Disney's rumored next 2d animated film *here we go again*

[DisneyAnimation88]

But the other term classic means like grand, adventurous, romantic or magical.

It's funny that all of those terms could be used to describe Mickey Mouse. And a Mickey film could have all of those things too.

I don't feel necessarily good about it and I feel Walt might be sad about it

I don't think he would be sad that his most beloved creation would be used to entertain a new generation of film audiences; on the contrary I think he would be thrilled that a character conceived out of desperation and based upon himself is still going strong after eight decades. Just give this project a chance and, if it happens, you might find that it surprises you.

[Disney Duster]

I guess Mickey is some of those things when he's in the right short, or when he's in a classic story like Brave Little Tailor or Scorcerer's Apprentice. Though I still wouldn't use the word grand for him or any of the fab five, I think you know what I mean by grand.

Maybe Walt would like it, but I already explained why he might not, so we just agree to disagree now, as long as you do fully understand my reasons why he might not, because I understand why you think he would.

[David S.]

I don't think he would be sad that his most beloved creation would be used to entertain a new generation of film audiences; on the contrary I think he would be thrilled that a character conceived out of desperation and based upon himself is still going strong after eight decades. Just give this project a chance and, if it happens, you might find that it surprises you.

Yes, I'd love to see Mickey and the "Fab Five" finally back on the big screen, as part of a DAC feature! Especially if this is done as lovingly and faithful to the characters as the Pooh film (and with Mattinson involved, I think it would be). It would help keep these beloved characters in the public consciousness, and introduce them to new generations (as more than just their personas on MMC).

And maybe this new work would energize Mickey and Minnie, and help them take their minds off of the sting of losing their east coast houses in the MK

I remember what a big event Mickey's Christmas Carol was for me, and that was just a featurette... the right FEATURE could be awesome to finally happen for Mickey, after all these years.

[DisneyAnimation88]

I guess Mickey is some of those things when he's in the right short, or when he's in a classic story like Brave Little Tailor or Scorcerer's Apprentice. Though I still wouldn't use the word grand for him or any of the fab five, I think you know what I mean by grand.

I do know but I think grand could be used to describe Mickey Mouse, though in a different way to the classic Disney films you're referring to.

Maybe Walt would like it, but I already explained why he might not, so we just agree to disagree now, as long as you do fully understand my reasons why he might not, because I understand why you think he would.

I do understand you're reasons. If the film happens, let's wait and see if it does justice to Walt's most famous creation.

And maybe this new work would energize Mickey and Minnie, and help them take their minds off of the sting of losing their east coast houses in the MK

I think it might But I agree, Mickey does need to be re-energised in some way, he's too good a character to simply be a staple of pre-school television.

[Neal]

This was the original press release back in 2009 at a products expo that revealed the existence of 'Winnie the Pooh' - it came from Disney Consumer Products:

New Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh Initiatives

Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh remain among the company's key character franchises; for a broad cross-section of consumers, these two classic characters boast a deep emotional connection and an unrivaled affinity like no other. In support of this, DCP has developed comprehensive plans to propel the growth of these classic character properties and keep them "top of mind" across demographics.

Beginning with Winnie the Pooh, DCP and Walt Disney Animation Studios today announced a new theatrical film planned for spring 2011, making it Pooh's first theatrical release in six years since Pooh's Heffalump Movie in 2005. DCP will focus merchandise strategy on moms of infants and toddlers, with a secondary focus on women. Other Disney businesses, including Disney Publishing, are developing Pooh content for a new generation of consumers that will further drive the growth potential of this classic character.

...note the "beginning with..." - does that mean now it's Mickey's turn to get a 'classic' movie that's also a merchandise pusher?

[Disney Duster]

I don't know about that.

I forgot something though. I am not starting to argue. DisneyAnimation you and me totally agreed, I don't want to ruin it, I just have a question.

So Walt tried to make a Mickey feature in the 40's, then changed it to the package feature. But then, after that, after no more war, and Cinderella gave him lots of money, why didn't he try to do a Mickey feature later? If I was him, I would have either done it right away after Cinderella, or I would have done it (or approved of it) as I was getting older and realized I wouldn't be around forever.

I think this is most why I'm still iffy about a Mickey DAC.

[DisneyAnimation88]

There could be several reasons. Perhaps they simply couldn't come up with a story they felt was as good as the Mickey and the Beanstalk feature they had planned. If you look at the films made during that time, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty were all planned as Disney films in the 1930's and 1940's but for different reasons took years to eventually be released. I'm not denying that Walt Disney wasn't protective of Mickey, but I do believe that if someone had come up with a story that was good enough, he would have been open to the idea of a Mickey film.

If I was him, I would have either done it right away after Cinderella

The problem is after the war, Walt had dozens of ideas in mind that he was in a rush to make: Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland which had been in development since the 30's, Lady and the Tramp which Joe Grant had first pitched in 1937 and Walt had bought the rights to the book "Whistling Dan, the Whistling Dog" in 1943, Don Quixote, which was never produced, he wanted to make an animated film based on the legend of King Arthur, Sleeping Beauty, which was put into production in the 1940's. If he had a Mickey story I'm sure he would have done something with it but unfortunately it never happened.

[ajmrowland]

I don't know about that.

I forgot something though. I am not starting to argue. DisneyAnimation you and me totally agreed, I don't want to ruin it, I just have a question.

So Walt tried to make a Mickey feature in the 40's, then changed it to the package feature. But then, after that, after no more war, and Cinderella gave him lots of money, why didn't he try to do a Mickey feature later? If I was him, I would have either done it right away after Cinderella, or I would have done it (or approved of it) as I was getting older and realized I wouldn't be around forever.

I think this is most why I'm still iffy about a Mickey DAC.

I think the best reason he didnt try to do a mickey feature is that he got too busy. His team was working on one film at a time, and when you count 5 movies in the same decade done largely by the same people......

and then there were the TV shows. This whole new medium cropped up, ready for "ecthplorayshun!"-for some inexplicable reason, I felt like doing Daffy Duck there-and that brough Disneyland, Zorro, among other things. And then there were the parks, which was Walt's biggest ambition and his pet project of the 50s. Too little time for a Mickey Feature.

[Sotiris]

Projects
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/ ... jects.html

Last time I checked in with Mr. Mattinson, his Mickey-Donald-Goofy feature boards hadn't been greenlit for further development.

But this was some weeks ago, and I don't know where he is with it now.

[Sotiris]

Winnie the Pooh’s Directors Stephen Anderson and Don Hall: Back to the Hundred Acre Wood (Interview)
http://animatedviews.com/2011/winnie-th ... acre-wood/

Q: Now that Disney has brought new life to Winnie the Pooh, what are the chances they’ll do the same for Mickey Mouse? Any plans for a new feature there?

Don Hall: [pauses] We shall see. I will say we all work at Disney because we love Disney. We love the heritage of Disney. Working on Winnie the Pooh was such an amazing opportunity to have fun with and put our own stamp on these classic characters. So, yeah, we’ll see…

Stephen Anderson: Like Don said, John is such a fan of classic Disney. If there’s potential to play with some of those classic characters even more than just Winnie the Pooh, I think he’d be really excited to do that.

[Disney Duster]

I'm glad they're talking about how people are there because they love Disney, they love Disney's heritage, so maybe they'll try to make films that are more like classic Disney, and so, truly Disney. And Sotiris it must be noted by now how awesomely cute and funny your Eepooh banner is.

And you know, the reasons DisneyAnimation and ajmrowland gave for why Disney didn't do a Mickey feature right after Cinderella make a lot of sense. The only thing is, I still don't think it explains why Disney didn't do a Mickey feature, or start planning one, before his death, not even when he was nearing it. I would have thought there would have been more plans to do one. If there were really big plans for one, that would probably make me believe Walt would be okay with one, but if there were no plans to do one, isn't that weird, and might it say something?

[disneyboy20022]

The Only thing Mickey is in right now media wise is Mickey's Clubhouse, Kingdom Hearts, Epic Mickey, and any video games. I think the time has come for Mickey to either get his own movie (not the way WB plans on making a Bug's Bunny or Speedy Gonzales Movie such as Yogi Bear, Rocky and Bullwinkle etc) or more shorts that relate to all audiences and appeal to them too....I'd like to see Mickey in more enjoyable stuff than Kingdom Hearts and other Video Games....

[Sotiris]

And Sotiris it must be noted by now how awesomely cute and funny your Eepooh banner is.

Thanks! I'm glad you like it.

[DisneyAnimation88]

The only thing is, I still don't think it explains why Disney didn't do a Mickey feature, or start planning one, before his death, not even when he was nearing it. I would have thought there would have been more plans to do one. If there were really big plans for one, that would probably make me believe Walt would be okay with one, but if there were no plans to do one, isn't that weird, and might it say something?

He only found out he was dying around three months before he did die so he spent that time putting the company in order and spending time with his family; in the grand scheme of things he simply didn't have time to go back to the projects he never finished years before. He never went back to the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast films he began work on in the 1930's and early-1940's so does that mean Disney shouldn't have made those either if Walt never finished them himself or said that they should be finished?

It doesn't say anything at all. There were plans to make a full-length Mickey Mouse film, they were disrupted by the war and the film didn't get made the way they wanted it to be. How do you know Walt didn't plan a Mickey film that we just never heard about? What we do know is that Walt saw Mickey Mouse as a cartoon version of himself and loved the character, probably more than any other. After all, he never said that a full-length Mickey Mouse film shouldn't be made did he?

The Only thing Mickey is in right now media wise is Mickey's Clubhouse, Kingdom Hearts, Epic Mickey, and any video games.

Exactly. I like those video games but Mickey Mouse is not a relic; there is no reason whatsoever why Disney shouldn't make a film based on the character. As I said before, he is too good to simply become a staple of pre-school television. Not just Mickey but Minnie, Donald and Goofy could all benefit from a film like this where, if it's done well, could rejuvenate their careers and popularity.

I'm glad they're talking about how people are there because they love Disney, they love Disney's heritage, so maybe they'll try to make films that are more like classic Disney, and so, truly Disney.

[David S.]

It doesn't say anything at all. There were plans to make a full-length Mickey Mouse film, they were disrupted by the war and the film didn't get made the way they wanted it to be. How do you know Walt didn't plan a Mickey film that we just never heard about? What we do know is that Walt saw Mickey Mouse as a cartoon version of himself and loved the character, probably more than any other. After all, he never said that a full-length Mickey Mouse film shouldn't be made did he?

Great point. We really don't know what Walt would do or wouldn't do about the matter, or what he would say or wouldn't say.

We can, however, venture a good guess as to what Mickey would say if he found out he was getting his own DAC, after all these years:

"Oh boy, that's swell!"

And he'd probably throw in an "Aw, gee" and "Hot Dog!" in there too, for good measure!

[Disney Duster]

Well, what I meant was I would have thought that as anyone got very old, like in their 60's, they would try as hard as they could to start the things they really want to happen, and I would think a Mickey feature would be at the very top if he wanted it.

Also, with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, there were plans, they just didn't figure out how to do them. However, we know of no plans for a Mickey Feature (or do we?). Also, the fact that Walt made three fairy tales obviously says they can do fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast! Fairy tales will always feel very Disney!

[DisneyAnimation88]

There is a slight difference. With The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, there were plans, they just didn't figure out how to do them. However, we know of no plans for a Mickey Feature (or do we, it almost seems impossible, so I think it says something). Also, the fact that Walt made three fairy tales obviously says they can do fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast!

Yes there were plans for a full-length Mickey film, the Brave Little Tailor. But because of the war, they were forced to shorten it and put it into a package feature as they did with Bongo, Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Why does it seem impossible? Because Walt was unable to make the full-length Mickey film that they had planned?

There's not really a difference between a Mickey film and those fairytales; if you have a story and characters that are enthralling and entertaining, you can make the film. If Burny Mattinson has a good enough story (the characters are already there), there is no valid reason why Disney shouldn't do this. Walt never found a way to make Don Quixote work as a Disney film; if Chris Williams or Chris Buck or Stephen Anderson thought of a way to do that then they should do it.

Mickey is not just a corporate symbol or something to be slapped on cheap Disney merchandise, he is a brilliant and versatile character who should be utilised properly, whether in a film or in shorts, so that future generations can continue to enjoy him.

EDIT - thanks to David S. for pointing out my mistake; I should have said Mickey and the Beanstalk, not the Brave Little Tailor.

[Disney Duster]

No, I meant were there any plans to make a Mickey feature after the package film?

Because if not, I would agree with you, Mickey is too good to just be slapped onto things or in kiddie shows. And maybe he's to good to be used as a main character during an entire DAC, as Walt demonstrated?

You see...Mickey has only been seen in small doses. Stretching him through a whole feature...may not be what Walt wanted, won't you please see why this might be?

[DisneyAnimation88]

And maybe he's to good to be used as a main character during an entire DAC, as Walt demonstrated?

I don't see how Walt demonstrated that at all; he tried but factors beyond his control stopped him. The Pooh films the Nine Old Men made were essentially package features made up of shorts but the newly-released film is a linear, longer storyline. So if Disney can do it for Pooh, I see no reason whatsoever why they couldn't do it with Mickey.

You see...Mickey has only been seen in small doses. Stretching him through a whole feature...may not be what Walt wanted, won't you please see why this might be?

No I can't because I simply don't agree with you in this case. Find one concrete, undeniable quote from Walt Disney that says that a full-length Mickey Mouse film should not be made, then I might begin to see where you're coming from. Otherwise I don't believe that Walt Disney would not want his favourite creation to continue to be rejuvenated and revitalised for future generations to enjoy.

[Disney Duster]

Well it's simple, Mickey is more special than Pooh, and Mickey can easily be rejuvinated in something other than the full-length time of a movie, like if he was being searched for and was only in a short amount of it, and a non DAC.

If you really don't feel what I'm talking about (not even sure you tried, but...) then we just agree to disagree and, maybe it's not so bad, but I do worry, what if Mickey was stretched to thin by being full-length and he was never intended to be.