Disney announces no more sequels!!

[Aurora]

DVD Sequels Wiped from Disney Drawing Board

E! Online
Friday, June 22

It looks as if we've seen the last of the likes of The Return of Jafar and The Lion King 1 1/2.

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.

DisneyToon Studios will be dismantled and operate as a separate unit under the supervision of Walt Disney Animation Studios, with Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios president Ed Catmull and chief creative officer John Lasseter—one of the masterminds behind Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Cars—immediately assuming DTS' responsibilities.

DTS president Sharon Morrill will be reassigned, according to Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook.

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.

(So far, so good with big-screen sequels, though. Toy Story 2—originally meant to be a straight-to-video production—was even more critically acclaimed than the first and grossed more than $245 million at the box office.)

Little Mermaid III, currently in production, will be the last DVD sequel on the shelves. Now, Disney will only do original direct-to-DVD features, such as one in the works starring Peter Pan's Tinker Bell. Which apparently is a spin-off, not a sequel.

"John and I are truly excited to be working with the talented team at DisneyToon Studios in developing and producing original stories for the home entertainment audience," Catmull said. "The first project includes Tinker Bell and a whole new cast of Fairy characters that have all the ingredients of wonder, magic and enchantment that our audiences expect."

The latest Walt Disney-Pixar Animation collaboration, Ratatouille—helmed by The Incredibles director Brad Bird and executive-produced by Lasseter—hits theaters June 29. The tale about a rat who longs to be a French chef features the usual assortment of all-star vocal talent, including that of Brad Garrett, Will Arnett, Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, Peter O'Toole, Brian Dennehy and Pixar staple John Ratzenberger.

[DrumTastik]

I remember reading this was high on Iger's to-do list when he assumed command. It's a good move, as those straight-to-dvd sequels were cheapening the Disney brand.

[snifflesmcg]

I'm actually really glad they are doing this. I find those sequels cheesy, cheap and diluted compared to the originals. Isn't it suppost to be "Happily ever after" with no explanation needed?

[LibertyTreeGal]

Oh I am so thrilled to hear this -- it's about time!!!!!!!!!!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Excellent news. Poorly done sequels just undercut the value of the original. Doing a well planned and thought out theatrical sequel can be good but these quickies never were.

[Figment!]

See also Disney DTV "no more disney movie sequels".

[lockedoutlogic]

good news....I'm still trying to get that horrific "Destroy Cinderella's Happily ever after!!" belch by the stepmother in the Cinderella III TV commercial out of my mind...

GET-OUT!!!!

[Ian]

I remember reading this was high on Iger's to-do list when he assumed command. It's a good move, as those straight-to-dvd sequels were cheapening the Disney brand.

Actually, it was John Lasseter who championed this move, not Iger.

Iger may have been on board, but John has said from day one that he hated the cheapquels and couldn't wait to kill them off.

[RenDuran]

It's funny that as much as we all hate these sequels, they were actually very profitable for Disney. Thankfully this is one move where they're putting quality over financial gain.

[bwgens]

Its moves like this that should make every Intercotee jump for joy. Finally, there are actions being taken to bring back the "Disney" to Disney.

Hooray!!!

[wizardmickey]

Darnit all... and here I was under contract to star in few upcoming sequels ( that now I won't even dignify to mention since they won't be made now)!!!
Guess it's back to my day-job...

[ccp1]

**Does happy dance**

[DNS]

I'm actually really glad they are doing this. I find those sequels cheesy, cheap and diluted compared to the originals. Isn't it suppost to be "Happily ever after" with no explanation needed?

Well said. I agree completely.

[disneyfan369]

Hooray that they're doing this. The straight-to-DVD always spelled low quality (to me). I'm glad they'll be investing in higher quality films.

[Ms.Disney]

Yea! I have never seen a Disney sequel that was any good, so this is great news to me

[Remzlightyear]

Thank you, Mr. Lassetter.

[WEDTOPIA]

Absolutely , 100% , behind this move. Thank you John Lasseter !
Disney cheapened it's name since the advent of the " cheapquel ". The road back to respectability has officially begun. Seems almost all the moves the new regime has made thus far are positive ones. Bravo !

[GrmGrninGost]

yes! Yes! YES!! Oh happy day!!

[Mickey91]

Yeah!!!! Finally someone at Disney is showing a little sense! I hope all the generic cheap merchandising will stop soon too!!!

[indytraveler]

Another thanks. Wow giving up that money train is hard but as long as you're producing quality originals then you'll do just as well if not better. ... Happily ever after.