Zootopia

[RyGuy]

From what I recall, Disney didn't do a lot of promotion for that film either, and then seemed a bit surprised when it did pretty well.

This is different. It was only after the fact, the film was proclaimed a sleeper hit and it was by the media, not Disney themselves. It's really odd that Iger would publicly underplay Zootopia's box office performance, 4 months before it even premiered. It's like they've written it off already and are deliberately trying to keep expectations low.

They more or less did that with Tangled didn't they? Announcing that they weren't going to be doing any more fairy tales . . .

[disneyprincess11]

They're not even trying for this movie. It's pathetic.

[ce1ticmoon]

From what I recall, Disney didn't do a lot of promotion for that film either, and then seemed a bit surprised when it did pretty well.

This is different. It was only after the fact, the film was proclaimed a sleeper hit and it was by the media, not Disney themselves. It's really odd that Iger would publicly underplay Zootopia's box office performance, 4 months before it even premiered. It's like they've written it off already and are deliberately trying to keep expectations low.

Well, calling a movie that hasn't been released yet a "sleeper hit" is definitely odd and simply makes zero sense, but we can't really say it says anything else about the movie or its potential performance. Regarding the quote from the link,

Isn't calling something a "sleeper hit" pretty much saying it doesn't look that great?

I mean, that's a bit reaching. Something being a "sleeper hit" says nothing about the film itself, it simply means it opens smaller and becomes a success as it plays well over longer period of time. In the end, a "sleeper hit" is considered a decent, or even big, hit. In other words, a success. But whether the connotation of "sleeper hit" is supposed to be good or bad here, there is no way anybody can really predict that at this point. I suppose it could point to Disney having less confidence in the film, but that's nothing but speculation based on a really weird comment that probably ultimately doesn't mean much. That said, I do think the film probably does have less earning potential than a film they release in June (most Pixar films these days) or November (most WDAS films these days). I mean, that Moana gets November and Zootopia gets March definitely does mean that they expect Moana to be the bigger hit. No doubt about that.

As for promotion, is it any less than their other recent offerings from Walt Disney Animation Studios? As far as I can recall, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Big Hero 6 all didn't really get substantial promotion until a couple of months before release... Zootopia is still around 4 months out.... It would certainly make sense for them to start increasing the promotion during the holiday season though.

[Disney's Divinity]

This is different. It was only after the fact, the film was proclaimed a sleeper hit and it was by the media, not Disney themselves. It's really odd that Iger would publicly underplay Zootopia's box office performance, 4 months before it even premiered. It's like they've written it off already and are deliberately trying to keep expectations low.

Lookie there, Disney has about as much interest in this movie as I do.

That said, I'm sure it'll do as well as WIR, Tangled, and BH6. That seems like an easy bet for a 3D movie.

[DisneyEra]

Remember when this film was said to be "Dead on Arrival" this past March? Response with a $177+million domestic gross. Zootopia will be be just fine.

[estefan]

What DisneyEra said. March has become a prime release month in recent years. Opening in March didn't lead to a lack of success for Disney with Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. We even have a major event picture like Batman vs Superman opening in March now. We'll very likely get a full trailer in front of The Good Dinosaur and marketing is going to kick into high gear then.

[Tangled]

I just interpreted a "sleeper hit" as them saying "oh, yeah, this is a different film than what people are expecting from us (since Moana's coming out in the same year and the hype has been directed towards that), but we think it will be very successful anyways. People will be surprised". They have faith in the film, which is a good thing.

Frozen, from what I recall, didn't have much promotion 4 months before its release either. Neither did Tangled, Wreck-it Ralph, or Big Hero 6. Disney Animation just likes saving their marketing budget and waiting about 3 months before their films' premieres to blow it all. Judging by that schedule, if we don't get a trailer by the time Star Wars comes out then we can start worrying (better yet, attaching the trailer to Star Wars would be a great way to advertise, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were waiting for that. That, or the Good Dinosaur).

[DisneyFan09]

So this is another "The Lion King" deja vu , huh? Disney just don't have enough faith with their animal movies?

Kidding. While "TLK" was labeled as a sleeper hit, it's not that comparable. Hence the executives gained faith in the movie when certain pivotal scenes were completed, despite having more faith in "Pocahontas". Though living in Norway, I do remember the promotion and hype for "TLK" prior to it's release. And Disney certainly believed in "Brother Bear" as well.

There were hardly any merchandise for "The Emperor's New Groove" at all during it's release. Which was quite unusual for Disney back then!

And yes, I remember not being any updates for "Frozen" prior to it's release. And several users whined about it! But I remember someone on this board comparing it to "Avatar", which was hardly promoted prior to it's release. And look how things turned out for both of them!

[disneyprincess11]

Great new French poster

[estefan]

Wait? It opens in France in February? I'm assuming there are school holidays in the country around then and they're taking advantage of that. Will probably build good buzz for its North American debut a month later.

[D82]

I've just find out that the film will premiere in Spain on February 12th. Even earlier than in France! We usually have to wait a month or two after the US release to see a Disney or a Pixar film, sometimes up to 6 months, so it'll be great to see it first for once. By the way, nice poster.

[Disneyphile]

Pixar's composer Michael Giacchino will provide the score.

[DisneyEra]

Clearly no excitement on these boards

[Mickeyfan1990]

That's where you're wrong!

I'm definitely keeping my eye out.

[taei]

Very expected as The Good Dinosaur comes out in a couple of days.

[Lady Cluck]

I'm not sure why people are concerned about the lack of promotion at the moment? That's clearly how Disney does it these days and it's worked so far. We only got an earlier glimpse of Moana (but really not much of a glimpse) just from D23 stuff, and so Disney could get good press for tackling a new culture in a princess film (their bread and butter), and for announcing Lin-Manuel Miranda as the composer since he's hot at the moment.

Too much promotion right now wouldn't do Zootopia any good anyway considering all the blockbusters rolling out for the holidays. Disney is focused on The Good Dinosaur and Star Wars right now.

March and almost the entirety of spring are looking to be a dead zone for family entertainment so it can easily get the attention it needs closer to the release. It will do fine, probably even surprisingly well.

I wasn't personally excited for it, but the more I see the more I like. I enjoy a lot of the vocal talent and all the new characters look charming. I like that it appears to have a mystery vibe to it as well, maybe similar to The Great Mouse Detective/Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (The diversity of characters makes Zootopia seem a little like Toontown in some ways).

[D82]

The trailer is here!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY73vFGhSVk[/youtube]

[Disney's Divinity]

I feel like my opinion keeps flipping around regarding the two protagonists. I didn't like the fox's design initially, but he was the best thing about this trailer to me. I think he'll probably join Naveen and Kristoff as one of the few smartass characters I like (since they're in every film now...). His face reminds me of a better version of Mittens(?), the cat from Bolt. I'm not a furry, I promise, but I can foresee lots of...art with Nick appearing eventually.

I'm still not excited for this, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it as a casual viewing. Not something I'd spend money on though.

[Old Fish Tale]

That was a lovely trailer!

[DisneyEra]

Trailer reminds me of a Family Guy gag that runs way to long. But the reactions on Youtube are very positive! Disney Animation has done it again