Slpy3270
Well-Known Member
If that were true it wouldn't be underperforming in Europe, either.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
'Lightyear' Coming Summer 2022
- Thread starter NateD1226
- Start date
Ghost93
Well-Known Member
Had the lesbian kiss not been publicized beforehand and had Disney not gotten into a war with DeSantis over the Dont' Say Gay Bill earlier this year, I don't think many people would be talking about the lesbian kiss. The representation feels very natural in the film, and there are only about 20 seconds worth of the movie's runtime that discuss Hawthorne being a lesbian character. I think the clickbaity headlines and the bans from foreign countries made it seem like a much bigger deal than it was.
Ghost93
Well-Known Member
I said *part* of the underperformance of Lightyear was due to homophobia. I think there are various factors that led to the fim's underperformance, including the precedent Chapek set by releasing so many Pixar films straight to streaming FOR FREE.
I also think reviews didn't help. They were positive, but low for a Pixar film. The movie has a Rotten Tomatoes score in the high 70s, while most Pixar movies have a Tomato score in the 90s. The low for Pixar reviews wouldn't persuade anyone who was on the fence about seeing the film.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Have they announced when it will be on D+? I’m sure we’re not alone in thinking that it looks good but we’re not in a rush to see it and can wait until it is “free” to watch. Unlike a MCU film where I’d be concerned about spoilers or being “caught up” in case the TV shows reference and make it a point to go see them in theaters soon after they release.
I think this is where the well known brand awareness hurts Disney. I know that a Pixar or DFA film that comes out will end up on D+ sooner or later. But for other movies from other studios I’m less likely to subscribe to what streaming they are on and might be more inclined to go to the theater and check out a movie that looks interesting
I think this is where the well known brand awareness hurts Disney. I know that a Pixar or DFA film that comes out will end up on D+ sooner or later. But for other movies from other studios I’m less likely to subscribe to what streaming they are on and might be more inclined to go to the theater and check out a movie that looks interesting
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
I feel exactly the same way. I can't even remember the last time I paid to watch a new Pixar movie in theaters (Finding Dory, maybe? EDIT: It was Coco), why should Lightyear be the one to change that?
I saw Doctor Strange 2 ASAP because it was my most anticipated movie of the year and one I didn't want spoiled.
Ghost93
Well-Known Member
Again I blame Chapek for conditioning audiences to wait for Disney Plus with giving away Luca and Turning Red for free and by giving Encanto a ridiculously short theatrical window.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
I'd rephrase that as "Disney+ Pixar Strategy" as we know Pixar staff were not happy with their movies consistently going straight to streaming.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know why this got a theatrical release and Turning Red didn’t?
Like is there any logical reason?
Like is there any logical reason?
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
The only reason I can think of is the Toy Story connection (however minor it is) and that franchise getting top priority in general.
Soul, Luca and Turning Red were all original, non-sequel movies. Onward was the last time a Pixar movie of that kind was released theatrically.
Ghost93
Well-Known Member
I don't know if I would even count Onward as that movie had only one weekend before everything shut down due to COVID.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
It was released theatrically the same way every other Pixar movie to date was so yes it counts for this topic.
The fact that Chapek used Soul and Luca as “Disney+ bait” and then sold on demand for Raya, etc. is so confusing to me.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
I originally put Coco in my post because I forgot Onward a) existed and b) was released to theaters right before the first shutdown.
I edited it to be technically correct, even if like the vast majority of people I didn't see the movie until they rushed it to Disney+
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Maybe they had hopes for Raya because it was a "princess" movie (though she has yet to be officially deemed as such)?
doctornick
Well-Known Member
I understood Soul going right to D+ given the timing. Luca being “free” while other films like Raya being premium seemed odd and arbitrary. But I guess they felt they needed some free content for D+ because the production well was slowed due the pandemic and Luca seemed to just draw the short straw.
But I never understood Turning Red not going to theaters. Even a compressed theater window like Encanto could make some money while still providing content for D+
But I never understood Turning Red not going to theaters. Even a compressed theater window like Encanto could make some money while still providing content for D+
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
I just can’t imagine anyone on Wall Street thinking that Disney knows what they are doing. As an international business move, putting in a same-sex kiss in a kids movie is not smart.
Like-wise - why wasn’t Turning Red given a theatrical release? It makes 0 business sense.
Like-wise - why wasn’t Turning Red given a theatrical release? It makes 0 business sense.
Last edited:
Screamface
Well-Known Member
It's their "not so secret" agenda.
I suspect if there is much of a reaction against it in the west, it's more over a perceived cultural push of an "Agenda" over actually caring there's a gay couple. That incorporates many things that aren't at all related. Like the drag story hour for schools. Everything gets lumped in together.
The main reason it is underperforming will simply be a bad release date, compared to the audience demand. We've just had Top Gun, which delivers unprecedented cinematic action. Then the latest Dinosaur movie, relying on nostalgia bait.
So an animated Buzz Lightyear film, not actually staring the buzz Lightyear actor, not lighting up the box office isn't really a surprise. Then on top of that Disney now has a reputation of treating male characters poorly among the general population.
It's the sort of film that would have gone gangbusters in the early 2000s. Was the last Toy Story film a hit with kids or for people who grew up on the franchises? I think it's too late. It actually would have been the sort of film that'd have been perfect for a Disney+
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Exactly. That’s why this doesn’t make any sense!!! Disney+ is being very gay friendly so that wouldn’t have been an issue / surprise there and wouldn’t have hurt box office $$$.
Meanwhile Turning Red was the type of Pixar movie that historically does very well at the box office!
Sorry... this just literally makes my head hurt haha.
Jacob Marley
Active Member
Another thing to consider, while yes this is connected to the popular Toy Story franchise, it is still a sci-fi animated feature with a male main protagonist. Remember Treasure Planet, Atlantis the Lost Empire, (Titan A.E., The Iron Giant -though not under Disney's umbrella).
It may be just a coincidence with this genre of animated feature, but it's notable.
It may be just a coincidence with this genre of animated feature, but it's notable.