There are very few who don't know the name "Walt Disney." Along with being one of the few brands we've recognized since infancy, the Disney name was instrumental in the evolution of the entertainment and animation industry, but the studio has rarely shared the full picture.
If you're anything like this writer, you know that Walt Disney, the artist and innovator, was much more fascinating than the Uncle Walt persona the company portrays. However, he might not have been as magical as some would want us to believe either.
Walt: Disney's 'Oppenheimer'
While there have been several documentaries, only two successful biopics bring the man himself to life on the big screen. Although Walt Before Mickey (2015) gave us a solid background and Saving Mr. Banks (2013) gave a small taste of what he was like at the studio, Disney has been sitting on a golden opportunity for years.
@benny_the_cab on TikTok makes an excellent observation in his video (found here) where he goes into detail on why The Walt Disney Company could make the next Oppenheimer (2023) and sweep the Academy Awards, but they'd have to sacrifice some of the studio's wholesome image.
Any Disney fan worth their salt knows that Walt himself was more than just a director and theme park visionary, but a pioneer in multiple industries. He invented new animation techniques and technology, perfected theme parks as we know them, and even had a part to play in WWII. So why hasn't the studio invested in an epic biopic?
One word: Image. Walt Disney has always had a very specific and cultivated image to ensure he stayed as family-friendly as possible, something the studio maintains to this day. However, the real Walt is much more fascinating than his company portrays him to be.
The problem with breaking that image is that it would expose Walt the flawed but brilliant human being behind his magical persona. If there's one thing the studio has mastered better than anyone else in the business, it's the art of the illusion.
Walt Disney was an innovator and a master at his craft, but he was also a shrewd businessman, flawed, and prone to vices like drinking and smoking. While Disney did tarnish his image slightly in Saving Mr. Banks, a true Walt biopic would go way beyond just a cigarette and an occasional "damn."
It wouldn't be an R-rated affair, but it would explore the intense and complicated creative processes of a genius creator. The question is, will they or won't they? The ball is in Disney's court.
Would you watch a Walt biopic?