In the wake of creative conflicts, shameful remakes, and corporate greed, it's easy to see why many fans believe that the magic of Disney is all but forgotten. As The Walt Disney Company itself continues to thrive on nostalgia and the memories of its older fanbase, a different matter bubbles up to the surface.
Despite some of the recent news coverage, Disney is still held as one of the most cherished entertainment juggernauts in the industry. After 100 years of animated masterpieces, its easy to see why. However, with consumers criticizing some of the studio's "woke" choices, has Disney lost it's lovability?
A "cultural responsibility"
This week, animator and content creator Matthew Rizzo announced he was campaigning to be Disney's next CEO, stating the following comment.
"This was a company that once believed in creative greatness, that didn't compete within the existing industry but created new industries. Disney Parks workers once made livable wages, the company had an innovative spirit driven by its founder, and took on a cultural responsibility to ensure that beauty, kindness, and enchantment weren't just fictional but existed in the real world too!"
While it's unlikely Rizzo will beat out someone with the pull and experience like Josh D'Amaro, he does raise a major point that Disney has indeed lost. This "cultural responsibility" might be key to why Disney's reputation has been less than stellar over the past few years.
Think about what Walt Disney did for the entertainment industry. Not only did he bring animation to the realm of full-length films, but the studio itself was instrumental in creating new techniques in film, television, and theme parks. So, how does that compare to the past few years?
Increasing park ticket prices, creative dissonance, and far too much corporate control don't exactly paint Disney in the best light. With one of the most recent Disney headlines being Rachel Zegler and the failure of Snow White, a remake of Disney's debut classic, the need for a wakeup call is long overdue.
Do you think Disney can be saved?