Will Disney buy DWA? No! Universal did!

[Ben]

Alliteration holds many truths...!

[ShyViolet]

Marketing blitz for Home (like it'll do any good).

http://www.thestreet.com/story/13080935 ... -down.html

[EricJ]

(But....aren't these "blitzes" sort of HOW they get into these "writedown" situations in the first place, like they did with MP&S?
It's sort of like using expensive polish to clean up the railings on the Titanic, or tearing down your ceiling to make sure you'll have enough wood for the fireplace.)

[ShyViolet]

Another less-than-optimistic article from Variety:

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/dream ... 201459801/

[ShyViolet]

Interesting article on JK and plans for the future, plus a little bit on how DWA got to this point:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-jeffrey ... 1427682601

[Ben]

Some more good news (following Home's debut) for DWA:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-es ... uit-786028

[ShyViolet]

Class action suit related to wage fixing (Pixar, DWA, Walt Disney company all being sued) tossed out, although plaintiffs could file again in the future:

http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/dreamw ... 201466708/

[ShyViolet]

Re: DWA moving KFP 3 to next January

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Do they have a death wish? Moving it that close to Star Wars? And in January of all months?

How long before they finally hit bottom? God, I hope they know what they're doing.

[EricJ]

How long before they finally hit bottom? God, I hope they know what they're doing.

...Before they hit bottom?

Y'know that old urban-legend theory, about thinking you can survive a falling elevator if you jump up off the floor just a second before it hits the ground?*
In studio terms, that was Home's surprise box-office for an otherwise empty March.

------
(* - I wouldn't try it, btw.)

[Ben]

Does seem crazy when a March date just worked out really well for them...

[Dacey]

The "logic" is opening in time for the Chinese New Year. And, probably, spacing itself from Batman and Zootopia.

Though, really, I don't see why Panda couldn't just be a summer movie like the other two were.

[ShyViolet]

Yeah I agree, the kids are off school for two whole months which would give the film enough time to develop legs. This whole move is absolutely ridiculous, there's no spring break at the end of January, no holiday weekends either. I don't think another write-off is likely but I do have a strong feeling that this film might very well underperform, partly from its release date and also, as Ben has said, the fact that you can see these characters on TV now, so why go to the theater? Plus it's the third in a series and by the time it comes out there will be a five-year gap from when the second was released. Not a good combination that's for sure.

[ShyViolet]

JK hypes up KFP 3 as well as company's fortunes:

http://variety.com/2015/film/asia/jeffr ... 201475355/

[Ben]

Here he goes again!

[EricJ]

Interesting development that the rest of the industry thinks that DWA will be completely absorbed by the Chinese companies, and JK has to "deny the rumors".
Not because "That's what's happening to our American industry!", but because that's what's happening to Dreamworks: He helped form a Chinese studio, and made Kung Fu Panda sequels especially for them (despite their cultural objections), and now they're the only foreign market that's showing an active interest in keeping him in business.

Think "Jerry Lewis in France", Jeff. They only want you in other countries.