John Lasseter will head WDI!!! (as Principal Creative Advisor)

[JiminyCricketFan]

Here is part of the announcement...

Pixar President Ed Catmull will serve as President of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Iger and Dick Cook, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. In addition, Pixar Executive Vice President John Lasseter will be Chief Creative Officer of the animation studios, as well as Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world, reporting directly to Iger. Pixar Chairman and CEO Steve Jobs will be appointed to Disney's Board of Directors as a non-independent member. With the addition of Jobs, 11 of Disney's 14 directors will be independent. Both Disney and Pixar animation units will retain their current operations and locations.

It is very exciting that a real CM, an ex-skipper on the Jungle Cruise, will head WDI. That is what the parks need, someone creative who seeks quality in attractions.

[Speedway]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyy
I Need A Drink

[Speedway]

Jeez! Seriously this is too good to be true. Is this a dream? Is this some game? Oh god... anyone got ice cubes?

[Disneyphile]

[sir clinksalot]

This is totally awesome news all around. I haven't been this excited about Disney in a LONG time.

[ManaByte]

Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy JoyHappy Happy Joy Joy

[Speedway]

Tell me about it! We need a PARTAY!

[Fishbulb]

I don't think I could have heard better news ALL DAY!!!!!


There are so many reasons whythis is a good thing that I can't see straight.

like I do to begin with

but WOW!!!

[HotelNeptune]

Has this been confirmed or just speculation...? My corkscrew is hovering over the champagne bottle right now, just lemme know when I can officially pop it!

[ah schucks]

Whoopidy whoop whoop.

This is a shout out against all the negative folks out there who think creativity is dead! I say BOOYA suckas!

Happy Dances all around!

[ManaByte]

Has this been confirmed or just speculation...? My corkscrew is hovering over the champagne bottle right now, just lemme know when I can officially pop it!

It's real. The news hit the wires and AP just about 30 minutes ago. Pixar approved the deal.

[jurgenb52]

I'm A thrilled about this as most everyone else, but don't make the mistake of Lasseter being the head of WDI. He will be Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, which is hardly president.

I think Lasseter having any involvement with Imagineering is brilliant and I await his creative genuis but lets not spread the wrong news around.

[KevinYee]

I second the warning.

The devil is in the DETAILS. If Lasseter will have any power, expect the parks to amaze the world again.

If Lasseter is to be a figurehead at WDI (or if he's busy with animation), expect more of the same from WDI.

John is the guy behind Pixar's amazing success.... much much much more so than Steve, if you ask me.

On balance, this is all good news. It could turn into FABULOUS AMAZING STUPENDOUS news, but at least it won't be bad news. Bad would be John leaving the stifling Mouse again.

[Disneyfreak]

Whoopidy whoop whoop.

This is a shout out against all the negative folks out there who think creativity is dead! I say BOOYA suckas!

Happy Dances all around!

I am very happy for Disney and wish them the best of luck. I will wait till I see some results before I recend my judgement. Again thank you for finally putting some creative tallent into the bloodstream.

[dramaqueen]

I haven't seen any confirmation that he is heading WDI- the ony official thing I have seen is that he will head the animation department. I'll keep looking though.

Fresh blood is always good news, but I am going to wait until the smoke clears before I get too excited about anything.