Henry Selick's The Shadow King

Neal · Post by **Neal** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:50 pm

For unexplained reasons, Henry Selick, esteemed director of "The Nightmare before Christmas" and "Coraline" has left LAIKA.

They had some interesting projects in the works. I feel as if they could be hurt without his input.

Where should he go now? He very much appreciates the amount of attention Disney still gives Nightmare. I believe he should join Disney. I'd love to see some Disney stop-motion films.

Disney has CGI, motion-capture, and traditional animation. Plus they get an anime fix from the Ghibli contract. I think that Disney is trying to expand its animation reach - apparent by the recent "Disney Double Dare You" initiative.

I don't know if Disney would ever start a new division, or perhaps pair Selick up with del Toro, but I believe he is a talent who should not be lost to another studio.

Anyone agree?

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:02 pm

I'd actually like to see him form his own studio... I think Disney could benefit from him, but I think I'd like to see his own vision completely uncompromised for a while first.

Neal · Post by **Neal** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:08 pm

That's true, but it might be a good combo for him and Burton to get back together for "Frankenweenie."

Mickeyfan1990 · Post by **Mickeyfan1990** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:34 am

Variety is reporting that Henry Selick is returning to Disney! I'm pretty sure this is not an April Fools joke. See for yourself.:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111801 ... id=13&cs=1

Giygas · Post by **Giygas** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:50 am

You sure? Seems kinda random.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:10 am

His company is doing Frankenweenie, so it's possible.

Duckburger · Post by **Duckburger** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:31 am

I read this too, and I can reassure you that Variety is no joke and doesn't post jokes. Plus, it's not that random - he did leave Laika a few months ago.

Anyways, this news is amazing. Stop-motion is amazing. John Lasseter is amazing. Stop-motion is amazing. Henry Sellick is amazing. Stop-motion is amazing. *does happy dance*

I'm done now...

Stop-motion is amazing.

Neal · Post by **Neal** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:03 pm

Henry Selick returns to Disney

I got my wish!

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:15 pm

Neal wrote:Henry Selick returns to Disney

I got my wish!

If Disney makes the decision to actually utilize Selick (personally, I didn't like Coraline, but he obviously has something going for him), as well as Pixar's CGI and their own traditionally animated features, the diversity of the products might just bring us to the light at the end of the tunnel that has been Disney lately.

Duckburger · Post by **Duckburger** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:16 pm

I wonder if Sellick wil also be involved with that newly found studio 'Disney Double Dare You', aside from his own projects of course. That would be even more amazing, if that's even possible.

KennethE · Post by **KennethE** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:51 pm

I am very concerned by this bit of news...

Why would Selick abandon Laika to join Disney, the company who recently eliminated Zemeckis from the picture and shut down Imagemovers? Wouldn't he realize that the same fate might befall him too, judging by Coraline's low box office intake and Disney's picky definition of a "hit," (in direct reference to Christmas Carol and Princess and the Frog.)

I guess he's returning to Disney for old time's sake, to reminisce over the good old "Nightmare before Christmas" days.

With this aside, does anybody know if Selick's short film "Moon Girl" is available on DVD?

DisneyJedi · Post by **DisneyJedi** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:59 pm

KennethE wrote: Why would Selick abandon Laika to join Disney, the company who recently eliminated Zemeckis from the picture and shut down Imagemovers? Wouldn't he realize that the same fate might befall him too, judging by Coraline's low box office intake and Disney's picky definition of a "hit," (in direct reference to Christmas Carol and Princess and the Frog.)

Coraline? Having a low box office intake? You're kidding me, right?

That movie earned about $75 million domestically and $120 million worldwide.

KennethE · Post by **KennethE** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:56 am

DisneyJedi wrote: Coraline? Having a low box office intake? You're kidding me, right? That movie earned about $75 million domestically and $120 million worldwide.

This is Disney we're talking about, remember? The same studio that changed "Rapunzel" to "Tangled" because "The Princess and the Frog" made a "disappointing" 100 million. Compared to many toons these days (UP, Kung Fu Panda, etc...) 75 million isn't THAT much.

ajmrowland · Post by **ajmrowland** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:22 pm

But on a budget of $60 million, it's far from being called a "flop".

Neal · Post by **Neal** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:27 pm

Yeah, budget vs. income must always be considered - not just income.

KennethE · Post by **KennethE** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:27 pm

True. True. Even though I didn't call it a "flop" it still doesn't seem like it made a whole lot.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:57 pm

Somehow, I think Aardman would have been the best match. But I wish him well at Disney.

Avaitor · Post by **Avaitor** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 3:44 pm

Coraline also didn't have as strong of an advertisement pull as Up or Princess and the Frog did. For a movie with less-than-average advertising and not as big of a name as Disney or Pixar attached, Coraline did good business, so Disney should be pleased to have Selick return. Not to mention that Nightmare Before Christmas still makes Disney a lot of money.

PatrickvD · Post by **PatrickvD** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:11 am

KennethE wrote:I am very concerned by this bit of news...

Why would Selick abandon Laika to join Disney, the company who recently eliminated Zemeckis from the picture and shut down Imagemovers? Wouldn't he realize that the same fate might befall him too, judging by Coraline's low box office intake and Disney's picky definition of a "hit," (in direct reference to Christmas Carol and Princess and the Frog.)

I guess he's returning to Disney for old time's sake, to reminisce over the good old "Nightmare before Christmas" days.

With this aside, does anybody know if Selick's short film "Moon Girl" is available on DVD?

you're mixing things up. Zemeckis made a deal with Disney. Selick on the other hand made a deal a with Disney/Pixar...

Lasseter and co wanted no part in Zemeckis' stop motion business.

REINIER · Post by **REINIER** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:32 am

I think this is one director that I would definitely want to see at Disney.

This company is in great need of some new artistic input, he's just the man to do it

He's got a great sense of story and a keen eye for wat does and doesn't work in animation.

I'd love to see him pair up with Burton on that already announced
Addam's Family stop-motion project...

It seems almost inevitable for them to work together.
It's rather strange to consider two different disney-directors handle other stopmotion material whilst working at the same company.

Then again, it is Disney

I do think that their joined forces could get us even better movies than if they would handle movies seperately, but I might be wrong

DVDizzy Forum

Latest Movie Reviews

🎬 DVDizzy Top Stories️️

Henry Selick's The Shadow King

Henry Selick's The Shadow King

Henry Selick returns to Disney? (No joke!)