Pardon me if I sound a little smug about this, it’s just that I am … Last week I threw a little comment onto the Michael Moore / Disney thread commenting on how Disney was putting themselves into breach of contract with their actions and how this was not such a bright thing … Well, yesterday Variety reported that the Weinsteins are on their way out when their current contract with Disney expires in 2005. As was the case with the Disney / Pixar contract negotiation Eisner lowballed the Miramax founders and tried to rein in their autonomy – the Moore case is a specific incident cited, though there are others – and the Weinsteins responded by basically flipping Eisner the bird, figuratively speaking. The most likely scenario involves the Weinsteins leaving the Miramax and Dimension names with Disney and founding a new production company / distribution agreement somewhere else, though there is a remote chance that they may be able to buy back the name and back catalog.
Why is this an issue if Disney gets to keep the name? Simple – Miramax was built purely on the personalities of the Weinsteins and if they go you can bank on the HUGE majority of the talent going with them to their new company. Can you picture Tarantino, Rodriguez, Minghella or Scorsese making films for Eisner? Me either. As much as I dislike a lot of the Weinsteins’ business practices the simple fact is that they have an uncanny eye for acquiring talented people and absolutely nobody can work the Oscar voters like they can. If they leave Miramax all of the company’s credibility goes with them.
The Variety article says that Miramax is currently responsible for 40% of Disney’s live action output so losing this and Pixar in the same calendar year is an enormous blow for the Mouse …
