Disney CEO lays down fears on Marvel and CAPTAIN EO

From ComingSoon.net:

"Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger made a surprise press conference appearance at Disney's D23 Expo, answering questions about the expo and Disney's plans for the future.

One of the hot questions was in regard to Disney's announcement last week that the company had acquired Marvel Entertainment, the news of which (so far) has not made any appearance at the Expo.

Iger stressed the notion that fans can expect Marvel to continue to operate as it has.

'We're not planning on any 'Disneyfication' of Marvel,' said Iger, '...Our intention is to keep Marvel as an entity.'

Iger went on to explain that he has met with a great many Marvel talents and that, like the acquisition of Pixar, Disney's primary goal is to stay on the sidelines and let the artists do what they do best.

He did admit that he was excited about the chance for some cross-pollination in the future, though nothing is planned as of yet.

Iger reiterated that part of what is so intriguing about Marvel is that the deal is designed to play out in the long run, having characters that 'transcend gender and age.' In the short term, Disney just has to wait until some of the Marvel deals already in place with other studios and theme parks 'work their course' and, until then, 'there isn't much planning to be done.'

Another question asked about the possible return of Michael Jackson's Captain EO to the Disney Amusement Parks. Though Iger firmly stated that there are no plans at this time, he admitted that he doesn't fully rule out the possibility, explaining that the film was recently screened for himself and other Disney executives.

'It's actually really good,' said Iger, 'There's a simplicity to it. [Michael Jackson] is charming.'

'We are looking at it,' he went on, 'It's the kind of thing that, if we did it, would get a fair amount of attention and we want to make sure we do it right.'"

Good to know the Big Boss is keeping things flowing.

CAPTAIN EO returns?

From Slashfilm:

"[According to rumors] The Francis Ford Coppola-directed/George Lucas-produced sci-fi action 3D musical short film Captain EO will be returning to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Apparently the return of Captain EO will be announced by Jay Rasulo at the D23 Expo, and the film will begin playing again in the Southern California theme park in January 2010, as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

The 17-minute film cost a record $17 million in 1986, a cost of about one million dollars per minute of film, this was, minute for minute, the most expensive motion picture of all time. If you adjust that number for inflation, it rises to almost $35 million. That’s a lot of money for a $17 million short film. Another fun factoid is that Steven Spielberg was originally signed on to direct the movie but had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts with his other film projects. The film opened in Epcot and Disneyland in mid-September 1986, Tokyo Disneyland in March 1987, and Disneyland Park (Paris) in 1992). All four installations were closed down by 1998.

The story followed Captain Eo and his rugged ragtag crew who went on a mission to deliver a special gift to a wicked queen (played by Anjelica Huston) who lives on a dark, desolate world. The film featured two songs, 'We Are Here to Change the World' and 'Another Part of Me' by Michael Jackson. The action on the screen was recreated for the live audience using lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects, and starfields that filled the theater. The presentation was replaced by Honey I Shrunk the Audience, another live interaction 3D short."

If it comes down to Walt Disney World, I hope it stays for the summer so I can check it out next year.