The Tron: Legacy Blu-Ray came out today and I have to say it is an impressive release. Of course, my opinion is purely based off a very breif cameo I make on the bonus features. But as I explored the disc, smartly stylized as an identity disc, I couldn’t help but wonder if we would ever see Tron 3.
While the film made $399 million worldwide at the box office, it performed under the expectations of many, including myself. With a budget of around $170 million, it was not adding significantly to the bottom line of TWDC like Alice of Toy Story 3 did. But under Bob, the studios has a mandate to focus on making franchises and thinking of the film’s impact outside the box office. While ElecTRONica seems to be a hit at Disney California Adventure, it is undetermined how the consumer products inspired by the film. The video game tie-in seemed to be a bust, but the soundtrack album featuring the music of Daft Punk has sold 615,000 copies. So will the franchise potential of the film push for a greenlight of a sequel in the way Cars got a sequel because of its consumer products success? My guess is that the answer will be based on how Tron performs within another new Disney franchise: Disney XD.
When you first open the shiny packaging of the Tron Blu-Ray, there is an insert promoting the upcoming Disney XD spinoff Tron: Uprising. The show which premieres Summer 2012 takes place between the two feature films and stars Elijah Wood as Beck and Bruce Boxleitner as Tron. The folks at Disney XD hope that the animated show will continue their quest to be the boys television for the company allowing them domination over the market like Disney Channel owns girls. The producers of Tron hope that the show is a success and sells loads of toys which will force Rich Ross to continue the story of Sam Flynn.
There is an easter egg on the Blu-ray where Edward Dillinger Jr. is seen typing to his father, the villain from the first film. Since the film’s release, there has been speculation that Cillian Murphy’s cameo as the son of Dillinger would be expanded in any sequel. But unless a cartoon finds some success on a newborn network, this franchise might have reached the “end of line”
Quick Takes
Parks and Resorts: Disneyland Park will once again hold the world premiere of the latest Pirates film. Disneyland will close at 5 on May 7 the set up for the festivities, however guests may be able to view the “black carpet arrivals” on Main Street U.S.A. For $1,000 you can attend the premiere and the proceeds will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Visit www.piratespremiere.com for more details. I have been to one or two of these in the past, and they are great fun and a way to make a donation to a great cause. I won’t be able to attend this year due to another Disney engagement, but I will follow the fun on Twitter so let me know if you go!
Media Networks: The Walt Disney Company France and Free have partnered to launch branded digital TV video ‘stores’ Disneytek and ABCtek, multi-platform entertainment services entirely dedicated to both Disney and ABC programming. From 14th April, Free subscribers will be able to stream to their TVs and download to their PCs or Macs hit Disney movies, Disney Channel/Disney XD/ Disney Junior series, and ABC Studios series. Viewers will also be able to transfer and enjoy this programming via other compatible devices such as games consoles, tablets and mobile phones. This sounds like an awesome service. Maybe I should move to France. No…wait….bad idea.
Consumer Products: Congratulations to the Disney Store team for winning the Bronze Award for New Retail Frontirrs at the Edison Awards. I have never heard of the Edison Awards, but I am sure it is quite an achievement.
Interactive Media: Disney’s Take180 Studios has launched a promotion to hype Disney Pictures’ Prom. You can watch the first two episodes at http://www.youtube.com/TheSoWhat It is definitely something else.
Marvel: So yesterday I mentioned that “Captain America” was going to relaunch with a new #1 issue. However, the existing series will continue, being renamed “Captain America and Bucky” as of issue #620. To make things even more confusing, the old “Captain America” series, the new “Captain America”, and “Captain America and Bucky” are all written by Ed Brubaker. Confused yet?