Announced this morning.
With the head of the video game unit leaving just a few weeks ago, that pretty much completes the makeover of Disney Interactive Media Group.
DIMG hasn't turned a profit for years and I can't imagine that will change anytime soon.
17 December 2010
Just Kidding - Tron Tracking at $40 Million?
Like I said yesterday, pre-release tracking is useless.
I think Disney would be okay with anything above $50 million.
I think Disney would be okay with anything above $50 million.
16 December 2010
The Hollywood Reporter: Family-friendly Films Faltering on DVD
Greenfield's latest analysis also makes the case that Disney/Pixar is seeing "underwhelming" sales of Toy Story 3. Home video sales are "tracking above last year's Up but not by the amount we would have expected," he said.Anecdotally, I used to buy a lot of DVDs but since I started Netflix a few years ago I haven't purchased a single one.
What are movie studios that have become dependent on home video revenue going to do now?
Tron Tracking at $60 Million Opening Weekend
ABCNews:
Disney's "Tron: Legacy" has the most going for it, including a great release date, cult appeal and of course the IMAX and 3-D components. So a No. 1 debut approaching an impressive $60 million is virtually assured for this long-awaited followup to the 1982 original.Tracking can be wildly off, but Disney would be very happy with $60 million.
15 December 2010
Walt Disney Died 44 Years Ago Today
A copy of the New York Times' obituary that ran 16 December 1966.
Progress City, U.S.A.: Neverworlds - Disney's Vacation Club and Resort at Eagle Pines
It’s almost hard to conceive of a time that Michael Eisner elected not to build a Disney Vacation Club resort, but that’s just what happened in 2001 when Disney’s Vacation Club And Resort At Eagle Pines was announced only to slowly vanish into the mists of history afterward.
14 December 2010
Confirmed: Jon Favreau Won't Helm Iron Man 3
Deadline.com:
It'll be interesting to see who they get to direct. I wonder if Favreau will still reprise his role as Tony Stark's buddy Happy Hogan.
Favreau just wrapped Cowboys & Aliens and is about to embark on Disney's Magic Kingdom and "is excited about the opportunity to go do his own thing" while Kevin Feige as the ultimate custodian of Marvel's Iron Man franchise "sees it as an opportunity to bring some more fire to the franchise". Favreau is still on board to exec produce The Avengers which Joss Whedon is directing.With Iron Man 3 and Magic Kingdom both planned for a 2013 release, there was no way he could do both. There were rumors that the rushed production of Iron Man 2 really soured his relationship with Marvel. We're seeing the fruits of that now.
It'll be interesting to see who they get to direct. I wonder if Favreau will still reprise his role as Tony Stark's buddy Happy Hogan.
Rob Marshall on Directing Pirates 4
The Los Angeles Times' Hero Complex blog had a chance to interview Rob Marshall yesterday:
The reason I did this movie was to work with Johnny. That’s the real reason and there’s all these wonderful rewards along the way. But that was the main reason. I think he’s a brilliant actor and I came to find what an extraordinary person he is — a genuine, kind, elegant gentlemen; he’s funny and just fantastic. Also, for me, I always wanted to make an adventure. I was a fan of the “Pirates” series as well. I was always in line for them. Maybe because I come from choreography, I’ve always felt that there’s something about action films that made it very natural for me to go that way. It’s story through movement. I felt very at home doing action. So it was thrilling to step into that world.Rob Marshall is an fascinating choice to helm such an expensive blockbuster action film. Disney is clearly happy with what they have and honestly a fresh set of eyes will probably help the film regain some of freshness the last entry was lacking.
13 December 2010
Garbage Article from LA Times Funland Blog
Nothing but outdated, ill-informed and incorrect information regarding plans for Phase 2 expansion of Disney California Adventure.
The simple truth is that if the Little Mermaid and Cars Land continue the Park's upward swing in attendance, guest spending and guest satisfaction, there is little impetus for Burbank to approve another billion dollar expansion.
If Phase 1 is deemed successful, future projects can proceed at a more regular pace. If a steady stream of spending guests are visiting the Park, then they must be happy with the offerings. That's the major win Disney is hoping for. If guests are happy with Disney California Adventure, then there's little need to spend exorbitantly on it.
In that case, it's not that the Phase 2 projects will never be built, but that they'll happen one at a time over a decade or so.
But what if, for some reason, the current expansion is deemed a failure?
At that point, you can't expect Disney to pump more money into the Park either. If expensive, high quality additions aren't enough to turn around California Adventure's fortunes, why would they throw more money at it and hope that will solve the problem?
I do think after 2012 there will be changes to Hollywood Pictures Backlot. And if attendance at the Park strains operations, there may be a push to add a few more attractions in one swoop. But another expansion plan as aggressive as Phase 1?
No way.
The simple truth is that if the Little Mermaid and Cars Land continue the Park's upward swing in attendance, guest spending and guest satisfaction, there is little impetus for Burbank to approve another billion dollar expansion.
If Phase 1 is deemed successful, future projects can proceed at a more regular pace. If a steady stream of spending guests are visiting the Park, then they must be happy with the offerings. That's the major win Disney is hoping for. If guests are happy with Disney California Adventure, then there's little need to spend exorbitantly on it.
In that case, it's not that the Phase 2 projects will never be built, but that they'll happen one at a time over a decade or so.
But what if, for some reason, the current expansion is deemed a failure?
At that point, you can't expect Disney to pump more money into the Park either. If expensive, high quality additions aren't enough to turn around California Adventure's fortunes, why would they throw more money at it and hope that will solve the problem?
I do think after 2012 there will be changes to Hollywood Pictures Backlot. And if attendance at the Park strains operations, there may be a push to add a few more attractions in one swoop. But another expansion plan as aggressive as Phase 1?
No way.
First Trailer - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
I hated At World's End, but I have to admit this looks fun.
10 December 2010
Yesterland: The Casablanca Plane Myth - Not A Myth After All?
Impressive detective work by Werner Weiss.
I don't think we'll ever have a definitive answer, but this makes sense.
I don't think we'll ever have a definitive answer, but this makes sense.
First Thor Trailer
What an odd duck of a movie.
The trailer isn't very good, but I'm still enthusiastic about the finished film.
The 3D conversion is worrisome, though. The early work shown at Comic-Con San Diego back in July was pretty terrible.
The trailer isn't very good, but I'm still enthusiastic about the finished film.
The 3D conversion is worrisome, though. The early work shown at Comic-Con San Diego back in July was pretty terrible.
Disney's Tangled Passes $100 Million in Domestic Box Office Receipts
Tangled's performance so far has been good, but it will be tested this weekend when the new Chronicles of Narnia film opens and jockeys for 3D screens.
Tangled has a listed production budget of $260 million, which is pretty ridiculous. That means it has to make about $500 million dollars to break even.
Tangled has a listed production budget of $260 million, which is pretty ridiculous. That means it has to make about $500 million dollars to break even.
Gummi Bear 25th Anniversary Web Reuinion
Tomorrow, 11 December 2010, from 5-7 PM PST.
Jymn Magon:
I can't believe it's been 25 years.
Jymn Magon:
As part of my “Restless Nights and Disney Afternoons” category, I am presenting my first live interview webinar – and this one is a doozy. It’s a reunion of the talented folks who helped create “Disney’s Adventures of THE GUMMI BEARS.” A 2-hour LIVE web event, featuring interviews plus unseen Gummi materials (photos, sketches, etc.)Registration is $20 and limited to 50 participants.
I can't believe it's been 25 years.
Mickey's Toontown Fair Closes 11 Feb
To be honest, I wasn't sure they were ever going to close Mickey's Toontown Fair.
The area will become almost like a Dumbo mini-land, so it will be interesting to see how much of the tent structures are demolished or changed. My hope is that it will all be torn down, but it will not surprise me to see some remain.
09 December 2010
CALIFORNIA Letters to be Removed Starting 04 Jan, Buena Vista Street Construction to Begin in Earnest
I have heard the letters will be used somewhere in Southern California, outside of the Disneyland Resort.
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