Pixar guns for Eisner
At this stage it's just gossip, but this article from the New York Post is ultra-cool film fan news if it's true:
http://www.nypost.com/business/18437.htm
In summation: Months back, Pixar (Steve Jobs' animation company that made "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story") decided not to re-up it's exclusivity deal with Disney because CEO Michael Eisner wasn't willing to bend in negotiations. This turned out bad for Eisner, as the decision fueled a brewing shareholder's revolt against him, ousting him from the position (but not entirely from the company.) Jobs and Pixar kicked off a very public "search for a new studio" that made them the most sought-after free-agent in filmmaking, the Alex Rodriquez of animation companies.
But NOW, if the Post's article is to be believed, Jobs and Pixar have turned right back around and tossed Disney and ultimatum: We'll consider re-teaming, but Eisner has to go.
To those who follow the history of the computer biz and thus remember the reputation of Steve Jobs PRIOR to his rebirth as a producer of warm n' fuzzy CGI cartoons, this is what some would politely call "classic" manuvering for him: Jobs' reputation in the Apple days (well-chronicled if a bit negatively-slanted in the EXCELLENT telefilm "Pirates of Silicon Valley") was that of a kicker-of-butt in his business dealings.
Eisner has been one of the most negative influences on American film since he showed up. He doesn't take risks, doesn't respect fans of the franchises he was running and treated the Disney name like little more than a tradable commodity. He's THE classic example of why a guy who defines the moniker of "Suit" shouldn't be in charge of creative directions, and there's not a movie geek drawing breath who who's likely to shed a tear at the passing of his regime.
Likewise, if Pixar re-ups with Disney it means that they get to continue working with characters like the Monsters, Toys, Bugs, etc. that they made with (and are still owned by) Disney. That'd be the best part, as it'd save us from innevitably seeing "Toy Story" sequels farmed out to lesser filmmakers.
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