Disney Headlines for November 24th, 2021
This past week, Disney modified its cast member vaccination rules, released a new Pixar movie, and contemplated some changes to Disney+.
Put down that turkey leg long enough to read the latest Disney Headlines!
Welcome to Casita
Every few months, movie buffs fall in love with Disney all over again.
The company produces an animated masterpiece, and people remember everything wonderful about Disney.
To wit, Encanto just came out in theaters. Suffice to say that the film has bewitched audiences and critics alike.
Encanto tells the story of a house called Casita, wherein everyone possesses a magical ability. Well, almost everyone.
One of the family’s youngest members, Mirabel, is a Muggle…or whatever the non-Harry Potter equivalent is. Unfortunately, she’s yet to learn an ability.
What follows is a search to learn about the secrets of Casita and discover how to protect the family. And most people adore it.
As I type this, the film is 93 percent fresh at Rotten Tomatoes and has an Audience Score of 93 to boot. So, there’s a 93 percent chance you’ll love it.
The Other Part of Encanto’s Hype
Even if the story doesn’t sound great to you, please know that Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote all the songs, just as he did for Moana.
So, fans of that film (or Hamilton) should prioritize Encanto. You’ve got the Thanksgiving holiday break to watch it in theaters.
However, I realize that people get busy during this time of the year.
\Well, if you’re not interested in going to the theater, Encanto will debut on Disney+ on December 24th.
In fact, its release pattern is what we should expect from Disney titles now. The company has used a 45-day window for some releases.
In those instances, a film debuted on Disney+ 45 days after they debuted in theaters. Encanto’s going to have one month between theatrical and digital release.
You’ve got the option to watch it whichever way you prefer…or both!
By the way, Ron’s Gone Wrong debuts on Disney+ on December 15th. It’s a good month for animation.
Speaking of Disney+…
Last week, I discussed Disney’s evaluation of gambling as a potential revenue stream.
Now, Disney has earned headlines for an equally adult plan under consideration.
Disney+ could add more adult content to its service. No, I’m not talking about the kind that makes you hide your browser history.
I’m not even discussing the sort that gave Cinemax the nickname of Skinemax.
Instead, I’m referencing something that Canada’s version of Disney+ has done for a while.
Disney might add its Fox content to its primary streaming service. Now, if you’ve been keeping up, you know that some stuff is already available.
For example, you’ll find X-Men movies on Disney+. Disney didn’t make those and, in fact, only recently gained ownership from Fox.
However, you won’t find all of Fox’s X-Men properties on the service. Yes, I’m referencing Deadpool, the trash-talking comic book…hero? Antihero?
Anyway, Disney didn’t include Deadpool with its other films on the Marvel tile of Disney+.
Instead, you’ll find Deadpool and Deadpool 2 on Hulu, which Disney also owns. Therein lies the rub.
When Bob Iger first planned Disney+, he chose to separate R-rated content onto Hulu.
Now, Wall Street has pressured Disney to grow Disney+ subscriber numbers at an aggressive pace.
The company could feasibly do this by adding all its Fox content to a Fox tile or the like.
This move would identify that it’s more adult while giving grown-ups more reason to sign up for Disney+.
In Canada, Disney+ already features something similar called the Star tile that’s really just Fox content like Die Hard, The Martian, and Taken.
So, we’re talking about excellent content, just…not very Disney. I think it’s inevitable that Disney does this at some point.
The only question is whether it’s years from now or soon-ish.
The Change in Vaccine Policy
In July, when American vaccination numbers lagged behind the country’s needs to end the pandemic, Disney introduced a new policy.
According to this mandate, cast members must prove that they had taken the full vaccine by the end of September. Otherwise, they would lose their jobs.
Notably, Disney couldn’t declare this unilaterally. Instead, it needed the consent of various unions. They readily agreed, understanding the practicality of the matter.
With more people vaccinated, cast members would all lower their risk of contracting COVID-19 during their jobs.
Even if they did, the vaccine would exponentially reduce the odds of a worse case of Coronavirus.
At one point, the CDC tracked 99.7 percent of all COVID-19-related deaths to the unvaccinated.
So, Disney’s choice was clear. Some cast members didn’t like it, though.
A few held a protest wherein they promised hundreds if not thousands of participants. Cameras tracked about 20 people.
As such, I feel comfortable in stating that most cast members liked this decision.
In fact, CEO Bob Chapek recently stated that more than 90 percent of Disney employees had taken the vaccine.
However, politics has somehow interjected itself into the realm of infectious disease.
For this reason, a recent mandate in Florida countered that of Disney and other businesses. It prevented companies from forcing employees to take the vaccine.
Respectful of the ruling, Walt Disney World has “paused” its mandate. Ergo, anyone who has yet to be vaccinated can keep their jobs here.
Disney will require them to wear masks to safeguard guests until a federal court rules on the constitutionality of the government’s decision.
TL: DR – Disney demanded that its employees take the vaccine. Now, that’s on pause, but the overwhelming majority already did. And the change only applies in Florida.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Feature Image: Disney