Lots of Pixar News!

[Jake Lipson]

Animated Movies has the Pixar scoop. This all comes from their recent confrence call and is in no perticular order.

-- Creative Control and Release Date for The Incredibles
Steve Jobs explained earlier today that "the current Disney agreement gives us creative control when the director of the film has directed a previous Pixar film that has achieved box office over a certain amount; we have directors now that have creative control of their films. But Brad Bird being a director directing his first Pixar film did not qualify for that, so we had joint creative control with Disney and that has not been a problem. There has been zero issues with Disney about it and I think they really love the movie. We are targeted for holiday 2004 release, Disney is fully onboard with that. You might want to check with them for the release of Home on the Range, but I think you will find that holiday 2004 is wide open for The Incredibles."

-- Finding Nemo Box Office Forecast
"We have no idea what the opening weekend will be," an unconvincing Steve Jobs stated. "We would be thrilled if it was in the 30s, we would be ecstatic if it was in the 40s, we would be dancing on the ceiling if it was in the 50s!" What we did learn is that the movie would be released on at least 5,500 screens, and the DVD is set for the fourth quarter (not early next year as previously speculated).

-- Still Hope for Toy Story 3?
"As far as sequels go, our studio is building the capacity to release one great animated feature a year, I do not see us as having the capacity to release more than that," Steve Jobs commented cautiously. "Therefore, if we were to do negotiate a deal with Disney and release a sequel, that would be the film for that year, and would not be additive. But if sequels are attractive, then we are very excited about doing them! We've got a great idea for Toy Story 3, we've got some ideas for a Monsters sequel, there are a lot of things that we can do."

-- Tidbits on Upcoming Pixar Projects
Referring to the premiere of The Incredibles teaser trailer later this month, CEO Steve Jobs commented that "this is the first time a Pixar film will have an attached trailer for an upcoming Pixar film. This will help establish the concept of a continuous Pixar franchise, with each picture film helping to drive audiences to the next Pixar film." Which means that we should expect a Cars teaser attached to The Incredibles in holiday 2004! He went on to reveal that the studio would release "a still secret film for holiday 2006."

-- Steve Jobs Mude About Disney Deal Renewal
"We've said that we would be going to be negotiating a new deal in the coming year, that's what we're planning on doing and that's really all we're gonna be able to say about that. We are in a very strong negotiating position."

-- Disney, Pixar Aim for New Pact
Disney Chief Executive Michael Eisner and Pixar chief Steve Jobs--who have had chilly corporate relations for some time--recently dined together in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Pixar is based, and discussed hammering out a deal that would change the terms of the current partnership and extend it beyond its November 2005 expiration date, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Right now, everyone is focused on the release of Finding Nemo," said Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook. Although there is no deadline for reaching a deal, he said, "we continue to be hopeful that Pixar and Disney will be together for many years to come." Jobs was unavailable for comment. But the two CEOs appear to be more optimistic than in the past about the likelihood of striking a new arrangement. Disney is said to be putting together a proposal that it hopes would appease Jobs, who has made no secret of the fact that he is seeking to dramatically alter the terms of the current arrangement. Under their existing pact, Disney and Pixar split all production and marketing costs and share the profits. But Disney, which markets and releases the movies in theaters and on DVD that Pixar produces, winds up with more than 50% of the pie because it also collects a 12% distribution fee from Pixar. Jobs enters negotiations with enormous leverage given Pixar's perfect track record. Today, when Pixar announces its first-quarter earnings, analysts are sure to query Jobs about the status of contract talks with Disney. Last Thursday, in the Disney earnings conference call, Eisner faced similar questions. "I think it is going along well," he told analysts, "but until it is done I can't say it is for sure. But our relationship couldn't be better, and we have a mutual interest to come together--not only Disney, but Pixar. So, I'm moderately optimistic--I'm actually more optimistic than that, but I won't officially say I'm more than moderately optimistic," Eisner said. "And I think over the next six months that will become clearer."

Cool, no? I have no idea what they could do for Monsters, Imc. 2 because the story is very much completed within the first film, but knowing Pixar it'll be something great. Ans Toy Story 3...speaks for itself. Having joint control with Disney on films with a new director is a con, but oh well.

Thoughts?

[Luke]

Good to get confirmation that Nemo's coming to DVD this year.

Also good to hear they're not opposed to doing a third Toy Story film. I'm skeptical about a Monsters, Inc sequel as I think the story really stands on its own. Perfect ending.

However, Pixar has not let me down in the past and they have the advantage of having so much time to work on story since the film is in development for so many years. I don't know if the ideas for a TS3 are the ones that have been noted in the past. Hope not, as I really wasn't crazy about them.

[Maerj]

I loved everything that PIXAR has done so far, even the sequels. If they have a great idea for a sequel, thats good, but if it doesn't have that 'magic' then it is best just to move on to a new idea. Besides, I don't think guys like that really want to repeat themselves. Cool news tho!

[Jack]

Thanks for posting this. I've been wondering whats been up lately with the company, as well as their relationship with Disney.

On a side note: I hope if they do TS3, its as great as TS2.

[KinOO]

I think that for quality, we can count on Pixar's guys, they really rocks and i think that Walt himself would be proud of the studio.

[Loomis]

From the quality we've been given so far by Pixar, we have no reason to believe that any film that comes out - sequel or otherwise - will be anything less than magic.

I agree that a Monsters Inc. II would be pushing it, but I am conflicted as to whether a TS3 is needed. Yes, I'd love to see those characters back again, but I'm also keen to see what else Pixar is going to do. The few bits of underwater animation I have seen for Finding Nemo are nothing short of breathtaking, and it is always good to see them pushing forward and trying new things.

From what I have read about the Incredibles sounds like fun, and Cars has now got me interested too. I guess by 2006 we might be ready for another sequel

Great to hear that Nemo will be out on DVD this year too. Haven't seen it yet, but it is sure to be on my Xmas list...

[Sethp]

I was looking throug my ultimate toy box bonus disc; John Lasseter said that Toy Story 2 was originally intended to be direct to video... I'd really hate to se let say a a direct to video Monsters Inc. 2. Just picture it, not as good cgi, stupid story and loads of stupid slapstic humor that makes no sense a la the terrible mikes new car-short. "Our studio is building the capacity to release one great animated feature a year" that they've done, I hope they'll continue that way. Quality is always more important than quantity!

[thomasnetboy]

I was looking throug my ultimate toy box bonus disc; John Lasseter said that Toy Story 2 was originally intended to be direct to video... I'd really hate to se let say a a direct to video Monsters Inc. 2. Just picture it, not as good cgi, stupid story and loads of stupid slapstic humor that makes no sense a la the terrible mikes new car-short. "Our studio is building the capacity to release one great animated feature a year" that they've done, I hope they'll continue that way. Quality is always more important than quantity!

Agree 100%... & TS2 is one of the best sequel Disney (or should I say Pixar) has ever made... I rather wait some years to see a good-quality Monsters Inc 2...
And the latest Finding Nemo trailer on Treasure Planet is really good...

[Porce]

I don't like the idea of a Monsters Inc sequel. It's unneccesary. (Though, Mike's New Car was fun.)

[Jake Lipson]

Toy Story didn't need a sequel either. Everything was tied up by the end of the original movie. And yet Toy Story 2 was done and is an incridible picture. The same can be said for Monsters, Inc. -- if <i>Monsters, Inc. 2</i> comes to pass, I'm sure it will be nothing short of brilliant. I'm not really sure what they could do with it, but back in 1995 I wasn't sure where they could go with Toy Story either. I have complete faith in PIXAR to produce another amazing sequel if that is what they choose to do; and I also have complete faith that if they cannot come up with a good story they will not do the sequel at all.

[Eeyore]

Excellent point, Jake. And for that reason, I'd like to see more of A Bug's Life.