Pocahontas and Lilo delayed again & Bad New Policy

[2099net]

I think Lilo and Stitch II (the proper sequel, not to be confused with Stitch: The Movie) has always been possible for theatrical release. It flipped between theatrical and DTV a few times early last year, but seemed to settle on being a DTV release.

It will be interesting to see if the tv series reduces the demand for Lilo and Stitch II

[Jake Lipson]

On a related note - I really want Pocahontas. I've been waiting for it paitently since the SE was announced, but now we could see it as late as December 2005. I know the video quality isn't highly regarded, but is it THAT bad? Should I stick to VHS for another year in anticipation of the grand 10th anniversary debut of the SE or should I give up waiting, get it now and double dip? Thoughts?

[quasi72]

I wonder why Disney lately is enjoying agravating its fans so bad: why in the world would they announce the releases of Disney Treasures in December'03, then Mary Poppins, Lilo..., Pocahontas, and then tell us that they delay the commercialization of them?

Ooops! they did it again!
And I am really tired of all this!

[Disneykid]

To say this sucks would be a major understatement. First off, wasn't the Lilo sequel due THIS year? This is the first time I've heard of a 2005 date that for one.

The post-poning of Pocahontas doesn't make much sense. There's already a sequel and a Pocahontas III seems very unlikely (but not beyond Disney...), so the only conclusion I can come to is that Disney needs more time to finish and insert If I Never Knew You back into the finished film now that they only have one animation studio in Burbank. Of course, this may not exactly be the most realistic reason, but it's the reason I'd like to stick with because it gives me hope.

As Jake said, the original Princess Diaries was a great little DVD (2 commentaries, featurette, 8 deleted scenes with director bookends, and 2 music videos), so if it does get re-released in December, it's either going to be a 2-Disc, or Disney's simply going to re-package the current disc and call it a SE. Since I don't own the original DVD, I'd definitely buy it if it went two-disc as it's a fun film.

Mary Poppins' December release is a mixed bag. On one hand, it'll sell well for Christmas, therefore encouraging Disney to churn out more 2-Disc live action sets. On the other hand, we must wait longer for this title. Jake's reasoning of releasing this and the Diaries SE in summer to promote the Diaries sequel makes much more sense. Does Disney care more about Diaries II's DVD profits than theatrical ones?

At least it's (kind of) been confirmed that Freaky Friday (and the other rumored titles) will be released this year. Here's hoping FF gets 2-Disc treatment, and hopefully with a Jodie Foster commentary (hey, it can happen).

[Cinderelly]

While i'm disappointed that these releases are being pushed back again, i am not really that upset b/c i have those films on dvd already.

At least you guys who don't own the films get them released next year. As far as what i want (ie. Cinderella) only a few people seem to care that it isn't even slated until probably 2 years from now and besides it (and bambi) are the only unslated or non-previously released films. Now THATS depressing.

[Satoshi]

I've never seen Pocahontas and was just going to wait until the ME was released before buying it but with this news I'm not sure what I'll do. The bad video quality is certainly a turnoff, considering that I HATE bad video quality but I really want to see the movie. Maybe I'll rent it....

[Disneykid]

As far as what i want (ie. Cinderella) only a few people seem to care that it isn't even slated until probably 2 years from now and besides it (and bambi) are the only unslated or non-previously released films. Now THATS depressing.

Oh, trust me, Cinderella is the un-released DVD that I'm waiting for the most. The reason I'm so ticked over Poca and Lilo is because Disney told us they'd be in 2004 and now they've yet again changed their minds. Since there never really was an official Cinderella date to begin with, my anticipation/annoyance has been attached to rumors and hints.

Another reason I'm really ticked over the ME delays is because I was hoping that if Poca and Lilo were released in 2004 with Alice, then we'd get new ME's in 2005 (with hopefully a Hunchback release), but now that they've been shoved to 2005, that means the earliest we'll see a Hunchback ME is 2006. Though I grudgingly admit it, 2006 would actually be a good year to release Hunchback as that'll be its 10th anniversary, which seems to be what Disney's doing with Pocahontas in 2005.

[buffalobill]

This is most disheartening. I've ebayed Alice In Wonderland (gee I wonder if we'll still get that on the 27th), Lilo, Pocahontas & Poppins in anticipation of the SEs. Now I am darn sure not going to repurchase the originals at inflated prices so I'll be waiting for close to a year for Poppins & over a year for Lilo & Pocahontas. I am fuming and my next stop will be to email them and call on Tuesday to protest this most horrid news. I'd like to put a bloody horse's head in the bed of whoever is making these decisions at Disney.

[JaYDiSNeY]

this really depresses me...pocahontas is one of my faves and i had never seen lilo and stitch but was gonna buy it anyways in may when it came out...this is just so sad

[STASHONE]

That news about the p&s policy is just ridiculous. I hope Disney gets a barrage of complaints and angry calls over that. It would seem that their marketing division doesnt have a hint of common sense...

Otherwise, Im not too dissapointment w/ the delays, aside from Mary Poppins which I was very much looking forward to, but with such an expensive DVD year ahead of us, I can hold out a little longer.

Im interested to hear the specs on the Davy Crockett anoucement as well. I wonder if it will be the same as the Treasures release minus the packaging?

[Loomis]

I have a question. Does anyone here think that "anniversary editions" and vauge tie-ins with other movies actually help sales?

Are any of you more likely to buy a DVD just because its 10, 20 or 25 years after the original movies debut?

None of US are more likely to buy it due to the anniversary thing., because let's face it - we'd buy it anyway.

It is a useful marketing tool for re-releases to the public though. I think some people would go "I have the VHS/DVD, but WOW look at that anniversary edition".

Even if that isn't the case, from a fan point of view or any point of view really, I think it is nice to honour a significant anniversary of a popular film with a re-release of some kind.

As for the delay itself, I'm don't see it as too much of a problem. I mean, we've put up with the delays for the Treasures (something I'm really looking forward to), and we've seen delays before. We will survive. trust me. It is annoying, but for more Stitch, I'm willing to wait. Likewise, it is not as though there are not versions on DVD out there of the others (unlike the Treasures), so I think we should be thankful they are coming out at all.

As for the P & S decision, it is hardly surprising but THAT is something I am cross about. I should point out that Man of the House, Blank Cheque (Check) are released in Australia in their correct format.

[JaYDiSNeY]

i mean i guess its not all that bad cuz i have pocahontas on vhs and stuff and its not like i cant watch the movie...but i was so looking forward 2 this release

[aurey]

Urgh. That makes me sad. I was looking forward to those DVDs!

Anyway. I'm going to look on the bright side of things and hope that Lilo and Stitch II will be just as good as the orginal. Hey, it could happen!

[Ernest Rister]

<Anyway. I'm going to look on the bright side of things...>

The only bright side is that Michael Eisner's contract expires in 2006.

[Mushu2083]

Ok, I'm wondering WHO'S DUMB IDEA WAS THIS?! The SE of Lilo and Stitch was the one DVD purchase I was really looking forward to. I don't see how delaying the release of the SE of Pocahontas fits in with the Lilo and Stitch franchise either. I think Eisner is suffering from a serious lack of the grey matter. Oh well, I have the single disc Lilo and Stitch to tide me over until 2005.

[DDMAN26]

I'm not too upset about Pochohantas, it's not a favorite, but I'd have liked Mary Poppins and Lilo a little sooner.

[Lady]

this really pisses me off. i've been waiting for the pocahontas special edition DVD for YEARS. *sigh*

at least i have it on VHS. . *grumble* *grumble*

[PheR]

I guess all this means that we won´t have more special editions in 2005 as we´ve hoped for, like hunchback, Hercules or Mulan, cause that would be to much.

anyway, isn´t Pocahontas II geting a special edition treatment this year?? or maybe it will be delayed too? (well I really don´t care about that horrible sequel thoug!)

[michelle]

this really pisses me off.

Well put!

But I suppose it has an upside - my wallet just breathed a sigh of relief.

Let's just hope there is a good reason for this.

For example, rustling up more extras *fat chance*

*If I keep repeating this to myself ... eventually I'll start to believe it *

[Loomis]

Urgh. That makes me sad. I was looking forward to those DVDs!

Anyway. I'm going to look on the bright side of things and hope that Lilo and Stitch II will be just as good as the orginal. Hey, it could happen!

Welcome to the forum, aurey

I reckon anything Lilo & Stitch would be good. I'm watching and enjoying (for the most part) the series at the moment - I wonder if the sequel will follow on from Stitch!/TV show or directly from the first film? It would be kinda strange if they ignore the series, but it would make sense from a marketing POV. They had to hold off on the TV series here until the DVD was on sale (of Stitch!), and had screened on the Disney Channel. The series now screens daily...