Disney may be known as the home of Mickey Mouse, but some would argue it's also the home of the sequel. With successful franchises like Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars under their belt, CEO Bob Iger expressed that there is no need to apologize for making sequels. This statement came in response to a 1966 letter from Walt Disney read to Iger at a New York Times conference, in which the founder expressed his disbelief in sequels.
Iger acknowledged the success of some recent films and emphasized the importance of a compelling story over commercial gain. However, this year has been challenging for Disney at the box office, with no billion-dollar movies compared to seven in 2019. Films like The Marvels and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny have not met expectations. Despite this, the studio is planning big-name sequels for 2024, such as Deadpool 3, Inside Out 2, and the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King.
Christopher Nolan, the director of "Oppenheimer," recently discussed the importance of Hollywood blockbusters in funding other films. On the other hand, Edgar Wright, the filmmaker behind "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," expressed the belief that franchises benefit from taking breaks to create anticipation. In late 2021, Iger resumed his role as Disney CEO, replacing Bob Chapek.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Disney, I have mixed feelings about the company's focus on sequels. On the one hand, I understand the financial incentive for Disney to produce sequels to successful franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. These films have a built-in audience and are almost guaranteed to make money at the box office. On the other hand, I worry that Disney's focus on sequels is stifling creativity and preventing the company from taking risks on new and original stories.
I agree with Christopher Nolan that Hollywood blockbusters play an important role in funding other films. However, I also believe that it is important for studios to take breaks from franchises to create anticipation and excitement for new releases. Disney's upcoming sequels, such as Deadpool 3, Inside Out 2, and Mufasa: The Lion King, all look promising, but I hope that the studio will also continue to invest in original stories and take risks on new talent.
