Disney to scrap direct-to-DVD sequels

[leahlovesdisney]

I saw this on the local news last night, so I went looking for the article this morning and found it on the Orlando Sentinel site. I haven't seen any threads for this yet, so...

ETA: Whoops...I just found a thread about this already! My bad.

LOS ANGELES - In a major strategy shift, the Walt Disney Co. said it will stop making direct-to-DVD sequels of such classic animated films as Cinderella, a move that reflects the growing influence of former Pixar Animation executives John Lasseter and Steve Jobs, who once called the films "embarrassing."

The change comes with a shake-up at the company's DisneyToon Studios, including the removal of longtime President Sharon Morrill, who will continue with the company in another capacity, Disney said Friday.

DisneyToon Studios will become part of Walt Disney Feature Animation and report directly to Animation President Ed Catmull and Lasseter, who assumed roles there after Disney bought Pixar Animation Studio last year for $7.4 billion in stock.

DisneyToon will now only produce original DVD films, including the upcoming film starring the fairy Tinkerbell. Little Mermaid III, currently in production, will be the last DVD sequel released.

Disney has been a leader in the direct-to-DVD category, selling millions of copies of such films as Lion King 1 1/2 and Bambi II.

 

[TiggerFreak]

Can anyone say "Drvie-By Disney Attack Artists?"

 

[dwaters]

Good news!

I've always thought direct-to-DVD sequels cheapen the brand and the Disney name.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

[webshark3]

Good news!

I've always thought direct-to-DVD sequels cheapen the brand and the Disney name.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Very true, but they're also VERY profitable. I wonder how long they can last (not making them).

 

[ToddS]

I was wondering how long it would take Lasseter to make this move. It's nice to finally have someone who "gets it" in charge of animation. Lasseter realizes that these cheap sequels and their easy money actually come at quite a steep price. The hit that the Disney name takes from these direct-to-video pieces of garbage is, in the long run, actually quite expensive.

 

[adabob]

Finally they get rid of those sequal

 

[Stitch 03]

Thankfully the pain will finally come to an end. I do not have a problem with direct to DVD sequels if they are well made and have a good story.

Though I have to admit that I was looking forward to another Bambi sequel. One where he visits suburbia armed to the teeth to exact his revenge. Of course you cannot have it to grim, so Flower and Thumper would enagage in hilarious hijinks to lighten the mood. It would be marketed as a First Blood/Over the Hedge combination.

 

[disney_fan1972]

I will be glad to see those direct to DVD sequels go... my DD on the other hand probably won't be. For some crazy reason she loves those more than the origional!

 

[huge mickey fan]

My thoughts are get rid of all sequels. Tell the story once and be done. There are thousands of stories out there. Find some other ones. If they can't come up with great new stories then here's my thoughts. I think it was brilliant of Disney to put movies in the vault and release every few years. So then I say release them from the vault every few years to the theater first then to DVD later. I would love to take my son to see any of the classics on the big screen. I know some theaters are doing a kids club on Saturday mornings I this would be a great forum. Even if I already own the movie, there is something about the big screen that would make me shell out money to see them. I mean really how many ways can you tell the same story? As far as the money they lose on direct to DVD sales? If the movies aren't available then there is no lost money. I guess kids would have to watch the originals and enjoy them even more!!

 

[bnlbebes]

Ever since "Return of Jafar" - was this the first subpal sequel? - I have cringed every time a direct to DVD sequel was distributed. I don't think my 5yo DS has ever seen one. They were always meant as money makers, and not done for the fun or art, imho. Thank goodness that PIXAR insited Toy Story 2 go to the theaters, because that's where decent sequels belong, at that one was more than decent.

Good riddens bad movies!

 

[rlduvall]

Remember when the original "Three Little Pigs" was so successful and everyone pushed and pushed for Walt Disney to make a sequel. He didn't want to, but he did and it didn't do near as well. His comment, paraphrased, "You can't top pigs, with more pigs."

 

[thefirebuilds]

My thoughts are get rid of all sequels. Tell the story once and be done. There are thousands of stories out there. Find some other ones. If they can't come up with great new stories then here's my thoughts. I think it was brilliant of Disney to put movies in the vault and release every few years. So then I say release them from the vault every few years to the theater first then to DVD later. I would love to take my son to see any of the classics on the big screen. I know some theaters are doing a kids club on Saturday mornings I this would be a great forum. Even if I already own the movie, there is something about the big screen that would make me shell out money to see them. I mean really how many ways can you tell the same story? As far as the money they lose on direct to DVD sales? If the movies aren't available then there is no lost money. I guess kids would have to watch the originals and enjoy them even more!!

Youd probably be surprised to see how cruddy this old stuff looks on these gigantic high def screens with their dolby surround.

 

[raidermatt]

For a couple of years they were putting them out on Imax prior to the DVD release (after cleaning them up). They did it with Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. But I guess they didn't find the box office high enough so they stopped even though they had previously announced they would continue.

Very true, but they're also VERY profitable. I wonder how long they can last (not making them).

I don't think the recent releases have been quite as profitable.

They can probably last as long as they keep turning out successful first-run releases. Hopefully Pixar's influence will help bring Disney Feature Animation's level up, and not vice-versa.

 

[EUROPACL]

They can probably last as long as they keep turning out successful first-run releases. Hopefully Pixar's influence will help bring Disney Feature Animation's level up, and not vice-versa.

This is what imdb.com has listed for Disney in production... I added the plots for less clear ones..if they had one listed.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2009) ... Production Company
Rapunzel (2009) ... Production Company
Fraggle Rock: The Movie (2009) ... Production Company
The Princess and the Frog (2009) ... Production Company

Bedtime Stories (2008) ... Production Company
[The life of a busy architect takes a crazy turn when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to come true.]

Bolt (2008) ... Production Company
[From the creator of Lilo & Stitch comes the charmingly twisted story of a canine TV star who finds himself stranded in the most forsaken hundred miles of the Nevada with an oversize bunny and a testy cat. ]

South of the Border (2008) ... Production Company
[While on vacation in Mexico, Chloe, a ritzy Beverly Hills chihuahua, finds herself lost and in need of assistance in order to get back home.]

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) ... Production Company
College Road Trip (2008) ... Production Company

Gnomeo and Juliet (2008) ... Production Company
[A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes.]

High School Musical 3 (2008) ... Production Company

Old Dogs (2008) ... Production Company
[Two friends and business partners find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead to them being placed in the care of 7-year-old twins]

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) ... Production Company

Enchanted (2007) ... Production Company
[A classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City in a story about a fairytale princess (Amy Adams) from the past who is thrust into present-day by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon). Soon after her arrival, Princess Giselle begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer (Patrick Dempsey). Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?]

The Game Plan (2007) ... Production Company
High School Musical 2 (2007) (TV) ... Production Company
Underdog (2007) ... Production Company

There may be others in the pipe too...like the rumored Lone Ranger movie, Wall-E and the remake of A Christmas Carol.

 

[MJMcBride]

I'm surprised by this. I thought these were basically cash cows for the company. They'll probably go back to them at some point. I don't have a problem with them if they're done right, which most weren't. Frankly, the direct to DVD sequels for Alladin were pretty good and certainly better than the most recent feature animation

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Great News !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wick]

Remember when the original "Three Little Pigs" was so successful and everyone pushed and pushed for Walt Disney to make a sequel. He didn't want to, but he did and it didn't do near as well. His comment, paraphrased, "You can't top pigs, with more pigs."

Well said!

 

[raidermatt]

I'm surprised by this. I thought these were basically cash cows for the company.

I think there's a few problems.

1- I don't think they were making as much money as they used to.

2- You can only cash in big time with sequels when you have huge originals. Feature Animation hasn't been producing any huge hits for a long time now. The well was running dry.

3- While some sequels were ok, many were not. Like any poor product, they hurt the brand name and gave the line a deserved reputation for poor quality.

4- The guys running animation now simply don't believe in putting out inferior product to ride the coattails of a success. They believe focusing on quality and therefore maintaining the value of the brand will better serve you in the long run. The public will trust your brand to produce quality and will therefore give you the benefit of the doubt when you put out new products. That's why $47 million for a Pixar opening is considered a disappointment while a Disney animated opening would be thrilled to even sniff that number.



Bottom line, it's a great decision. The sequels diluted the brand and the capital can be better invested elsewhere.

 

[webshark3]

2- You can only cash in big time with sequels when you have huge originals. Feature Animation hasn't been producing any huge hits for a long time now. The well was running dry.

Actually, Futurama was considered a primetime flop. Other than a small cult audience, it didn't work. But they did decide to make direct-to-dvd movies because it would be possible for the cult audience. Family Guy thought about the same prior to getting renewed.

You don't need a big hit to profit off direct-to-dvd movies. On the contrary, it's a way to make money off an original flop.

 

[YoHo]

Both those shows have significant followings on Cartoon Network and Neither is really making big bucks in DVD sales.
Further, being a prime time flop doesn't really have anything to do with quality. Witness Firefly. AND, a serialzed Television show is vastly different from a feature length movie.