Free Of The Mountain...

Famed Archaeologist freed from unknown red tape...

Been keeping an eye on things even though I haven't posted lately.  I said I'd try to do a few posts before Blue Sky goes quite for a while.  This story is enough to make my fingers reach for the keyboard.  I'm sure you've heard the news, and if you haven't why are you reading this?

When The Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm last year, it was primarily for the Star Wars franchise. But George Lucas' company has many other valuable properties, but none more valuable besides Luke Skywalker than the Man in the Hat.  Many people thought that the Mouse would not do anything with the iconic character because of entanglement of distribution rights that belong, not to it but to Paramount Pictures.

Sure, Disney owned the character, but to distribute it they had to go through the original studio that Lucas and Spielberg partnered with back in 1979.  This all comes from a deal that then Paramount executive Michael Eisner made with the two wunderkind storytellers.  Many people thought that Iger and the Mouse Suits around him wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of the previous contracts and hoops the studio would have to jump through.

It appears now that they/we were wrong.

According to Variety today, the Walt Disney Studios has negotiated an agreement with Paramount Pictures where the new owner has distribution rights to all new films related to the classic adventure. Paramount does retain distribution rights to the original four films, and will receive a percentage of the profits from any new films of this valuable franchise.

Although this doesn't mean that Walt Disney Pictures has a Indiana Jones film in the pipeline, it does clear the way for one. And with Harrison Ford's interest in playing the character again it looks like the green light could soon be given, if it hasn't already been.  Hopefully they will play this smart and hire the right people for it. No more space aliens even if it fits the 1950s Red Scare time period.  I would immediately get Lawrence Kasdan to brainstorm ideas with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas over the coming months.

Once a great idea is approved, hire someone who is capable of creating great screenplays like Mark Protosevich or the hot flavor-of-the-month Simon Kinberg.  Any film that they make would likely be Ford's last adventure as the character since he is 72 years old and I can't imagine him in a sixth film because it would probably involve a wheelchair.  Let's face it, if there's an Indy VI then the MacGuffin will have to search for him instead of the other way around.

I'm sure after that Disney will want to continue such a valuable creation, but it leaves me fearful of the character's future. Sure, I would love to see an Indiana Jones Animated Series, or maybe an Indiana Jones animated film. But Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones. Just like he IS Han Solo.  It's hard to imagine anyone with his form of masculinity playing those characters. Then again, I guess it would be hard for some to have pictured anyone taking over James Bond from Sean Connery, but someone did. Many, many times.

It might just be my soft spot for the portrayal he created in the character that sprang forth from his performance, but I have trouble imagining a future reboot/reinterpretation of the whip carrying, pistol packing, hat wearing archaeologist from America.  It could happen, and it likely will. But it won't be the hero from the past, his, yours or mine.  Sometimes it's hard to let go of things, even when you know it's right.  People, characters, and events seem to attach themselves to your heart and create a bond that is hard to separate.

Like the red tape Doctor Jones just was set free from...

Pirates of the Caribbean: Black Flag...

I've loved pirate adventures since I was old enough to hold a toy sword...

Honestly, I believe my first experience with pirates was the "Swiss Family Robinson" film with my mom and uncle.  Followed by watching and then reading "Treasure Island" as an adolescent.  The ultimate experience of riding Pirates of the Caribbean in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  I remember seeing old pirate films on cable growing into my adulthood.

In college I read the screenplay for the remake of "Captain Blood" that was to star Alec Baldwin when he was at right age with the right amount of buzz to star in it.  The adventure and excitement of being a pirate and sailing into the unknown with the chance of finding treasure was so alluring.  An aquatic Indiana Jones type of adventure almost if you think about it.

So when Disney announced that they were going to make a film adaption of their famous attraction I was both excited and worried about how it would turn out.  And when I saw it, I loved it.   I even like the slow, heavy layered story, but visually exciting sequels (the second was good, but overblown, and the third was bazaar and filled with bloated fun, the last one was simply an experiment carried too far in the wrong direction).

And then they began videogame adaptations of the films.

And most of what Disney Interactive came up with was disappointing to uninspired; a collection of mediocrity, with the exception of the Lego game.  It seems all Lego games are fun or at least playable.  From the original Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl for Gameboy to the Pirates of the Caribbean Online game, nothing was inspired, everything was average to unworthy.  With a franchise of so much potential, nothing was worthy of the film(s) they were trying to exploit.

Sounds a bit like Lucasarts with Star Wars doesn't it?

And then there was Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned and Pirates of the Caribbean: Master of the Seas.  Monumental games with hugely ambitious goals.  Put together by teams that were filled with disfunctional supervision and divided goals.  The companies that we're doing these games were not up to the task of such an epic scale.  Studios like Naughty Dog and companies like Electronic Arts should have done these, not the middling companies that Iger acquired as part of his digital strategy (still his greatest error as CEO).

So it looks like we'll never see a great Pirates game.

But it seems we will.  But it's actually not a Pirates of the Caribbean game, and it's not even made by Disney Interactive.  It's made by Ubisoft.  And if you want to see what a POTC game could/should have been, this is it:

Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag.

For anyone wanting to see the potential of what could have been, or someday might be, then check out the latest trailer for it.  Or check out the reviews and you'll know that it is possible to make a pirate game worth playing.  And therein, worth purchasing.  Are you watching Disney Interactive?  Here is solid proof that there is treasure out there if you care to find it.

You now have a map to find that treasure...

Bird Watching...

So those rumors of J.J. Abrams leaving "Episode VII" circling about...

Alan Horn put an end to them at D23 Expo 2013 yesterday, unless he's not in the loop with the director.  Which I have to say is unlikely.  So, with JJ moving full steam ahead directing the latest episode, one has to wonder if they are moving ahead planning for who will direct the next one.  It is unlikely that Abrams will direct the rest of the series as it will keep him occupied for the rest of the decade were he to do so.  As much as a fan as he is, I don't expect him to want to be tied exclusively to nothing but Star Wars for that long a time.  I mean, look at what it has done to George.

So the question becomes who will direct Episode VIII?  My response would be the person I wanted to direct Episode VII.

Brad Bird.

Now I know it's early, but Kathleen Kennedy isn't going to want to wait too long before looking ahead to who will helm the franchise after the next film.  Unlike the original trilogy, or even the Prequel's where there were three years between each film, this new one will have a film out every other year.  This will mean that by the time EP7 is in post, they will have to be preparing the next film already.  Not long after the film is released they will be very close to starting production on the next one.  That is how tight the schedule will be.

And many like myself were hoping that Bird would get the nod, but as he has talked about in interviews, the director is too busy with his current project: "Tomorrowland".  That film comes out next year, and he will just so happen to be looking for his next project.  Hello luck, meet opportunity.  I hope that Horn and Kennedy are being proactive and focusing on the great chance they have here.  He's ripe for the picking.  Imagine the continuation of the new trilogy under his command?

It could be "The Empire Strikes Back" of this Postquel...

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…

All Things Disney...

The "All Things D" is an amazing place for dialing into what's relevant in geek techno...

They've had some extremely interesting, in depth discussions with people connected to the information age that is here, and the one just ahead.  If you want to see where things are going, for good or bad, then their talks are a must.  I've really enjoyed Walt Mossberg's interviews of Steve Jobs, and his talk with Bob Iger was subtly revealing as well.

Well, this year the Mouse came again in the form of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Tom Staggs.  One of a few people that are in line for the big job, Staggs is approachable, intelligent and focused in his back and forth with the hosts.  Take a look at the interview and see what he and the company have planned for the next few years in the parks and elsewhere.

If nothing else, watch Tom for a preview of who might be running the place in a couple of years...

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...

Mouse Playing Games With Us...

To infinity and beyond... 

One of the few areas that the Walt Disney Company hasn't had success is gaming...

Unlike Warner Bros. whose success with Warner Games is well known, the Mouse has had trouble making a substantial footprint in this growing arena of entertainment.  The companies that have made up Disney Interactive have failed to leverage the powerful brands at their disposal, or even inspire new franchises, much less innovative game play or improve gaming quality.  Part of that is strategy, and part is simply not having purchased the right companies (a post for another day).

But could Disney have another plan?  A more grand plan?  One that involves not just creating games, but what plays them as well?  And not only that, but could they be working with the Fruit Company?  According to an article on the website Patently Apple, Disney has filed for a patent that just might be tangible proof that they're planning on entering the console gaming field.

Now, it is not an easy field to enter and succeed at.  Microsoft and Sony still report losses on their hardware, but make up for it with their licensing of games for their consoles.  Disney has plenty of properties that they can mine by making exclusive to a proprietary console.  But their games under Disney Interactive have been rather lacking in the potential they have, and the results they've achieved.  I wish Iger would have the same desire to go after gaming companies the way he goes after film properties (Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, etc.).  There are some excellent companies that could/would be perfect for developing the internal gems that the company has, or has acquired over the past decade (again, a story for another post).

It's been widely known that Iger was having Disney work on some form of gaming initiative known as "Toy Box," but up until now it wasn't thought that it might involve an actual console, or the involvement of Apple.  If it is working on a system of its own, don't expect it to be seen anytime soon; certainly not this year.  Late 2014 would be the earliest you would see a system like this, and I doubt it even then.  It's more likely that anything coming from this project doesn't show up before 2015.

There's that year again...

A Whole New World...

George is taking the grand tour...

The rumors have been spreading for weeks...

Meg Crofton isn't the most beloved person at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts by far.  She's proof that not everyone Iger hires is up to the job.  Rich Ross is the glowing example of an experiment gone awry.  But even that had a silver lining with the hiring of Alan Horn, one of the best people in the entertainment industry and a gem of a man, a great person to run the studios.  So with the unhappiness with Meg, perhaps her possible departure could mean having someone take her job that is more in tune with what Disney is?

Now, I haven't confirmed this with many of my Bothans; most of them happen to be very busy working on projects in the Far East/West and I haven't talked to them much lately.  But I did send a secret message to a couple of them, and I'm waiting to hear if they know anything about this.  I've been getting some very in-the-know people telling me about this over the last couple of weeks.  What am I talking about?

Well, it's rumored that George Kalogridis, Disneyland's president might be moving on to bigger things in Florida.

Meg isn't known for her warmth and care, and she's not beloved by the Disney fan community for sure.  Her being put in charge of the One Disney project is an example of someone not liked, putting in to place something no one wants.  I can tell you that the Cast Members in Anaheim HATE the One Disney mantra.  They arbour being forced to do everything that Florida does, just because it's Florida.  After all, would you make all your children act and dress alike?

George is very well liked across the Disneyland Resort.  He's talented, very personable and extremely caring.  I do know that there has been talk around the Resort of him moving on.  And the job he's done has impressed Iger and Staggs.  If WDW is to get him to take over for Meg, then you can expect the quality of that Resort to increase dramatically.  He would be a refreshing replacement for a part of the Disney Empire that has had Suits that just don't "get" it.  Disneyland Suits aren't perfect, but most "get" it.  My hope is that should he get the position, he'll clean house and get rid of many of those around him that were connected to Meg.  The Orlando Suits are continually clueless when it comes to many of the quality issues that are commonplace here in Anaheim.

Now, should he go then that means that the Disneyland Resort will have to find someone to take his place.  I've already heard of a couple people that are being talked about for that position.  One of them is very well known by the Disney community and would be well received.  The other one I am not sure about.  But within the next few months you'll start to hear some changes coming the the Disney world.  Not just in Florida.  But it'll be interesting seeing who is put in place in all these positions before Iger makes his exit in a couple years.  He'll leave the company in a more powerful, solid position than his predecessor, but will Walt Disney World be better?

Time will tell...

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...

Many Bothans Died To Bring Us this Information...

If you've been reading this site for a while you know that Lucas was my soapbox...

I've written a lot of articles on George Lucas/Star Wars/Indiana Jones/Lucasfilm over the last four+ years.  And as soon as the news broke, comments started coming in, e-mails started arriving and many people showed up at my doorstep.  Ok, that last one didn't happen because I don't give out my address, but the others, they happened.

So for those of you that aren't long time readers, I figured I would give you a chance to see all those articles (or at least, most of them) that I used to make my case.  I had other signs, and clues, and even a few Bothans with hints, but mostly, it was the common sense of what just seems natural.  So without anymore fanfare, here for your perusal:



Disney Films That Aren't

A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far In The Future

The Turn

The Master's Vision

Threequels

Stating The Obvious

Buying An Empire

I Am Empire



And then came the news last Tuesday...

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...

BusinessWeak...

We screwed up, this was our attempt to fix it...





Bob Iger did an interesting interview with BusinessWeek that just came out...

Focusing almost entirely on the Extreme Makeover and rebirth of Disney California Adventure, he talks to reporter, Devin Leonard about Buena Vista Street/Cars Land. While it's a short interview, done while exploring the park, it's interesting getting into the mind of Iger, and how it relates to balancing the creative and business side of a company as big as the Mouse. I also like the fact that the CEO can admit mistakes. That's a rare quality that isn't shared with the former head of Walt's Empire.

Give it a read and find out for yourself...

Unveiling UntoldTreasures...

Unfolding Archives...









There are many benefits to living in the West/California/Big Cities...

We have many things you won't find back East that are great. In-N-Out, Trader Joes, Fresh and Easy. Oh, and Disneyland, of course. And now we have Disney California Adventure. I'm sure many of you haven't heard of it since it's a new park that just opened. It's good, trust me. But, back to what I was saying, there are a lot of nice things we get to experience here. Many Disney related things. For instance, if you're in the Bay Area, you can go to the Walt Disney Family Museum and see/experience the amazing life of Walt.

But now, there's something else you can experience that opens today.

A while back I mentioned some of the wonderful things that D23 does, like the unfinished Oswald short that they brought to life for members. If you have to be in Southern California, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, is having a fantastic exhibit of Disneyana. If you want to see some amazing things and are a Disney Geek/Fan or just a pop-culture fan in general, please go. To purchase tickets, click here. Who knows who you might see there? But you'll find an amazing collection of memorabilia that will bring out the kid in you.

Here's a chance to see dreams in tangible form...

Chinese Adventure...

Another kingdom in the Middle Kingdom...




With the focus now off on Anaheim for the time being, eyes turn East...

Shanghai Disneyland is progressing along with a tentative opening date of late 2015/early 2016. As many have said before, it will have a different vibe than the traditional "Magic Kingdom" styled template that everyone is used to. It will still be Disney, but the areas will have a much more culturally specific tone than what we've seen before. If there is an overriding theme that you can take from what is coming, it is this:

Adventure and water.

What's that you say? Well, I can't reveal everything, or even a great deal of what my Bothans have told me, but I can express a few things that are happening. There will be a great emphasis on water in the park in many of the areas and attractions that are designed for this gate. From fountains, geysers, pool, ponds, waterfalls and water rides, this place will be decked out in aqua. The designs are quite elaborate, and the detail of each area will rival the detail that Hong Kong Disneyland had, albeit the attraction list will be much more interesting.

Another thing that will be noticed in the park, is the amazing amount of adventure attractions and layered theming this resort will have. Even the names should give you a hint. How about Adventure Island in Adventureland? Or a tropical area of the park featuring a dense jungle attraction known as Jungle Challenge. Lavish water and fog effects will be placed around these areas that will deepen the atmosphere of the experience. And if it doesn't get cut, the rock work of the amazing dinosaur attraction, Lost World Roaring Rapids will simply stun you. It's really impressive and I hope that Iger and Staggs don't skimp on the budget and let this sculptured mountain disappear into legend.

The front entrance will be unique as we all know because there won't be a Main Street like every other park has had since the original was opened by Walt. But the beautiful and hypnotic trees, plants and flowers that lead up through the Fantasia Gardens toward the Dumbo attraction will provide a fantasy-like surrounding that will make you feel like your in an imaginary world that is decidedly Disney, but decidedly different.

The attractions will have the detail and quality one would expect from the Mouse, but may take on a slightly unique presentation that I find refreshing, as I hate clones and want each gate to have its own identity. So far, the design work being done by Imagineers is something that will make fans very proud of what can be done to immerse you in a manufactured world. As the plans move forward, we can expect the final design to be ready sometime late next year. After that it will take between two and three years to bring the ideas and dreams into brick and mortar.

And then there are the hotels...

BIG EVENTually...

Let's hope he makes franchise appear like Harry Potter and Batman...






From the reactions coming in from all around Hollywood, it appears Iger made a great decision...

If fact, it's the exact opposite reaction people had to Rich Ross' hiring a few years ago. The results from just about every insider either on the record or off the record that has been talked to is extremely positive. Take a look at some of these quotes/articles:


"The studio couldn’t have made a better choice." Forbes Hollywood Entertainment writer Dorothy Pomerantz, - Disney Makes A Smart Move Hiring Alan Horn To Run The Studio

“He has a profound understanding of the film making process as well as the ability to bridge the creative and business sides of a studio. He’s been a part of some of the most popular films produced in the last decade, and we’re very happy for him." Warners chairman and CEO Barry Meyer - What Hollywood Thinks of Alan Horn as Disney Chairman

The Los Angeles Times has an very positive article entitled - Alan Horn could revive Walt Disney Studios' Magic as well as a questioning article - Alan Horn: Can Disney's new boss reinvent the studio?

And in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he talks about his early plans for making the film unit into the kind of success that he and Iger want. His plan to release six to eight live-action titles a year with two to three of those being "Big Event" films. It's far more ambitious than Ross' record at the studio, which was extremely anemic. He also seems to have been talking to Disney/Iger for several weeks and has a direct plan and clear vision for how he wants to run the division. It will be interesting to see the first projects he green lights to see what route the Mouse takes forward.

Looks like Iger is going to let branding take a backseat to story, now imagine that...

Tooting A Horn...

Get us some great movies worthy of the Disney name Alan...






Well Bob Iger finally got around to naming a successor to his failure with Rich Ross...

After the experiment of letting a young Suit with nothing more than television experience be put in charge of the film division, it appears adults are now in charge.

Alan Horn, a seasoned veteran of Warner Bros. has been put in charge of all the Mouse's film slate. Unlike Ross, he's got a deep history in Hollywood and knows his way around the town and has the respect of talent across every spectrum. He also had a hand in Warner while films like "Batman Begins" and the "Harry Potter" franchise were created. It would be nice if he were to develop films that were that iconic and successful with the Mouse.

There are rumors that Iger dangled the carrot of possibly being suggested to succeed him in a few years as CEO/Chairman. I hope that's not the case, as much as I think Horn is a great fit for the job, I would prefer to see Tom Staggs get that title. Not that I would think he would be bad for the job, just my personal preference. I wouldn't be complaining unless Jay Rasulo got that job because I'd have to believe that ancient Mayan curse was true, just a few years late.

Here is the press release:

BURBANK, Calif. – May 31, 2012 – Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced today that Alan Horn has been named Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios effective June 11. Horn will oversee worldwide operations for The Walt Disney Studios including production, distribution and marketing for live-action and animated films from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, as well as marketing and distribution for DreamWorks Studios films released under the Touchstone Pictures banner. Disney’s music and theatrical divisions will also report to Horn.

Horn has been a prominent figure in the film and television industry overseeing creative executive teams responsible for some of the world’s most successful entertainment properties including the Harry Potter film franchise and the hit television series Seinfeld among others.

“Alan not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience in the business, he has a true appreciation of movie making as both an art and a business,” said Iger. “He’s earned the respect of the industry for driving tremendous, sustained creative and financial success, and is also known and admired for his impeccable taste and integrity. He brings all of this to his new role leading our studio group, and I truly look forward to working with him.”

“I’m incredibly excited about joining The Walt Disney Company, one of the most iconic and beloved entertainment companies in the world,” said Horn. “I love the motion picture business and look forward to making a contribution as part of Bob Iger’s team working closely with the dedicated and talented group at the studio.”

Horn was most recently President and COO of Warner Bros. Entertainment where he had oversight of the Studios’ theatrical and home entertainment operations, including the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Warner Premiere (direct-to-platform production), Warner Bros. Theatrical Ventures (live stage) and Warner Home Video. During his 12 year tenure, Warner Bros. Studios was the global box office leader seven times.

Among the numerous critically acclaimed films and box office hits released during his tenure are all eight films in the Harry Potter series, The Dark Knight, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Happy Feet, Sherlock Holmes, The Departed, Batman Begins, Million Dollar Baby, the second and third Matrix films and the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy. Horn is also an executive producer of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Before joining Warner Bros., Horn co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He oversaw the creation of many critically acclaimed and beloved films including Best Picture Oscar nominees A Few Good Men, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile as well as When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, In the Line of Fire and the most successful show in television history, Seinfeld. Horn has also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and was Chairman and CEO of Embassy Communications.

He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the American Film Institute and the Museum of Broadcasting. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute; as a Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); is a co-founder of the Environmental Media Association (EMA); on the Board of Trustees for the Autry National Center in Los Angeles; and on the board of Harvard-Westlake School.

Horn received his MBA from Harvard Business School and served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.

Now all we have to do is wait for late 2014/early 2015 to find out if this works...

Divisions/Divisions...

Games are serious business...





Even in this economy, the Walt Disney Company is having a very good year...

Maybe not as good as Apple, Inc., but almost every division of the entertainment giant is doing great business. Almost. Even the film division with its $200 million write down of "John Carter" is feeling giddy right now ("Avengers" billion dollar success, "Brave" and "Wreck It Ralph"). The theme parks are firing on all cylinders with Suits so confident that they're willing to raise ticket prices to near record levels. But one division still lags behind the others:

Disney Interactive.

This is the one area where Bob Iger's vision seems to have gone astray. It's the one area that would seem to be a given to find a success, but it's the one area that is fleeting. Interactive entertainment seems ripe for mining the many characters and properties that the Mouse owns. But for most of its efforts, and the millions that have been poured into it, the division still lacks the kind of success it was expecting.

While Warner Bros. has strategy has taken the companies it partners with and bought into a consistent brand known as Warner Games, the ones that Disney has bought have had a different result. Over the last two years, some of the companies that the Mouse bought have been closed and shuttered. Propaganda Games, creators of "Turok" and "Tron: Evolution", as well as the defunct "Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned" was shut down in January of 2011. Black Rock Studio, creator of "Split Second: Velocity" and "Pure" suffered the same fate in June of that year. The most successful acquisition Iger has made is perhaps Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios. But even the "Epic Mickey" game was considered a disappointment from what was expected. I would love to see Disney give Spector the opportunity to make the "Ducktales" game he's desired to for sometime.

Following the disappointment, the strategy has changed to make a more concerted focus on mobile games, like the surprise hit: "Where's the Water?". While the strategy to focus on mobile platforms hasn't ended console development, I believe that it demonstrates a flaw in Iger's gaming strategy.

Instead of purchasing high end gaming companies like Blizzard/Activision, Electronic Arts, or a gaming studio on the level of Naughty Dog, the company has instead focused on smaller companies with less of a clear track record. Unlike Disney's purchase of companies like Pixar or Marvel, which have a proven track record, the entertainment giant has focused on the exact opposite type of company and gotten the exact opposite result.

If Iger was to follow his strategy of absorbing high-end, high quality companies, he could have gone after a gaming studio like Valve or possibly Bungie, creators of the "Halo" series, who is now free of Microsoft. Those and other gaming studios could have provided Disney with an established line of popular content. But instead, a different route was plotted.

Another loss of direction has been the lack of games based on properties the Mouse owns. Other than "Epic Mickey" and the canned "Pirates of the Caribbean" game, not much has been planned. There are some projects in the pipeline, but with the large collection of properties it owns, you would think the Disney company would have dozens of these games in various states of development. Not so. Even the Marvel characters haven't been fully utilized thanks to contracts that are spread over other companies. While not as extensively confined as the contracts that Marvel has with other theme parks, the situation is more limited than many Suits would like.

Hopefully, people like Warren Spector will convince Iger and the Suits to look into a strategy involving one of these companies and a marketing plan that mines the low hanging fruit that the Walt Disney Company has within its vast entertainment kingdom.

It's just interesting that the interactive division is the most inactive when it comes to profits for the media giant...

35 Years Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Sell the darn thing dude...










That's right, it's been that long...

Thirty-five years ago today, "Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope" premiered. I want to celebrate the future acquisition of Bob Iger/Tom Staggs on that achievement and have some advice for George Lucas: Sell it! Sell it now! Go make your personal, esoteric films, Master Lucas! You still have time. Whew. Glad I got that off my chest.

Do, there is no try...

Inside The Mouse Trap...

Avengers does pretty a pretty face on a mouse...







Bloomberg News had a special series of interviews throughout the other day entitled: "Inside Disney" that you might find interesting...

It's a series of discussions with the various Suits within the Team Disney Building:

Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company.

Jay Rasulo, Dark Lord of Evil Souless Non-Creativity, I mean, CFO of the Walt Disney Company.

Anne Sweeney, Co Chair of Disney Media Networks.

Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.

John Lasseter, head of Pixar, WDAS and Chief Creative Consultant to WDI.

But no appearance by Tom Staggs, head of Walt Disney Theme Parks & Resorts? Hmmm...

If you want to see some of these interviews, we've broken them down for you in to bite size bits:

Disney's Financial Snapshot.

Bob Iger

Disney didn't shift fast enough to mobile.

I knew "Avengers" would be a strong movie.

I don't lose sleep over spending.

I was very worried about John Carter.

Interactive business more focused now.

Disney Cruises bring 'healthy' margins.

ESPN must constantly re-invent.

Jay Rasulo

Disney's Growth Engines.

John Lasseter

How does Pixar keep making movie magic?

Inside Disney's Cars Land.

Anne Sweeney

We have great solid programming.

Kevin Feige

Disney working on five new Marvel movies.

A billion dollars will make anything look better, even when it's already going good...