Last week we learned that sequels were not in the business plan at Pixar, it now looks like that is going to become the way of things at Disney as well. The hammer dropped today and we learn that Disney will no longer be doing direct to DVD sequels of their popular films. We get the following news from the caves of Yahoo:
Furthering the computer-dominated industry tale that began with Toy Story, the Walt Disney Co. announced Friday a major restructuring of its animation department, which includes a decision to stop producing lucrative yet lower quality direct-to-DVD sequels spawned by the studio’s most successful feature titles.
Lasseter joined Disney when the Mouse House snatched up Pixar for $7.4 billion in stock last year. Former Pixar CEO Steve Jobs, now Disney’s largest shareholder, told reporters once how much he hated the idea of Disney doing DVD sequels, calling their quality “pretty embarrassing,” despite the fact that they sell millions of copies and have served as a steady revenue stream in the face of a declining global box office.
In the article we go on to learn that Disney will still put out direct to DVD titles, but they will be originals and not sequels. I think this is fantastic, in an age when everyone is starting to put out a glut of sequel shit, Disney is shaking off the mistakes of the past and choosing the high (and difficult) road.
The merger between Pixar and Disney was the best things that could of happened to both of them. Pixar would of been fine without Disney, but the Disney name is great, and to be part of the history of Disney is an amazing honor. Walt Disney introduced us to the power of animated motion pictures, and it is fitting that Pixar is now a part of this history; in modern times they have neigh perfected the animated feature.
