SHOCKING BREAKING NEWS: ________ Cook Leaves Disney

[MousDad]

Someone better update this:

http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/management_team.html

 

[janoimagine]

Decent guy and no doubt a nice person. These situations are always tough. But let's be honest, it's been a bit hit and miss over his career.

He had a good run but I'm sure this has a lot to do with wanting a more modern global vision and I am sure that will be the priority in finding his replacement.

While it's sad to see anyone loose their job in the US today I agree with you JT, his career has been very hit and miss, even with the success of the Pirates films, his latest round have been bombs. It is just time for a change and hopefully his replacement can get things back on track with the live action motion picture end of the company. (And maybe even stop this trend of direct to DVD garbage.)

 

[DisneyWall-E]

So, John Lassseter is the CCO of PIXAR & WDAS and the Principal Creative Advisor of WDI, and now they want him to head up WDS. Thats a whole lot of job pressure on one guy or do they normaly have one man in so many high positions?

 

[wm49rs]

Dick Cook, head of Walt Disney Studios, has resigned from Disney.

I'm at a loss for words.

Full story here, complete with official statements from Cook and Iger.

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/09/editors-note-its-special-hkdl-on-d-with.html

Unbeleivable.

So, Iger keeps ________ Cook on long enough for D23 to announce the new Pirates move (with Johnny Depp in attendance) and every other Disney flick for the next several years, and then essentially fires him a week later?

Stay classy Bob Iger, stay classy......

 

[MousDad]

Wasn't Cook, as head of The Walt Disney Studios, head of both Feature Animation and Walt Disney Pictures?

 

[janoimagine]

Thats a whole lot of job pressure on one guy or do they normaly have one man in so many high positions?

Well, Walt was for one. Maybe not the best analogy I know, however, those who knew Walt, have commented that Lasseter is the closest 'creative' match to Walt they have met. I'm not saying this is fact, but it is interresting, and positive to hear this.

 

[lwalker8]

The real question is, how did he keep his job so long? If it weren't for PotC and Pixar I think he may have driven the studio to bankruptcy. Why does Disney need to continue to buy up other studios to produce quality entertainment. How many opportunities were squandered with computer animated features that were stale and potential blockbusters(Narnia) that were lost to poor choices?

He should have been fired in 2001.

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

Why is everybody saying he was fired? For all we know who is incharge of univerasal or sony could have offered him a huge salary and head job.

http://cbs2chicago.com/entertainment/disney.________.cook.2.1194283.html

"Cook said in a statement he's been contemplating leaving the studio for some time and will be moving on to "new adventures." It wasn't immediately known who would replace him.
"

Notice New adventures.

Like i said looks like he was offered something else somewhere else.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

It will eventually be just like Pixar. Something for every park. Especially if they get a Marvel guy riding herd at the studio he will get the marketing staff revved up who will then tell WDI what they want to see in the parks

Sickening! :lol: I have my doubts. Disney won't interfere with Marvel. They said that. Why should they interfere with us? It's a two way street...

Apperantly Pirates 4 will not be happening now. Johnny Depp is ed about this news and has basically told Disney "no deal"

Steven Spielberg is also apperantly very shocked.

No official confirmation on that yet.


REEEEEALLY hope it's not true.

If quality is the best business plan, why is everyone mourning the loss? I realize he is a veteren but Disney has been putting out garbage under his oversight for years.

Examples:
G-Force, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Race to Witch Mountain, Jonas Brothers Concert, Bedtime Stories, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, College Road Trip, National Treasure 2, The Game Plane, Underdog, The Santa Clause 3, Bridge to Terebithia, Invincible, The gy Dog, Glory Road.
And that's just within the past 3 years.

He is a bad executive who has made bad decisions. Point Blank. End of story. And, rumor has it that Lasseter will get the job. I think everyone can agree that it will be an upgrade. And even if a Marvel executive gets the position, that doesn't mean anything for the parks. Parks and Resorts is a separate division that has no relations with the Studios.

And just to hammer my point home, ________ Cook is the man who greenlit the Cheapquals that have been derided on forums such as this. He gave the goahead for Pooh's Heffalump Movie, Return to Neverland, Bambi II, Cinderella II and III, etc.

Just because he has been there for years doesn't mean he was perfect or talented. I hope he finds employment elsewhere or enjoys retirement, but aside from that, bring on the change!

Very, very true. However, look at what they were doing for the future. This was just starting to change up.


You are right, however...it could go both ways.

 

[majortom1981]

http://cbs2chicago.com/entertainment/disney.________.cook.2.1194283.html

Cook said in a statement he's been contemplating leaving the studio for some time and will be moving on to "new adventures." It wasn't immediately known who would replace him.

Notice the quote from the article

Sounds like he got offered a job at another company.

 

[wm49rs]

The real question is, how did he keep his job so long? If it weren't for PotC and Pixar I think he may have driven the studio to bankruptcy. Why does Disney need to continue to buy up other studios to produce quality entertainment. How many opportunities were squandered with computer animated features that were stale and potential blockbusters(Narnia) that were lost to poor choices?

He should have been fired in 2001.

Well, let's face it, not every studio is going to produce a hit. But The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe brought in over $700 million worldwide, Enchanted did $340 million worth of business, the two National Treasure films brought in over $800 million, and even The Game Plan brought in $145 million. Yes, there have been misses, but that applies to every studio. Overall, Disney has done pretty well by D!ck Cook during his tenure.

 

[SeanC]

Studio heads change as priorities and perceptions shift. That's Hollywood. This happened yesterday. No one knows the repercussions on the film slate at this point and whether rumors of firing are true. Little or no effect on future of parks as synergy opportunities will be pursued or ignored by multiple departments regardless of who is in charge.

 

[Captain Chaos]

PaTF and Rapunzel are under the WDAS banner (although yes technically they are part of the movie banner). The film division has been terrible and doesn't look to be getting any better Sorceror's apprentice will bomb as will that new Travolta picture. Many are complaining that Prince of Persia looks stale (the director they chose is terrible).

So, let's see, you say this is a terrible move on Disney's part, even though the man resigned himself, and was NOT fired.... But, you bash pretty much EEVRY movie Disney Studios has put out of the last 10 years or so, you say above that the division has been terrible and not getting any better.... So, what is it??? If the studio is terrible and not getting better, wouldnt the best move be getting rid of the head and infusing new blood???

 

[Captain Chaos]

So, Iger keeps ________ Cook on long enough for D23 to announce the new Pirates move (with Johnny Depp in attendance) and every other Disney flick for the next several years, and then essentially fires him a week later?

Stay classy Bob Iger, stay classy......

He resigned.... Has nothing to do with Iger...

 

[wm49rs]

He resigned.... Has nothing to do with Iger...

I think it can be agreed there's a fine line between being fired, resigning, and resigning with class and decorum. The reports (including the one in the NYT) all mentioned various degrees of creative differences and a shift in personal relationships with Disney executives. D!ck Cook chose to reign with class instead of being released or shifted to another Disney unit. He took the high road. The fact this took place less than one week after D23 and the announcement of the new Pirates movie is less than coincidental.

 

[SirGoofy]

If quality is the best business plan, why is everyone mourning the loss? I realize he is a veteren but Disney has been putting out garbage under his oversight for years.

Examples:
G-Force, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Race to Witch Mountain, Jonas Brothers Concert, Bedtime Stories, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, College Road Trip, National Treasure 2, The Game Plane, Underdog, The Santa Clause 3, Bridge to Terebithia, Invincible, The gy Dog, Glory Road.
And that's just within the past 3 years.

He is a bad executive who has made bad decisions. Point Blank. End of story. And, rumor has it that Lasseter will get the job. I think everyone can agree that it will be an upgrade. And even if a Marvel executive gets the position, that doesn't mean anything for the parks. Parks and Resorts is a separate division that has no relations with the Studios.

And just to hammer my point home, ________ Cook is the man who greenlit the Cheapquals that have been derided on forums such as this. He gave the goahead for Pooh's Heffalump Movie, Return to Neverland, Bambi II, Cinderella II and III, etc.

Just because he has been there for years doesn't mean he was perfect or talented. I hope he finds employment elsewhere or enjoys retirement, but aside from that, bring on the change!

My sentiments exactly.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

If quality is the best business plan, why is everyone mourning the loss? I realize he is a veteren but Disney has been putting out garbage under his oversight for years.

Examples:
G-Force, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Race to Witch Mountain, Jonas Brothers Concert, Bedtime Stories, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, College Road Trip, National Treasure 2, The Game Plane, Underdog, The Santa Clause 3, Bridge to Terebithia, Invincible, The gy Dog, Glory Road.
And that's just within the past 3 years.

He is a bad executive who has made bad decisions. Point Blank. End of story. And, rumor has it that Lasseter will get the job. I think everyone can agree that it will be an upgrade. And even if a Marvel executive gets the position, that doesn't mean anything for the parks. Parks and Resorts is a separate division that has no relations with the Studios.

And just to hammer my point home, ________ Cook is the man who greenlit the Cheapquals that have been derided on forums such as this. He gave the goahead for Pooh's Heffalump Movie, Return to Neverland, Bambi II, Cinderella II and III, etc.

Just because he has been there for years doesn't mean he was perfect or talented. I hope he finds employment elsewhere or enjoys retirement, but aside from that, bring on the change!

I have no problem with the ones I bolded.

Good films all around IMO.:shrug:

 

[The Conundrum]

If quality is the best business plan, why is everyone mourning the loss? I realize he is a veteren but Disney has been putting out garbage under his oversight for years.

Examples:
G-Force, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Race to Witch Mountain, Jonas Brothers Concert, Bedtime Stories, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, College Road Trip, National Treasure 2, The Game Plane, Underdog, The Santa Clause 3, Bridge to Terebithia, Invincible, The gy Dog, Glory Road.
And that's just within the past 3 years.

He is a bad executive who has made bad decisions. Point Blank. End of story. And, rumor has it that Lasseter will get the job. I think everyone can agree that it will be an upgrade. And even if a Marvel executive gets the position, that doesn't mean anything for the parks. Parks and Resorts is a separate division that has no relations with the Studios.

And just to hammer my point home, ________ Cook is the man who greenlit the Cheapquals that have been derided on forums such as this. He gave the goahead for Pooh's Heffalump Movie, Return to Neverland, Bambi II, Cinderella II and III, etc.

Just because he has been there for years doesn't mean he was perfect or talented. I hope he finds employment elsewhere or enjoys retirement, but aside from that, bring on the change!

Well ________ Cook did hold power over the parks. A power given to him by Michael Eisner. ________ Cook had a big hand in promotional tie-ins for films at the parks (parades for disney charecters, those little exhibits like the narnia one at DHS, and the premier of Pirates at Disneyland) as well as influencing the decisions to add Jack Sparrow to POTC, etc. It is likely that power will remain with whoever replaces him as Chairman of walt disney studios. Although its possible that power will now revert back to the Imagineers...and Lasseter...

and I doubt it will be Lasseter he has his hands MORE than full already with the animation departments, imagineering, and keeping an eye on consumer products. Although the more power Disney gives him the better because he knows how to make a great product.

Also where did you hear it was ________ Cook who authorized the sequels? I could have sworn the idea came from some MBAs who were ruling over the animation department in the mid to late 90s.

 

[The Conundrum]

So, let's see, you say this is a terrible move on Disney's part, even though the man resigned himself, and was NOT fired.... But, you bash pretty much EEVRY movie Disney Studios has put out of the last 10 years or so, you say above that the division has been terrible and not getting any better.... So, what is it??? If the studio is terrible and not getting better, wouldnt the best move be getting rid of the head and infusing new blood???

You do know in the business world, high level executives are never "fired" they resign. He was fired.

 

[janoimagine]

You do know in the business world, high level executives are never "fired" they resign. He was fired.

I think the politicaly correct big business term would be 'forced resignation.'