‘Elemental’ – Pixar’s Worst Opening In Modern History

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Variety does not put it lightly. Disney and Pixar’s Elemental was a total box office flop and was beaten out by Ezra Miller’s The Flash, which also opened with disappointing numbers. Elemental made only $29.6 million on its three-day opening weekend, securing its place as a “box office lightweight.” For comparison, Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid made over $160 million worldwide on its opening weekend.

While movie-goers actually rated the theatrical release of Elemental as a good experience, the sour box office numbers tell a different story. Variety also notes that this new animated movie cost about $200 million to make and another $100 million to market, so unless there’s a huge audience shift over Elemental‘s time in theaters, the overall loss will most likely be devastating. It performed even worse than Pixar’s other low hitters Onward (2020) and The Good Dinosaur (2015).

Elemental and The Good Dinosaur also share a common director, Peter Sohn. In his 23-year-long Pixar career, Sohn says that no story has ever felt as personal to him as Elemental. He relates the story of Element City to his own life growing up in New York with Korean immigrant parents.

Sohn says,

When we saw animated films, I don’t remember translating anything for [my mom.] The medium itself was so powerful and transcendent of language that there were moments that brought her to tears. It hit me, “Wow animation can do that.” Elemental is a love letter to my parents- thanking them for building such a supportive foundation for my brother and I. Unfortunately, I lost both of them during the production of this film, and I miss them every day. 

While Elemental certainly has the heart of any of its Pixar predecessors, it just didn’t generate the same turnout. Could this be a result of the pandemic on the movie-going culture? Since the pandemic and Disney’s move to release some content directly to consumers via its streaming platform Disney+, it has been difficult to generate the same animated profit.

elemental ember wade fire water pixar flop peter sohn

Peter Sohn’s story about family, confidence, and choice stars the voice talents of Leah Lewis as fire element Ember and Mamoudou Athie as water dude Wade and is in theaters now.

Only time will tell if Elemental can get things sizzling at the box office, but right now, it seems to have already fizzled out.

Tropical Storm Bret Likely to Form and Swing North

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Florida has its eyes turned eastward currently as another storm system approaches. The storm season has already been a busy one off of Florida’s coast but thankfully none that have made landfall have had a significant impact. That could be about to change as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) tracks the current system. A tropical wave is currently speeding its way across the Atlantic and the NHC says it’s one to watch.

The system developed last week off of Africa’s western coast and began its westward journey toward North America. “Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the next day or two,” the NHC stated. “This system is expected to move westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic through the middle part of the week.”

This system is set to become Tropical Depression 3. Tropical Depression 2 developed earlier in the month and threatened Florida before swinging south toward Cuba after becoming 2023’s first named storm, Tropical Storm Arlene. The first Tropical depression of the year occurred in Florida in January, well outside of the typical time period for cyclonic storms.

With conditions favorable, the storm will likely strengthen and the NHC is not ruling out the possibility of the storm’s wind speeds sustaining 40 mph which would elevate the system to Tropical Storm Bret. The current storm path looks to make impact with the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the next few days. Atmospheric conditions suggest the storm will swing northward after that and head in Florida’s direction.

Favorable conditions mean that the atmospheric pressure and water temperatures are right to “nurture the storm” so-to-speak into a stronger cyclonic system. It is expected to continue to gain strength as it swings to the north and makes its way to Florida. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The NHC gives the system an 80% chance to form into a depression or storm in the next two days, and 90% within the next seven.” So far, the system has not developed into a Tropical Depression but we expect by tomorrow’s update, Tropical Storm Bret will have formed.

This is something to keep in mind if you plan to set sail on Disney Cruise Line or travel to Walt Disney World in the next week. Storms are unpredictable and change quickly, so we won’t advise you to change your plans just yet. Currently what you need to know is that there is a storm that could impact your plans. The storm could gather strength and become a threat or it could fetter out over the Atlantic Ocean. The NHC gives an update daily and we will be monitoring it closely. If there is any change or potential threat to Central Florida, we will be sure to update you at that time.

Woman Jumps From Disney World Attraction, Screams at Other Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

One Guest did the unthinkable at Disney World, hopping off an attraction while it was stuck in front of dozens of Guests.

However, one of the things you can’t prepare for is Guest behavior at the Resort. This is true for anywhere, really, as you never can truly know what someone else might do. At Walt Disney World, we’ve seen nearly everything. From stripping on Disney’s Skyliner to engaging in full-on fistfights in Fantasyland, the Walt Disney World Resort isn’t completely immune to this type of behavior.

While this is unfortunate, Disney does its best to make sure Guests are always following the rules, especially while on rides and attractions.

It’s crucial for Guests to remain seated, keeping their hands, arms, feet… well, you’ve heard the spiel. No matter how boring it may seem, it’s incredibly important that Guests follow the rules, ensuring not only their own safety but the safety of others.

This is the exact opposite of what happened at EPCOT recently, with a TikTok video going viral.

Disney World monorail at EPCOT during the International Flower and Garden Festival

Shortly after a ride at EPCOT got stuck, a “drunk” woman decided she wanted off the ride and took matters into her own hands (and legs). Guests were in awe as she hopped off the boat, screaming at other passengers along the way.

It appears that some sort of argument may have started shortly before she hopped off, with her yelling at a Guest or Guests on the boat.

The video can be seen below:

@shianne_1995

Replying to @Shianne_1995 drunk woman on The three Caballeros ride at epcot. #disney #epcot #fyp

♬ original sound – Shianne_1995

The Guest who uploaded the video clarified the situation further, claiming the screaming woman tried to fight with people on the boat behind her. The Guest also claims the woman swung at two young workers, scared children, and was eventually taken away by security.

While we’re unsure of what happened to his woman shortly after exiting the ride, we know that Disney takes its security and safety seriously, meaning it’s possible the woman was removed from the Park and even banned from the Resort entirely.

The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros can be found in the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase. While this attraction may not be the most intense, thrilling, or even the most popular, it’s a fantastic little ride that allows Guests to relax and learn a little bit about the country. The ride is very similar to “it’s a small world,” with Guests slowly traveling through the water as they encounter dozens of animatronics.

Disney Character Attacked by Male Guest

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Pluto, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Winnie the Pooh, and many more are Disney Characters you can spot while at Disneyland.

Disneyland is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” and is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Each Disney Park includes something for Guests of all ages and sizes to experience, from meet and greets, attractions, shopping, and much more. Whether you’re a child experiencing the Parks for the first time or an adult reliving cherished memories, Disneyland Resort will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who have had the privilege of stepping foot into its enchanting realm.

Disney Cast Members do a lot of behind the scenes that Disney Guests do not realize they go through. To be a Disney Cast Member, they train for the attractions or even “Disney school” to learn to be a character. Cast Members training to be a character learn the character’s signature and way they act.

In a viral TikTok, a former Disneyland Cast Member comes out about the time she was assaulted while playing the Disney Character Eeyore. During this experience, she explained that there is two Eeyore who are scheduled for the same day that way Cast Members can switch off every half hour to take a break. The other Eeyore came in to take a break, and she was walking out as Eeyore to go wait in the queue to meet Guests. When a father and daughter spotted her walking out, they tried to stop Eeyore for photos.

Eeyore Racist

Sadly, Disney characters cannot stop to take photos for one Guest, as they mostly will be taken over by a crowd or Guests waiting for them may get upset. This father started backing up to get these photos, and Eeyore points to her watch, saying she has somewhere to be. As Eeyore walked past this father, he puts his camera down and backhanded the character in the face. This Cast Member talked about how dangerous this is because the Disney character’s heads are attached to the headpiece that the Cast Member wears, so when he hit Eeyore, her head also turned. This father tried to hurry off after this altercation, but everyone in Critter Country had already seen it.

@dearanddarling

Lots of my story times are sweet and magical! This is not one of them! #disneyland #disneycastmemeber #disneybehindthescene #disneyworld

♬ original sound – Lilly Davis | Dear and Darling

Disney Cast Members want Guests to remember they are people just like us and want to be treated with respect and kindness. Cast Members are always happy to help Guests when they can.

Disney’s CFO is OUT Amid Serious Allegations of Corporate Fraud

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

An investigation is underway into claims by investors who say Disney execs engaged in unlawful business practices, including securities fraud, with regard to the success of Disney+.

A class-action lawsuit is mounting against The Walt Disney Company as shareholders have lodged complaints against the company about alleged dishonest business practices. The current investigation concerns whether three of Disney’s officers and/or directors engaged in those practices.

The Pomerantz Law Firm press release details the events that took place in late 2022 that have led to shareholders’ claims of wrongdoing on Disney’s part:

On September 21, 2021, Disney gave a virtual presentation at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference. During the presentation, Chief Executive Officer Robert Chapek acknowledged that Disney+ subscriber growth had slowed in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year that ended on October 2, 2021. 

Disney CEO Bob Chapek talks park pass reservation system

On this news, Disney’s stock price fell $7.44 per share, or more than 4%, to close at $178.61 per share on September 20, 2021. 

On November 10, 2021, Disney reported its financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 2, 2021. Disney posted quarterly results that missed Wall Street’s already diminished expectations as the Company saw a dramatic slowdown in Disney+ subscribers. The Company added just 2.1 million customers during the quarter (the smallest quarterly gain since the service’s launch two years prior), revenue of $18.53 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of 37 cents – all of which were below consensus estimates of 119.6 million subscribers, $18.78 billion in revenues, and adjusted earnings per share of 49 cents.

On this news, Disney’s stock price fell $12.34 per share, or more than 7%, to close at $162.11 per share on November 11, 2021. 

Finally, on November 8, 2022, Disney issued a press release reporting the Company’s financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 1, 2022. Disney missed analyst estimates by wide margins on both the top and bottom lines. Revenue in the quarter grew just 9% to $20.15 billion, below estimates at $21.36 billion. Sales, at $20.2 billion, fell about $1 billion short of analysts’ projections. Earnings, excluding certain items, fell to 30 cents per share, missing the average estimate of 51 cents from analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The Company’s DTC segment, which includes streaming services Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar, reported a monumental operating loss of $1.47 billion compared to a $630 million loss in the same quarter the year prior. Revenue in the segment increased just 8% to $4.9 billion. The Company also reported a decline in its average revenue per Disney+ subscriber as more customers subscribed through a discounted bundle with the Company’s other services. Notably, the bundled offering made up about 40% of domestic subscribers, confirming that Disney was relying on short-term promotional efforts to boost subscriber growth while impairing the platform’s long-term profitability. 

On this news, Disney’s stock price fell $13.15 per share, or more than 13%, to close at $86.75 per share on November 9, 2022.

Disney’s then-CEO Bob Chapek was removed from his post back on Sunday, November 20–a move that sent shockwaves throughout the Disney community. Veteran CEO Bob Iger was reinstalled, returning to The Walt Disney Company under a two-year contract. On Thursday, Disney announced the stepping down of CFO Christine McCarthy, who will reportedly take a family medical leave beginning July 1, 2023. Her final day of leave, as well as her final day of employment with The Walt Disney Company, will be June 30, 2024. An interim CFO will take her place while the company searches for the next chief financial officer. No other details were shared.

Both Chapek and McCarthy have been named in the suit, as has Kareem Daniel, who was fired from The Walt Disney Company shortly after Chapek’s removal. The three are named for their alleged involvement in “drafting, producing, reviewing and/or disseminating false and misleading statements” regarding the success of the company’s streaming business, according to the 39-page document filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on May 12.

It remains to be seen whether McCarthy’s leave of absence is related to the suit.