Staff Reports
production
A long-time director of Disney films, John Musker, recently spoke out about the need for the Walt Disney Company to refocus its efforts on creating compelling stories and engaging characters rather than prioritizing messages in its film production. With a directing background that includes iconic Disney films like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Moana, Musker emphasized the importance of starting with characters and world-building in the production process, rather than leading with a message as a primary goal.
In a recent interview, Musker highlighted the traditional approach of classic Disney films, underscoring that they did not begin with a specific message but instead started with the development of characters and their stories. He pointed out that the heart of these classic movies lies in their compelling characters and engaging storylines. Musker suggested that Disney should look back to this model as it moves forward with new films, placing entertainment and compelling storytelling at the forefront.
Additionally, Musker expressed his concern about Disney’s trend of reimagining older films through live-action remakes. He criticized the portrayal of animated animals in these remakes, stating that live-action versions often lack the expressive qualities found in their animated counterparts. Musker also distanced himself from the upcoming live-action remake of his 2016 animated film, Moana, indicating that he has no involvement in the project.
The Walt Disney Company faced a challenging year at the box office in 2023, with several of its released movies failing to meet expectations. This downturn contributed to Disney losing its status as the highest-grossing studio, a position it had held for eight consecutive years. Additionally, Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Disney, recently announced employee layoffs, raising further concerns about the company’s performance in the film industry.
