My 5-point plan for Disney

[Captain Hook]

With all the hype around the Pixar/Disney split and the Roy/Stanley exit, here's what I hope will end up for the Disney company:

1) Get Pixar back with Disney on better terms. If this is impossible, give the rights for Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc. to Pixar. It is unethical to be making Toy Story 3 without Pixar and ripping off characters from another company.

2) Gain the rights to the Muppets in a long term, financially agreeable contract. Then re-release The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island in widescreen DVDs with plenty of extras.

3) End the sickening practice of making sequels of every Disney film ever made. In fact, it might be nice to have them all be released once and for all, then put back in the vault forever! The sickening list keeps growing! Instead of sequels, let the Toon division make movies that are not sequels (like the Three Musketeers).

4) End the practice of fullscreen DVDs. This should not even be an issue. Almost everyone wants to see the movie in its correct format, and both formats can be put on the same disc!

5) End "Special Editions" and make sure to actually release the original (unlike Beauty and the Beast, Lion King). Also create new lines that stay the same, unlike the DVD lines that Disney has gone through (Special Edition [ex. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast], Platinum Edition, Vault Disney, Gold Collection, Limited Issue, etc.)

What do you think?

Hook

[Jake Lipson]

That is a fan's dream, but a lot of it just won't make financial sense to Disney. While I wish it would happen, it won't, because it doesn't make sense financially to the execs. For example, what benefit would Disney gain by giving away the rights to the exsisting Pixar properties and thus setteling a new deal with them? Not much: They'd get free money from the distribution fees but they'd loose money by totally giving up their rights to the exsisting pictures. And as much as I hate to say it, the cheapquels are a huge profit area for them and it doesn't make sense FINANCIALLY to stop, even though stopping would satisfy ethics. The same goes for seperate widescreen/fullscreen DVDs.

So -- great dream for the fans, but it's not profitable and will not happen.

[rnrlesnar]

Why would Disney give up the characters and franchises it obtained through the original contract? It would be foolish to hand over Toy Story and the others back to Pixar. Just think of how much influence the Pixar movies have had on the theme parks. Disney's California has a whole section based on Bug's Life.

[Jack]

1) Get Pixar back with Disney on better terms. If this is impossible, give the rights for Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc. to Pixar. It is unethical to be making Toy Story 3 without Pixar and ripping off characters from another company.

In the real world, something like this doesn't happen. Disney already has numerous merchandise and amusement park attractions relating to the existing Pixar films. While it may seem 'morally' right, giving away the rights to these is financial suicide for a company like Disney and pretty unreasonable to ask.

2) Gain the rights to the Muppets in a long term, financially agreeable contract. Then re-release The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island in widescreen DVDs with plenty of extras.

Certainly a worthy and attainable plan, but I don't think it deserves to be #2 on this list.

3) End the sickening practice of making sequels of every Disney film ever made. In fact, it might be nice to have them all be released once and for all, then put back in the vault forever! The sickening list keeps growing! Instead of sequels, let the Toon division make movies that are not sequels (like the Three Musketeers).

I agree that sequels in general should be stopped, unless: A) They come up with a highly creative one, B) It respects the original film, C) It's not a sequel to a Walt-era film. Otherwise, go to original projects, like T3M, as you brought out.

4) End the practice of fullscreen DVDs. This should not even be an issue. Almost everyone wants to see the movie in its correct format, and both formats can be put on the same disc!

I agree with the part about ending fullscreen DVDs - it's ridiculous to present a film cropped from its original aspect ratio. However, I disagree about putting both formats on one disc, as this can result in a less-than-stellar transfer. If they are going to release fullscreen at all, do it in a seperate version from widescreen.

5) End "Special Editions" and make sure to actually release the original (unlike Beauty and the Beast, Lion King). Also create new lines that stay the same, unlike the DVD lines that Disney has gone through (Special Edition [ex. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast], Platinum Edition, Vault Disney, Gold Collection, Limited Issue, etc.)

Can't argue with that. Well put, and reasonable.

[fairuza]

both formats never have to be out on the same disc as all widescreen dvds can be played in fullscreen mode with the dvd player. all modern dvd players have this option and i can assure you, no one who shelled out 700+ for a first generation dvd player back in 1997 is going to want a cropped dvd.

[windupgamecat]

I absolutely agree on the ending of all those DTV sequels. They're poorly animated, badly written (which is the bigger problem) and somewhat insulting to the original work.
I think Disney should leave Henson well alone. They weren't particularly positive in their relationship before, and as a bigger Henson fan than a Disney fan I wouldn't want them dragged through that kind of hell all over again.

The Three Musketeers is actually intriguing me though. More DTV titles like this, perhaps?

G.

[2099net]

With all the hype around the Pixar/Disney split and the Roy/Stanley exit, here's what I hope will end up for the Disney company:

1) Get Pixar back with Disney on better terms. If this is impossible, give the rights for Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc. to Pixar. It is unethical to be making Toy Story 3 without Pixar and ripping off characters from another company.

Don't forget, as well as having a financial involvement in these films, Disney actually had some creative invovement in Toy Story. So it could be said some of the characters were co-created by Disney. I understand Disney's creative control was negligible to none existant for the later films.

As for getting Pixar back on better terms, it would only be better terms for Pixar. Honestly, Pixar are already demanding that the terms to their original Disney/Pixar contract be broken. Who knows if they would even be content to stick to a renegotiated contract or what they'll be demanding next? Disney may be better off without them!

2) Gain the rights to the Muppets in a long term, financially agreeable contract. Then re-release The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island in widescreen DVDs with plenty of extras.

Well, Disney could re-release these movies in widescreen tomorrow if they wanted to. I think that there would be some problems with purchasing the muppets, as their existing films and television shows are already owned by a multitude of companies. I think a Pixar like co-production and distribution deal would be the best way for Disney to have dealings with the Muppets, rather than an outright purchase.

3) End the sickening practice of making sequels of every Disney film ever made. In fact, it might be nice to have them all be released once and for all, then put back in the vault forever! The sickening list keeps growing! Instead of sequels, let the Toon division make movies that are not sequels (like the Three Musketeers).

Well, I have no problems with the sequels, but they should limit them to one a year. In the meantime, there's lots of Disney television shows which could benefit from DTV movies. How about another DuckTales movie or a Bonkers movie? Bonkers has been sadly underrated.

4) End the practice of fullscreen DVDs. This should not even be an issue. Almost everyone wants to see the movie in its correct format, and both formats can be put on the same disc!

I agree. They still release VHS tapes. Let people who don't care about quality buy VHS!

5) End "Special Editions" and make sure to actually release the original (unlike Beauty and the Beast, Lion King). Also create new lines that stay the same, unlike the DVD lines that Disney has gone through (Special Edition [ex. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast], Platinum Edition, Vault Disney, Gold Collection, Limited Issue, etc.)

Special Editions are alright. As long as they are clearly labeled as such. Both Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King were advertised incorrectly. I also wish Disney would use seemless branching on these titles instead of a half-harted variation on extended branching. That way we could have the proper original cut included.

As for the collection titles, I don't really care. I don't mind if Alice in Wonderland is called a Special Edition, Masterpiece Edition or Wonderland Party Edition. I'm more concerned about the missing supplements from the previous LD release and the lack of a commentary.

[feedmelinguini]

I think Disney should leave Henson well alone. They weren't particularly positive in their relationship before, and as a bigger Henson fan than a Disney fan I wouldn't want them dragged through that kind of hell all over again.
G.

I couldn't agree more. Their agreements with BMG, Disney, and the disaster with EM.TV almost killed them as a company. Now that the Henson kids have bought back almost all of the company, the last thing in the world they should do is join forces again with one of these companies. Besides, their current distribution agreement with Tri-Star seems to be fruitful. Disney retains the rights to distribute MCC and MTI (and I think the agreement specifies a third film not yet made), so it is their decision, not Henson's, to release a pan and scan disc.

Lon
(another bigger Henson fan than Disney fan)

[Captain Hook]

Well, with Eisner buying the Muppets, I think that this is the first time I have ever agreed with him - EVER. I think Disney will be able to make a great home for the Muppets, despite Jim Hill's negative reports. The folks at Disney should be creative enough to create new, classic Muppet films, don't you think?

[Invader ZIM]

Disney needs to market toylines and release some television toons. It's the golden age of television on DVDs. Come on Disney get with it! Please don't forget cool toylines. With the Muppets purchase, maybe Disney could use the Muppet figure manufacturer. Have you seen those toys, they rock!

[MickeyMousePal]

My 5-point plan for Disney

1. Get Pixar back.

2. Fix and cut down the prices at Disneyland.

3. Stop with the cheap sequels

4. Put Gargoyles on DVD.

5. Make better kids animated shows and series.

This will put Disney on track again.

[Joshua Clinard]

In the real world, something like this doesn't happen. Disney already has numerous merchandise and amusement park attractions relating to the existing Pixar films. While it may seem 'morally' right, giving away the rights to these is financial suicide for a company like Disney and pretty unreasonable to ask.

If Disney's future depends on the characters and successes of another company, rather than their own creative talent, then they are in deep trouble. They really need to focus on writing better stories. What will Disney say when it's first 3-D film flops? What will they try to blame it on? They won't be able to say that audiences don't like 2D anymore, like they have done with Treasure Planet & Home on the Range. When the 3-D film fails, and it will, they will be forced to admit that they lack creative talent, or rather that they have given it all away, or micromanaged it away.

[moosiejac]

1. Treat your people right

2. There are more people in the World besides Europeans

3. Stop making sequals they really hurt the originals.

4. Create your own pixar. I'm sure you've trained enough of your Animators by now.

5. Women can animate and write.

[Disney Guru]

This is getting stuped Captain Hook you have got to be kidding.

[goofystitch]

I made a list of my own.

1. Continue to make 2D animated films.
2. Bring the special touches back to the parks (things like free glass drink stirrers and fresh squeezed orange juice.)
3. Make a Vault Disney Channel.
4. Release everything from the vault eventually in it's OAR.
5. Don't take away great attractions to make room for newer ones that aren't as good(Swiss Family Treehouse into Tarzan's Treehouse), and especially don't take away attractions and leave them sit untouched(20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.)

[Rebel]

1) Get Pixar back with Disney on better terms. If this is impossible, give the rights for Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Bug's Life, Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc. to Pixar. It is unethical to be making Toy Story 3 without Pixar and ripping off characters from another company.

Why not sell the rights to make sequels to Pixar while still retaining some of the rights?

[Disney Guru]

This is kind of funny you all have your own plans on denomination of the company who has put out so many good movies throughout the years.

[toonaspie]

yawn. those are the same old five things that everyone is complaining about. It shouldnt just be focused on videos or purchases. Our first priority is to restore the feature animation department with high quality 2D pictures again and fix the theme parks. If Disney needs money sell California Adventure, hahaha. They also need to chopped down the number of Disney stores. It was a unique place until you saw one in every freakin mall!

[AwallaceUNC]

A lot of these changes aren't "for Disney" at all, as they won't really help them very much, if at all.

Allow me to redirect everyone to a very similar discussion from a little while ago:

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... 87&start=0

-Aaron