Disney Interactive Implements Mass Layoffs

And the other shoe drops.

Joystiq:

Beyond Disney Interactive's layoffs today at Junction Point and last week's closure of Propaganda Games, sources tell Joystiq that the division's job cuts go much deeper. We've been informed in this "first round" of layoffs that 250 people have been let go.

Numerous attempts to obtain an official statement from Disney have gone unanswered. There is currently no word on the overall status of Split/Second developer Black Rock Studios nor Warren Spector's Junction Point, which recently released Disney Epic Mickey, a title we've been told has not sold as well as expected. Sources also tell us that the fate of Spector could be separate from that of the studio.

Academy Award Winning Editor Walter Murch on Why 3D Doesn't Work (and Never Will)

Editor of Apocalypse Now, The English Patient, Cold Mountain and many others.

Disney fans will recognize his work as the editor of Captain EO.

Tron 3 Teaser Information?

The rumors are growing louder that Tron 3 is being prepped for the greenlight and that Disney is attaching a teaser for the sequel to Tron: Legacy's DVD and Blu-Ray release.

Once again, Ain't It Cool News has details on what this teaser includes:

One includes Bruce Boxleitner (as Alan) and Dan Shor (as Ram). Turns out that "Ram" was apparently running the FLYNN LIVES campaign and he's frantically destroying all of that data and files, as Alan confronts him. Dan apparently utters the line, "Why did Kevin give you the cool name" - which means to my way of thinking that after Flynn came out of the Grid, he sought out the human soul of Ram and befriended him and started calling him RAM - you know - some geek that wrote that Actuarial Program that helped people plan for the future. I sorta love that. And love that the kindness Flynn showed this lowly geek, apparently created a gung ho champion for the life and memory of Kevin Flynn. 

Another has Quora showing up to ENCOM and getting acousted by the press because she's riding Sam's Ducati - and states that she just spoke with Kevin Flynn, yesterday! 

The last scene that was shot in this mini-shoot involved text screens where you see the Father & Son... The Dillingers stating that everything is going as planned.

Of course, all of this was filmed before Tron: Legacy was released to lukewarm returns in December.

With unremarkable box office and poor merchandise sales, does it even make sense for Disney to pursue Tron as a franchise? Much less an expensive film sequel?

CHUD's indelible Damon Houx makes the point perfectly:

...It’s just that it doesn’t seem like good business sense. The Hangover getting a sequel is stupid, but I get it, the first film made a lot of money, and it would be nearly impossible for a Hangover sequel not to make at least $150 Million domestic, which should – hopefully – make the film profitable. Tron Legacy has no such goodwill, and ultimately you’re going to have to sell the audience you cracked the narrative with the next film. You’ve essentially killed off Jeff Bridges, and since the sequel has to take place on the grid… But not just on a story level, these numbers don’t suggest enthusiasm, and it’s like you’re throwing more money at New Coke. This seems like a bad business decision, so that’s why I don’t get it. Ultimately, maybe they’ll fix the problems (doubtful as they didn’t with the second film), and it’s not like if they don’t make this some masterpiece will happen, but still, it seems like something that should be let go.

I'm just guessing, but even if the footage shows up on the Tron: Legacy home video release they may just tout it as "bonus content" or a "never before seen bonus ending" and not as a teaser for a third film.

But, who knows, maybe Rich Ross will keep throwing good money after bad.

Universal Hands out Bonuses Following Harry Potter Success

The Orlando Sentinel:

"Thousands of team members across all areas of our destination received bonuses today [Thursday] — from back-of-house team members to those in direct contact with our guests," Universal spokeswoman Alyson Lundell said.

Disney would rather drop dead then hand out cash bonuses to front of the line Cast Members. Could you imagine?

Behind the Scenes at The Little Mermaid Attraction

Video from the Official Disney Parks Blog.

Only four more months!

THR: Robert Downey Jr. Out of Oz, Johnny Depp to Take Over?

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog:

Robert Downey Jr. has fallen out of Oz, the Great and Powerful, Disney’s prequel-ish take on The Wizard of Oz tale, and the studio is in discussions with Johnny Depp to step into the great wizard’s robe...

The question with Depp, who has a close relationship with the studio after starring in its Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and last year’s Alice in Wonderland, will be whether the timing works out.

Depp shoots Dark Shadows for Tim Burton in the spring as is also inked to play Tonto in Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer's The Lone Ranger.

Disney clearly would love for Depp to do both, but if he commits to Oz, that pushes Ranger back. Can the other talent involved in Ranger wait that long?

Disney Closes Propaganda Games

The LA Times Company Town blog:

Disney Interactive Studios has closed its Vancouver, Canada-based game development studio Propaganda Games, representing another in a series of shake-ups since John Pleasants was installed last fall as head of the games group.

Propaganda recently completed work on Tron: Evolution, a console game that explores events leading up to the conflict in the film "Tron: Legacy." Even though it featured voice talent from the film, sales have been weak. Disney has sold only 190,755 copies, according to NPD Group.

Last October Propaganda Games' other big project, Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned, was cancelled and the team working on it was let go.

I'm sure everyone at Junction Point is breathing a huge sigh of relief that Epic Mickey has been selling so well.

John Carter of Mars Moved From June to March 2012

March was good to Disney's Alice in Wonderland last year. They also moved Tim Burton's Frankenweenie to October.

Deadline.com:

Disney's 3D John Carter Of Mars based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' fantasy series comes off its June 8th, 2012, date and onto March 9, 2012. Disney also moved its Tim Burton-directed Frankenweenie based on his student film about a kid who reanimates his dog after it was run over down to October 5th, 2012, from March 9th, 2012.

Of course, Ridley Scott's Prometheus is also scheduled for 09 March 2012. It seems unlikely that Disney and Fox want two big pictures to open against each other like this. I wonder who will be the first to blink.

Hong Kong Disneyland Loss Narrows

But still lost $93 million on the year.

Bloomberg:

Walt Disney Co. narrowed the annual loss at Hong Kong Disneyland and said it expects the business to turn profitable “fairly soon” as visitor numbers rise and the park expands.

The net loss shrank to HK$720 million ($93 million) in the 12 months ended Oct. 2 from a HK$1.3 billion loss a year earlier, according to a statement distributed in Hong Kong today. Park attendance increased 13 percent to 5.2 million visitors, boosting sales 19 percent to HK$3 billion.

The theme park benefited from a 27 percent surge in arrivals from mainland China in Hong Kong last year as wealth generated in the world’s fastest-growing major economy spurred outbound tourism. New areas of the park scheduled to be completed in 2014 may lure more visitors.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Confirmed by Disney, New Artwork Released

So, tonight's conference is going to be even more boring than I anticipated?

But these plans are such a significant improvement over what was first announced in 2009. Yes, they are closing Snow White's Scary Adventures, but the new attraction sounds fantastic.

Walt Disney World Press Event Tonight

Being held for invited guests in the Philharmagic theater tonight at 6 PM, after the Magic Kingdom closes for the day.

Here's what I expect to come out of it:

1. Major discussion of the new Disney Parks ad campaign, Let the Memories Begin. 
2. Some entertainment promotions for the year, similar in scope to last year's Summer Nighttastic. I expect Lightning McQueen to feature prominently in Lights, Motors, Action! starting around Memorial Day, similar to what Paris is doing. Touting of the new up-charge safari expedition someplace here.
3. Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster finally announced for that giant hole in the new Fantasyland where they yanked out elaborate Princess meet-and-greets. It was part of the early plans, replaced to accommodate more Princesses, and then put back in place. Allegedly, it's also in the works for Shanghai.
4. "Exciting new meet and greet opportunities." No explicit mentioning that Snow White's Scary Adventures will close to accommodate them, but that information will be provided in the press materials. General rhubarb about the Fantasyland project, repeating what is already known.
5. Disney Dream, Disney Dream, Disney Dream
6. Confetti.

The order might be jumbled around, but that's roughly what I anticipate.

They may really surprise us and announce a new Disney Vacation Club resort, but I don't think we'll be hearing anything groundbreaking. No Shanghai Disneyland, no major new expansion announcements.

I can't imagine any of the senior executives from Burbank will take the stage, maybe Tom Staggs.

I would love to be proven wrong.

Designing Disney: Euro Disney Preview Center 1990-1992

On December 6, 1990, "Espace Euro Disneyland" welcomed its first guests. Here, visitors were able to marvel at beautiful concept drawings for the new Resort as well as take a good look at tiny scale models of various attractions. It featured an exhibition hall, a movie theater, a retail store and a small food facility.

The Euro Disney Preview Center was situated on the outskirts of 'Serris', a small village close to the southern border of the Euro Disney property, the county roads 231 & 406 and exit 13 of the A4 motorway. Exit 14, 'Val d'Europe, Parc Disneyland' was opened to traffic in April 1992.

An extremely exciting time to be a Disney fan in Europe.

Disney to Sell Android Phone in Japan

Electronista:

Disney took an unusual direction in Japan with word it was launching its own smartphone using Android. The phone will be a rebadging of the Sharp Galapagos 003SH and will focus mostly on its inclusion of glasses-free 3D on the 3.8-inch display. Owners will get their own Disney e-mail address, exclusive content and the option of six custom cases themed loosely around Disney characters.

It's news mainly because Apple's Steve Jobs is closely connected to the Walt Disney Company these days. But Apple doesn't license iOS, and considering that the iPhone handily outsells Android-based phones in Japan, I'm guessing he's not too worried.

Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! Premieres

It stinks!

Toy Story 3 Wins Best Animated Film Golden Globe

1. Is anyone the least bit surprised?

2. It's a Golden Globe. A meaningless award, voted on by the worst kind of fame whore slime.

NPD: Epic Mickey Sells 1.32 Million Copies in December in North America

NPD is a research firm that tracks video game sales for the industry. These numbers represent copies of the game sold to customers, not shipped to stores.

That's a phenomenal start for the game in North America. It hasn't been charting as well in the UK (which we get charts for, but not sale numbers) and Europe is more nebulous (very infrequent sales updates). The game has yet to be released in Japan.

Disney hasn't commented publicly on their expectations for the title, but I can't imagine anyone is disappointed. It has to already be one of the best selling Disney Interactive titles ever.

Hopefully if given the chance Junction Point can fix some of the game's problems in a sequel. And hopefully Disney will give them enough time to actually finish the game.

UPDATE: I have been told that Epic Mickey 2 has actually been in development now for "a while." Can anyone else confirm? CONFIRMED.

UPDATE 2: With the success of the game, I wonder if Disney will look to port it to the Playstation 3 (where it would work well with the Move controller) and the Xbox360 (which would have to use the standard controller, since I can't imagine it working well with Kinect)?

Warren Spector had mentioned before that it's something they would consider. May not be worth it though since the game is selling well enough on the Wii.

Deadline: Disney Sets Terry Rossio to Script Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Deadline.com:

Disney has closed a deal with Terry Rossio to write the fifth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. This will be the first one without Ted Elliott, his screenwriting accomplice on the first four pictures. The studio is also making moves to bring back director Rob Marshall for his second voyage on the franchise.

Johnny Depp in recent days has expressed interest in returning for a fifth film and Disney has a contract option in place (though not air tight), so unless On Stranger Tides is a complete box office disaster this seems like a no-brainer.

There were rumors a few weeks back that Disney wanted to film two sequels in tandem. Have they backed away from that idea?

WDFM: Evolution of a Duck

The Walt Disney Family Museum and Disney historian J.B. Kaufman share the early days of Donald Duck.

Tron: Legacy Sequel to be Given the Green Light?

According to Harry Knowles over at Ain't It Cool News, yes:

And this was the happy word I received today on the Grapevine of Industry Insiders. TRON LEGACY... is getting close, incredibly close to having its SEQUEL announced! 

Tron: Legacy will pass $300 million worldwide in box office by the end of the week, a solid but not fantastic number. I don't think Disney would even be considering a film sequel unless merchandise sales have been impressive.

Of course, Disney has already committed itself to the Tron franchise longterm with a Tron animated show debuting on Disney XD in the summer.

The first film was expensive to produce at $150 million, but that's not an unreasonably figure for a effects laden, blockbuster film today. I wonder if they'll try to bring it in lower for a sequel.

Disney Has Concerns With Proposed Conditions on NBC - Comcast Merger

The LA Times Company Town blog:

Fox's letter to Disney does not go into great detail of what the media giant -- whose holdings include ABC, cable networks ESPN, Disney Channel and ABC Family as well as Disney Studios -- is worried about, but its filing is sure to raise eyebrows. Up until now, Disney had kept very quiet about the Comcast - NBC Universal deal. Fox's letter said the company was concerned about conditions "that may be dependent on or that would affect the marketplace negotiations of independent third-parties." Fox could not immediately be reached for comment.

2010 Hong Kong Disneyland Attendance Reportedly Hits 5.2 Million

That's a significant 13% increase over the previous year, but remember that the Park was supposed to be drawing that many visitors from year one.

Hopefully the three new lands opening over the next three years, starting with Toy Story Playland in late summer, will help boost attendance significantly.

Wild Africa Trek Adventures Begin Sunday at Disney Animal Kingdom

Official Disney Parks Blog:

Wild Africa Trek will be offered several times daily and group sizes for this unique experience will kept small – no more than 12 trekkers. By limiting the group size, the Wild Africa Trek offers a personalized, VIP feel for guests.

Anyone know the cost per person?

Zap2It: Should the Disney Channel Feature Gay Characters?

"We leave it up to our audience to interpret who these characters are and how they relate to them," [Disney Channel Worldwide President Gary] Marsh tells AfterElton, noting that while characters may not be clearly identified as gay, viewers are free to interpret them that way. According to Marsh, the channel is trying to "create a diverse cross section of characters on television that kids can have different access points and entry points to connect with."

Marsh has said, "We don't deal with sexuality on the Disney Channel in general. That's just sort of not where our audience's head's at. They're really a pre-sexual audience, for the most part, and so sexuality is not how we look to tell any kind of stories."

But while straight characters have gone out on dates and shared kisses on the channel, there hasn't been an equivalent for gay characters. "I don't know where the series or the Disney Channel or the world might evolve to in that regard. But I don't see it has some sort of second class," Marsh says.

I can understand why there are no openly gay characters on the Disney Channel, but I don't think it's a great policy.

I do think it's only a matter of time, though.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet-and-Greet at Disney Village

Not dated, but it has to be from around Euro Disney's opening in 1992.

Bonus: Zorro in Frontierland.

Cartoon Brew: Mobil Ads by Ward Kimball

Amid Amidi:

For nearly thirty years, animation legend Ward Kimball contributed a cartoon page called “Asinine Alley” to the bi-monthly magazine Horseless Carriage Gazette, which was a specialized magazine geared towards collectors of vintage automobiles. For a few issues, he also created ads for Mobil, and someone on has been posting them on-line.

I read an interview with Ward once in which he described how Walt Disney became angry when he saw these ads displayed at a studio show, and told Ward that he couldn’t do them anymore. Ward said he was never paid for the ads and was making them as a favor to the magazine, but nevertheless, he stopped. The last one was created in 1960.

Disney Store Announces New & Remodeled Locations for 2011

They're expanding fairly aggressively into new markets, but leaving a number of older stores without a remodel.

Broadway-Bound Aladdin Musical Slated for Out-of-Town Tryouts in Seattle This Summer

Here's hoping it retains nothing from the insufferable California Adventure show.

December 1935

The official Disney Twitter:

Mickey Mouse was the first image sent by telegraph wire in the United States, on the New York to Buffalo line.

Cartoon Brew: Jeffrey Katzenberg Defends 3-D... Again

Amid Amidi:

It must be tough work maintaining the facade that 3-D is the savior of theaters, when in fact, 3-D has done absolutely nothing to renew interest amongst moviegoers in the United States nor has it substantially boosted box office grosses.

Cars Retheme Being Considered for Test Track?

There are rumors that while Disney is looking for a new corporate sponsor for the Epcot attraction, they are also looking to incorporate characters from the Cars films.

Basically, placing the characters into the already existing show scenes.

Just a rumor at this point...

(via Twitter user AnotherVoiceDIS)

Star Tours Re-Opening Dates Leaked?

10 May 2011 for Disneyland and 17 May 2011 for Disney Hollywood Studios?

The dates are plausible, but not set in stone this early.

But you know Disneyland wants Star Tours and The Little Mermaid at California Adventure open by Memorial Day.

Snow White Story Meeting Steno Notes

Michael Sporn Animation:

Here are the steno notes of a story meeting on Snow White’s dwarves. I’m sure this has been printed somewhere or posted on someone else’s blog, but I don’I kniow where. So I’ve decided to post it “again” (in case someone else has it out there). I’ve added some drawings of the dwarves to color the post.

Fascinating.

Epic Mickey Endings

Jerry Beck writing on Cartoon Brew:

As someone with no intention to ever play the game, I think as a Disney fan this material should be archived here for future reference. Here’s both the “good” ending and the alternate “bad” ending to the game. It’s full of spoilers, but has some great Oswald scenes.

I just finished playing the game last week. Seeing how they incorporated disparate parts of Disney history into the game was fascinating and I really enjoyed the design and story.

The gameplay was the weakest aspect of the game. And the camera is, as reported elsewhere, pretty horrendous at times.

Still, it's a great game for Disney fans.

Oriental Land Refutes Shanghai Park Stories

People's Daily Online:

"We have approached neither Walt Disney Co nor the Shanghai municipal government about jointly running the Shanghai Disneyland theme park," Hiroshi Suzuki, director of public relations at the leisure and tourism company, told China Daily on Thursday, adding that "media reports are not true".

I suspected it might not be true, as the Chinese and Japanese can be antagonistic at times. I can't imagine the Chinese government welcoming a Japanese company running their flagship tourism initiative.

Bullshit Alert: Disney to Open Theme Park in Israel by 2013?

The Jewish Chronicle Online:

The Walt Disney Company, which has amusement parks in the US, France and Hong Kong, is planning to open another in Haifa in 2013.

The park, which will cover 20 acres of land near the Carmel Tunnel, will be home to a 25-screen cinema complex, shops and other entertainment facilities.

The project is expected to cost more than £107 million.

20 acres?  £107 million? It's all bullshit.

Shanghai Daily: Major Shanghai Disneyland Construction to Begin by May

Large-scale construction of the Shanghai Disneyland project could start as early as May with work on two major roads leading to the future theme park due to be completed in April, officials said yesterday.

If they still plan on opening by 2015, they'd need to begin fairly soon.

Monsters Inc 2 a Prequel?

Reelz Channel:

According to rumors, the prequel will focus on the story of Mike and Sulley's time at University of Fear, and how they started off as enemies but soon became friends. The source of the rumor comes from a 2011/2011 catalog Disney gave to theater owners.

First reported on French Disney fan forums Disney Central Plaza.

Al Lutz: Perennial Passholders

New Disneyland update from MiceAge editor Al Lutz.

And Now The Fun Begins...

The CALIFORNIA letters have been walled off and guests are being directed around the walls.

You can see how building Buena Vista Street and the new turnstile is going to be a traffic nightmare.

(via Twitter user MacDaddyUpdates)

New So Cal Ticket Deal

It's not the old "2fer" deal, and it's $99 ($23 more expensive).

OC Register's Around Disney blog:

In recent years, Disney sold two-for-one park tickets to Southern California residents at the start of the year, roughly January to May, when attendance is down. Last year’s deal cost $72.

The new Southern California tickets do give more flexibility than the previous ones.

The old two-for-one deal required guests to go to one park on one day and the second park on another day. Both trips had to occur within 30 days of each other.

This year’s ticket can be used at either park — two visits at one park or one visit at each park. The two trips can happen any time between now and May 14.

Still a great deal, and hopefully it will help with some of the crowding problems the old "2fer" ticket used to cause.