Disney's Dick Cook Departure Conjurs Lasseter and Depp Speculation
The Mouse House is in a state of disarray
So, I'm sure you all heard Disney's studio chairman Dick Cook stepped down last Friday leaving a vacancy at the head of the company that shocked many, especially after all the hoopla regarding Disney's $4 billion acquisition of Marvel. The latest word I've read is that Cook wasn't fired or even necessarily pushed out as much as he simply didn't see eye-to-eye with Disney CEO Bob Iger and instead of butting heads or running a company any other way than he would like to he decided to step down, leaving a void at the top of the company.
I didn't originally report on the news because, outside of the novelty of discussing box-office numbers, I don't like talking about the financial side of movies. At least not the down and dirty corporate business. Occasionally a film's budget can stir some interesting conversation such as how can a movie that reportedly cost $250 million to make be so bad? But for the most part this kind of talk just becomes boring and we aren't really talking about movies any longer.
However, a sense of responsibility and an increasing amount of speculation has caused me to enter into this particular fray.
The number one name on everyone's lips right now is Pixar/Disney animation chief John Lasseter as a potential replacement for Cook. Would Lasseter want to leave his post and begin negotiating deals with Jerry Bruckheimer and Scott Rudin? Entering him into the world of live-action movies and figuring out just what direction to take the National Treasure and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises?
Speaking of Pirates of the Caribben, one man that's none-too-happy about Cook's departure is one Johnny Depp, which has movie bloggers speculating.
Talking to Claudia Eller at the Los Angeles Times Depp said, "When things went a little sideways on the first Pirates movie and others at the studio were less than enthusiastic about my interpretation of the character, Dick was there from the first moment. He trusted me."
As for Depp's expected participation in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, a film he had promoted as recently as seven days earlier at Disney's D23 conference by showing up in his complete Jack Sparrow costume, Depp said while he has a potential deal in place that will depend on how good the script is, his passion for the project at the moment has been severely dampened by the news that Cook will no longer be around. "There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment," Depp said.
Depp's words seem reactionary and something anyone would say that has found friendship, but I am sure it has Disney suits sweating a little bit considering a Pirates movie wouldn't really be a Pirates movie without Depp's stumbling swagger.
For more on the conversation you can read Marc Graser's latest column on Cook's departure at Variety where he goes further into the Lasseter conversation and Nikki Finke was covering all the rumors and speculation around the situation with five updates in her piece.
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Personally, I'd be glad if Pirates 4 fell through. Sure, Johnny Depp makes a fantastic Jack Sparrow, but name one other good thing left in the franchise. There isn't anything else worth watching in it. Even Keira Knightley isn't returning. I'd like to see Johnny Depp's formidable talent applied elsewhere, i.e. to a good script.
At least that lessens the power in the world given to people who's first name is Dick. If Lasseter were an ambitious person, he would take his spot, but I think he would rather see Pixar flourish in his lead rather than decline were he not present for day to day dealings.
I think that since dick cook is no longer the chairmen and ceo of disney, and they have a replacement, they better make sure that its going to be someone that gets along with johnny depp or their may not be a pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides!. But i also think that since jerry bruckheimer is also a big part of the franchise who that is still in he business with johnny depp and now with out dick cook, i think that john lasseter will be told by johnny depp and jerry bruckheimer that they do want a pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides, so that it can still be made for the fans and so that it can potentially be the begining of a second pirates of the caribbean trilogy (i.e pirates of the caribbean 4, pirates of the caribbean 5 and pirates of the caribbean 6).
I love the Pirates movies (#1 far surpassing the sequels) and would definitely pay to see #4, but essentially agree with Post #1. Move on, Johnny. It'll be a big sacrifice financially for you, but will pay off with increased respect for your artistic sensibilities and integrity. Maybe Dick Cook will move on to Warner Brothers and get them to unshelf Shantaram!
My name is Royce Mathew. I have the following information for you regarding Dick Cook's abrupt dismissal at Disney. I believe this all ties into my lawsuit and filings of fraud, corruption and criminal acts within the Walt Disney Company.
1) As was verified during the legal proceedings, this serious matter particularly involves past and current Disney employees Michael D. Eisner, Dick Cook, Nina Jacobson, Marty Sklar, Jason Surrell, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. It also involves Robert Iger and the Walt Disney Company board of directors failure and refusal to respond.
2) Dick Cook & Nina Jacboson are the ones who brought in writers Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Eventually, it is evident that via Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio that my supernatural pirate story is being plagiarized for Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
3) In 2006, Nina Jacobson was abruptly fired several days after I went to re-file my lawsuit. She was in the hospital with her partner, who was giving birth when they abruptly fired her. This information is found in many noted newspapers. (Google it).
4) June 1, 2009 – A key notification letter demanding investigations into the evident criminal acts within the Walt Disney Company was sent to the Walt Disney Company’s board of directors including Bob Iger. Then several days before Disney's D23 expo, one of my letters which had demanded investigations was sent to various entities/individuals. Then days later, Dick Cook was dismissed.
5) With photo proof of fraud and corruption, such as the Art of Walt Disney World book, as detailed on the website www. disneylawsuit.com, and all of my detailing correspondence reaching the right people, Bob Iger is evidently now feeling the collective heat and pressured by certain powerful people who are rightfully questioning Disney's documented criminal acts.
I welcome all communications and interviews.