Disney Pixar Reconciliation?

[Sarangel]

It seemed inconceivable four months ago, yet Disney and Pixar's top executives may be heading back to the negotiating table to renew one of the most lucrative partnerships in Hollywood history.
Ever since the two companies teamed up to release Toy Story in 1995, Pixar's feature-length gems have gone on to sell more than $2.5bn (£1.3bn) in tickets worldwide.

Disney's distribution expertise and Pixar's animation brilliance forged a potent alliance, yet the relationship soured early last year when Pixar demanded a greater return for their efforts.

Under the terms of the deal - which will continue until the release of Cars in summer 2006 - Disney stumps up half of the production costs in return for half of the revenues as well as a hefty 12.5% distribution fee.
Talks between Pixar chief Steve Jobs and Disney's then boss, Michael Eisner, deteriorated so much that four months ago both sides publicly criticised the quality of each other's animation.

However Jobs sounded a more positive note during a conference call with investors this week as the company announced triple profits from last year, reporting first quarter revenues of $161m (£84.8m), largely due to recent smash The Incredibles.

"I've been getting to know [Robert Iger] a little bit, and he seems like a terrific guy," Pixar told reporters. "If they come wanting to strike a new deal, we'll see how things go."

His words echoed conciliatory remarks by Disney studio chief Dick Cook last month, who told The Times that he wanted to see a deal renewal.

Every studio in Hollywood has been chasing Pixar since the partners' private misgivings were made public. Jobs said he expected to announce a distribution partner before the end of the year.

Maybe Iger wasn't such a bad choice...

I suppose only time will tell.

Sarangel

 

[YoHo]

In this instance, it's probably not so much that Iger is a good choice as much as he's NOT Eisner.