Pixar ends talks with Disney

[dizfan]

Like I said, it would still have been a hit. But not on the same magnitude, or as you put it "open as big".

I never said that Pixar wouldn't do good without Disney, I simply stated that they streak has to end sometime. And it will be a very sad year for them until the next movie hits.

[ohmahaaha]

I can't believe Disney let Pixar slip away; I can't believe some sort of deal could have been worked out! Disney would come out ahead no mater what, it's just a matter of how much they would come out ahead - but what's the difference if it's all profit?!

This is almost as bad as the Red Sox letting Babe Ruth get away. (almost)

[Mr. Toad]

is down 8% in after hours trading.

[STASHONE]

Disney doesnt deserve Pixar at this point. I think it was a very smart move on their part, and likely to affect the ever observant shareholders perspectives of recent engagements...

[dizfan]

Hopefully, this will help in removing Micheal Eisner.

[Mushu2083]

I think Pixar will do just fine without Disney. It's not like Pixar needs Disney to succeed.

[Dumbobuzz]

The deal with Pixar may or may not be dead. This could be posturing on both sides. The real deal is who is going to get John Lassiter. A deal between Disney and Pixar does not necessarily include Mr. Lassiter. The pixar movies have had excellent stories that have been lucid and clever for young and old kids. Mr. Lassiter is a big part of that success with the Toy Stories and Bug's Life. In my humble opinion he is the important piece.

[fairuza]

well i think this is the nail in the coffin for eisner, but assuming he still remains ceo of disney what exactly is disney supposed to do for animated films now? they have no real "movie-level" 2d studios right? and now that they don't have pixar for 3d, and we know disney tried to do their own 3d movie (dinosaur) which bombed, will disney make animated features at all now or what? the only way for disney to get back on track is for eisner to be kicked out, and quickly.

it's like the #1 thing disney is known for doesn't exist anymore. it would be like if nintendo stopped making video games and started selling socks. what is disney without animated features? that's the only reason the park exists and whatever else disney has.

[Joe Carioca]

The official press-release from Disney:

DISNEY AND PIXAR END TALKS


BURBANK, Calif. January 29, 2004 - Pixar has elected to conclude its discussions to extend a successful long-term partnership with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE DIS) following the delivery of two more animated features, "The Incredibles" expected in 2004 and "Cars" expected in 2005.

"We have had a fantastic partnership with Pixar and wish Steve Jobs and the wonderfully creative team there, led by John Lasseter, much success in the future," said Michael Eisner, Disney chairman and CEO. "Although we would have enjoyed continuing our successful collaboration under mutually acceptable terms, Pixar understandably has chosen to go its own way to grow as an independent company."

Tom Staggs, Disney senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, said Disney management could not accept Pixar's final offer because it would have cost Disney hundreds of millions of dollars it is already entitled to under the existing agreement, while not providing sufficient incremental returns on new collaborations to justify the changes to the existing deal.

In addition to Pixar's delivery of two more feature films, under the current agreement, Disney maintains the rights to develop and produce sequels to all films created through this partnership, including direct to video presentations, television series and specials; and to exploit all characters and content throughout Disney's theme park and consumer products units, thereby allowing Disney to continue to nurture and grow these successful franchises while benefiting Disney shareholders into the foreseeable future. Disney also owns the entire Disney/Pixar film library, which includes "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2,", "A Bug's Life," "Monster's Inc.," and "Finding Nemo," in addition to the two pictures yet to be completed."

In addition to Pixar, the Walt Disney Studios has relationships with other emerging animation producing partners including Vanguard Films, currently producing "Valiant," and San Francisco-based Complete Pandemonium, producing "The Wild" in conjunction with CORE Technologies of Toronto.

Walt Disney Feature Animation will release "Home on the Range" on April 2, featuring songs performed by Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt and k.d. lang. Currently in production is "Chicken Little," the Studio's first all-CG effort, which is scheduled for release in Summer 2005. For Summer 2006 and beyond, Walt Disney Feature Animation is producing a series of 3D motion pictures: "A Day With Wilbur Robinson," based on the beloved William Joyce book; "American Dog," directed by Chris Sanders ("Lilo and Stitch"); "Rapunzel Unbraided," directed by legendary Disney animator Glen Keane; and "Toy Story 3". These movies are all anticipated to break new ground in CG movie-making. The Studio has an additional 20 animated features in active development.

Toy Story 3 plus 20 animated features? Disney has hit the bottom...
Maybe Pixar departure is one step forward to Eisner's resignation.

[indianajdp]

Well, I am surprised at the latest turn of events here. But count me in as one that sees this as as much of a posturing move as anything else. Might be a case of Pixar saying, "Oh yeah? Here's proof we're not bluffing!"

If things do hold true here I see no imminent difficulties for Pixar. They are a very attractive entity with a host of suiters lined up...and they know it.

As long as they (Pixar) stay true to what has been the formula for success (home-grown concepts, engrossing storylines, engaging characters...and ummm...oh yeah...amazing animation) they will continue to be a successful player in this industry. I'm very sad for Disney, but without knowing all the facts I can't say that blame can be placed ony anyone specific. Yet.

[Jake Lipson]

Doing Toy Story 3 without Pixar is like doing Mary Poppins 2 and not bringing back Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. (Not that I want to give Disney any ideas, mind, but). It's sad to see Pixar's astonishing library of movies being tarnished by Disney-made cheapquels. but I think that's what will happen. As long as Pixar was with Disney I knew they wouldn't be done because Disney would like to have had Pixar do it if they come up with a worthy sequel but if Pixar is gone I wouldn't be suprised to see TS3, Bug's Life 2, M.I. 2, and Nemo 2 fast-tracked as el cheapo DTV product

However, I think that Pixar didn't bother to contract the stars for a sequel to their films (assuming that there wouldn't be one) and I don't think that the stars would be too keen to return if Pixar's guys aren't doing it. If I was in a Pixar movie and Disney asked me to return for a sequel without Pixar doing it, I wouldn't go back, anyway. In fact, I'd raise all hell and boycott it in force.

So, we'll see.

[Loomis]

It will be intersting to see exactly what it is that Disney will be putting out over the next few years (after 2005).

- No more Pixar
- potentially no more Pooh
- no more 2D division.

Umm...what does that leave That's everything, right?

Seriously, this may mean a HUGE dint in overall income in the next few years, given the traditional success of the three above things.

[castleinthesky]

To me Pixar is overrated. People forget if you include inflation Nemo would be around 10th best ever animated film in the box office. The Pixar movie are pretty boring.

If Pixar does leave Disney I think either Disney will bomb out or Pixar will bomb out. Remember though, if there was no Disney there would of never been a Pixar.

We also need no more Pooh. There are 5 animated full-length sequals. 6 all together. Do you think that is enough, besides the non full length Pooh movies.

[rnrlesnar]

I hope Universal picks them up. It will be a big kick in the face to Disney when Pixar characters show up in Universal Studios rides and attractions. Disney certainly dropped the ball on this one. Perhaps Disney can get a group of animators to make up for the Pixar loss.

[MickeyMouseboy]

You have to be realistic. Finding Nemo was not all that and I think if it didnt have the Disney logo and the Disney marketing behind it's back It wouldnt have gotten much money when it first opened so that's that. what I do credit Pixar with it's their talented people and their fresh Ideas like who would of thought toy story or monster's inc? those were good movies but again without Disney maybe those movies wouldnt have had the money they made. you have to think what disney has to offer pixar

on going commercials to reach btweens, young kids, soccer moms on the Disney Channel, ABC and the other million stations they own lol

Commercial on all their BVHE DVDs that's like 5 studios they own with their own DVD releases

Advertisement in their own website DIsney.com, Touchstone.com, miramax.com, BVHE.com, and BVHEPuclicity.com

DIsney Store nationwide clothing, toys, sountracks and so forth.

Disney Brand Name- I think most family are more likely to go see a Disney movie than any other non disney animated. if you think about it people think everything animated comes from one place only and that is Disney. so I have to consider if any other studio will be able to top what Disney has to offer Pixar.

[Mermaid Kelly]

I don't mind if Pixar leaves, (I always liked the traditional 2d) but I just hope this won't make Pixar ultra famous and Disney fizzle down to nothing

[disneyfella]

i just want to put my few thoughts in here and then i'm off. as someone earlier posted, the everclimbing pixar grosses will soon not be able to outdo the previous film from them. i actually see this occurring before they part with disney. it will by NO means be a failure, but it won't be higher grossing than the previous film (as each pixar film has become). that being said, i can definitely see pixar joining forces with either Universal pictures or Paramount films (both of which are always big on partnering up on movies......Universal is my likely candidate). Once those releases get started, my guess is that if pixar is NOT allowed by disney to say, "from the creators of toy story and monsters inc. ", then sales will go down. i'm sure that after the leave from disney they will dip anyway, but a clean break in a fresh start without the history of quality with disney productions will take its toll initially. remember by that time 3d animation will become a common thing.

we know that the quality of storytelling will always be superb, and the animation will be groundbreaking. honestly, though, disney marketing is one of the top motion picture marketing companies in the world. nobody knows how to create a good image of crap like disney (o.k. that was a sarcastic joke.......just laugh ).

i think the one thing we can all agree on, is that the departure is depressing. it's sad to see two collaborative and "wholesome" companies separate after such a successful partnership.

[Grunches]

Maybe after Eisner dosen't get relected HOPEFULLY! Pixar maybe will go back to them? Just a thought.

[2099net]

Well, I think this could be the best thing for both companies.

Considering the vast majority on this board want to "SaveDisney" can any of you please explain how keeping the Pixar deal (including additional concessions made by Disney to keep Pixar happy) can benefit Walt Disney Feature Animation? All keeping Pixar would do is continue the downwards spiral WDFA finds itself in.

1. Pixar films would continue to get all the prime slots in the release calendar. It's hard for Disney's own animated films to compete with Pixar's when Pixar's automatically get a immediate advantage. Continuing to distribute Pixar's films means Disney is "sidelining" their own films!

2. Pixar gets more media publicity thanks to the charismatic John Lasseter (and even Steve Jobs himself, who seems to be constantly in favour with the media). Disney Feature Animation itself gets no publicity based on the personalities working there, so has a disadvantage.

3. Although Pixar films are released by Disney, they are not seen as Disney films by the media. This often means Disney films get unfair critisism due to their distinguished legacy, while Pixar doesn't. I can't cound the number of pedantic complaints about Brother Bear being nothing more than a "Disney's Greatest Hits" film, while Finding Nemo got no complaints at all about originality, despite the film sticking firmly to the Pixar formula (mismatched buddies, a rescue quest - even Darla the main threat to Nemo was nothing more than a female Sid from Toy Story).

As for Pixar, they've prooved they don't need the Disney name. All they need to do is promote their next films with "From the makers of Finding Nemo and Cars" (or whatever) and they'll be more than okay. You do know that the average person on the street thinks all (well, lets say "most") animated feature films are made by Disney already? I cannot count the number of people I meet just in passing who think Shrek is a Disney film for example. I doubt most people will even notice the Disney name will be missing from Pixar's first "independent" film.

As for Pixar, it's in their interests as well. They have ambitions which Disney cannot deliver. I just wonder what will happen to Pixar should one or two of their films underperform. They have no back catalogue of titles to fall back on...

[Rebel]

Doing Toy Story 3 without Pixar is like doing Mary Poppins 2 and not bringing back Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. (Not that I want to give Disney any ideas, mind, but). It's sad to see Pixar's astonishing library of movies being tarnished by Disney-made cheapquels. but I think that's what will happen. As long as Pixar was with Disney I knew they wouldn't be done because Disney would like to have had Pixar do it if they come up with a worthy sequel but if Pixar is gone I wouldn't be suprised to see TS3, Bug's Life 2, M.I. 2, and Nemo 2 fast-tracked as el cheapo DTV product

I agree.

I have been wanting to see a "Toy Story 3" ever since "Toy Story 2" came out, but without Pixar/John Lasseter involvement, I am afraid it will not measure up.

Hearing that Disney had failed to reach an agreement with Pixar was not surprising and it did not bother me at all until reading Disney's press release. I had no idea that Disney would retain all the rights to Pixar's movies.