And from the other side of the Pixar/Disney Deal

[ProfGoofy]

Pixar's Jobs 'Flexible' on New Disney Deal

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pixar Animation Studios Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs (news - web sites) on Monday left open the door for a new film distribution deal with Walt Disney Co., following an overture from Disney last week, but said no such talks had begun between the two sides.

Asked in an interview on CNBC whether he would rethink a deal with Disney if there were management changes, Jobs said he was open to the possibility. Jobs cut off talks with Disney in January and has clashed with its chief executive, Michael Eisner, in the past.

"We try to stay flexible, we're willing to rethink anything. But so far our phone hasn't rung with any new thoughts from anybody," Jobs said.

Disney and Pixar have produced a string of computer animated hits, from "Toy Story" to "Finding Nemo," and their last collaboration, "Cars," is set for release next year.

"In 2006 we will likely be distributing films with another partner. We're in the process of getting to know the other studios in Hollywood and they're being very gracious," Jobs said.

Eisner said on June 2 that he thought there was still a chance for a new Pixar deal, although he also said there were no talks between the companies.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... at any cost" debate, but I wonder why one of the other potential distributors didn't jump at the terms Jobs was offering ? I've only taken a mild interest in following Pixar's search for a new distributor, but it seems as though no one is will to jump on the deal Job's was offering to Disney.

Anyone else have more info on negotiations with other distributors ?

 

[DancingBear]

I believe the reports have been that other distributors are interested, but Jobs has yet to commence serious talks with any of them, further fueling the speculation that he really wants to work things out with Disney.

 

[YoHo]

Originally posted by DancingBear
I believe the reports have been that other distributors are interested, but Jobs has yet to commence serious talks with any of them, further fueling the speculation that he really wants to work things out with Disney.

This is what I had heard as well. It isn't that nobody else is willing to meet Job's demands.

I suspect that there is more intrigue with Roy and others going on here.

 

[dcentity2000]

Betcha ten pounds Jobs wants Eisner to be the first to blink

Steve jobs bought out a $400 MP3 player with no real past in music products... now he's captured 55% of the market.

Jobs introduced online music stores selling MP3s at 99 cents each when people could download them for free... now he's sold over 70 million, accounting for over 70% of the market share.

The man is smart people. He wants something...



Rich::

 

[KMovies]

The other studios were interested because they didn't have anything to lose. Pixar wanted to add "Incredibles" and "Cars" to the deal - and that was probably the deal breaker. The other studios wouldn't lose on such a deal.

 

[raidermatt]

Also, its not as simple as just taking the terms offered to Disney and offering them to somebody else. Many wouldn't apply, or would need to be substantially altered.

I think in a perfect world, Jobs would like to ink a deal now, because he's got pretty good leverage based on the Pixar releases so far. Yeah, it could get even better if the next two films are big hits, but that is somewhat of an unknown.

But with Eisner running Disney, its not a perfect world (for him).

Ultimately, he would probably like to stay with Disney, but only with new management or a capitulating Eisner. Einser's contract doesn't run out until 2006, but the future of Disney's management may get worked out before then, and that might be what Jobs is waiting for.

He probably thinks the odds of getting more of what he wants are better if he waits than if he tries to get something done now. The only way I see that coming back to haunt him is if The Incredibles disappoints. I think he has confidence in his product, and therefore is willing to take that risk.

(Of course if he inks a deal with somebody in the next few months, everything I said goes out the window...)

 

[raidermatt]

Another thought is that if Disney continues to struggle at the box office this year, the pressure on Eisner to make the Pixar thing work will increase.