The word is out. Pixar has ended negotiations with Disney and is now off to find Nemo a new home. Contract talks broke down because reportedly Pixar wanted to retain all rights to the movies it creates and which Disney distributes. This would greatly hamper Disney’s chances of exploiting Pixar’s characters in future sequels — since Lord knows Disney hasn’t recently created anything worth repeating.Disney’s recent decision to eviscerate its hand-drawn animation department also complicates things. This definitely turns up the heat on CEO Michael Eisner, claims Roy Disney, who also recently separated from the company which bears his family name. His Save Disney site enumerates several complaints over how Eisner has fumbled in running the company, turning what was a trusted quality name in family entertainment into some kind of mickey-mouse organization. Pixar however is sitting in the catbird’s seat. It’s obvious Disney needs them a lot more than they needed Disney, and already suitors are lining up to woo them into distribution deals.
What does this mean to the Disney name? All I know is given the choice between paying money to see
P.S. Pixar’s current contract still calls for two more movies. The Incredibles and Cars are already in production, and so will be issued under the Disney banner.
