Disney has messed up big time. Steve Jobs and Pixar have walked away from the negotiating table and into what will likely become a no-holds-barred bidding war for Pixar.
Jobs, in typical style, said, “We’ve had a great run together — one of the most successful in Hollywood history — and it’s a shame that Disney won’t be participating in Pixar’s future successes.” Translation: We made a ton of cash for Disney, and now they’ve blown it. Oh, well. More money for us.
Michael Eisner issued his own statement: “Although we would have enjoyed continuing our successful collaboration under mutually acceptable terms, Pixar understandably has chosen to go its own way to grow as an independent company.” Translation: I don’t negotiate with animators.
Not to be outdone, Roy Disney and Stanley Gold said, “Michael Eisner’s inability to manage and nurture crucial creative relationships, like the one Disney had with Pixar, is one of the main reasons we have maintained that we did not believe Disney’s earnings were sustainable.” Translation: Michael is an idiot. I can’t believe he blew it with Pixar. Maybe Treasure Planet 2 will be a big hit. Yeah.
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