Disney to Release Pixar Films in 3-D
In a big boost for the exhibition of films in 3-D, Walt Disney Co. said it would release all feature animation films from its Pixar unit in the format beginning next year.
Some Hollywood studios are aggressively pursuing 3-D films as a way to entice moviegoers to continue seeing films in theaters, rather than waiting for DVD releases that can be viewed on increasingly sophisticated home-theater setups. At a presentation here to present its four-year slate of coming animation films under both the Pixar and Disney labels, the company said Pixar's 3-D presentations would begin with the May 2009 release of UP.
Some studios are aggressively pursuing 3-D films as a way to entice moviegoers to continue seeing films in theaters, rather than on DVDs on sophisticated home-theater setups.
3-D presentations begin with the May 2009 release of UP.
Disney also fleshed out its animation film schedule through the summer of 2012. Releases include a third installment of Pixar's TOY STORY franchise and a sequel to Pixar's 2006 release CARS that is slated for the summer of 2012. Other releases include this June's non-3-D Pixar feature WALL-E, the tale of a robot's quest for love; a Thanksgiving release of BOLT, about a show-business dog featuring the voices of John Travolta and bankable Disney teen star Miley Cyrus; as well as a planned four-movie slate in its new TINKER BELL" direct-to-DVD franchise.
The studio hopes that a series of DVD releases can help the company's DISNEY'S FAIRIES lineup, featuring Tinker Bell and others, replicate the multibillion-dollar success it has had with its "Princess" franchise. The release of the first TINKER BELL DVD comes roughly four years after the company said it planned to make a star out of the mischievous fairy in PETER PAN
The presentation before hundreds of movie-exhibition executives was led by Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios and John Lasseter, chief creative officer at the Burbank, California, conglomerate's animation arm. In embracing the 3-D format head-on, Disney is up against DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., a chief rival that is also producing similar content, including "Monsters vs. Aliens." Director James Cameron is also working on a highly anticipated, big-budget 3-D movie for News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox called "Avatar" for late 2009.
Exhibitors are a key group to sell the new technology on, as only about 700 theaters are currently equipped with the technology. But the success of films like Disney's 3-D hit HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT, which has sold more than $65 million worth of tickets domestically this year, has whetted the industry's appetite for the enhanced movie-going experience. Within a year, about 2,000 theaters are expected to be outfitted for 3-D.
"We're excited to be pushing the boundaries of 3-D and computer technology to tell our stories in the best possible way," said Mr. Lasseter. "At the same time, we're drawing on our past to emphasize memorable characters, original edge-of-your-seat stories and believable worlds."
(Source: The Wall Street Journal)