Tangent 21 - Disney Buys Pixar Animation Studios

Posted by
Maffrew

Posted on
10:13
Jan 25 2006

Disney Buys Pixar Animation Studios

For $7.4 billion. That's a big stack of money.

Disney has been distributing Pixar's films for 12 years now, but the deal was about to expire in June after the release of their newest film, Cars. They've been in talks for months about how to proceed, but in the end, they just bought them.

However... Disney ponied up the cash, but it's almost as if it's Pixar taking over. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers, CEO and chief stock holder of Pixar, now becomes a big share holder at Disney, and a member of the board.

John Lassetter, Pixar Exec and Vice President, now becomes chief creative officer of the combined Disney/Pixar animation studies, and also principal creative adviser for Disney Imagineering, which creates Disney's theme parks.

ixar President Ed Catmull will reportedly serve as president of the new combined Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Disney chief executive Robert Iger and Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

So... Pixar have taken over Disney, and Disney paid for it

6 Replies and 3812 Views in Total.

Chambler A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard.

Does look like Pixar took over Disney doesn't it

However I'm kinda worried that with Disney being at the wheel we won't see the same level of naughtyness in future Pixar movies as we have seen in the past which I personally think is a shame.

Posted: 10:34 Jan 25 2006

Maffrew In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight...

I see where you're coming from, but personally I don't think there'll be a problem.

Disney was happy to release all of Pixar's films before, and now Pixar's people are at the top of Disney, they're in creative control. John Lassetter was instrumental in a lot of Pixar's work, and he's creatie chief, so.

I'd also be surprised if they don't still do it as Disney *and* Pixar present. Pixar's name is well known now, so it would be daft not to leverage it.

Posted: 11:29 Jan 25 2006

Wobag Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so...

If theres a fear its that with the companies merged, and the the total output of the two companies to remain constant, and Disney wanting their products to have the success Pixars have, that the creative talent thats made Pixars films about 4 billion times better than Disneys of late will be spread thinly across so many projects, we wont have 'proper' Pixar films any more at all, just a string of slightly better written Disney films.

I for one would rather have 3 duff Disney films and 1 great Pixar film every year or so.

Posted: 18:15 Jan 25 2006

The Noid This must be that Woodstock place mom and dad are always talking about

It will also be interesting to see how Apple will fare with all this. With Jobs becoming the largest single stock holder in Disney, will we start seeing Disney movies in iTunes?

Posted: 15:27 Jan 26 2006

Maffrew In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight...

by The Noid
It will also be interesting to see how Apple will fare with all this. With Jobs becoming the largest single stock holder in Disney, will we start seeing Disney movies in iTunes?

Eventually, yes. According to the rumour mill, a movie store isn't far away and the Disney group have been one of the biggest content providers for TV shows on iTunes, so i'd say it's a given that their movies will do too.

What I wonder is whether Disney will continue to provide their content over multiple sources, or go iTunes only. Even with Jobs' interest in both companies, I would expect content to be sold at lots of online stores, not just iTunes.

Posted: 16:20 Jan 26 2006

Byron "Live. Grow stronger. Fight another day."

If they start dumping nonsense like their limited release stratergy I'll certainly be happy.

Posted: 16:49 Jan 28 2006

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