Bob Iger Admits That Disney Has Quietly Canceled Movies That Were in Development
Warner Bros. Discovery has been in the headlines lately for the studio’s decision to shelve the completed Looney Tunes film Coyote vs. Acme to receive a tax write.
Despite a story by James Gunn, some of the most recognizable characters in pop culture history, and rave reviews from those who have seen the film, Warner Brothers chose to delete the unreleased film for tax money rather than accept a bid from another distributor.
Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros.’s course of action has received backlash from fans, actors, and filmmakers alike, with the hashtags #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme and #SaveCoyoteVsAcme continually trending on social media.
The decision by Warner Bros. Discovery looks especially bad, considering that Coyote vs. Acme is now the third film that the studio has shelved instead of releasing in an attempt to get more tax write-offs (the other two being Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt).
Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery
While other studios have indeed canceled projects they didn’t think were working, Warner Bros. Discovery has become the poster child for Hollywood studios acting in bad faith.
Bob Iger Says Disney Has Canceled Films in Development
Interstingly, at today’s Morgan Stanley, Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, Bob Iger was asked about canceling films and the ramifications that they can have on a studio.
Following a difficult 2023 at the box office, Disney publically stated it would be more selective in the projects that it releases. In some cases, that has meant Disney has canned projects that were in development. According to Iger, those decisions come at a cost.
Photo: Getty Images
“You have to kill things you no longer believe in, and that’s not easy in this business because either you’ve gotten started, you have some sunk costs, or it’s a relationship with either your employees or with the creative community,” Iger said.
According to the CEO, Disney has had to make those decisions. Still, Iger asserts that the company does so when it feels like the content needs to be stronger, not for tax purposes.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
“It’s not an easy thing, but you got to make those tough calls. We’ve actually made those tough calls. We’ve not been that public about it, but we’ve killed a few projects already that we just didn’t feel were strong enough.”
Disney Is Going to be More Selective
While canceled projects are an unfortunate part of the movie industry, there is a clear delineation between what Warner Bros. Discovery is doing with Coyote vs. Acme and what studios like Disney have done.
The Walt Disney Company
Still, Iger’s answer raises the question- what projects have been canceled? For now, that remains unclear. What is clear is that Disney’s new release strategy will likely end several announced projects.
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