Winnie the Pooh (2011)

[Neal]

DisneyToon is in the U.S. now. At the Sonora building in Glendale, California.

[Jules]

Well, OK. But do they animate there? The Tinkerbell films are outsourced to an Indian studio ...

[Jules]

Well, I emailed Jerry Beck a few hours ago about the matter. He hasn't replied yet but he has now posted about it on Cartoon Brew, and the way he's put his words seems to indicate that this Pooh film is indeed a WDAS project.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/next- ... -pooh.html

I wish WDAS would update their website (it's still BOLT-centered and doesn't reflect the recent developments re TPatF). If they did they'd put the whole matter to rest.

One question though, if the Pooh film is definitely a WDAS project ... what will it follow? The 1977 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or 2005's DTV Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie? I've only seen the original 1977 feature and I don't want a Disney Animated Classic to follow a string of DTV features and some theatricals not produced at WDAS, story-wise ... If it did, it would mean it'd make no sense to watch the 1977 feature and then skip to the upcoming 2011 film, and I'd hate that.

[Neal]

The site also needs to reflect the new short 'Tic Toc', and the featurette 'Prep and Landing'.

[Jules]

The site also needs to reflect the new short 'Tic Toc', and the featurette 'Prep and Landing'.

Tic Toc? That's news to me!

So are you too exasparated by the gathering dust on the WDAS site? If you say yes you'll make very happy 'cos I'll know I'm not alone.

Really!

[Neal]

Yes, Tic Toc is a new CGI short that will precede "The Princess and the Frog".

"The Ballad of Nessie" couldn't be finished because TPatF was employing too many of the 2D artists.

So:

Tic Toc/The Princess and the Frog - CGI short, 2D Film
The Ballad of Nessie/Rapunzel - 2D short, CGI Film

[Jules]

Oooh! Thanks for the info. I actually think it makes more sense to present mixed media rather than same media between short and feature.

And you didn't say "yes", gosh darn it!

[Neal]

Whoops, I was going to say: Yes, I wish the site would be updated. It was a great re-vamp with classy art and a functional layout, except, now it seems dead. It neglects to mention some of the newly announced projects, could use more concept art, and more videos.

Hopefully they'll do a big bulk update soon!

[Jules]

You are forgiven, Neal. However, as penitence, I expect you to recite the Rosary everyday for the next month.


I'm writing really silly posts today ...

[Neal]

That'd be penance.

Here I go...

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and...

[Neal]

This could be the proof it's canon, it's the first article I've found not merely echoing the original from The Hollywood Reporter:

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.

No other character – classic or contemporary – occupies a similar space in the hearts and minds of people from around the world as does Mickey Mouse. Mickey remains a global icon and the company’s top character franchise. To that end, DCP has developed a comprehensive global brand plan for Mickey and his friends Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto to connect them to consumers in every age segment, from infants and preschoolers to older kids and fashion-conscious young adults.

Read here...

[schoollover]

Does anybody else feel proud of disney, I mean there making another 2d movie, trying to expand their characters and merchandise, heck, if they could make better dvd's, chapter menus, and stopped pushing blu-ray,because it delays' and weakens dvd's,but still pushes it. Disney could be better.

Other than that

[Neal]

I'm just happy Disney is doing another 2D before seeing how TPatF does. That shows a commitment to the promised return.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm excited for any new Disney animated film, so I'm excited for the new Pooh movie. I have no problem with them making a new Pooh film, but I wonder if they're playing it safe, knowing that there's already an established audience for Pooh, and there won't be controversy, like there is with TP&tF, since it's Pooh...

[Disneykid]

A part of me is really excited over this. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh's my second favorite WDAS film after Alice in Wonderland. That said, I'll be first to admit that Disney's overmilked Pooh. I think Piglet's Big Movie was the last Pooh film I saw. I haven't seen anything since then (except for My Friends Tigger and Pooh for review purposes). The idea of Lumpy kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth, even if there's nothing inherently wrong with the character itself. Having him and other new "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" characters appear in the upcoming one would feel a bit odd to me, especially since I pretty much only consider Disney Pooh canon to consist of anything with "Adventure" in it (The Many Adventures, Pooh's Grand Adventure, The New Adventures).

I really hope Disney can create something whimsical and witty in the vein of A.A. Milne. Unfortunately, most of the original stories have already been used in both Many Adventures and Piglet's Big Movie, so it's not like Disney can just adapt something once more. All I ask is that: a) they keep the storybook motif with a narrator, b) Christopher Robin, Owl, and Gopher make appearances, c) the characters sing short, gentle songs; no pop or country voiceovers or overproduced numbers, and d) they don't try to skew towards the preschool demographic. If they can follow those rules (and do so with gorgeous WDAS animation), this can turn out to be something very special. For now, I'll remain cautiously optimistic.

Updated realization: What if this isn't actually a feature film? What's if it's an animated short (or series of shorts) that will be in front of other theatrical features? I remember Jim Hill (yes, I know) saying that one of the reasons My Tigger and Pooh was cancelled was because John Lasseter wanted to bring the characters back to their roots. What better way to do that than with theatrical shorts ala the Walt-era ones? I certainly wouldn't mind that.

[Neal]

DisneyKid, it's clearly a feature film. This is straight from Disney:

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.

I am going to call it now that it will be an official follow-up to 'Many Adventures'. That means no connection to the DTVs. Lasseter probably doesn't mind Heffalump or Tigger Movie as much as some of the other canon DTVs, since Pooh sequels actually made sense considering the fact they were 'children's playthings' that could have endless adventures - yet, he probably doesn't want to associate with or acknowledge the DTVs at all. That means no Lumpy for me , but a more proper continuation of Walt's Pooh.

I liked some of the DTVs better than the "New Adventures" series.

[a-net-fan]

I'm just happy Disney is doing another 2D before seeing how TPatF does. That shows a commitment to the promised return.

.....BUT this also flushes ANY hope that Princess and the Frog would begin a second Disney Animated Renessance down the toilet!! By doing this movie Disney is targeting a more specific audience rather then the general movie going audience. Disney needed to follow PATF with another STRONG animated feature and this news should be upsetting to anyone who wants to see hand drawn animated movies return.

[CampbellzSoup]

I'm just happy Disney is doing another 2D before seeing how TPatF does. That shows a commitment to the promised return.

.....BUT this also flushes ANY hope that Princess and the Frog would begin a second Disney Animated Renessance down the toilet!! By doing this movie Disney is targeting a more specific audience rather then the general movie going audience. Disney needed to follow PATF with another STRONG animated feature and this news should be upsetting to anyone who wants to see hand drawn animated movies return.

Hey Adam!

I'm going to have to disagree buddy. I believe that the Pooh films aren't really considered by any means strong features in the Disney cannon. Like you said they are going to have a niche audience with this, while Princess and the Frog have a broader one. If PatF does well, I'm expecting more great movies with the added 2D niche title thrown in here and there

[Neal]

This makes sense from a business perspective.

They want to bring 2D back to the mainstream. How are they attempting to do that? Make films that ‘feel’ Disney. First, with a Broadway-style musical in “The Princess and the Frog” - and then with a new Pooh film.

If you’re trying to restore a legacy that deteriorated in the late 90’s early 2000’s and then died in 2004, would you try all new (therefore risky) projects, or try something proven? If I was running the business, I’d do what was proven. And what is proven is that Princesses and Pooh sell.

Their riskier films failed - Atlantis, Treasure Planet. They were critical and financial bombs. Only Lilo & Stitch, a ‘riskier’ 2D project, managed to be successful for Disney Animation in the 2000s.

With the revenue from these projects they can attempt something more risky, starting with “King of the Elves” and moving on from there (albeit that is CGI).

[Disney's Divinity]

.....BUT this also flushes ANY hope that Princess and the Frog would begin a second Disney Animated Renessance down the toilet!! By doing this movie Disney is targeting a more specific audience rather then the general movie going audience. Disney needed to follow PATF with another STRONG animated feature and this news should be upsetting to anyone who wants to see hand drawn animated movies return.

Well, I don't know. The Rescuers Down Under was thrown between The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, and it doesn't have nearly as huge an audience as a Pooh film would. But I agree with you that I'd rather hear about another original film, rather than a tread through old characters (not that it won't be enjoyable, nontheless--it's really hard to screw up Pooh). Unfortunately, I think any future 2D films will be decided after TP&TF, because we still have 3D films Rapunzel and The King of the Elves coming right after it.