Cancelled DisneyToon Studios Film
The Walt Disney Company is closing DisneyToon Studios, effective immediately. The news was first reported by IndieWire. Disney’s 3rd animation studios was best known for their direct-to-home productions and the Disney Fairies and Planes franchises.
What Disney Said:
After much consideration, we have made the decision to end production activity and close Disneytoon Studios,
The Impact:
- 75 staffers are expected to be effected
- It is unknown if they will be transferred to Pixar or Disney Animation
- The untitled film announced at the D23 Expo has been cancelled
About DisneyToon Studios:
- Originally called Disney MovieToons
- First production was DuckTales: Treasure of the Lost Lamp in 1990
- Released 47 films with a mix of theatrical and direct-to-video releases
Analysis:
- It was presumed that DisneyToon Studios would create productions for the upcoming Disney direct-to-consumer service
- This continues the reorganization of Disney’s animation groups following the departure of John Lasseter
- Presumably means the end of “spinoff” films such as Disney Fairies and Planes.