Raidermatt
Active Member
Saying Wells was Eisner's Roy does not accurately capture the relationship. For most practical purposes, Wells and Eisner were equals. Neither had sway over the other, except that all knew the preference of the investors was to have Wells in charge. Things were done that Eisner, left to his own devices, would have nixed. Execs stayed around because they could work purely through Wells.
Eisner was no creative genius. He may have wanted to be Walt, but he lacked the talent and he felt threatened by those with talent. This is why relationships with so many creatives and with other companies imploded when Eisner ran the show. As bad a place as the animation studio was in when Eisner/Wells came aboard, it was in a worse place when he was forced out.
Wells's position was about much more than just telling Eisner no. It was about actively running major portions of the company, and providing a buffer between the many talented individuals who Eisner otherwise alienated. Eisner never wanted this arrangement. He accepted it because it was his chance to be a CEO and there was no way Roy E and the investors were going to turn the entire company over to him. The death of Wells gave him the opportunity to take full and complete control. He did not want another Wells, nor did he even want another Roy O.
