Subject: Animated News Weekly

11/30/03 - 12/06/03: 

Hello, and what a week it's been! Please copy and paste any split links into your browser for more info on a given subject. And, without further ado, here's the Animated News Weekly... 


----DISNEY QUITS DISNEY---- 

This week's impossible to miss story began last Sunday evening, when Roy Edward Disney, the "public face" and "Disney" in The Walt Disney Company, handed in his resignation to CEO Michael Eisner. For many, the news came "like a bolt out of the blue", to quote from his Uncle's famous theme song. Disney named personal differences in where the Company was currently run and headed for the split, in a letter that circled the net soon after being delievered: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000366.html 

The Miami Herald on Monday carried the first response from a Disney board member, George Mitchell, who suggested that Disney would have been dropped from the board next year anyway, due to Company age restrictions, and had used the occaision to criticse the current regime: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000367.html 

Jim Hill Media comments on the inside "behind-the-scenes" goings on surrounding the matter, with an aritcle that suggests that Eisner was already planning a leave, though this recent turn of events could have him sticking his heels in and staying out his contract until 2006: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/12012003.1.htm~contentFrame 

Meanwhile, Stanley Gold, another board member and long-time assocoate of Roy Disney, who were both intrumental in installing Eisner, Frank Wells and Jeffrey Katzenberg as the heads of the Company back in 1984, also resigned, after analysts predicted he would stay on to see things through on the inside. His letter also seconded Roy Disney's earlier request that Eisner stand down from the day-to-day management of The Walt Disney Company: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000374.html 

Jim Hill Media was back on Tuesday with a look forward for the Disney Company: 
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/12022003.1.htm~contentFrame 
The site also pointed toward the history between Micahel Eisner and Roy Disney: 
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/guest/wsampson.12022003.1.htm~contentFrame 

The Big Cartoon Database Forums reported on Disney's official response, calling Gold's comments "untrue and unwarranted. Because the Board, after careful consideration, has refused to accept their principal recommendation to replace management, Mr. Gold and Mr. Disney have chosen their current destructive course of action." Gold replied "It has been extremely difficult to have debate on a board which considers disagreement with management 'destructive'": 
http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=15748 

The disenchanted two spoke to the LA Times (free subscripsion) later Tuesday. Both Disney and Gold made it clear that now they were separated from the Company, they were under no embargo and could "educate" the shareholders and reveal their thoughts, without Company consequence or inhibition, on the "deteriorating performance under Eisner and the directors who have acted as his 'puppeteers'": 
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney2dec02,1,6942175.story?coll=la-home-headlines 

The BCDF then reported that "Eisner Stays": 
http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=15845 

Jim Hill Media came up with an interesting twist: that Roy could be using his friendships with Pixar and The Jim Henson Company to aid his goals: 
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm 

Support for Roy sprung up all over the web, with Animation Blast especially leading the way, with a link to a letter of support signed by many top names in the industry calling for Eisner to step down: 
http://www.animationblast.com/ 

Another twist: could Michael Eisner be eyeing Pixar's Steve Jobs for the Number 2 slot at Disney? 
http://www.nypost.com/business/12500.htm 

"Keep The Disney In Disney": now T-shirts and mugs are being sold to show which side you stand in the Eisner/Disney struggle: 
http://www.cafeshops.com/wdwmkt 

The Animation Nation boards now post the opposing views from the men themselves: Here's Michael Eisner's "open letter to employees", dated December 3rd: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000417.html 

And here is Roy Disney's take on the same, also dated December 3rd: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000416.html 

Animation Nation posters speak for themselves: 
Response to Michael: 
http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007083 
Response to Roy: http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007077 

Throughout the week, The Laughing Place. com has been keeping abreast of the latest news headlines on the Disney/Gold/Disney story: 
http://www.laughingplace.com/News.asp 



----FEATURE FILMS---- 

Vanguard Animation, the company set up by Shrek producer John H Williams, which signed a deal with Disney to create CGI animated movies, has announced the full voice cast for its debut film VALIANT, about a WWII carrier pideon. Additional crew and film details are at: 
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=112946 

Released on only six screens, THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE made more money per screen last opening weekend, beating the average of number one rated film The Cat In The Hat, according to Box Office Mojo: 
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2003&wknd=48&p=.htm 

The impressive looking EL CID: THE LEGEND, produced by Filmax Animation, is set for release in its native Spain on December 19th. The film was actually animated in the English language to give it more of a chance internationally, a trend that all the current slate of Filmax's animated films are following. A Spanish trailer is now available on the official site: 
http://www.elcidlaleyenda.com/ 

UK viewers who missed THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE can catch it again when it airs on UK TV this Christmas! In what could be the fastest theatrical-to-television premiere ever, the BBC (who part funded the film) will screen BELLEVILLE RENDEZVOUZ (to give it its UK title) on New Year's Eve at 2.30pm. We have the details, plus a full run down on animation on UK TV this holiday season: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000389.html 

Hoping for Oscar gold: TOKYO GODFATHERS has a trailer up on its official site: 
http://www.spe.co.jp/movie/worldcinema/tgf/ 



----DVD RELEASES---- 

Great year ahead - apart from first season issues for both THE FLINTSTONES and THE JETSONS some time in 2004, The Digital Bits also looks ahead to several other animation-tinged releases, such as the PINK PANTHER collection and FORBIDDEN PLANET: 
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/barriemaxwell/maxwell112803.html 

THE LION KING 1 1/2 is previewed on the new Pirates Of The Caribbean DVD, featuring a teaser trailer which features Simba, Timon and Pumbaa relaxing in a jungle jacussi - until Pumbaa jumps out and the source of the bubbles becomes all too apparent! We have a wallpaper still here: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000368.html 

DAREDEVIL, HULK and X-MEN are headed for a series of "Digital Comic Books", a new line from Marvel Comics, reports Animation Magazine (subscription required). "Each digital book is comprised of an entire Marvel graphic novel augmented by than 100 minutes of animation and special effects, and bonus chapters including first appearances from Marvel's early days": 
http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=1838 

The excellent independent (in all senses of the word!) DVD producer Ray Pointer is making a whole new batch of classic, early animation available on disc, through his INWELL IMAGES website. He's now taking pre-orders for titles such as Disney's Alice Series and Max and Dave Fleischer's Out Of The Inkwell: 
http://www.inkwellimagesink.com/ 

Animation ruled at this year's VIDEO PREMIERE AWARDS, with 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure picking up five top awards: 
http://www.videopremiereawards.com/ 

MIRAMAX has signed a deal with Paul McCartney to bring a trio of animated stories to DVD, including the charming RUPERT AND THE FROG SONG, previously only available on VHS and a limited LaserDisc pressing: 
http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=top&newsitem_no=9744 

Still pushing the LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN DVD COLLECTION, this great article about legendary composer CARL STALLING appeared on MSN's Slate: music Box page: 
http://slate.msn.com/id/2092021/ 

The boys are back in town: SOUTH PARK returns to DVD, with THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON, featuring commentaries from Matt and Trey. DVD Toons has an in-depth look at the box set, out on December 16th: 
http://www.dvdtoons.com/reviews/258 

HANS ZIMMER's Interner Movie DataBase entry marks him out as the composer for the upcoming animated Disney DVD premiere The Lion King 1 1/2, as well as DreamWorks' theatrical Over The Hedge and SharkTale: 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001877/ 



----INTERVIEWS---- 

A gaggle of comic strip artists have been talking this week: 

BERKELEY BREATHED chats to the Washington Post about OPUS: 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47999-2003Nov16.html 

GARY LARSON promotes his new The Far Side book anthology at MSNBC: 
http://www.msnbc.com/news/997933.asp?0dm=C15YL 

BILL WATTERSON's life and career is looked at by CleveScene, by way of various interviews: 
http://www.clevescene.com/issues/2003-11-26/feature.html/1/index.html 

AnimationHQ points toward an upcoming online chat to be held with voice actor DAVID KAYE on Saturday, Decmber 13th at 6pm EST / 3pm PST: 
http://animationhq.net/v2/features/events.htm 

Silver Bullet Comicbooks talks to the son of Archie Comics founder Louis Silberkleit, Michael, about an upcoming Miramax BETTY AND VERNOICA film: 
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/107048948896830.htm 



----TELEVISION / THEMED / STAGE---- 

Broadway.com announces that the position of Mr and Mrs Banks in the stage adaptation of MARY POPPINS "has been filled", to quote one of the housekeepers in the original film. Joining Laura Michelle Kelly's Mary are Alex Jennings and Janie Dee, experienced from such productions as My Fair Lady and The Sound Of Music, respectively: 
http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=32653&CT=38 

HUNCHBACK on stage: why did it premiere in Germany, rather than Broadway, London's West End, or even France, where the show is set? Jim Hill Media is back with another entertaining read: 
http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/guest/hackney.12022003.1.htm~contentFrame 

Playbill reports on a new Disney musical revue in the works: ON THE RECORD will be made up from songs from Disney's various film and stage scores: 
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83069.html 
The show will be directed by Robert Longbottom: 
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83091.html 

BELLEVILLE RENDEZVOUZ will be shown on UK TV this Christmas. We have the full details: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000389.html 



----BUSINESS---- 

PIXAR to continue the Disney 2D tradition? Reports are flying around the web that the animators' desks and equipment sold off by the mouse recently was all snapped up by the CG giant, where long-time traditional director Brad Bird is completing The Incredibles. Bird is said to be interested in returning to traditional animation at Pixar to produced his long cherished project RAY GUNN, something that, if this rumor is true, could be on the cards: 
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=16604 

The Fabulous Disney Babe.com reports that the giant Wal-Mart chain may be eyeing up The Disney Stores. The company have made a very attractive offer to the Mouse House: 
http://www.fabulousdisneybabe.com/fab/articles/showArticles.asp?ID=43 

According to Yahoo News, "the holders of the North American rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters have hired celebrity attorney Johnnie Cochran to represent them in their 12-year legal fight with The Walt Disney Co.": 
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=493&ncid=493&e=3&u=/ap/20031202/ap_en_mo/winnie_the_pooh_lawsuit 

Phil Collins, according to the IMDB, will not be heading out on the promotional trail to campaign for an Oscar for his songs and score for Disney's Brother Bear. We have the story: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000391.html 

More Disney lay-offs: this time at Walt Disney World, according to the BCDB: 
http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=16011 



----AND FINALLY---- 

Let us point you toward our "Best Of The Year" picks, which would also make wonderful presents for the animation fan in your life (you know who you are)! Check out our favorites here: 
http://www.animated-news.com/archives/00000405.html 


Have fun shopping, and don't forget to visit us online at www.animated-news.com or contribute through our forums:http://animation.skyblueproductions.net/ 

Have a great week, 
The Animated-News Team. 


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