Dreamworks Backs off of Disney/Pixar Release Date

[CWIPPERMAN]

Disney Out-"Sharks" DreamWorks
Mon Aug 18, 2:45 PM ET

By Marcus Errico

DreamWorks just blinked.

What was shaping up as a high-stakes game of chicken between two computer-animated would-be hits--the studio's mob-themed underwater effort Sharkslayer and rival Disney-Pixar's latest, The Incredibles--has quietly fizzled out now that DreamWorks has moved the release date for its film.

Instead of debuting on November 5, 2004 and going head to head with The Incredibles, Sharkslayer will surface a month earlier, on October 1.

DreamWorks initially threw down the gauntlet in the clash of the 'toon titans way back in June 2002, claiming a release date of November 5, 2004 for Sharkslayer, whose voice talent includes Will Smith, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Ren Zellweger and Angelina Jolie, among others.

The studio's staking out of the November date was seen as a slap at Disney, which has traditionally released its Pixar pictures that month (see Toy Story 1 & 2, Monsters, Inc. and had The Incredibles, a comedy about a family of superheroes directed by Brad Bird (The Simpsons, The Iron Giant) in the hopper for an unspecified "holiday 2004" release.

But two months ago, Disney--which has been engaged in a pissing match with DreamWorks ever since the acrimonious exit of Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of DreamWorks' principals--kicked up the brinkmanship factor, announcing that Sharkslayer or no, The Incredibles would also open on November 5.

Considering Disney-Pixar's hit-making track record--their latest collaboration, Finding Nemo, is now the highest-grossing 'toon of all time--DreamWorks decided to step aside.

The trouble was finding a spot. Aside from The Incredibles in November, Warner Bros. is releasing Polar Express, a CGI version of the popular kiddie's book starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis, and Paramount will launch another seaworthy 'toon, the big-screen debut of the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants. DreamWorks decided to avoid all the cartoon clutter and head to October.

"After looking long and hard at next year's holiday season, the unbelievably crowded marketplace in November of family films was not the best place for the movie," DreamWorks marketing boss Terry Press tells Daily Variety.

"We believe in the movie, and we believe it can play well and dominate October," Press adds. "If you have the material, there's no specific season anymore for an event film."

DreamWorks says it hopes Sharkslayer could launch a franchise, as the studio is trying to do with Shrek, whose sequel also will bow in 2004.

First things first, however. Studio marketing types have reportedly decided that "slayer" is a bit too graphic for the young'uns, so expect a name change in the coming weeks.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=794&ncid=799&e=1&u=/eo/20030818/en_movies_eo/12337

 

[d-r]

Disney--which has been engaged in a pissing match with DreamWorks

Good grief, are there no editors at "Yahoo news" who would notice that may not be the most appropriately phrased statement?

Studio marketing types have reportedly decided that "slayer" is a bit too graphic for the young'uns, so expect a name change in the coming weeks.

I heard they were thinking about "Finding Shark-o"

 

[ArcticWildMan]

Sounds like a sound business decision to me. Why compete with another animated film that could take viewers away?

Besides, with the cost of seeing a movie in the theaters nowadays, many folks can only afford to see one movie every few weeks or so. This just eliminates a potential loss in viewers.

 

[Testtrack321]

Well, I'm not surprised that they changed it. After Sinbad, they realized that big name voice actors isn't the only thing that sells a movie.

I wouldn't be surprised if they change most of the name and publicity to something along the lines of Nemo.

 

[Peter Pirate]

The big deal is that the midget took unprecedented potshots at Eisner and Disney in Shrek, where there was little to lose and then tried a little one upmanship with the early announcement of the release date...Disney/Pixar, fearing little I imagine these days, said "heck with that noise, lets go head to head" (does anyone doubt ME was behind this decision?)...Anywho, after such stellar showings from Dreamworks (save Shrek) the midget blinked. Too bad Jeffrey, you still ain't got it...Shrek was an anomoly and if there is any justice Shrek2 will tank.

Should I tell you how I really feel?

 

[ArcticWildMan]

LOL!! Can't you just feel the love for Jeffrey Katzenberg?

 

[Testtrack321]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
LOL!! Can't you just feel the love for Jeffrey Katzenberg?

I hate Katz as much as Eisner. I just don't like him. I agree with PP, Shrek was a fluke, the movie itself was awful except for the jokes, which are already old. Shrek 2 will tank. If you want to see a funny movie, go pick up New Groove.

 

[Planogirl]

And I hated New Groove and enjoyed Shrek but then I go out to see EVERY animated film if I can so it really doesn't matter what I think.

But do I have to see Spongebob? {insert whine}

 

[atedrow]

Sherk was a very good movie. I most have been watching something else if you that the jokes were the only good thing.

Also not backing Dreamworks but they have made some amazing movies..ie..Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan. They also support their DVD releases with DTS sound and 6.1 surround.

Pixar is also great. Just one mans opinion.

 

[Bob O]

Its obvious when push came to shove that Dreamworks blinked and wanted nothing to do with Pixar and i cant blame them as they probably would have gotten killed.
And as an aside i did see Shrek recently for the first time and i thought the movie was excellant/top notch and loved there tweaking of disney!!!!