By Gavin Boyle
Disney’s recent movie release schedule revealed that an animated movie will debut during the summer months for the first time since WINNIE THE POOH in 2011.
The currently unnamed project is slated to release in June 2029.
“I wouldn’t say that we’ve got a priority one way or the other. Our priority is to put out great movies that ultimately resonate with consumers. And the more we can find and develop original property, the better, of course,” former Disney CEO Bob Iger told investors last August about the company’s focus on animated movies after the release of the company’s most recent quarterly earnings.
Related: Does Disney Care About Original Stories Any More?
While Disney always works to connect with major audiences, it has chosen not to release an animated movie during the summer, bypassing the family audience that would be interested. This decision is odd, considering children are out of school during the summer and it is the time of year when the box office has the most momentum. Nonetheless, its tentpole movies, such as ZOOTOPIA 2, have found success with releases outside of the peak season.
Perhaps the choice to withhold animated movies from the summer schedule comes from a desire to push Pixar, STAR WARS or AVENGERS movies to as wide an audience as possible.
Disney’s movie release schedule is quickly filling up. The movie in question, which has yet to be publicly revealed, will release in the summer of 2029. A slew of other Disney, Marvel and Pixar pictures are already scheduled for 2028 and 2029.
Earlier this month, Disney leadership underwent a massive change as Iger stepped down as CEO with former Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro taking his place.
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said of his replacement. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”
“At its best, Disney creates stories, characters, and experiences that people connect with deeply and carry with them for a lifetime,” D’Amaro wrote in a memo to staff after taking the helm of the company. “That takes exceptional creativity, craftsmanship and thousands of people united by a shared commitment to excellence.”
As Disney stands at an inflection point in its history, it is interesting to see how something as small as the release schedule already hints toward potential major changes down the line.
Read Next: Will the Next Disney CEO Continue Walt Disney’s Legacy?
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +1