Pixar to partner with Warner?

[2099net]

http://www.nypost.com/business/7348.htm

COURTING PIXAR

October 6, 2003 -- As if contract talks between Walt Disney and partner Pixar Animation Studios weren't heated enough, rival Warner Bros. has apparently thrown another log on the fire.

Within the last two months, Time Warner-owned Warner Bros. has tried to step into Disney's desirable shoes by offering its digital animation partner, Pixar, a lucrative "90/10" proposal - allowing Pixar to keep virtually all of the profits from the movies it makes and pay Warner a 10 percent distribution fee, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Warner is not currently in negotiations with Pixar, according to a Time Warner spokesman, and it is unclear whether the offer is even still on the table.

Yet the proposal - which sources say Pixar Chairman Steve Jobs has been dangling before other suitors, including News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox and Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures Entertainment - gives Pixar even more leverage in its tense talks to renegotiate its partnership with Disney.

If you read the article, there's more.

[indianajdp]

At the end of the article someone states that it's literally a game of chicken (the negotiating process between Disney and Pixar) and I think that's a dead-on analogy.

I can't see Disney letting Pixar slip away, but the longer things drag out the more risk to Disney of another Studio puting together a ridiculous deal that they (Disney) would really be strapped to match.

[indianajdp]

Oh -- and if Pixar does go with Warner they better damn well get it in writing that the cardboard snappers will be trashed. I guarantee there are some folks out there that would not purchase a Pixar film just because of that type of casing.

[2099net]

I strongly belive Pixar doesn't need Disney anymore. I understand that Pixar are demanding the following:

100% ownership of their characters and 100% marketing (including the marketing costs)

if they get that, what do they need Disney for? What do they need any studio for. Like Dreamworks, they just need a partner for distribution (Universal distributes all solo Dreamworks titles).

It's true that Disney does have some advantages - the characters appear in the theme parks etc, but Pixar could probably negotiate such apperances seperately (the Muppets still have a presence in Disney parks etc).

I guarantee there are some folks out there that would not purchase a Pixar film just because of that type of casing.

Really? How sad.

[Edge]

i dunno never understimate the "disney name" when it comes to pushing a product, especially in regards to animation {including CGI}, no even warners bros. can touch them there.

[2099net]

But Disney aren't want to push the product. Pixar want full marketing control. Financially and creatively.

It's like Dreamworks - Dreamworks market all their own movies, all Universal does is distribute the film prints and home videos.

I'll admit, Warner are terrible at pushing their animated products. Back in Action is out soon and where's the promotions? Hardly any. Iron Giant was a disaster, and I'd argue they even grabbed the wrong end of the stick with the Powerpuff Girls movie. But it doesn't matter. Pixar will be designing, creating and spending the money on the promotions.

Plus, Disney seems to have had problems pushing it's last few animated movies.