Martin Starger, a producer for such films as Robert Altman’s Nashville and Peter Bogdanovich’s Mask, died Friday at 92 in his Los Angeles home of natural causes. His death was confirmed by his niece, casting director Ilene Starger.
“He was a brilliant, elegant, remarkable man,” Starger said. “He had wonderful taste in projects, and, on a highly personal level, he was like a father to me, given that his older brother, my father, died very suddenly when I was a teenager.”
As the first president of ABC Entertainment, he helped bring such projects as Roots, Happy Days and Rich Man, Poor Man to television.
As an executive producer, Starger worked on films including Stanley Donen’s Movie Movie (1978), Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981), Mark Rydell’s On Golden Pond (1981), The Last Unicorn (1982) and Alan J. Pakula’s Sophie’s Choice (1982).
Martin...
“He was a brilliant, elegant, remarkable man,” Starger said. “He had wonderful taste in projects, and, on a highly personal level, he was like a father to me, given that his older brother, my father, died very suddenly when I was a teenager.”
As the first president of ABC Entertainment, he helped bring such projects as Roots, Happy Days and Rich Man, Poor Man to television.
As an executive producer, Starger worked on films including Stanley Donen’s Movie Movie (1978), Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981), Mark Rydell’s On Golden Pond (1981), The Last Unicorn (1982) and Alan J. Pakula’s Sophie’s Choice (1982).
Martin...
- 6/1/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Martin Starger, who shepherded Roots, Happy Days and Rich Man, Poor Man as the first president of ABC Entertainment before producing such films as Robert Altman’s Nashville and Peter Bogdanovich’s Mask, has died. He was 92.
Starger died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, his niece, New York-based casting director Ilene Starger, announced. “He was a brilliant, elegant, remarkable man and had wonderful taste in projects,” she noted.
As an executive producer, Starger worked on films including Stanley Donen’s Movie Movie (1978), Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981), Mark Rydell’s On Golden Pond (1981), The Last Unicorn (1982) and Alan J. Pakula’s Sophie’s Choice (1982)
He received Tony nominations in 1987 and 1989 for producing the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express and the comedy Lend Me a Tenor, respectively,
Starger was born on May 8, 1932, in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from City College,...
Starger died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, his niece, New York-based casting director Ilene Starger, announced. “He was a brilliant, elegant, remarkable man and had wonderful taste in projects,” she noted.
As an executive producer, Starger worked on films including Stanley Donen’s Movie Movie (1978), Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata, The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981), Mark Rydell’s On Golden Pond (1981), The Last Unicorn (1982) and Alan J. Pakula’s Sophie’s Choice (1982)
He received Tony nominations in 1987 and 1989 for producing the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express and the comedy Lend Me a Tenor, respectively,
Starger was born on May 8, 1932, in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from City College,...
- 6/1/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Recently, I watched the trailer for Transformers One, the Cybertron-set sequel about the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Every time I see that trailer attached to whatever movie, an unenthusiasm washes over. It’s mainly a byproduct of Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry’s casting as pre-Adam’s-apple-dropped versions of their respective characters. And make no mistake, they did not change their voices at all for these roles.
It’s not just Transformers One that’s the butt of this phenomenon though. Nearly every animated movie emphasizes a celebrity voice cast as part of its marketing. How else can you explain the overexposure of Chris Pratt as this weekend’s Garfield and last year’s Super Mario? It’s even standard day practice now for the character poster to also feature an actor’s name above the animation design, a la “Zendaya is Meechee.” This exists, presumably, to lure adults into the theater.
It’s not just Transformers One that’s the butt of this phenomenon though. Nearly every animated movie emphasizes a celebrity voice cast as part of its marketing. How else can you explain the overexposure of Chris Pratt as this weekend’s Garfield and last year’s Super Mario? It’s even standard day practice now for the character poster to also feature an actor’s name above the animation design, a la “Zendaya is Meechee.” This exists, presumably, to lure adults into the theater.
- 5/23/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
John Travolta returned to television in a full-length role after nearly four decades in Ryan Murphy’s The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. His last TV role was Vinnie Barbarino in Welcome Back, Kotter which lasted from 1975 to 1979. It was not an easy decision to take on the role but Travolta had a personal Hollywood ‘consulting’ team to advise him. This esteemed group of people included Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Rita Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Eisner.
John Travolta with David Schwimmer in The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
The Saturday Night Fever actor played the real-life character Robert Shapiro, the famous American attorney who was part of O.J. Simpson’s dream defense team. The series received critical acclaim, however, Travolta’s performance had more polarized reactions.
John Travolta’s Decision To Return To TV Was Influenced By Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Others
Five...
John Travolta with David Schwimmer in The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
The Saturday Night Fever actor played the real-life character Robert Shapiro, the famous American attorney who was part of O.J. Simpson’s dream defense team. The series received critical acclaim, however, Travolta’s performance had more polarized reactions.
John Travolta’s Decision To Return To TV Was Influenced By Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Others
Five...
- 5/2/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
The votes have been tallied, and Disney’s victory over the activist investor Nelson Peltz and his Trian Partners is final.
But thanks to a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we now have a sense of just how big a margin it was. Disney on Wednesday filed the “final, certified voting results” from the annual shareholder meeting, as tallied by its independent auditor First Coast Results, Inc.
Arguably the biggest winner was Disney CEO Bob Iger, who can now move forward with the “distracting” proxy fight behind him. Iger’s board seat was also up for a vote, and the filing shows that he secured about 94 percent of the votes, or 1,118,465,241 votes, with only 73,022,334 votes to withhold.
Peltz, meanwhile, was seeking to replace Maria Elena Lagomasino on the board, but only received 370,974,890 votes, compared to Lagomasino’s 749,857,222, with the current director beating him by a two-to-one margin.
But thanks to a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we now have a sense of just how big a margin it was. Disney on Wednesday filed the “final, certified voting results” from the annual shareholder meeting, as tallied by its independent auditor First Coast Results, Inc.
Arguably the biggest winner was Disney CEO Bob Iger, who can now move forward with the “distracting” proxy fight behind him. Iger’s board seat was also up for a vote, and the filing shows that he secured about 94 percent of the votes, or 1,118,465,241 votes, with only 73,022,334 votes to withhold.
Peltz, meanwhile, was seeking to replace Maria Elena Lagomasino on the board, but only received 370,974,890 votes, compared to Lagomasino’s 749,857,222, with the current director beating him by a two-to-one margin.
- 4/17/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Uncork the champagne and prep the Disney yacht because the Walt Disney Company and CEO Bob Iger have reasons to celebrate after activist investor Nelson Peltz failed to secure a seat on the board for himself and former Disney CEO Jay Rasulo.
Peltz aimed to kick Disney directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman from their prominent positions, replacing them with Peltz and Rasulo. Peltz failed after launching an aggressive campaign in January via his Trian Partners. Still, the effort petered out in February after Iger announced a studio-wide reboot, causing Disney’s share prices to skyrocket.
The proxy battle between the mouse-eared company, Iger and Peltz, got nasty as both parties vowed to control the Walt Disney Company empire. Disney even went so far as to release a political-style ad framing Trian in a less-than-favorable light. Trian clapped back with a statement saying they were not targeting Iger but the board overall.
Peltz aimed to kick Disney directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman from their prominent positions, replacing them with Peltz and Rasulo. Peltz failed after launching an aggressive campaign in January via his Trian Partners. Still, the effort petered out in February after Iger announced a studio-wide reboot, causing Disney’s share prices to skyrocket.
The proxy battle between the mouse-eared company, Iger and Peltz, got nasty as both parties vowed to control the Walt Disney Company empire. Disney even went so far as to release a political-style ad framing Trian in a less-than-favorable light. Trian clapped back with a statement saying they were not targeting Iger but the board overall.
- 4/3/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
In a crucial endorsement of Disney CEO Bob Iger, shareholders have elected all 12 of the media giant’s board nominees, ending the proxy fight with activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian Partners.
The result was declared at the annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday (April 3) after a months-long campaign over control for the board that reportedly cost Disney in the region of $40m and set Peltz back by some $20m.
Shareholders elected the 12 nominees recommended by the Disney board: Mary T. Barra, Safra A. Catz, Amy L. Chang, D. Jeremy Darroch, Carolyn N. Everson, Michael B.G. Froman, James P. Gorman,...
The result was declared at the annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday (April 3) after a months-long campaign over control for the board that reportedly cost Disney in the region of $40m and set Peltz back by some $20m.
Shareholders elected the 12 nominees recommended by the Disney board: Mary T. Barra, Safra A. Catz, Amy L. Chang, D. Jeremy Darroch, Carolyn N. Everson, Michael B.G. Froman, James P. Gorman,...
- 4/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
Disney has won its proxy fight with activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian Partners after shareholders elected all 12 of the media giant’s board nominees which included CEO Bob Iger.
The result was declared at the media giant’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday (April 3), ending months-long and costly campaigning over control for the board.
Shareholders elected the 12 nominees recommended by the Disney board: Mary T. Barra, Safra A. Catz, Amy L. Chang, D. Jeremy Darroch, Carolyn N. Everson, Michael B.G. Froman, James P. Gorman, Robert A. Iger, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Calvin R. McDonald, Mark G. Parker, and Derica W.
The result was declared at the media giant’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday (April 3), ending months-long and costly campaigning over control for the board.
Shareholders elected the 12 nominees recommended by the Disney board: Mary T. Barra, Safra A. Catz, Amy L. Chang, D. Jeremy Darroch, Carolyn N. Everson, Michael B.G. Froman, James P. Gorman, Robert A. Iger, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Calvin R. McDonald, Mark G. Parker, and Derica W.
- 4/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
In a win for The Walt Disney Co. and CEO Bob Iger, Disney says that all of its director nominees have been elected by shareholders, rebuffing the activist investor Nelson Peltz, who had been running a high-profile campaign to put himself and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo on the company’s board.
Disney announced the preliminary result at the end of its annual shareholder meeting Thursday, noting that final results will be filed with the SEC later.
Peltz’s Trian Partners had been seeking to oust Disney directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman, replacing them with Peltz and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo.
A source says that Iger secured 94% of the vote for his board seat. Lagomasino beat Peltz by a margin of about two to one, with the activist securing about 30% of the vote for his seat. Rasulo lost his vote by a margin of five to one.
Disney announced the preliminary result at the end of its annual shareholder meeting Thursday, noting that final results will be filed with the SEC later.
Peltz’s Trian Partners had been seeking to oust Disney directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman, replacing them with Peltz and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo.
A source says that Iger secured 94% of the vote for his board seat. Lagomasino beat Peltz by a margin of about two to one, with the activist securing about 30% of the vote for his seat. Rasulo lost his vote by a margin of five to one.
- 4/3/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Elon Musk is once again garnering the spotlight with his recent statement, backing up an activist investor, Nelson Peltz as the latter actively tries to join the Disney Board. The company is facing an intense showdown over seats on Disney’s board of directors which will end at their annual shareholders meeting.
Elon Musk on Full Send Podcast
The media giant announced its 12 board nominees in January, including CEO Bob Iger. In a few days, Peltz’ Trian Partners, who owns a 1.5% stake in Disney is vying for two board seats – one for its co-founder, Peltz, and another for ex-Disney chief financial officer Jay Rasulo. As results are awaited, Musk takes his stance in Peltz’s favor.
Elon Musk Supports Nelson Peltz in the Proxy Battle for Disney
As the voting to select Disney’s board of directors closed last night, Tesla owner Elon Musk took to X to express his support for activist investor,...
Elon Musk on Full Send Podcast
The media giant announced its 12 board nominees in January, including CEO Bob Iger. In a few days, Peltz’ Trian Partners, who owns a 1.5% stake in Disney is vying for two board seats – one for its co-founder, Peltz, and another for ex-Disney chief financial officer Jay Rasulo. As results are awaited, Musk takes his stance in Peltz’s favor.
Elon Musk Supports Nelson Peltz in the Proxy Battle for Disney
As the voting to select Disney’s board of directors closed last night, Tesla owner Elon Musk took to X to express his support for activist investor,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Priya Sharma
- FandomWire
Elon Musk is backing Nelson Peltz in the proxy battle for the future of Disney.
Onlookers are waiting with baited breath after the bitter voting to select Disney’s board of directors closed last night, with CEO Bob Iger’s nominees appearing likely to win out. However, that didn’t stop X/Twitter and Tesla owner Musk taking to social media this morning to provide his two cents.
He wrote: “Nelson Peltz should definitely be on the Disney board! He would help reform the company, improve the quality of product and generally serve in the best interests of shareholders, as he has done at many other companies. This would significantly improve Disney’s share price.”
Nelson Peltz should definitely be on the Disney board!
He would help reform the company, improve the quality of product and generally serve in the best interests of shareholders, as he has done at many other companies.
Onlookers are waiting with baited breath after the bitter voting to select Disney’s board of directors closed last night, with CEO Bob Iger’s nominees appearing likely to win out. However, that didn’t stop X/Twitter and Tesla owner Musk taking to social media this morning to provide his two cents.
He wrote: “Nelson Peltz should definitely be on the Disney board! He would help reform the company, improve the quality of product and generally serve in the best interests of shareholders, as he has done at many other companies. This would significantly improve Disney’s share price.”
Nelson Peltz should definitely be on the Disney board!
He would help reform the company, improve the quality of product and generally serve in the best interests of shareholders, as he has done at many other companies.
- 4/3/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The minutes are ticking down to the close of Disney’s bitter proxy fight with Nelson Peltz, whose attempt to scale the board is a direct challenge to CEO Bob Iger.
Barring any hanging chads, results from voting for members of the board of directors will be revealed Wednesday at the company’s annual shareholder meeting at 1 p.m. Et / 10 a.m. Pt. (Polls officially close at 11:59 p.m. Et tonight.) Iger fought, and authorized the spending of $40 million, to quash the interloper activist investor, but win or lose, he invited the fight by botching succession.
Fumbled regime change became Peltz’s rallying cry, far more compelling that his thoughts on strategy. It’s the reason the race was so hard-fought. Iss, the most influential proxy advisory service, dealt perhaps the biggest blow to the company by backing Peltz in a move reminiscent of its withholding votes from then-ceo...
Barring any hanging chads, results from voting for members of the board of directors will be revealed Wednesday at the company’s annual shareholder meeting at 1 p.m. Et / 10 a.m. Pt. (Polls officially close at 11:59 p.m. Et tonight.) Iger fought, and authorized the spending of $40 million, to quash the interloper activist investor, but win or lose, he invited the fight by botching succession.
Fumbled regime change became Peltz’s rallying cry, far more compelling that his thoughts on strategy. It’s the reason the race was so hard-fought. Iss, the most influential proxy advisory service, dealt perhaps the biggest blow to the company by backing Peltz in a move reminiscent of its withholding votes from then-ceo...
- 4/3/2024
- by Dade Hayes, Jill Goldsmith and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The entertainment industry and Wall Street will be paying close attention to Disney’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday (April 3).
That is when the 12-person board will finally be revealed after a protracted proxy battle between the company led by CEO Bob Iger and the billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, who co-founded Trian Fund Management which controls approximately $3bn of Disney stock.
Each side has mounted multi-million dollar campaigns to persuade institutional and individual or retail shareholders to elect their preferred board directors. The latter group may play a key role in the vote as they collectively hold some 40% of...
That is when the 12-person board will finally be revealed after a protracted proxy battle between the company led by CEO Bob Iger and the billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, who co-founded Trian Fund Management which controls approximately $3bn of Disney stock.
Each side has mounted multi-million dollar campaigns to persuade institutional and individual or retail shareholders to elect their preferred board directors. The latter group may play a key role in the vote as they collectively hold some 40% of...
- 4/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Disney may have nudged Nelson Peltz farther from its board as giant BlackRock is said to be backing the company’s slate of directors. The firm is Disney’s second-largest shareholder at about 4.2%.
The news, first reported in the Wall Street Journal, followed T. Rowe Price, an 0.5% owner, coming out in support of CEO Bob Iger and Disney as shareholders head into the last day of voting ahead of the annual meeting set for Wednesday at 10 am Pt/1 pm Et. The board has over the past three months been the focus of the most expensive proxy fight on record pitting directors and CEO Bob Iger against Peltz, the billionaire activist investor who has pounded Disney on strategy, stock price and, mainly, poor succession planning.
The deadline for voting is 11:59 tonight. The WSJ said that over half of all shares had been voted so far, so things could still change.
The news, first reported in the Wall Street Journal, followed T. Rowe Price, an 0.5% owner, coming out in support of CEO Bob Iger and Disney as shareholders head into the last day of voting ahead of the annual meeting set for Wednesday at 10 am Pt/1 pm Et. The board has over the past three months been the focus of the most expensive proxy fight on record pitting directors and CEO Bob Iger against Peltz, the billionaire activist investor who has pounded Disney on strategy, stock price and, mainly, poor succession planning.
The deadline for voting is 11:59 tonight. The WSJ said that over half of all shares had been voted so far, so things could still change.
- 4/2/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Around 100 hours before the deadline for all Disney shareholders to cast their ballots in the acrid board clash between the Mouse House and activist investor Nelson Peltz, one of the country’s top pension funds just rolled its cannons onto the battlefield.
With 6.7 million shares in Disney, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) blew a hole late Friday through Bob Iger and supporters’ hard fought efforts to keep the Ike Perlmutter-backed Peltz and a former CFO from gaining seats on the board on April 3.
“CalPERS believes Walt Disney Co. will benefit from fresh eyes on its board of directors and voted its company shares in favor of candidates Nelson Peltz and Jay Rasulo,” John Myers, chief of the CalPERS Office of Public Affairs, told Deadline today.
While CalPERS says it will also vote for Iger and the likes of ex-Morgan Stanley boss James Gorman for the 12-member board,...
With 6.7 million shares in Disney, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) blew a hole late Friday through Bob Iger and supporters’ hard fought efforts to keep the Ike Perlmutter-backed Peltz and a former CFO from gaining seats on the board on April 3.
“CalPERS believes Walt Disney Co. will benefit from fresh eyes on its board of directors and voted its company shares in favor of candidates Nelson Peltz and Jay Rasulo,” John Myers, chief of the CalPERS Office of Public Affairs, told Deadline today.
While CalPERS says it will also vote for Iger and the likes of ex-Morgan Stanley boss James Gorman for the 12-member board,...
- 3/30/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Activist Disney investor Blackwells Capital is suing the media giant over what it sees as an inappropriately cozy relationship with another shareholder, ValueAct Capital.
In the lawsuit filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court (read it here), Blackwells lays out concerns about whether ValueAct has been paid to take a pro-Disney position in a brewing proxy fight with activists. Blackwells and Trian Fund Management have agitated for fresh voices on Disney’s board of directors ahead of Wednesday’s annual shareholder meeting, when ballots in board elections officially will be tallied.
The lawsuit requests “books and records in order to determine whether wrongdoing, mismanagement, or breaches of fiduciary duty, including potential violations of disclosure obligations under the federal securities laws, have taken place.” Blackwells also maintains that ValueAct managed Disney pension funds from 2013-23, a fact that Disney neglected to disclose when proclaiming ValueAct’s support.
Related: Disney And Ron DeSantis...
In the lawsuit filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court (read it here), Blackwells lays out concerns about whether ValueAct has been paid to take a pro-Disney position in a brewing proxy fight with activists. Blackwells and Trian Fund Management have agitated for fresh voices on Disney’s board of directors ahead of Wednesday’s annual shareholder meeting, when ballots in board elections officially will be tallied.
The lawsuit requests “books and records in order to determine whether wrongdoing, mismanagement, or breaches of fiduciary duty, including potential violations of disclosure obligations under the federal securities laws, have taken place.” Blackwells also maintains that ValueAct managed Disney pension funds from 2013-23, a fact that Disney neglected to disclose when proclaiming ValueAct’s support.
Related: Disney And Ron DeSantis...
- 3/28/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Proxy advisor Egan-Jones on Wednesday became the second independent firm to support activist Nelson Peltz’s effort to secure seats on the Disney board.
The endorsement follows that of Iss earlier this month, which was a notable win for Peltz’s Trian Fund Management as it is the biggest advisory firm and highly influential. While Iss backed Peltz alone, Egan-Jones is supports both the billionaire activist investor and former Disney executive Jay Rasulo, Trian’s other nominee to the Disney board. The firm is recommending shareholders withhold support for Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael B.G. Froman, who are members of Disney’s slate of nominees.
Disney shareholders’ votes will be tallied at company’s annual meeting next Wednesday.
“We see very little downside and a lot of upsides in putting the Trian nominees on the board,” Egan-Jones said in an announcement. The firm cited an “apparent lack” of a...
The endorsement follows that of Iss earlier this month, which was a notable win for Peltz’s Trian Fund Management as it is the biggest advisory firm and highly influential. While Iss backed Peltz alone, Egan-Jones is supports both the billionaire activist investor and former Disney executive Jay Rasulo, Trian’s other nominee to the Disney board. The firm is recommending shareholders withhold support for Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael B.G. Froman, who are members of Disney’s slate of nominees.
Disney shareholders’ votes will be tallied at company’s annual meeting next Wednesday.
“We see very little downside and a lot of upsides in putting the Trian nominees on the board,” Egan-Jones said in an announcement. The firm cited an “apparent lack” of a...
- 3/27/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
If Bob Iger were a Marvel superhero, his power would be persuasion. The Disney CEO has long leaned on his ability to convince others of his plans. From film and TV writers, directors and stars, to Disney shareholders, to the company’s own board members, Iger’s track record has been impeccable.
Consider possibly the most important deal he ever led: Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009. While Marvel’s success since then is not in dispute, at the time the idea of Disney chasing young men via the comic book brand was seen as a real risk. In his 2019 memoir The Ride of a Lifetime, Iger recalls how he pitched a skeptical Steve Jobs on the deal.
Jobs, who had sold Pixar to Disney just a couple of years earlier, was Disney’s largest shareholder and a member of the board. He also told Iger that he...
Consider possibly the most important deal he ever led: Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009. While Marvel’s success since then is not in dispute, at the time the idea of Disney chasing young men via the comic book brand was seen as a real risk. In his 2019 memoir The Ride of a Lifetime, Iger recalls how he pitched a skeptical Steve Jobs on the deal.
Jobs, who had sold Pixar to Disney just a couple of years earlier, was Disney’s largest shareholder and a member of the board. He also told Iger that he...
- 3/27/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As the Disney board proxy fight nears its deciding day, activist investor Nelson Peltz is taking aim at what he calls the company’s “woke” film strategy, particularly as it pertains to Black Panther and The Marvels.
In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Peltz questioned the leadership of Marvel chief Kevin Feige and the larger movie strategy under Disney CEO Bob Iger. Though he said he did not want either leader unseated (Peltz is outwardly campaigning to take the board seats of current members Michael B.G. Froman and Maria Elena Lagomasino), he questioned how long Feige should remain and what the strategy should be moving forward.
“People go to watch a movie or a show to be entertained,” Peltz said in the interview. “They don’t go to get a message.
“Why do I have to have a Marvel that’s all women? Not that I have anything against women,...
In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Peltz questioned the leadership of Marvel chief Kevin Feige and the larger movie strategy under Disney CEO Bob Iger. Though he said he did not want either leader unseated (Peltz is outwardly campaigning to take the board seats of current members Michael B.G. Froman and Maria Elena Lagomasino), he questioned how long Feige should remain and what the strategy should be moving forward.
“People go to watch a movie or a show to be entertained,” Peltz said in the interview. “They don’t go to get a message.
“Why do I have to have a Marvel that’s all women? Not that I have anything against women,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney and its current CEO, Bob Iger, have secured the backing of Iger’s onetime boss, former Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner.
In a statement posted to social media, Eisner didn’t name Nelson Peltz, whose Trian Fund Management is mounting an offensive to win two seats on Disney’s board at the April 3 annual shareholder meeting. But the longtime media exec wrote that “bringing in someone who doesn’t have experience in the company or the industry to disrupt Bob and his eventual successor is playing not only with fire but earthquakes and hurricanes as well.”
Eisner recalled a similar skirmish in 1983, just prior to the start of his two-decade run as chairman and CEO, when “corporate raiders were trying to take over the company.”
Had that incursion been allowed, he continued, “that would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio, theme parks, and...
In a statement posted to social media, Eisner didn’t name Nelson Peltz, whose Trian Fund Management is mounting an offensive to win two seats on Disney’s board at the April 3 annual shareholder meeting. But the longtime media exec wrote that “bringing in someone who doesn’t have experience in the company or the industry to disrupt Bob and his eventual successor is playing not only with fire but earthquakes and hurricanes as well.”
Eisner recalled a similar skirmish in 1983, just prior to the start of his two-decade run as chairman and CEO, when “corporate raiders were trying to take over the company.”
Had that incursion been allowed, he continued, “that would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio, theme parks, and...
- 3/22/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Another prominent voice is weighing in with support for Disney CEO Bob Iger and the company’s board of directors in its proxy fight with Nelson Peltz’s Trian Partners.
Michael Eisner, Iger’s predecessor as CEO of the company, released a statement Friday that calls back to the 1984 activist campaign from Peltz’s fellow corporate raider Saul Steinberg, and warning that “bringing in someone who doesn’t have experience in the company or the industry to disrupt Bob and his eventual successor is playing not only with fire but earthquakes and hurricanes as well.”
“In 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company. That would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio, theme parks, and hotels were suggested to be sold off,” Eisner wrote. “The board turned to me and Frank Wells, and a different story was written, one...
Michael Eisner, Iger’s predecessor as CEO of the company, released a statement Friday that calls back to the 1984 activist campaign from Peltz’s fellow corporate raider Saul Steinberg, and warning that “bringing in someone who doesn’t have experience in the company or the industry to disrupt Bob and his eventual successor is playing not only with fire but earthquakes and hurricanes as well.”
“In 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company. That would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio, theme parks, and hotels were suggested to be sold off,” Eisner wrote. “The board turned to me and Frank Wells, and a different story was written, one...
- 3/22/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In yet another twist to the Disney proxy fight drama, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has publicly thrown his support behind current Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Company Board.
Michael Eisner was removed as Disney’s CEO after 11 years in the position (1984-2005.) He stepped down early and handed the position over to Bob Iger, who was COO at the time. Now he’s supporting Iger, asking people not to repeat what happened in 2005.
Before Eisner was made CEO, there was a previous “attack” by “corporate raiders” in 1983 that could have fundamentally changed the company. He is equating that situation to the current situation with Trian Partners and Blackwell Capital.
Here’s what he said:
“As I told @nytimes@dealbook, in 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company. That would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio,...
Michael Eisner was removed as Disney’s CEO after 11 years in the position (1984-2005.) He stepped down early and handed the position over to Bob Iger, who was COO at the time. Now he’s supporting Iger, asking people not to repeat what happened in 2005.
Before Eisner was made CEO, there was a previous “attack” by “corporate raiders” in 1983 that could have fundamentally changed the company. He is equating that situation to the current situation with Trian Partners and Blackwell Capital.
Here’s what he said:
“As I told @nytimes@dealbook, in 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company. That would have ended the Disney Company as we know it, for the studio,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Kambrea Pratt
- Pirates & Princesses
George Lucas is giving his all-out support to Disney CEO Bob Iger following his controversial proxy fight with activist investors. The Lucasfilm boss remarked how satisfied he is as a shareholder and is very happy with how his franchise turned out after selling it to Disney.
George Lucas via Star Wars/Youtube
The issue started after Nelson Peltz and the Blackwells Capital expressed their dissatisfaction with Disney’s stock performance. Peltz in particular was dismayed with how things were turning out within the company.
George Lucas Expressed Satisfaction With Bog Iger’s Leadership At Disney
George Lucas is one of the high-profile figures to cast his vote on Bob Iger. Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion, and so far, the veteran filmmaker is confident about the business tycoon’s management. He said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter:
“Creating magic is not for amateurs. When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago,...
George Lucas via Star Wars/Youtube
The issue started after Nelson Peltz and the Blackwells Capital expressed their dissatisfaction with Disney’s stock performance. Peltz in particular was dismayed with how things were turning out within the company.
George Lucas Expressed Satisfaction With Bog Iger’s Leadership At Disney
George Lucas is one of the high-profile figures to cast his vote on Bob Iger. Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion, and so far, the veteran filmmaker is confident about the business tycoon’s management. He said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter:
“Creating magic is not for amateurs. When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
Gerald Levin, known to many as Jerry, wasn’t flamboyant. He wasn’t characterized, as were many of his media business contemporaries, by extravagant hobbies, odd peccadillos, inspiring speeches or a spicy personal life. He could be testy, but he didn’t engage in public brawls beloved by – and between – Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch.
Levin, who died Wednesday at 84 nearly two decades after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was a philosophy major at Haverford College who was said to be fond of quoting Camus. But he also was private and often enigmatic at a time when the industry was led by brash founder-leaders like Viacom’s Sumner Redstone and News Corp.’s Murdoch. Michael Eisner was not a founder but a big personality. Bob Iger has been called a CEO out of central casting. “Jerry Levin was not your central casting CEO,” noted one Wall Streeter.
Levin, a...
Levin, who died Wednesday at 84 nearly two decades after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was a philosophy major at Haverford College who was said to be fond of quoting Camus. But he also was private and often enigmatic at a time when the industry was led by brash founder-leaders like Viacom’s Sumner Redstone and News Corp.’s Murdoch. Michael Eisner was not a founder but a big personality. Bob Iger has been called a CEO out of central casting. “Jerry Levin was not your central casting CEO,” noted one Wall Streeter.
Levin, a...
- 3/15/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
After skidding to multi-year lows in late-2023, Disney stock has rebounded more than 20% thus far in 2024 as two activist investment firms have launched a proxy fight.
The stock finished Thursday trading at $110.18, up a fraction. It started the year at $90.10, putting its gains at 22% for the year to date. Longer-term, of course, the shares have slipped 15% over the past five years as the S&P 500 has nearly doubled, with that underperformance forming the centerpiece of activist shareholders’ recent attacks. Even at $110, Disney stock is well off its high three years ago near $190.
Goosing the stock price is a stated goal of two activist investment firms that have taken aim at Disney’s top execs and board of directors ahead of the company’s annual shareholder meeting on April 3. It isn’t yet clear whether either opponent has managed to secure meaningful support from other shareholders, though many individuals hold Disney shares,...
The stock finished Thursday trading at $110.18, up a fraction. It started the year at $90.10, putting its gains at 22% for the year to date. Longer-term, of course, the shares have slipped 15% over the past five years as the S&P 500 has nearly doubled, with that underperformance forming the centerpiece of activist shareholders’ recent attacks. Even at $110, Disney stock is well off its high three years ago near $190.
Goosing the stock price is a stated goal of two activist investment firms that have taken aim at Disney’s top execs and board of directors ahead of the company’s annual shareholder meeting on April 3. It isn’t yet clear whether either opponent has managed to secure meaningful support from other shareholders, though many individuals hold Disney shares,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Corporate board room proxy battles can be frustratingly unpredictable. Even a company confident in its leadership and strategy cannot afford complacency when someone is seeking to depose board directors. It’s something Disney CEO Bob Iger knows a thing or two about.
The last time Disney faced a full-fledged proxy fight was 20 years ago. More than 40 percent of shareholders voted against the Disney board and its then-ceo, Michael Eisner. The executive lost his chairman title within hours and told the board of his plans to step aside as CEO in mere months.
A turning point in that battle, as Bob Iger recalled in his 2019 memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime, was the decision by the influential Institutional Shareholder Services (Iss) to back the activists. “I remember thinking that it was like we’d entered a conventional war … and now another party had launched nuclear weapons,” Iger wrote of learning about the Iss recommendation,...
The last time Disney faced a full-fledged proxy fight was 20 years ago. More than 40 percent of shareholders voted against the Disney board and its then-ceo, Michael Eisner. The executive lost his chairman title within hours and told the board of his plans to step aside as CEO in mere months.
A turning point in that battle, as Bob Iger recalled in his 2019 memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime, was the decision by the influential Institutional Shareholder Services (Iss) to back the activists. “I remember thinking that it was like we’d entered a conventional war … and now another party had launched nuclear weapons,” Iger wrote of learning about the Iss recommendation,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In two open letters to shareholders of the Walt Disney Company, grandchildren of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney came out in support of CEO Bob Iger and current management, which is being assailed by two investment firms trying to change the makeup of the company’s board.
“From Mickey and Minnie, to Snow White and Mary Poppins, Disney is not a company that makes widgets – it makes magic,” wrote Roy P. Disney Susan Disney Lord, Tim Disney and Abigail Disney, who has been outspokenly critical of the company in the past. “And it takes a special group of leaders with a deep respect and understanding for this tradition to develop the kinds of incredible experiences – whether in a theme park, at a movie theatre, or in your own home – that touch people’s hearts. Bob Iger, his management team, and the Board of Directors are faithful to this magic.
“From Mickey and Minnie, to Snow White and Mary Poppins, Disney is not a company that makes widgets – it makes magic,” wrote Roy P. Disney Susan Disney Lord, Tim Disney and Abigail Disney, who has been outspokenly critical of the company in the past. “And it takes a special group of leaders with a deep respect and understanding for this tradition to develop the kinds of incredible experiences – whether in a theme park, at a movie theatre, or in your own home – that touch people’s hearts. Bob Iger, his management team, and the Board of Directors are faithful to this magic.
- 2/29/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Surely the making of one of the funniest movies ever made can’t be that serious…and it really isn’t! Ok, 1980’s Airplane! was a tough sell and there were minor clashes between the directors and Paramount and lawsuits from a rival studio threatened the casting of numerous stars. But there was also perfect against-type casting, clever workarounds to silly DGA regulations and a complete reinvention of the spoof movie, all of which made Airplane! one of the greatest comedies ever.. Oh, and there were fart machines, too!
And so let’s park the taxi, avoid the fish and check in on our drinking problem as we find out: Wtf Happened to this movie?!
Airplane! has its origins in the Kentucky Fried Theater, which the trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as Zaz) founded in 1971. One act the fellas grew fond of was dubbing...
And so let’s park the taxi, avoid the fish and check in on our drinking problem as we find out: Wtf Happened to this movie?!
Airplane! has its origins in the Kentucky Fried Theater, which the trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as Zaz) founded in 1971. One act the fellas grew fond of was dubbing...
- 2/14/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Updated: For nearly 40 years, the Walt Disney Co. has largely been seen as an invincible force in the business of entertainment.
Sure, the Mouse House has had its good and not-so-good years at the box office and in TV viewership rankings. But with one major exception, in 2004, the company’s status as a high-performing pillar among the world’s largest media companies has rarely been questioned. That changed last year when activist investor Nelson Peltz, chairman of Trian Fund Management, decided to take aim at Disney.
Trian and rival firm Blackwells Capital have launched dueling PR campaigns and proxy fights to prod Disney to make changes to its corporate governance and long-term strategy. Both efforts are highly unlikely to achieve their stated goals of forcing new board members on Disney through the shareholders vote at the company’s April 3 annual meeting. But they have already succeeded in damaging the aura...
Sure, the Mouse House has had its good and not-so-good years at the box office and in TV viewership rankings. But with one major exception, in 2004, the company’s status as a high-performing pillar among the world’s largest media companies has rarely been questioned. That changed last year when activist investor Nelson Peltz, chairman of Trian Fund Management, decided to take aim at Disney.
Trian and rival firm Blackwells Capital have launched dueling PR campaigns and proxy fights to prod Disney to make changes to its corporate governance and long-term strategy. Both efforts are highly unlikely to achieve their stated goals of forcing new board members on Disney through the shareholders vote at the company’s April 3 annual meeting. But they have already succeeded in damaging the aura...
- 2/7/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Disney will unveil fiscal first-quarter financials after market close Wednesday – but this isn’t any earnings report. It’s one that comes with two separate activist shareholders lobbying aggressively to push new directors onto the company’s board because the stock has lagged and, they say, Disney hasn’t made any big moves to create value.
One potential game changer came late yesterday with Disney, Warner Bros. and Fox announcing the launch of a new sports streaming joint venture pooling the sports rights of three big media companies. That will generate a lot of conversation on Disney’s earnings call — but is it enough for Nelson Peltz to back off? He retreated from a proxy fight a year ago, but Disney’s stock was higher then.
The shares are trading at $99 — up nicely from a 52-week low of $79, but still down significantly from a year high of over $118.
Estimates for...
One potential game changer came late yesterday with Disney, Warner Bros. and Fox announcing the launch of a new sports streaming joint venture pooling the sports rights of three big media companies. That will generate a lot of conversation on Disney’s earnings call — but is it enough for Nelson Peltz to back off? He retreated from a proxy fight a year ago, but Disney’s stock was higher then.
The shares are trading at $99 — up nicely from a 52-week low of $79, but still down significantly from a year high of over $118.
Estimates for...
- 2/7/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A Delaware Chancery Court judge today has voided Elon Musk’s 2018 Tesla pay package, siding with shareholders who sued the board over the compensation agreement, calling it “the largest in human history.”
Chancellor Kathaleen Mccormick is same judge who shepherded months of contentious discovery in the billionaire’s legal battle with Twitter, now X.
The pay case went to trial in November.
“The process leading to the approval of Musk’s compensation plan was deeply flawed,” Chancellor McCormick said in her decision, and ordered the contract be voided.
“Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware,” said Musk on X after the ruling.
Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2024
The Tesla stockholder who brought the suit, Richard Tornetta – “individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” sued board members James Murdoch, Robyn Denholm, Antonio Gracias, Linda Johnson Rice, Brad Buss, Ira...
Chancellor Kathaleen Mccormick is same judge who shepherded months of contentious discovery in the billionaire’s legal battle with Twitter, now X.
The pay case went to trial in November.
“The process leading to the approval of Musk’s compensation plan was deeply flawed,” Chancellor McCormick said in her decision, and ordered the contract be voided.
“Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware,” said Musk on X after the ruling.
Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2024
The Tesla stockholder who brought the suit, Richard Tornetta – “individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” sued board members James Murdoch, Robyn Denholm, Antonio Gracias, Linda Johnson Rice, Brad Buss, Ira...
- 1/30/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Blackwells Capital, a Disney shareholder with plenty of opinions about who should sit on the company’s board of directors, blasted the rival Trian Group for its own board maneuvering.
In a press release Monday, Blackwells Chief Investment Officer Jason Aintabi said Trian co-founder Nelson Peltz has come up short in terms of suggesting ways for the media giant to right its ship. Trian, which owns about $3 billion in Disney stock, last week formally initiated a proxy war with Disney by nominating Peltz and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo to the board. The firm plans to solicit support from a shareholder base that it believes has grown restless over the company’s lackluster stock performance.
Trian has attacked Disney’s path under CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the top exec role in November 2022 in a bid to shore up the company after it slipped under his hand-picked successor, Bob Chapek.
In a press release Monday, Blackwells Chief Investment Officer Jason Aintabi said Trian co-founder Nelson Peltz has come up short in terms of suggesting ways for the media giant to right its ship. Trian, which owns about $3 billion in Disney stock, last week formally initiated a proxy war with Disney by nominating Peltz and former Disney CFO Jay Rasulo to the board. The firm plans to solicit support from a shareholder base that it believes has grown restless over the company’s lackluster stock performance.
Trian has attacked Disney’s path under CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the top exec role in November 2022 in a bid to shore up the company after it slipped under his hand-picked successor, Bob Chapek.
- 1/22/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kristin Jones is leaving The North Road Company, we can reveal.
Jones has been with Peter Chernin’s entertainment business as President of International Film and TV since its formation in April 2022, but is now set to exit.
North Road confirmed the veteran executive is leaving the company and added: “She will continue to serve as a producer on several North Road projects, including the highly anticipated series Bad Boy, by Euphoria creator Ron Leshem.”
Her departure comes after North Road last year hired former Showtime execs David Nevins, as CEO, and Amy Israel, as President of TV.
Jones had joined North Road after leaving AMC Networks International to launch the company’s London office alongside ex-Red Arrow Studios Chairman and CEO Jan Frouman, who is North Road’s President.
Her previous roles include AMC’s Executive VP of International Programming, consultant on the launch of free streamer Pluto TV,...
Jones has been with Peter Chernin’s entertainment business as President of International Film and TV since its formation in April 2022, but is now set to exit.
North Road confirmed the veteran executive is leaving the company and added: “She will continue to serve as a producer on several North Road projects, including the highly anticipated series Bad Boy, by Euphoria creator Ron Leshem.”
Her departure comes after North Road last year hired former Showtime execs David Nevins, as CEO, and Amy Israel, as President of TV.
Jones had joined North Road after leaving AMC Networks International to launch the company’s London office alongside ex-Red Arrow Studios Chairman and CEO Jan Frouman, who is North Road’s President.
Her previous roles include AMC’s Executive VP of International Programming, consultant on the launch of free streamer Pluto TV,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re a fan of animation, you know the name John Musker, whose four decades at Disney included writing and directing such classics as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Moana. Since retiring from the studio in 2018, he independently pursued an idea for a playful hand-drawn short, which he populated with caricatures of dozens of people from his life, among them fellow animators, CalArts classmates and Disney studios execs.
I’m Hip — shortlisted for an Academy Award — is a charming, music video-like film featuring a cat singing the catchy title song, Dave Frishberg’s 1970s recording of a tune he wrote with Bob Dorough. “[The song’s] very witty, and I always thought that would make for a fun short,” says Musker, 70.
“I have a penchant for teasing people,” he says, and his film “teases people who are so desperate to be on the cutting edge of things. Certainly Los Angeles is full of those people.
I’m Hip — shortlisted for an Academy Award — is a charming, music video-like film featuring a cat singing the catchy title song, Dave Frishberg’s 1970s recording of a tune he wrote with Bob Dorough. “[The song’s] very witty, and I always thought that would make for a fun short,” says Musker, 70.
“I have a penchant for teasing people,” he says, and his film “teases people who are so desperate to be on the cutting edge of things. Certainly Los Angeles is full of those people.
- 1/10/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Herman “Hy” Levine, a 48-year veteran of the film industry who rose through the marketing ranks at Universal and Disney, died Dec. 27 in Rockville, Md. after suffering from pancreatic cancer. He was 87.
Levine was an executive Disney from 1986 to 1998, rising to the rank of Vice President of Co-Op Advertising at the time when the studio began stepping up its movie output under CEO Michael Eisner after a particularly fallow period in the early 1980s. In his position, Levine was responsible for print and outdoor advertising on all Disney features, including those that fell under the Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures banners.
Among the films Levine helped launch were such animated megahits as “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid” as well as live-action titles such as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” and “Beaches.” Levine worked closely with then film marketing chief Bob Levin as...
Levine was an executive Disney from 1986 to 1998, rising to the rank of Vice President of Co-Op Advertising at the time when the studio began stepping up its movie output under CEO Michael Eisner after a particularly fallow period in the early 1980s. In his position, Levine was responsible for print and outdoor advertising on all Disney features, including those that fell under the Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures banners.
Among the films Levine helped launch were such animated megahits as “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid” as well as live-action titles such as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” and “Beaches.” Levine worked closely with then film marketing chief Bob Levin as...
- 1/2/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
James Gorman, CEO of Morgan Stanley and soon to be a member of Disney’s board of directors, is not fazed by the possibility of the media giant going through a proxy fight.
During a lengthy sit-down with CNBC, the exec acknowledged that a battle is brewing with activist investor Nelson Peltz, whose investment firm nominated him along with ex-Disney CFO James Rasulo for board seats. The duo are co-ordinating their efforts with Ike Perlmutter, the former head of Marvel.
Disney said a board committee will consider those applications ahead of the annual shareholder meeting, but it has been critical of Perlmutter for having a “longstanding personal agenda” against the company due to his dismissal by CEO Bob Iger. Shareholders will elect board members in early 2024 at the meeting, whose date has not yet been announced.
“That’s all right,” Gorman shrugged about the skirmish between Disney and the activist investors.
During a lengthy sit-down with CNBC, the exec acknowledged that a battle is brewing with activist investor Nelson Peltz, whose investment firm nominated him along with ex-Disney CFO James Rasulo for board seats. The duo are co-ordinating their efforts with Ike Perlmutter, the former head of Marvel.
Disney said a board committee will consider those applications ahead of the annual shareholder meeting, but it has been critical of Perlmutter for having a “longstanding personal agenda” against the company due to his dismissal by CEO Bob Iger. Shareholders will elect board members in early 2024 at the meeting, whose date has not yet been announced.
“That’s all right,” Gorman shrugged about the skirmish between Disney and the activist investors.
- 12/21/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Naked Gun’ Turns 35: Team on Adapting Failed TV Series, Leslie Nielsen’s Magic, Reboot Frustrations
Turning a short-lived parody TV series into a feature film was always going to involve taking a chance, but as the team behind the Naked Gun franchise learned, it wasn’t quite on the level of sticking your face in a fan.
Following the breakout success of the 1980 smash hit Airplane!, that film’s writer-director team — David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker — found themselves grounded when ABC promptly canceled their police-spoofing show Police Squad! in 1982. But the series’ co-creators refused to let the concept die and went on to adapt it for The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, which Paramount Pictures released theatrically on Dec. 2, 1988. The movie, featuring Leslie Nielsen reprising his Police Squad! lead role as accident-prone police lieutenant Frank Drebin, also starred Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy and O. J. Simpson.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original Naked Gun film that...
Following the breakout success of the 1980 smash hit Airplane!, that film’s writer-director team — David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker — found themselves grounded when ABC promptly canceled their police-spoofing show Police Squad! in 1982. But the series’ co-creators refused to let the concept die and went on to adapt it for The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, which Paramount Pictures released theatrically on Dec. 2, 1988. The movie, featuring Leslie Nielsen reprising his Police Squad! lead role as accident-prone police lieutenant Frank Drebin, also starred Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy and O. J. Simpson.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original Naked Gun film that...
- 12/21/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Superhero movies had entered something of a transitional period in 2007. Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" run had reached an unplanned end with the tepidly received "Spider-Man 3," leaving Sony facing the daunting prospect of rebooting a franchise that still had plenty of box office juice (the third installment racked up the webslinger's highest worldwide gross to date). Bryan Singer whiffed badly on the hugely expensive "Superman Returns," forcing Warner Bros. to pin its DC Comics hopes almost exclusively on Christopher Nolan's forthcoming sequel to "Batman Begins" (which was a modest commercial success). 20th Century Fox's "Fantastic Four" grossed just enough to merit a sequel, while the future of the "X-Men" franchise rested solely on the yoked shoulders of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.
And then there was Marvel Studios, which, after watching their most popular characters make billions for other companies, yearned to control the narrative destinies of the characters they hadn't sold off.
And then there was Marvel Studios, which, after watching their most popular characters make billions for other companies, yearned to control the narrative destinies of the characters they hadn't sold off.
- 12/17/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
What's that line from "Wicked?" Something about "getting your dreams, it's strange but it seems a little, well, complicated." Right. It comes to mind whenever I think about Disney, and especially whenever I'm made to think about its underrated archvillain CEO, Bob Iger.
You see, the Walt Disney Company is currently harvesting fruit from the seeds Iger planted way back in 2005, when he first succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO. Eisner was nothing if not exacting and dictatorial as chief landlord of the House of Mouse, but it's hard not to have some nostalgia for his tenure. Put simply, Iger's biggest change once he stepped in was pivoting the focus from quality to quantity. With a wave of his wand, the days of carefully constructed, meticulously brainstormed, sensibly timed animated feature releases dissipated, and in came a new era of cheap and dirty overproduction.
This isn't my interpretation. Iger has said...
You see, the Walt Disney Company is currently harvesting fruit from the seeds Iger planted way back in 2005, when he first succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO. Eisner was nothing if not exacting and dictatorial as chief landlord of the House of Mouse, but it's hard not to have some nostalgia for his tenure. Put simply, Iger's biggest change once he stepped in was pivoting the focus from quality to quantity. With a wave of his wand, the days of carefully constructed, meticulously brainstormed, sensibly timed animated feature releases dissipated, and in came a new era of cheap and dirty overproduction.
This isn't my interpretation. Iger has said...
- 11/25/2023
- by Ryan Coleman
- Slash Film
The Curse is a dark comedy-drama series created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie. The Showtime series revolves around a newly married couple as they try to get their reality TV show off the ground, which was created by an eccentric TV producer Dougie. The Curse stars Safdie, Fielder, and Emma Stone in the lead roles of Dougie, Asher, and Fielder. So, if you loved the Showtime series here are some similar shows you could watch next.
The Rehearsal (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – HBO
Synopsis: Nathan Fielder returns to television for a new series that explores the lengths one man will go to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life. With a construction crew, a legion of actors, and seemingly unlimited resources, Fielder allows ordinary people to prepare for life’s biggest moments by “rehearsing” them in carefully crafted simulations of his own design. When a single misstep could shatter your entire world,...
The Rehearsal (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – HBO
Synopsis: Nathan Fielder returns to television for a new series that explores the lengths one man will go to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life. With a construction crew, a legion of actors, and seemingly unlimited resources, Fielder allows ordinary people to prepare for life’s biggest moments by “rehearsing” them in carefully crafted simulations of his own design. When a single misstep could shatter your entire world,...
- 11/13/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
When Henry Selick's animated fantasy "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was first released in October of 1993, it wasn't an overwhelming hit. Made for a budget of $20 million, the film only opened to about $191,000 in its first weekend. It would eventually crawl its way to a respectable but not mind-blowing $50 million overall. Disney, the film's distributor, clearly had little faith in the project and released it under its Touchstone label, feeling it was too weird for little kids. Only a small segment of passionate teenage Tim Burton fans latched onto it (Burton designed the film and wrote the poem on which the script is based), and it was the weirdos and Goths who bought it on VHS and committed the film to memory. For a few brief, sweet years, "Nightmare" was little more than a legitimate cult phenomenon.
Something happened by the late 1990s, however, as Disney slowly discovered that marketing...
Something happened by the late 1990s, however, as Disney slowly discovered that marketing...
- 11/11/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Media, entertainment and creation will be the industries most impacted by the emergence of artificial intelligence, DreamWorks Skg cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg said Thursday, and that will likely mean drastic cuts in the number of people needed to produce the art forms.
“If you look at sort of a historical perspective, you know, whether we went from a pen, a paintbrush, a printing press, a still camera, a movie camera,” the longtime industry executive said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. “These are things that just expanded creativity and all sorts of storytelling and extraordinary ways.”
The evolution of the industry has been “explosive” in the last decade, said Katzenberg, who was one of the losers in the explosive growth of streaming when his Quibi service shut down after just seven months in 2020.
“I think if you look at how media has been impacted in the last 10 years by the introduction of digital technology,...
“If you look at sort of a historical perspective, you know, whether we went from a pen, a paintbrush, a printing press, a still camera, a movie camera,” the longtime industry executive said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. “These are things that just expanded creativity and all sorts of storytelling and extraordinary ways.”
The evolution of the industry has been “explosive” in the last decade, said Katzenberg, who was one of the losers in the explosive growth of streaming when his Quibi service shut down after just seven months in 2020.
“I think if you look at how media has been impacted in the last 10 years by the introduction of digital technology,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Eileen AJ Connelly
- The Wrap
Disney today named Hugh F. Johnston, PepsiCo’s CFO and vice chairman, as its new chief financial officer, effective Dec. 4. He replaces interim CFO Kevin Lansberry, who will return to his position as EVP and CFO of Disney’s Experiences segment.
Lansberry stepped in on an interim basis after former CFO Christine McCarthy left abruptly earlier this year for family reasons. The appointment is a rare example of Disney tapping an outsider for a key executive position and it fills a key leadership role as Disney faces a number of challenges, financial and strategic.
The company is set to report its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday.
The shares, which have fallen sharply this year, ticked up slightly in early trading but are off a bit late morning, at about $85 (vs $118 at their 52-week high). That’s prompted activist investor and Disney shareholder Nelson Peltz of Trianon Partner to make another...
Lansberry stepped in on an interim basis after former CFO Christine McCarthy left abruptly earlier this year for family reasons. The appointment is a rare example of Disney tapping an outsider for a key executive position and it fills a key leadership role as Disney faces a number of challenges, financial and strategic.
The company is set to report its latest quarterly earnings on Wednesday.
The shares, which have fallen sharply this year, ticked up slightly in early trading but are off a bit late morning, at about $85 (vs $118 at their 52-week high). That’s prompted activist investor and Disney shareholder Nelson Peltz of Trianon Partner to make another...
- 11/6/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariel and her aquatic friends may have ushered in the Disney Renaissance, but Roger Rabbit helped right the sinking ship that was Disney in the '80s. Indeed, 1988's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" came at the perfect time for the House of Mouse. After a string of failed (but fascinating) attempts to reinvigorate its artistry, the flailing studio recruited director Robert Zemeckis and executive producer Steven Spielberg -- members of the same crack team behind "Back to the Future" just three years before -- to adapt Gary K. Wolf's satirical 1981 novel "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" into a film.
The result? An incredible visual feat by way of a detective yarn based in a fantasy version of '40s Los Angeles where "toons" from the Golden Age of American Animation walk alongside flesh-and-blood humans. With Zemeckis operating at the height of his powers, "Roger Rabbit" moves like clockwork, serving up...
The result? An incredible visual feat by way of a detective yarn based in a fantasy version of '40s Los Angeles where "toons" from the Golden Age of American Animation walk alongside flesh-and-blood humans. With Zemeckis operating at the height of his powers, "Roger Rabbit" moves like clockwork, serving up...
- 10/15/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
The movie industry gave the late Erik Lomis — the bold and shrewd studio distribution chief who released hundreds of movies during his career — a fitting sendoff Wednesday night.
Lomis, who died suddenly in March at age 64, posthumously received the 2023 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Award during an emotional and touching ceremony at The Beverly Hilton on Oct. 4. And, in a surprise for those attending, Philadelphia Eagles’ radio announcer Merrill Reese narrated a tribute reel shown before team Eagles mascot Swoop presented the Pioneer Award to Lomis’ widow, Patricia Laucella (the Philly born and raised Lomis was a diehard Eagles fan).
Patricia Laucella
“Your instinct and inspiration never led you astray. I’m honored to have worked so closely with you,” said Creed series star and Creed III director Michael B. Jordan via video (the MGM threequel was the last film Lomis released in theaters before his death).
The long list of filmmakers,...
Lomis, who died suddenly in March at age 64, posthumously received the 2023 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Award during an emotional and touching ceremony at The Beverly Hilton on Oct. 4. And, in a surprise for those attending, Philadelphia Eagles’ radio announcer Merrill Reese narrated a tribute reel shown before team Eagles mascot Swoop presented the Pioneer Award to Lomis’ widow, Patricia Laucella (the Philly born and raised Lomis was a diehard Eagles fan).
Patricia Laucella
“Your instinct and inspiration never led you astray. I’m honored to have worked so closely with you,” said Creed series star and Creed III director Michael B. Jordan via video (the MGM threequel was the last film Lomis released in theaters before his death).
The long list of filmmakers,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress Julia Ormond, best known for her work in Legends of the Fall, Temple Grandin and The Walking Dead: World Beyond, is taking a stance and making a point by suing two major studios and one of the industry’s leading casting agencies over an alleged sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein back in 1995.
As noted in a statement issued by Julia Ormond, the Emmy-winning actress said that she holds Disney, Miramax and Creative Arts Agency (Cca) accountable for covering up the alleged incident, in which Weinstein forced himself upon her. It should be noted that the official filing does not name former Disney heads Michael Eisner and Jeffery Katzenberg but the suit itself does.
In the statement, Julia Ormond said, “After living for decades with the painful memories of my experiences at the hands of Harvey Weinstein, I am humbled and grateful to all those who have risked speaking out…...
As noted in a statement issued by Julia Ormond, the Emmy-winning actress said that she holds Disney, Miramax and Creative Arts Agency (Cca) accountable for covering up the alleged incident, in which Weinstein forced himself upon her. It should be noted that the official filing does not name former Disney heads Michael Eisner and Jeffery Katzenberg but the suit itself does.
In the statement, Julia Ormond said, “After living for decades with the painful memories of my experiences at the hands of Harvey Weinstein, I am humbled and grateful to all those who have risked speaking out…...
- 10/4/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
CAA has been named in a lawsuit filed by Julia Ormond against Harvey Weinstein accusing her former agency and the former movie mogul’s employers at Miramax and Disney of turning a blind eye to his history of sexual assault.
Ormond, who rose to prominence in the 90s after starring in Legends of the Fall, First Knight and Sabrina, faults CAA for failing to “look out for her well-being, to not place her in danger, and to warn her about Weinstein’s predations” despite high-level agents allegedly knowing about his “propensity for sexually assaultive and exploitative behavior,” as well as “multiple confidential settlements that Weinstein reached to keep his conduct hidden from public exposure.”
The complaint filed on Wednesday in New York state court points to former agents Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane allegedly encouraging her to take a meeting with Weinstein that led to her being assaulted and not...
Ormond, who rose to prominence in the 90s after starring in Legends of the Fall, First Knight and Sabrina, faults CAA for failing to “look out for her well-being, to not place her in danger, and to warn her about Weinstein’s predations” despite high-level agents allegedly knowing about his “propensity for sexually assaultive and exploitative behavior,” as well as “multiple confidential settlements that Weinstein reached to keep his conduct hidden from public exposure.”
The complaint filed on Wednesday in New York state court points to former agents Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane allegedly encouraging her to take a meeting with Weinstein that led to her being assaulted and not...
- 10/4/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ormond alleges sex crimes took place after business dinner in 1995.
Updated: CAA has described allegations by Julia Ormond as “baseless” after the British actress sued Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday for alleged sexual battery nearly 30 years ago and also sued the agency for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning which also listed Disney and Miramax as defendants, Ormond, who starred in 1990s hits Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow, alleged Weinstein attacked her in 1995 after a business dinner.
Ormond claimed the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex,...
Updated: CAA has described allegations by Julia Ormond as “baseless” after the British actress sued Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday for alleged sexual battery nearly 30 years ago and also sued the agency for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning which also listed Disney and Miramax as defendants, Ormond, who starred in 1990s hits Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow, alleged Weinstein attacked her in 1995 after a business dinner.
Ormond claimed the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ormond alleges sex crimes took place after business dinner in 1995.
Updated: CAA has described allegations by Julia Ormond as “baseless” after the British actress sued Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday for alleged sexual battery nearly 30 years ago and also sued the agency for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as Disney and Miramax.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning Ormond, who starred in 1990s hits Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow, alleged Weinstein attacked her in 1995 after a business dinner.
Ormond claimed the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex,...
Updated: CAA has described allegations by Julia Ormond as “baseless” after the British actress sued Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday for alleged sexual battery nearly 30 years ago and also sued the agency for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as Disney and Miramax.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning Ormond, who starred in 1990s hits Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow, alleged Weinstein attacked her in 1995 after a business dinner.
Ormond claimed the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ormond alleges sex crimes took place after business dinner in 1995.
British actress and Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow star Julia Ormond is suing Harvey Weinstein for sexual battery and is also suing CAA, Disney and Miramax.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday, Ormond alleged the assault occurred in 1995 after a business dinner when the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex.
Weinstein, 71, has denied the allegations. He is serving jail time for rape and sex crime convictions and has faced numerous allegations from other women since his criminal...
British actress and Legends Of The Fall and Smilla’s Sense Of Snow star Julia Ormond is suing Harvey Weinstein for sexual battery and is also suing CAA, Disney and Miramax.
In a filing with New York Supreme Court on Wednesday, Ormond alleged the assault occurred in 1995 after a business dinner when the disgraced former Hollywood mogul forced her to perform oral sex.
Weinstein, 71, has denied the allegations. He is serving jail time for rape and sex crime convictions and has faced numerous allegations from other women since his criminal...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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