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Why hasn''t disney used Mickey, Donald, or Goofy in a modern film?
- Thread starter paragonpro
- Start date
Mushroomer25
Member
Pretty much. Those characters are already creating a lot of profit for them on a regular basis. Making a new film with those characters presents them as a risk. If Disney does anything with those characters in the modern era, it'll be through the lens of nostalgia.
I remember Disney had a script in pre-production for years called Magic Kingdom, that was essentially 'Night at the Museum in Disneyland' - bringing a lot of their classic IP to life in the context of a theme park. That's the only approach Disney is going to use when visiting those characters.
Also, I don't think Mickey was ever in a feature length film. The character was always in short films. Essentially, movies were either princess themed or some other kind of fantasy theme, and shorts were Mickey mouse stuff. Now that I think of it, it's starting to make sense that they want to keep Mickey as something cute, fun and bite-sized, essentially the gateway character for people interested in Disney. It's an easy sell to get people to watch Disney's other stuff after you see a cute cartoon featuring Mickey.
That movie flopped
quickwhips
Member
Dungeon and dragon Mickey Mouse movie would be awesome. no 3D crap.
SpookyFries
Member
Here is the real question...
Why is it in A Goofy Movie, everybody is dogs? We see Mickey and Donald hitchhiking but aside from that one shot, all we see are dogs. Could it be that the dogs have taken over America? Are Mickey and Donald running from something?
Why is it in A Goofy Movie, everybody is dogs? We see Mickey and Donald hitchhiking but aside from that one shot, all we see are dogs. Could it be that the dogs have taken over America? Are Mickey and Donald running from something?
That's a shame.
Pete(and presumably PJ) is a cat.
paragonpro
Banned
Agreed, it was a fantastic throwback and a beautiful send off as disneys last hand animated film. That being said im curious to see this return to the 100 acre wood movie they are doing.
Marmaladefire
Member
You don't pimp out the VIPs for no reason when you can just make money off of their legacy and merch. It's bascially a rule. Almost everyone prefers them on TV, in standalone cartoons, and in holiday specials these days. They're also appealing to a wide audience so limiting most appearances to TV for very young children insures that A.) they know them from an early age and B.) the parents are fond enough of the characters not to turn off the TV.
Yep. The Kingdom Keepers novel series is this.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Let's admit it, Mickey and Donald aren't really movie-length tier great. Three Caballeros wouldn't really work out without Jose and Panchito and it was mostly in shorts format, and most of Mickey's good film appearances are on shorts format too.
Goofy is an exception of course (Goof Troop really helped him stood out from it) but from what I've seen his movie is more of a cult hit than an actual seller.
What's sad that it's actually kinda good somewhere in the middle of its first season and a bit early on its second season but somehow they screwed it up. I actually liked two of the characters there because of their particular behavior with each other.
Goofy is an exception of course (Goof Troop really helped him stood out from it) but from what I've seen his movie is more of a cult hit than an actual seller.
Be careful what you wish for
What's sad that it's actually kinda good somewhere in the middle of its first season and a bit early on its second season but somehow they screwed it up. I actually liked two of the characters there because of their particular behavior with each other.
Black-Wind
Member
Kinda risk/ reward thing IMO.
These are well known characters, yes. Everyone knows them, yes. Disney has become an evil company partly in trying to keep them (as in, they literally change laws so that any character made around or after Mickey mouse will never become something like Dracula as long as Disney has any say. Anyone can make a Dracula movie or book or Tee shirt or dildo or porn line and they don't have to answer to anyone. They can tell any story they want with him. Because of what Disney is doing even 100 from now new creators in the future wont be able to profit off of or build upon the likes of Mickey Mouse as for w/e reason he will still be owned by Disney even though the person who made him is long gone).
But when you invest into a movie you have to take into account the image you show to the public. If the Mickey Mouse movie doesn't do as well or better than Frozen or w/e it will damage the character's image and relevance. It will be embarrassing.
That plus they kinda broke everything that made him popular in the first place in search for making him more appealing to a mass market, leaving him with lil personality to work with.
These are well known characters, yes. Everyone knows them, yes. Disney has become an evil company partly in trying to keep them (as in, they literally change laws so that any character made around or after Mickey mouse will never become something like Dracula as long as Disney has any say. Anyone can make a Dracula movie or book or Tee shirt or dildo or porn line and they don't have to answer to anyone. They can tell any story they want with him. Because of what Disney is doing even 100 from now new creators in the future wont be able to profit off of or build upon the likes of Mickey Mouse as for w/e reason he will still be owned by Disney even though the person who made him is long gone).
But when you invest into a movie you have to take into account the image you show to the public. If the Mickey Mouse movie doesn't do as well or better than Frozen or w/e it will damage the character's image and relevance. It will be embarrassing.
That plus they kinda broke everything that made him popular in the first place in search for making him more appealing to a mass market, leaving him with lil personality to work with.
Reptars Revenge
Member
This guys right. They will use trademark law to protect their copyrights. Shady I know. The goal is to have your character to acquire secondary meaning and become a source identifier. You see Mickey or any of his crew, the name, or even just ears, you know it's from Disney. You'll be able to sell steamboat willie but to make a new movie means you'll have to also avoid a likelihood of confusion standard with Disneys Mickey trademarks. Tarzan is a well known example of this. ~IP lawyer.
iShouldGoPro
Member
because they're working on that live-action movie starring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy coming 2020
zswordsman
Member
Just wait for the live action kingdom hearts movie.
How about a third Goofy movie centering around Max Goof becoming a father?
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
The recent shorts are really good.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLC6qIbU1olyXQe1WOKt8UJ4hErx3D7qt8&v=UPKWCCh4fPU
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLC6qIbU1olyXQe1WOKt8UJ4hErx3D7qt8&v=UPKWCCh4fPU
Sho_Nuff82
Member
Don't want to complicate the Kingdom Hearts lore any further in the eyes of fans.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
I do wonder though, does Disney ever recognize Max Goof in this day and age? Last reference of him I remember is from House of Mouse.
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
Peg was the perfect character and wasn't even in the movies...
Hippopuncher12
Member
No need for a movie with those 3 or Minnie/Daisy as well. They have Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on tv for half the day.
This, I was never really a Mickey fan but these are really well done. I didn't realize there was new ones out, I have only seen the first season and a bit of the 2nd
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Isn't she already married to Pete? Also it does show a rather sad view when Pete only has PJ, makes you wonder if he divorced his wife and Pistol went into Peg's custody.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Huh, so the most recent Max Goof appearance was a 2004 christmas special and he had just finished college.
RiderKairuu
Member
Was gonna make a joke about them being too wrapped up in the plot of Kingdom Hearts. Who has time to be in a movie when you're too busy letting Sora down on a constant basis?
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
She was in the tv show, how could her and Pistol not even be in the movies while she was Pete's opposite?
p_xavier
Authorized Fister
That's why I don't get the OP as the main Disney characters were used in the best Disney cartoons.
spazchicken
Member
Be careful what you wish for
This is like a modern Sonic game.
NeonZ
Member
That just means others won't be able to use "Mickey's" name in the promotion, but they'll still be able to use the character itself. So, they'll be able to feature Mickey in a cartoon that isn't related to Disney at all, but won't be able to use Mickey's name for the cartoon's title or even as part of the cartoon's marketing.
It's like how DC owns a character called "Captain Marvel", but can't actually use that name in any title or marketing since it's a Marvel trademark (even though the Marvel character with the same name was created after the one currently owned by DC, since his original creators didn't renew the trademark for a while Marvel owns the trademark).
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Like I said, makes you wonder if they got divorced.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
I've brought up three kids through Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I just got an ABC thing for my tablet for my two year old son that is Mickey and the gang.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
As a fan of 2D animation, I'd love to see one just to see beautiful, lush, hand drawn animation again. But there's an earnestness to those characters that doesn't really translate well to today's post-modern, more cynically-driven world. Most people would probably be turned off by their simplicity and child-like charm. And any attempt to modernize them or make them hip by giving them snarky personalities would just come off as desperate.
And anyway, I think those characters work best in short subject form anyway.
And anyway, I think those characters work best in short subject form anyway.
I'm sure you gotta actually have kids around to understand but Mickey and the gang must be selling gangbusters because they have so much merch it's unbelievable. Mickey Mouse birthday party supplies, clothing, furniture, shows and toys. Their even plastered on huggie diapers. Makes me wonder how much cash disney makes from that stuff alone.
paragonpro
Banned
The potential was there for a cool movie with those characters, which they did make a great movie but those characters would have been fantastic
This lmao. I forgot how much I loved this movie as a child
I used to watch that movies so much, so totally agree.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
I do want to know of Goofy and that hot librarian finally get it on and be married.
Probably in development hell. Plus those characters don't really have a coveted origin story, and Mickey is kinda boring. Should be an instant success in the right hands (just look at how Big Hero 6 was huge & that's not even proper Pixar/Marvel) but even Disney IPs can only go so far like the discontinued Infinity series showcased. Shit's risky
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