We're not that far out from Disney's next investors/analysts call headed by Iger. At this moment, there are several elements of contention that I hope the company actually moves to get out in front of.
-What is Disney's official position regarding James Gunn? If nothing has changed, why is that? Can Disney justify cutting Gunn loose while having the likes of John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman attached as the stars of Disney's biggest non-Marvel and non-Lucasfilm project of the year?
-If it is true that Disney was aware of these tweets and that Gunn apologized for them when hired in 2012, what was the basis of firing him? Did Gunn lie about the extent of the tweets? Was he not truly penitent? Did something untoward happen on the sets of the two films? If anything like this happened while working the films, it must be brought out to light.
-With the GOTG stars, especially Dave Bautista, saying they will do a third movie without Gunn, but basically threatening to purposefully give an inferior performance, what is the risk/reward ratio for this move compared to doing an about-face? Is it worth potential dissension in the company ranks over fears of being called hypocritical enablers by the far left and right social media world?
-What is the true status of the report in The Hollywood Reporter that called John Lasseter a petty tyrant who blocked female advancement and stole credit for other people's ideas? If this report has no merit (as stated by Chris Montan), and Lasseter's alcoholism and problems with personal space truly are the reasons, did Disney lean on Lasseter to leave, or did he make that decision of his own volition?
-Does Disney have anything definitive to say about the attacks on Star Wars, Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson, et al? Even if it is a statement affirming their faith and standing by them and nothing else?
-With reports going on of "downscaling" Fox properties to "fit a family-friendly image" after the merger, what will become of each IP that isn't Avatar or X-Men? Is there a space for the likes of Alien, Predator, Kingsman and Planet of the Apes at the House of Mouse? If not, will those franchises be shelved or sold off to the likes of Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros.?
Radio silence has not worked well for Disney in 2018, and it is time to change strategy. It might be time to start a campaign of transparency to help navigated rough waters lurking ahead.
-What is Disney's official position regarding James Gunn? If nothing has changed, why is that? Can Disney justify cutting Gunn loose while having the likes of John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman attached as the stars of Disney's biggest non-Marvel and non-Lucasfilm project of the year?
-If it is true that Disney was aware of these tweets and that Gunn apologized for them when hired in 2012, what was the basis of firing him? Did Gunn lie about the extent of the tweets? Was he not truly penitent? Did something untoward happen on the sets of the two films? If anything like this happened while working the films, it must be brought out to light.
-With the GOTG stars, especially Dave Bautista, saying they will do a third movie without Gunn, but basically threatening to purposefully give an inferior performance, what is the risk/reward ratio for this move compared to doing an about-face? Is it worth potential dissension in the company ranks over fears of being called hypocritical enablers by the far left and right social media world?
-What is the true status of the report in The Hollywood Reporter that called John Lasseter a petty tyrant who blocked female advancement and stole credit for other people's ideas? If this report has no merit (as stated by Chris Montan), and Lasseter's alcoholism and problems with personal space truly are the reasons, did Disney lean on Lasseter to leave, or did he make that decision of his own volition?
-Does Disney have anything definitive to say about the attacks on Star Wars, Kathleen Kennedy, Rian Johnson, et al? Even if it is a statement affirming their faith and standing by them and nothing else?
-With reports going on of "downscaling" Fox properties to "fit a family-friendly image" after the merger, what will become of each IP that isn't Avatar or X-Men? Is there a space for the likes of Alien, Predator, Kingsman and Planet of the Apes at the House of Mouse? If not, will those franchises be shelved or sold off to the likes of Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros.?
Radio silence has not worked well for Disney in 2018, and it is time to change strategy. It might be time to start a campaign of transparency to help navigated rough waters lurking ahead.
Last edited: