Following the fallout between Miramax and Disney last year over Michael Moore’s controversial Fahrenheit 9/11 there was a large debate about the future of Miramax as a studio. The Weinstein brothers who formed Miramax (named after their parents) seemed none too pleased with the lack of support they received from Disney, and with their contracts due to expire in September 2005 it seemed likely they would leave Disney, possibly spelling the end of Disney’s “independent” film studio.
However at Friday’s annual stockholder meeting, Disney CEO Michael Eisner assured ownership that Disney would continue to maintain Miramax regardless of Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s decision to stay and go. This actually ties in to recent reports that calm negotiations were going on between the Weinsteins and the Walt Disney Company, and that a good possibility existed that the brothers would remain at Miramax.
Like a lot of things Disney these days, it seems keeping the brothers would be the one way to ensure that Miramax stays the same successful company it has become. The Weinstein’s, particularly Harvey, seem to have a unique ability to pick films that not only end up successful, but also award winners. Since Disney as a whole is a company drawing a lot of flack as of late for poor decisions, keeping people who can make good picks in charge would be a strong asset to the company.
Eisner referenced some of these other decisions in his presentation to stockholders, stating they would love to keep Disney’s partnership with Pixar and that he had tremendous respect for Pixar head Steve Jobs - of course, this comes one week after saying Pixar/Disney films are pretty pathetic when compared to Disney CGI, so it’s unlikely that relationship will be mended.
