Mouse: Less live action
Eisner hopeful on Pixar deal
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"We always still could, although I'm not predicting it, but it's still possible," CEO Michael Eisner said about a potential renewal of the Pixar deal, which is set to expire in 2006.
That was the only substantive mention of Pixar by Disney execs at the presentation, but it made clear that the Mouse House isn't yet ready to give up on the possibility of partnering again with the "Finding Nemo" maker.
Pixar CEO Steve Jobs hasn't expressed any interest in continuing to work with Disney and recently said his company's in "getting to know you" talks with a number of major studios about a new distribution deal, which he said may not be completed for up to 18 months.
But Eisner's comments are in line with previous statements he's made declining to rule out a new deal and expressing hope the partners would make peace.
Disney's also in the midst of a dispute with Miramax, and execs tried to dampen expectations of any negative impact of a split with the mini-major.
"The desire of the company in the long term is to invest less in live-action movies, and in order to do that there has got to be some give here and there," prexy Bob Iger said of the conflict between Disney and the Weinstein brothers who run Miramax. "I think that's sort of where the rubber might meet the road in terms of any future relationship."
Exec said studio will remain focused on Disney-branded pics and franchises.
"When you look across all our movie touchpoints and you add all that up, it's a big investment, and it's more than we believe the company needs, and it's more than we believe can be justified based on the returns," Iger explained. "If we're going to invest money in entertainment, I think there are better ways to spend our money than live action. But we are going to continue to invest substantially in it."
(Justin Dickerson contributed to this report.)
