Wall Street investors are worried that Pixar’s upcoming movie “UP” doesn’t have enough retail merchandising appeal according to a recent article in the New York Times.
Richard Greenfield of Pali Research downgraded Disney shares to sell last month, citing a poor outlook for “Up” as a reason. “We doubt younger boys will be that excited by the main character,” he wrote, adding a complaint about the lack of a female lead.
While Wall Street worries about money, Disney CEO Robert Iger sees the need to first make a great movie. “We seek to make great films first. If a great film gives birth to a franchise, we are the first company to leverage such success. A check-the-boxes approach to creativity is more likely to result in blandness and failure.”
I remember a similar cry regarding Over the Hedge that did well in theaters.
i.e., A good-natured boy scout is no role model for today’s children?
A studio exec who puts quality above merchandising? There’s a refreshing change.
I can’t imagine speculating on a film for $175 M to make, but seems like Pixar does it all the time and has a good track record. Seems like Wall Street would have other priorities than creating a negative buzz on a film.
weren’t they saying the same thing about Wall-E?
Pixar is going to make so much money off of Toy Story 3, they can afford to take “risks” with movies like this.
This story reads like a premise for a Pixar movie.
Wall Street has enough on its plate trashing the global economy. Leave animation to the experts.
who cares about wall street.
pixar worries about telling great stories.
i’m worried that wall street doesn’t have enough honest and integrity appeal.
get over yourselves wall street.
UP yours, Wall Street!
It’s always nice to see capitalism attempting to ruin art. I’m glad that Pixar responded appropriately.
LT – Actually capitalism has everything to do with Pixar spending $175M to make a movie that will net far more than that. Without capitalism you would not have a Pixar … however, I agree with you on Wall Street’s opinion on animation being seemingly clueless in this case, with an appropriate response as summarized so well by Stacy!
When has Pixar made a bad movie? It’s not like these “Troubled Times” will have any effect on the ability to create a good story.