Disney fans might have to temper their hopes for more original animated movies, as it seems the company is doubling down on sequels for the foreseeable future.
In recent years, Disney’s strategy has become increasingly focused on mining existing intellectual property rather than taking risks with new ideas. This trend is evident in the prolonged success of franchises like Frozen and the seemingly endless stream of Toy Story sequels. While some may lament the lack of originality, Disney’s bottom line is largely driven by what appeals to the widest audience, and that often means sticking to familiar territory. During a recent quarterly earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger discussed the studio’s approach to upcoming projects, including its animated offerings.
When questioned about Disney’s emphasis on sequels versus original content, Iger acknowledged a shift in focus. “We’re going to strike a balance between sequels and original stories,” he explained. He highlighted the success of recent sequels like Toy Story 4 and Inside Out 2, noting that leveraging existing intellectual property can be advantageous from a marketing perspective. For example, sequels tend to require less promotional effort since they already have built-in brand recognition.
Iger also cited upcoming projects like Thunderbolts as examples of original content within the Disney portfolio. However, some may question the “originality” of films like Thunderbolts, which draw heavily from existing Marvel properties and are part of the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nonetheless, Iger expressed confidence in Disney’s strategy of striking a balance between sequels and original films, believing it to be the right approach moving forward.
