Dick Cook Resigns!

[TuesdayBear]

Yes, I agree with the LA Times that Iger already has a replacement in mind. You don't make a big decision like this without it being part of a larger plan. And I feel that Ezra's hit it. Iger wants more control, particularly over a division that hasn't been performing too well of late. Not that any movie studio is doing well right now, but you've got to do what you can to maximize your company's potential if you're the boss.

I don't for a minute believe that Cook resigned of his own accord, not with his company history. Plus, he would have released a statement to that effect. And we wouldn't have had all of these contradictory leaks about whether or not he was fired. The events that followed in the days immediately afterward were a little too strange for an ordinary resignation.

I don't know much about Cook beyond what I've read in the Times over the last few days. But I sure think it's a shame when someone has to leave a company after having been there for so long.

[Tom Morrow]

Disney may divide studio chief role

Disney may divide up studio chief role Rich Ross could assume additional duties Variety Speculation about the Disney power pyramid has brought up this over-riding question: Is the job of "studio chief" an anachronism? Implicit in this question is the theory that there may not be a direct successor to Disney's Dick Cook. Some supposed insiders opine that the job of studio chairman may be divided up by CEO Bob Iger into a group of "pod masters" overseeing different branches of the Disney entertainment empire. Under this theory, Rich Ross, president of the wildly profitable Disney Channel Worldwide unit, may assume additional duties over the Disney brand films, while other sectors (Bruckheimer, Touchstone, DreamWorks, etc.) may report to another executive, perhaps Oren Aviv, the former marketing chief who is now production chief. "Disney needs an executive to orchestrate the various power bases," said one executive. "The company doesn't need a picture picker in the traditional sense." Ross has built up a solid record presiding over the global kids business, with its various channels and TV specials. Whether he qualifies for the Big Job is arguable, however ... Also arguable is whether Iger wants to elevate another executive to be an overall impresario. Having grown up in TV, Iger is more accustomed to pods and podmeisters. Iger has signaled he may not announce his decision for several weeks. In that case, the speculation will be intensified. by Peter Bart

Related Article
Does Rich Ross Fit Disney Studios' Glass Slipper?
Deadline Hollywood

Submitted by Ezra

[Ezra]

I moved this article here. It's a solid piece, and Variety knows what they're talking about; but it's completely speculation.

Interesting though. Makes alot of sense.

[Executioner]

It will be interesting to see where this all goes and how they play it out. Iger isn't someone about to make any hasty decisions to fill an empty spot, which is good. It is interesting to think they may divide the duties up to several "pod-masters".

[Wedbliss]

Iger is very conscious of public relations, so it looks like he is going to let the backlash regarding Cook die down before he announces anything.

Bob Iger looks to me like he is getting very comfortable wielding power. I can see why he may not want to have so much power consolidated in one individual as the studio chief. He can better control a group of "pod-masters" than he can a Dick Cook.

[Executioner]

There also is the fact that if the job is divided up between more people, it forces them to work together and communicate the needs and wants of the company/ies, as well as being easier to replace someone for their lack of production quality which would not hinder the motion of the company/ies as much.

[Wedbliss]

^That's a good point. Everyone is just a piece in the puzzle. Something not working? Just replace a puzzle piece. No muss, no fuss, no Dick Cook-like backlash.

On the more evil side, Iger can also isolate these people and play them off against each other. He can create competion between them. He may be right in doing this. It could end up we get better films.

[TuesdayBear]

Well, I know that restructuring of a similar nature worked quite well for the organization for which I work. Giving someone more time to focus on what they do best definitely has the potential to make better movies, depending on who's in each position and how the office dynamics work. It'll be interesting to see how the podmaster scheme plays out, if it does come to fruition.

Podmaster - sounds like an MST3K movie. =)

[Tom Morrow]

Depp Departure Rumors 'Unfounded'

Depp Departure Rumors 'Unfounded' San Francisco Chronicle Movie bosses have blasted reports that Johnny Depp is set to abandon ship - he isn't quitting the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. The actor sparked speculation he'll be replaced in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in future installments after telling the Los Angeles Times his enthusiasm for the movies had declined following the departure of Disney chairman Dick Cook, who recruited the star for the films. He said, "There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm (for the project) at the moment. It was all born in that office." But a spokesperson for Disney insists Depp has not backed out of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, branding the rumors "completely unfounded". The new movie is slated for a summer 2011 release. The Daily Dish

Submitted by Ezra

[lpetiti]

Originally Posted by Wedbliss

Iger is very conscious of public relations, so it looks like he is going to let the backlash regarding Cook die down before he announces anything.

Bob Iger looks to me like he is getting very comfortable wielding power. I can see why he may not want to have so much power consolidated in one individual as the studio chief. He can better control a group of "pod-masters" than he can a Dick Cook.

Yeah, because Walt Disney running the Walt Disney Company was a terrible thing. Come on, why give it to the guy who runs Disney channel, when Lasseter is doing a much better job with Animation. Lasseter! Lasseter! Lasseter!

[Wedbliss]

John Lasseter has a pretty good thing going now. I doubt he would even want the job.

[lpetiti]

^Yeah, your right but a girl can dream. Although I suppose if he headed up the whole company, I wouldn't get the opportunity to meet him when I go to work at Disney/Pixar.

[Ezra]

LA Times is proclaiming Rich Ross as the winner. They say they that they have sources "close to the situation". No announcement yet.

Disney Channel's Rich Ross headed to the movies