Just found this story from the CBC
Disney plans new friend for Winnie the Pooh
Last Updated Fri, 09 Dec 2005 10:33:11 EST
CBC Arts
A unexpected new character is coming to the Hundred Acre Wood.
Disney is working on a new Winnie the Pooh TV series, to come out in 2007, that will replace Christopher Robin with a 6-year-old girl.
Roo, left, Pooh, and Eeyore, right appear in "Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh," which opened Wednesday, Dec. 7 in New York.(AP Photo/Disney)
Its new animated series, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, will have the same gentle spirit as the much-loved A.A. Milne classic, Disney says.
But Disney hopes to attract an older audience by introducing a six-year-old tomboy as friend to Tigger, Pooh the bear and tiny Piglet. The Disneyfied characters also will have a new look.
Though the stories will still emphasize trust, friendship and happiness, there will be more physical activity to appeal to more active children in the older preschool age range, Disney says.
"We got raised eyebrows even in-house at first, but the feeling was these timeless characters really needed a breath of fresh air that only the introduction of someone new could provide," Nancy Kanter of the Disney Channel told USA Today.
Disney knows it will face criticism from fans of Milne's stories about the imaginary world of his son Christopher Robin. Lovers of the original stories say they are timeless and don't need an update.
Seeing the animated series will help bring young children to the written word, Disney counters.
Disney is planning a year-long 80th anniversary celebration in 2006 of Winnie the Pooh and friends, including a stage show, a radio and TV marathons.
Pooh-related merchandise is second only to Mickey Mouse as a revenue generator for Disney. In 2004, it sold $1 billion of Pooh products and a new character in the franchise gives new opportunities for sales, experts say.
Disney is still battling an appeal of a 14-year-old Los Angeles lawsuit by heirs of Milne's agent, who claim they are owed millions in royalties.
Milne's granddaughter, Clare Milne, who lives in England, is trying to reclaim the rights from Stephen Slesinger, the company that bought the North American merchandising rights. Slesinger has sued Disney.
The company won a dismissal of the lawsuit last year but warned investors that it could be on the hook for "hundreds of millions" of dollars if it eventually loses the case.
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I don't see many people liking this idea:brick:
BONUS TRIVIA QUESTION: For what Canadian City is this famous bear named after?
Disney plans new friend for Winnie the Pooh
Last Updated Fri, 09 Dec 2005 10:33:11 EST
CBC Arts
A unexpected new character is coming to the Hundred Acre Wood.
Disney is working on a new Winnie the Pooh TV series, to come out in 2007, that will replace Christopher Robin with a 6-year-old girl.
Roo, left, Pooh, and Eeyore, right appear in "Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh," which opened Wednesday, Dec. 7 in New York.(AP Photo/Disney)
Its new animated series, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, will have the same gentle spirit as the much-loved A.A. Milne classic, Disney says.
But Disney hopes to attract an older audience by introducing a six-year-old tomboy as friend to Tigger, Pooh the bear and tiny Piglet. The Disneyfied characters also will have a new look.
Though the stories will still emphasize trust, friendship and happiness, there will be more physical activity to appeal to more active children in the older preschool age range, Disney says.
"We got raised eyebrows even in-house at first, but the feeling was these timeless characters really needed a breath of fresh air that only the introduction of someone new could provide," Nancy Kanter of the Disney Channel told USA Today.
Disney knows it will face criticism from fans of Milne's stories about the imaginary world of his son Christopher Robin. Lovers of the original stories say they are timeless and don't need an update.
Seeing the animated series will help bring young children to the written word, Disney counters.
Disney is planning a year-long 80th anniversary celebration in 2006 of Winnie the Pooh and friends, including a stage show, a radio and TV marathons.
Pooh-related merchandise is second only to Mickey Mouse as a revenue generator for Disney. In 2004, it sold $1 billion of Pooh products and a new character in the franchise gives new opportunities for sales, experts say.
Disney is still battling an appeal of a 14-year-old Los Angeles lawsuit by heirs of Milne's agent, who claim they are owed millions in royalties.
Milne's granddaughter, Clare Milne, who lives in England, is trying to reclaim the rights from Stephen Slesinger, the company that bought the North American merchandising rights. Slesinger has sued Disney.
The company won a dismissal of the lawsuit last year but warned investors that it could be on the hook for "hundreds of millions" of dollars if it eventually loses the case.
*************************************
I don't see many people liking this idea:brick:
BONUS TRIVIA QUESTION: For what Canadian City is this famous bear named after?