Disney once again trying to extort theatres...

[enyawd72]

For crying out loud...how greedy can one corporation be?

Disney is demanding 65% of the box office from The Last Jedi and also that theatres must keep it on their largest screen for a minimum of four weeks.

This really hurts small theatres that are already struggling.

This kind of crap is just nauseating. Disney already owns the two most profitable film franchises in the world, and yet it's STILL not enough for the money hungry mouse.

[LonnieFisher]

Darth Mickey, at it again.

[CrimsonGhost]

I hope it destroys the multiplexes and they start to offer streaming movies at home. I've got a decent set up and a popcorn popper.

[Mikey]

Always thought Disney were scumbags since they developed the play once then self destruct DVD back in the early 00's

[Klosterheim]

Those sort of demands might explain why some theaters don't show the movies that I wanted to go to.

[Goblin19]

I've run theatres for years. I'm not sure why this is making the news now. This has been the Star Wars standard for years, all the way back to the prequel days. The 65% is about 1% higher than before. Not exactly a killer. The business Star Wars generates is more than worth it. When Phantom Menace was about to be released, Lucas actually tried to get 10% of concession. That was too far. It caused two of the big chains to threaten to not carry it before Lucas relented. If we relied on ticket revenue to make ends meet, all theatres would be out of business. We count on concession.

[sprytel]

Disney made a huge investment in Star Wars. They are putting out a movie that will be a surefire box office draw. I don't think it is unreasonable to demand a bigger cut for Last Jedi than say... the CHiPS movie.

Plus, this is how capitalism works. If it is not a good deal: don't show it. Let the suckers running the theater down the street lose money on every ticket. But I'm guessing you won't see theaters turning this down.

[Mikey]

Movie companies are so big nowadays .... you would think they would own their own theatres.

It's not like Disney doesn't have a movie in theatres at any given moment.

[J.B.]

and yet it's STILL not enough for the money hungry mouse.

"It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow"

[Goblin19]

Studios used to own their own theatres. The government ruled it was monopoly and made them break apart. It's also the reason for such high prices because studios make their money on the movies and theatres need to make their money on concession.

[LordMudd]

Disney banned the LA Times from all previews for reporting on this. The other major papers lined up behind the Times and boycotted reviewing any Disney films, which would cost Disney any hope of awards eligibility. Disney caved.


CCC.

[LordMudd]

Studios used to own their own theatres. The government ruled it was monopoly and made them break apart. It's also the reason for such high prices because studios make their money on the movies and theatres need to make their money on concession.

I think theatres should offer a deal on Disney film tickets; half price admission with purchase of a (very expensive) concession pack. Disney gets a percentage, not a set amount, and does not set ticket prices, so can do nothing about the loss of half their profit, while the theatre still makes it's cut. Just my opinion.


CCC.

[enyawd72]

I think theatres should offer a deal on Disney film tickets; half price admission with purchase of a (very expensive) concession pack. Disney gets a percentage, not a set amount, and does not set ticket prices, so can do nothing about the loss of half their profit, while the theatre still makes it's cut. Just my opinion.


CCC.

That's a great idea, but the mouse's legal team probably has that covered too. They have a similar mandate with Barnes and Noble. All Disney, Marvel and Star Wars titles on DVD and Blu-ray are excluded from any sales, discounts, buy 2 get 1 free, etc.

[sprytel]

Disney banned the LA Times from all previews for reporting on this. The other major papers lined up behind the Times and boycotted reviewing any Disney films, which would cost Disney any hope of awards eligibility. Disney caved.

CCC.

I believe it was actually related to an LA Times series about Disney's strong arm tactics with the city of Anaheim... not that it makes it any better.

I think theatres should offer a deal on Disney film tickets; half price admission with purchase of a (very expensive) concession pack. Disney gets a percentage, not a set amount, and does not set ticket prices, so can do nothing about the loss of half their profit, while the theatre still makes it's cut. Just my opinion.


CCC.

Brilliant!

[TrekStar]

I guess this brings new meaning to the phrase, "the mouse that roared"