Shock! Horror!! E$iner Kills 2-disk Lilo & Stitch!!!

[Testtrack321]

Jim,

So I get home last night, sit down on the couch to relax and watch some TiVo, when my kids ask if they can watch "The Wiggles" that we recorded that morning. Being the nice guy I am (Well, really. "The Wiggles" puts me to sleep faster than drinking a bottle of Nyquil), I put it on for them. I'm a half hour into my late afternoon nap when they wake me to restart the recording. Well before I do that I happen to tune into 5 min commercial after all the Playhouse Disney shows. You know the one where they have the little boy and girl pimping out the newest Disney merchandise. Well, last night they were talking about the new "Lilo & Stitch" DVD that will be available Dec 3. Well, this is the first time I heard about it. So I go online to see what nifty special features are going to be included. Well, from what I can tell it's just going to be a standard DVD (No Special Edition 2 disk set), with some minimal features. So hears where it gets tricky. I have been burned by Disney and other company before buy buying the regular DVD, and then a couple months later a new and improved Special Edition 2 disk set with all sorts of features to make a Disney Dweeb drool at the mouth. So -- Finally -- here is my question ... Is this the only Lilo & Stitch DVD on the drawing boards right now, or is there a Special Edition just around the corner with all sorts of great goodies included? And if you know what the goodies are please bring us into the Loop!

Thanks a lot Jim,

Spot


Well, like a lot of you folks out there, I was under the impression that the release of the extra special collector's edition of "Lilo & Stitch" (the one with the directors' commentaries along with the infamous "Jet flying through downtown Honolulu" sequence that was cut from the picture after 9/11) would be released to stores sometime late next month. A couple of times, I've even heard a specific release date being mentioned for the deluxe "Lilo & Stitch" DVD ... which was Tuesday, January 28th.

So imagine my surprise earlier this week when I received an e-mail from someone who works deep inside the Mouse House who insists that Michael Eisner himself earlier this year pulled the plug on the 2-disc deluxe collector's edition of "Lilo & Stitch." And worse than that, the Walt Disney Company is supposedly toying with completely abandoning the 2-disc collector's edition format for all of its future animated titles.

Why for? Well, here's a real surprise: These proposed cutbacks of any additional features to be included in future animated releases from Buena Vista Home Entertainment are coming because the Mouse is trying once again to economize. According to Disney's own market research, only 8% of the DVD buyers out there are interested in adult-aimed features (I.E. Extras such as directors' commentaries, character design galleries, deleted scenes, etc. ) on their discs. The other 92% of DVD buyers are kids and parents who just want the movie. Who are perfectly happy with a DVD that just shows the film and nothing more.

Disney's cost savings -- should Buena Vista Home Entertainment actually opt to go forward with adopting just the single disc format for all the future DVD releases of the company's animated classics -- could be considerable. Reportedly saving the company as much as $7 million in worldwide production costs per title.

But what about the cost to all us animation fans? My heart actually aches when I think about all the great stuff that was supposedly deliberately left off of the plain Jane version of the "Lilo & Stitch" DVD that hit store shelves earlier this week. Almost 75% of the additional features that had been created specifically for "Lilo"'s DVD release ended up on the cutting room floor. Cool extras like:


- a 20 minute tour of the Florida animation studio (led by "Lilo & Stitch" directors
Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois)

- 7 long deleted scenes from the film, including one with Stitch's gang (from an
abandoned plotline of the film) as well as the infamous 747 rescue scene that was
cut after 9/11

- full galleries with watercolor backgrounds, storyboards, art layouts, etc.

- a 45 minute long "On Location with the Directors" featurette.


Plus the now obligatory director's commentary. From all accounts, the deluxe collector's edition 2-disc DVD of "Lilo & Stitch" would have been absolutely killer. But -- in spite of the fact that Buena Vista Home Entertainment has had the master tapes for all these extras in hand since May 2002, a full month before "Lilo & Stitch" actually rolled into theaters -- it now seems unlikely that much of this great archival material (which had deliberately been created for the deluxe "Stitch" DVD) will ever see the light of day.

Which begs the question: What's the deal with the limited number of extras that actually DID end up on the single disc version of "Lilo & Stitch"? Well, as it turns out, those features were actually culled from the master tapes for the 2-disc set. And these extras were deliberately picked for their kid-friendly-ness. (Which explains that A*Teens "I Can't Help Falling in Love" music video as well as the hula lesson.)

Would a public outcry on this subject ultimately help get the deluxe 2-disc collector's edition of "Lilo & Stitch" released? To be honest, I'm not sure. Over the past few years, the Walt Disney Company has obviously made making a profit a higher corporate priority than pleasing its customers. Besides, if 92% of all potential Disney DVD buyers seem perfectly happy with buying a single disc version of one of the company's classic animated films that has limited additional features, then what's the point of busting your butt to try and please that whiny, bitchy, hard-to-please other 8%?

Still, once this news gets out about this, I would imagine that the Walt Disney Company is going to be looking for some sort of graceful way out of this extremely awkward situation. Some way that they can appease all of those angry Disney DVD buyers who only collect the deluxe 2-disc DVD version of the corporation's animated films. Who are now furious that Disney deliberately turned their back on them (and the 2-disc format).

May I suggest (as a face saving gesture for the Mouse): In mid-2003, Buena Vista Home Entertainment will be rolling out a direct-to-video follow-up to "Lilo & Stitch" called "Stitch! The Movie." This video and DVD release is - of course - really just a tease for the REAL money maker, which is: "Stitch! The Animated Series, " the daily cartoon show that Walt Disney Television Animation will debuting in the Fall of 2003.

So rather than admit that they screwed up and that they never intended to release a 2-disc version of "Lilo & Stitch," wouldn't it be smart of the folks from Buena Vista Home Entertainment to now say that they were holding the deluxe collectors edition of this film back 'til the late Summer / early Fall of 2003? So they'd have another title that they could use to help promote "Stitch! The Animated Series"?

But to deliberately NOT go forward with releasing the deluxe 2-disc set of "Lilo & Stitch" -- particularly after all the hours and artistry that Disney staffers have already poured into this project -- just to save a couple of bucks. That would be (there's just no other way to describe this, folks) a stupid waste.

And isn't it high time that the Walt Disney Company stopped being so wasteful and/or stupid in the way it manages its assets?

Sure, it's Jimbo we're talking about, but still, I REALLY hate E$iner now....

 

[MKCustodial]

Speaking for myself, I'm an unaffected. We NEVER see the Special Editions down here. Beauty and the Beast and Monsters Inc. were great exceptions. Not even Snow White got down here with the goods. Sure, the discs bring SOME stuff, but not the bonus-fest it is at the US. We don't get stuff like House of Villains, Buzz Lightyear, Snowed in and others in DVD, only on VHS, and great stuff like the Treasures are utterly impossible.

Nevertheless, my heart goes for you guys. It's a stupid move, and Disney should know it.

 

[Goofster]

Well, that's just wonderful, after screwing up and buying the normal Atlantis, then realizing how great the Collector's Edition would be, I decided to hold off and be smart this time. Now, they're not even gonna release the collector's edition it seems they have just about all ready. Well wonderful, just wonderful.

I'll cross my fingers, and hope Jim Hill is wrong this time.

 

[Monorail Lime]

That stinks. I really wanted to see some of those extra features, especially the plane sequence. Someone on the inside needs to smuggle them onto the file sharing services.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Monorail Lime
That stinks. I really wanted to see some of those extra features, especially the plane sequence. Someone on the inside needs to smuggle them onto the file sharing services.

Well, the only time this logic holds true is if they actually loose money on the two disk releases. If they make any kind of a profit at all on them, the extra money saved by not doing them is sort of moot, no? I mean, they could save even more money by not releasing them on DVD at all – just think of the money that goes towards making those nifty menus when they could just release them on video. See what I mean?

If they are a money loosing venture, I think they would be foolish to release these special editions at all and we can’t blame them. The company is not in best form at the moment. People talk about things like ABC being money pits all the time. Wouldn’t these DVDs also be a waste of money if they weren’t making back production costs?

I have a feeling that the market for the special editions is large enough to warrant their production. Otherwise, why would they be releasing the Walt Disney Treasure DVDs? Let’s face it, they aren’t exactly targeting young kids with those.

In this situation I’ll believe it when I (don’t) see it. Remember, Jim Hill is the one that tried to suggest that the fifth gait in WDW would be a Lego Land.

 

[NowInc]

...who wants to bet me 50 bucks that the 2 disc verison will still come out

 

[Quentin Disney]

I don't get the ideal that most people (according to Disney's research) would only want to watch the movie. If so, then should these folks be buying the outdated VHS version? You get ONLY the movie on video I thought that extras were supposed to be the main selling point of DVD's. I mean, you are paying usually five bucks more than VHS and you are getting SO much more. It really doesn't make sense to me.

This movie is destined to become a classic, it has to get a SE treatment one day. A lot of adults like me appreciate how a film is created. This company should not just pander to just the general audience to supposedly wants to only watch the movie. I just don't understand them killing the SE.

Then again, Jim Hill's words should ALWAYS be followed with a four-ton block of salt. I bet the DVD enthusiast communitiy online will once again go on a crusade to inform Disney that many DVD owners appreciate SE releases.

 

[pheneix]

>>>I have a feeling that the market for the special editions is large enough to warrant their production.<<<

Otherwise the Fellowship of the Ring Special Edition wouldn't be one of the best selling DVDs currently on the market.

Jim Hill missed the mark on why the 2 disk edition of the film is on it's way to the cutting room floor, but the outlook is not too great for the film. Blame it on backstage politics and high expectations...

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by NowInc
...who wants to bet me 50 bucks that the 2 disc verison will still come out

Not me! This is an opportunity for the company to make money without having to really do much. A little post production to add the commentaries and the editing together of footage that has already been taken doesn’t seem like all that big of a deal to me. If you ad to that the low costs of DVD production, I don’t really see where they could go wrong…

I preordered this version of Lilo and Stich online from Best Buy at $17.99 and got a $5 coupon from them. When you add free shipping to that, the DVD only cost me $13 and I think it is worth that to buy this one now. Like Dan, I’m pretty confident that there will be a collectors disk available in the future and at that point, I’ll have no trouble finding someone I know with children who will enjoy the copy I have now.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

DVD Special Editions

When will the public learn ????

Take Lord Of The Rings (for example) - When the title was first released on two discs it was well known that 2-3 months later two special edition sets (one 4 disc and one 5 disc) were in the pipeline and due for release - as the specials were OBVIOUSLY better, why waste money - wait for the Specials. (Incidently the 5 disc never materialised and was replaced by a second 4 disc with book ends)

And so to Disney - the current trend is to release Special Editions - wait a couple of months and see what hits the retailers shelves OR read the DVD magazines / Check web sites. If there is still no mention of a Special Edition go buy the regular release - there will still be thousands of them around.

 

[MrPromey]

Re: DVD Special Editions

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
When will the public learn ????

Take Lord Of The Rings (for example) - When the title was first released on two discs it was well known that 2-3 months later two special edition sets (one 4 disc and one 5 disc) were in the pipeline and due for release - as the specials were OBVIOUSLY better, why waste money - wait for the Specials. (Incidently the 5 disc never materialised and was replaced by a second 4 disc with book ends)

And so to Disney - the current trend is to release Special Editions - wait a couple of months and see what hits the retailers shelves OR read the DVD magazines / Check web sites. If there is still no mention of a Special Edition go buy the regular release - there will still be thousands of them around.

Not sure how it works across the pond but many retailers over here offer discounts up to and sometimes over 25% of the regular street price for a purchase in the initial week of release. That creates great incentive for people to purchase early. I got Star Wars Episode 2 for $9.99 the day it was released and the following week that price jumped to $20. Spiderman when released sold for $14.99 in the first week of release around here and then went to $20 after that. It can be a strong incentive sometimes, especially when you aren't sure if you are interested in the Special Edition. I paid less than $10 for my copy of Lord of the Ring in the initial 2 disk DVD release. Personally, I don't have an interest in paying three times that much for the additional content. I'm glad I bought it at the price I paid at the time I bought it.

 

[MKCustodial]

Re: Re: DVD Special Editions

Originally posted by MrPromey
Not sure how it works across the pond but many retailers over here offer discounts up to and sometimes over 25% of the regular street price for a purchase in the initial week of release. That creates great incentive for people to purchase early. I got Star Wars Episode 2 for $9.99 the day it was released and the following week that price jumped to $20. Spiderman when released sold for $14.99 in the first week of release around here and then went to $20 after that. It can be a strong incentive sometimes, especially when you aren't sure if you are interested in the Special Edition. I paid less than $10 for my copy of Lord of the Ring in the initial 2 disk DVD release. Personally, I don't have an interest in paying three times that much for the additional content. I'm glad I bought it at the price I paid at the time I bought it.

Sometimes it works like that down here as well. But due to current economy problems, the stores many times don't sell them as much as they expected. So they end up with lots of copies just sitting there, and if you wait a couple of months you can get the movie half off. I learned this the hard way. Now I buy DVDs according to when they come out, and let the newer ones for my brother or my girlfriend to give to me as gifts, for example. Right now I'm getting stuff from 99, like The Fugitive and I Know What You Did.

 

[pheneix]

Jim Hill has another column up that offers some hope that a 2-disk Lilo and Stitch will still come out. I am still pretty confident that Stitch will probably be buried as soon as it is fiscally possible, but for those looking for more information it is worth a read.

 

[blm07]

Why can't they make ALL releases just like Shrek - it was 2 dvd and had everything. It was also a affordable price. What is so hard about that? The current 2 dvd sets that are out are about $30 which is alot, and I guess the extra price is becuase they had to put out another set.

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by blm07
Why can't they make ALL releases just like Shrek - it was 2 dvd and had everything. It was also a affordable price. What is so hard about that? The current 2 dvd sets that are out are about $30 which is alot, and I guess the extra price is becuase they had to put out another set.

Simply because they are smart. As long as people are willing to buy the first and then later the special set, it's a profit goldmine. Any business would be stupid to not do it. Not doing it doesn't make any sense.

 

[pheneix]

Shrek also offered both the full-screen and widescreen versions of the film in the same set as well.

 

[dreamer]

Re: DVD Special Editions

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
When will the public learn ????

Take Lord Of The Rings (for example) - .... (Incidently the 5 disc never materialised and was replaced by a second 4 disc with book ends)

WalMart has the 4disc LOTR and the 5disc with Argonauth bookends.

The 5th disc is a National Geographic disc of some sort.

 

[blm07]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
Simply because they are smart. As long as people are willing to buy the first and then later the special set, it's a profit goldmine. Any business would be stupid to not do it. Not doing it doesn't make any sense.

Its all about the money, I hate that.

Originally posted by pheneix
Shrek also offered both the full-screen and widescreen versions of the film in the same set as well.

Nice, I believe the new Roger Rabbit DVD is gonna be kinda like that.

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by MKCustodial
We don't get stuff like House of Villains, Buzz Lightyear, Snowed in and others in DVD, only on VHS, and great stuff like the Treasures are utterly impossible.

Well, I gotta bite my tongue. I just check pre-order for Lilo & Stitch, it'll be out on March 23, and on the same day Disney'll be realeasing Buzz Lightyear - The Adventure Begins. I'm really impressed! :sohappy: Now if they could only get to A Goofy Movie and the original Santa Claus...

 

[NowInc]

Originally posted by blm07


Nice, I believe the new Roger Rabbit DVD is gonna be kinda like that.

And for those who remember..this was a DVD that was "confirmed" to NEVER be made...

...see why i have faith that we will see a special edition lilo and stich