt fully anchored in it from north to south.  Now maybe they can purchase something in Fresno so that there's a bridge between north and south.

The little company that was started in southern California has taken over the whole state...

The Next Hope: Project Valor...

Signs on the dotted line...

So now it has come to pass...


Many people said it wouldn't happen, but George Lucas finally decided to sell his company to the Mouse (listen to the conference call here).  And now that that has happened, many others will be invited to play in his sandbox.  We can expect to see a great deal of news in the coming months as the writers of "Episode VII" are revealed, as a director is chosen, and as the start of production nears.

The film is only one part of this.  Star Wars is not just a film, but an entire ecosystem of possibilities.  From film to television to merchandise, there are literally worlds to explore with this property.  And remember that Iger and crew bought Lucasfilm, not just Star Wars.  Naturally, that was its biggest jewel, but not its only one.  Indiana Jones is right behind it (Mr. Dini, call your agent and set up that meeting for the Indiana Jones animated series).  Then there are all the other lesser known properties, and all the umbrella corporations that make up the company.  Industrial Light and Magic at the Letterman Digital Arts Center, Skywalker Sound at Skywalker Ranch, and the animation facilities in Singapore, and on, and on.

There is so much to contemplate, so many things to watch unfold...

Quiting Jobs...

One more thing...





It's hard to believe it was a year ago today...

On this date last year, Steve Jobs released a statement:

PRESS RELEASE: Letter from Steve Jobs

August 24, 2011-To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

It was sad to see him let go of the company he had such a part in creating, saving and turning into such a powerful force in the lives of so many people around the world.

And less than a couple months later he would be gone from that world...

The Mouse's Chinese New Year...

Get in on, bang a gong, just not in Hong Kong...






On this day the seed of the Third Kingdom in Asia, the second in the Middle Kingdom was planted...

A decade ago on this date, the Walt Disney Company signed a letter of intent to build Shanghai Disneyland. And now it's under construction as we speak.

Only three years before this tree bares fruit...

Buy The Numbers...

Disney, the name is Disney...







The rankings for theme parks recently came out...

And something shocking happened. The Walt Disney Company did not hog every spot of the top ten. It only got the top eight.

Top 25 Theme Parks Based on Attendance, Location, (2011/2010) plus Change In Ranking (if any)

1 Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida – 17.1M / 17.0M
2 Disneyland, Anaheim, California – 16.1M / 16.0M
3 Tokyo Disneyland, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan – 14.0M / 14.5M
4 Tokyo DisneySEA, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan – 12.0M / 12.6M
5 Disneyland Paris, Paris, France – 11.0M / 10.5M +1
6 EPCOT, Orlando, Florida – 10.8M / 10.8M -1
7 Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida – 9.8M / 9.7M
8 Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida – 9.7M / 9.6M
9 Universal Studios Japan, Yunibāsaru Sutajio Japan – 8.5M / 8.2M
10 Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida – 7.7M / 6.0M +2
11 Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea – 7.6M / 5.5M +2
12 Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China – 7.0M / 5.4M+5
13 Everland, Gyeonggi-Do, Yongin, South Korea – 6.6M / 6.9M -3
14 Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, California – 6.3M / 6.3M -3
15 Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, Florida – 6.0M / 6.0M -2
16 Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong, China – 5.9M / 5.2M -1
17 Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan – 5.8M / 4.5M +3
18 SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida – 5.2M / 5.1M -2
19 Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, California – 5.1M / 5.0M -1
20 Walt Disney Studios Paris, Paris, France – 4.7M / 4.5M -1
21 Europa Park, Rust Germany – 4.5M / 4.3M
22 SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California – 4.3M / 3.8M +3
23 Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Bay, Florida – 4.3M / 4.2M -1
24 De Eftleing, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands - 4.1M / 4.0M
25 Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark – 4.0M / 3.7M

I will bet you that next years top 25 shows Disney California Adventure moving up a couple spots, at least...

Hat Tip to The Disney Blog.