Here's the article from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/09/b...00&en=99555972a6f0c180&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 — Pixar Animation Studios, the maker of hits like "Toy Story" and the summer blockbuster "Finding Nemo," and the Walt Disney Company have agreed in general on a compromise that could clear the way for Disney to continue distributing Pixar's films, according to two people close to the negotiations.
The two companies have been in talks for two months about extending their 12-year partnership, which is set to expire in 2005. But in recent days Disney has seemed willing to compromise on what had looked like a deal breaker: Pixar's insistence that it own a stake in the two movies it has yet to deliver to Disney under its existing contract.
According to people close to the talks, Disney is working out details to give Pixar an ownership stake in the two films, "The Incredibles" and "Cars." In return, Disney will most likely receive a distribution fee on the movies that is greater than its current one, 12.5 percent of box-office revenue.
The terms are still being worked out and Pixar is expected to submit another proposal to Disney this week, people close to the negotiations said. While the news is encouraging even to those involved, representatives on both sides have said the talks could fall apart at any time. Executives for Pixar and Disney declined to comment.
[for the rest of the article, click the link]
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/09/b...00&en=99555972a6f0c180&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 — Pixar Animation Studios, the maker of hits like "Toy Story" and the summer blockbuster "Finding Nemo," and the Walt Disney Company have agreed in general on a compromise that could clear the way for Disney to continue distributing Pixar's films, according to two people close to the negotiations.
The two companies have been in talks for two months about extending their 12-year partnership, which is set to expire in 2005. But in recent days Disney has seemed willing to compromise on what had looked like a deal breaker: Pixar's insistence that it own a stake in the two movies it has yet to deliver to Disney under its existing contract.
According to people close to the talks, Disney is working out details to give Pixar an ownership stake in the two films, "The Incredibles" and "Cars." In return, Disney will most likely receive a distribution fee on the movies that is greater than its current one, 12.5 percent of box-office revenue.
The terms are still being worked out and Pixar is expected to submit another proposal to Disney this week, people close to the negotiations said. While the news is encouraging even to those involved, representatives on both sides have said the talks could fall apart at any time. Executives for Pixar and Disney declined to comment.
[for the rest of the article, click the link]
Disney and Pixar are like Albott and Costello. Mickey and Minnie, etc. They started this whole CG phase in animation and they should stick together. They work good together. Pixar may not be where it was today if it wasn't for the original "Disney" name tied to it and Disney's marketing ability. Sure, now a lot people associate the films with Pixar just as much or more than Disney, but this wasn't the case for Toy Story.