2007: A Hippie Leaving The House of Mouse
2007 would receive quite the shockwave of news over in not just the world of animation, but also in media and entertainment in general. Disney CEO Michael Eisner would be stepping down and leaving the company alongside with Chief Creative Officer Jim Henson. To those within the business, this was not entirely surprising. After all, both men were entering in their twilight years. Eisner would have quite a large birthday bash in celeberating 65 years and Henson had turned 70 just a year prior. Both were rather large milestones in birthdays, especially as it would be the age where alot of folk would embrace retirement. That said, both men were individuals who thrived in their work and pursued with intense and utter conviction. They even surrounded themselves with such men, such as Jim's longtime partner in Bernie Brillstein (also leaving at the same time as Jim) or Eisner's cooler half over in Disney President Frank Wells (who retired a couple years earlier in 2005), having formed a form of "Disney Justice League" over along with other long-timers in the company. As such, the mid-2000s would be viewed as quite a powerful moment of transition, especially as new talent and younger folk would need to go and take over from the reigns of these giants.
Jim Henson's entry into the company had been through stock buyout during the rough times of the late 1970s. Disney was struggling and Muppets were one of the hottest things there. Thanks to encouragement from Brillstein, Henson went for it and soon enough, he found himself on the top brass of the Disney company itself. Henson had been taking his time settling in and helped bring about fresh life over into the company. In a way, it seemed to mirror the politics of the United States, given the rise of President Udall and his progressive policies. Henson's years over in Disney were focused on helping to bring about solutions and enjoying himself with projects, but things would really pick up with the new CEO: Michael Eisner. Henson and Eisner had a pretty cordial relationship, even if Eisner was the one who originally declined Henson's
Dark Crystal film years prior. That said, Eisner would also help prove instrumental in the film's success here at Disney as he suggested the film's release in October to capitalize on the spooky imagery and let the audiences know what they're expecting. Since then, the two have become a power duo over on Disney, with the two pushing and influencing the other, especially as they got to know the other. Eisner figured that it was a matter of letting Henson do what he wanted and reigning him in when practicality needed to be. This included ensuring Henson took his time off, something the other heads helped him on or the time he gave Henson some needed relationship advice that helped Henson maintain good ties with his wife. Henson meanwhile was able to utilize Eisner's ambition to spur him on to do benevolent acts in the company, especially with the civil and social changes, with one major instance being the first Disney animated film samgen couple in
Story Of Seadogs in 2000. The two how to work off one another and other folk, such as Henson with Brillstein.
Over at Disney, Henson enjoyed in being able to go and make a fair bit more Muppet films and works over there, including his own show with
The Jim Henson Hour. Beyond that, he had plenty of creative endeavors he wished to pursue and did so. Over in 1993 for example, there would be the release for the sequel over for
The Dark Crystal, which would grow to expand to a bit of a small franchise with novel tie-ins and other possibilities. Another would be released through Touchstone Pictures in
The Tale of Sand, a rewrite of Jim's first screenplay all the way back from the mid-1950s and working with Jerry Juhl. Released over in 1996, it would be quite a surreal piece that would become a cult classic. Work began on it over back in 1993 with the main character Mac being played by then rising talent Brad Pitt (prior to his work on
Seven and
Twelve Monkeys), a man being hunted down by mysterious individual Patch through a surrealist desert. The film would also be directed by David Lynch, who managed to work well with Jim. The film became a cult classic for its strange and existential feel, with some relating it spoke to some on the post-Cold War surrealness of the world. Indirectly, Henson would help foster creatvity and drive for the brand, along with leading to some decisions. Some speculated it was Henson who suggested the push to acquire Harvey Comics along with some of the superheroes from Archie. This would not be his only influence in comics as he would be inspied by his time in Japan to push for Japanese animation and subsequently manga over for Disney to take inspiration from. Starting from the partnership with Studio Ghibli, it would grow further and more diverse. One famous development would be Disney borowing the
Shonen Jump model of comics and creating their own magazine with comic chapters in it, with said magazines published in all sorts of stores. With it, they could tantalize readers with new IPs, guage what's popular and make long term plans through purchasing collections and eventual omnibuses. This model worked quite well, especially in a time where comics felt a bit stagnant regarding buying the issues and enough for DC and Marvel to become introspective. He also pushed for the maintaining of practical effects, being combined over with the growth of CGI.
Moreover, Henson helped Disney ride the wave regarding third wave feminism and working with Eisner and the others, helped deal some of the various toxic work troubles and issues over in the company. It became a growing trend that seriously disappointing Jim was a pretty good way to get yourself screwed in the industry. Of course, the political atmosphere helped these reformatory efforts. Beyond this, it would be Jim and his growing circle that would lead to better working conditions for child actors, especially as alot of the scandals were breaking out. Indeed, those on the fence quickly sided with Jim as they realized his proactive response to deal with the problems meant it would save them alot of trouble later. And thus would be born the Young Entertainers' Support Group, a group for various child actors to deal woth their struggles and support one another, along with functioning almost as a sort of special union. And this would have some prominent influence down the line, especially with the growing rise of the Internet and social media. It would lead to a growing awareness of being cautious and trying to handle your online presence, something that would have an impact with the rise of internet stars and young talent on there. And of course, efforts regarding contract renewals and making sure everyone has their fair-share when it comes to pay, benefits and respect.
Henson's whimsicial touch could often be subtle, but still be seen alot all over the various aspects of Disney, including the parks. One would of course be his pushing to keep alive DisneyQuest, having been able to come up with a way to salvage it. The focus would be to embrace the arcadey angle and add a bowling alley and a lounge, even if had to replace some of the animatronic stuff on the bottom floor. This would work as it would make it more open to everyone. However, this would be the tip of the iceburg. One of the biggest works was when he along with Eisner worked together over for the third park over for Walt Disney World in 1991,
Fantasia Studios. Originally known as "Project Hollywood", the idea was for the theme park to draw inspiration over from the Golden Age of Hollywood. It would be an homage over to show business and be a sort of giant multi-purpose operating production studio. However, during the planning, of course Jim was brought in who had mixed feelings. On the one hand, he brought up some concerns. These were things such as the long-term plans of the park (namely on how popular the idea of the "Golden Age of Hollywood" would be for younger folk and newer generations) and on how many people would be enjoying it. At the same time, he seemed delighted at the idea of inspiration to artistic endeavors and would begin making extensive modifications to the idea. Still serving as a production studio, it would also transcend Hollywood and be this massive homage to artists and the folks behind it. Dedicated to all the arts: film, television, theatre, music, animation and more. With the bugs ironed out, thus would be created Fantasia Studios, inspired by the film of the same name.
The
Fantasia Studios park would be roughly inspired by a studio, divided into major pavilions with each one focused over on a major medium.
Tinseltown would be focused over on ol' Hollywood with films and included a small sort of film theater, usually airing various classics and having some homages to film making and its genres, being a glittering palace. The
Silly Symphony Theatre would be dedicated over to the classical theater, being the sight over of plays, musicals, dance, and of course, Jim Henson's beloved muppets. Jim chose the name, as while he liked the original name of Muppet Theater, he didn't want anyone to feel leftout.
Animation Avenue would of course be the focus over on animation, both traditional and CGI, becoming a favorite spot for all of those who enjoyed cartoons, both on the silver screen and on TV.
Musicland would be an instrument themed studio over dedicated to singers, songwriters and musicians of all kinds. Expanding on the music making attractions in DisneyQuest, it would enable for people to find their voice and song. The
Awesome Amphitheatre would be an open courtyard where sometimes live performances are seen along with more impromptu perfomances and connecting most of the other places along with a good portion of the shops and eateries. And then of course, the
Silverscreen Tower, which would be a more laidback place that served as an impromptu history of various mediums along with serving as an homage to the pencil-pushers and suits that keep the dreams alive, including a tradition where all the new CEOs and presidents introduce themselves. Interestingly enough, two new additions would be added over time. One would be a bit of a last-minute one before actual opening, the
Library of Dreams. Located on the periphery of the park, it was created as an homage to novelists and writers, though would also serve as a sort of resting place from the noisy place outside. It would become a favorite for those wanting to unwind and relax, especially for those a bit overwhelmed, either children or adult, and a bit of a fun underground. It would also have a large coffeehouse and bakery. Another addition would be added over in the last year of Henson and Eisner being at the Park,
Virtual Visions. While the idea of a video game section was always in talks, it was not high on the list of priorities. It wasn't until Disney began getting more seriously into video games did they consider it, with the expansion greenlighted thanks to the success of the
Kingdom Hearts franchise. Inspired by Y2K styled cyber aesthetics, it would be a fun tech wonderland with a cybercafe showing the work and effort into making video games, along with becoming a showcase for new tech and ideas used in it. All with Mickey's Sorcerer hat greeting visitors over to the park.
Henson also helped oversee the development of the
Wildscape (originally named the
Animal Kingdom), especially with the concerns from various groups. After all, Disney did not have the best track effort over with zoological affairs. After all, Discovery Island was still relatively fresh in the memories. However, alot of people believed in the efforts here and alot of caution and effort went into here. Beyond that, making the park as eco-friendly would be seen as an ambitious endeavor over by the Imagineers. It helped that alot of the new developments in eco-friendly urban design gave them alot to work with and everything would be clever planning and usage, along with getting people to follow the rules and the like. It was a lot of effort and before the end of the millenium, the
Wildscape would be ready as the fourth park of Walt Disney World. Rumors of a fifth park would be active throughout all the 2000s before it would be confirmed to be in development. It would be Eisner and Henson's last major project with the parks before their retirement. One reason why it took so long was because well, what would be the park be on? And Henson's last gift would be that: a park dedicated to the core characters of Disney itself. Jim Henson had often discussed to Eisner how popular the characters were in comic books abroad along with how little they were really utilized over in television. Shouldn't the Sensational Six get more attention? Alot of folk seem to agree and Eisner, being the ambitious man, decided to go forth as the poject would go in design. The designs and details would be finalized by the time Eisner and Henson would've left.
This would be the fifth Disney park:
Toonopolis. One massive park dedicated to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and all of their beloved extended casts. It would be a celeberation of Disney's beginnings in animation and the untapped potential of the various toons and their stories. The decision was also a practical one. One of the plans for Magic Kingdom was to expand Fantasyland and that Mickey's Toontown would need to be torn down. However, this new plan would enable it to survive in a whole new park and the concept expanded upon. The basic outline included major sections dedicated to grouping of the toons;
Mickey Mouse Avenue would be focusing on Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and some of the lesser-known characters associated with his comics.
Little Duckburg would be a massive homage over to the Donald Duck comics, wth Donald, Daisy, his nephews along with extended family, including elements from "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck".
Goofy Park would be a sports-themed place based on some of the Goofy cartoons along with Max Goof and some of Goofy's family from the comics.
Ink Blot Spot would become the place especially catered for black and white cartoons and the home for the returning Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, an old-timely black, gray and white wonderland.
Toonpolis TV Station would be focused more on the animated shows of the Disney family and resmebling the House of Mouse building from the show. From the Saturday morning cartoons started by Eisner to the ones now over on air, it would be a fun place to celeberate the milestones over on the television. And of course, there would be the
Funny Food Court, a very large and diverse food court to enjoy all sorts of wacky and fun-themed food that also served as an impromptu playground to go and lounge around. Overall, while not completed until 2010 or so, it would certainly be quite a glorious occasion for the toon fans to come and enjoy.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. It was around after Henson convinced Eisner to go and greenlight
Tam Lin and the two supposedly walked across the hall. They ended up in the men's bathroom and there, one said to the other. "When did we become old men?". Now, the question of retirement lingered there before, but now, it was something to take more serious. Having reconnected with his wife, Jim wanted to spend even more time with her and with his children (now all grown up) as he was slowing down (which Eisner joked was Jim's work ethic now focused on his relationships). Michael Eisner himself was becoming tired with some of the conflicts with some of the other major players. Wells' departure would further convince Eisner that it would be his time to go and head out as well. The two worked to go and find some suitable replacements and finish up some last-minute things. Henson still has his stake in the Muppets though he'd likely be focusing over on smaller scale stuff while Eisner still had The Tornante Company as an investment firm. Perhaps the two could work again at some point. Their departure would be quite a bittersweet one as the company would have to bid farewell to the artist and the businessman who helped save Disney in a dark hour. No one knows what really laid for Disney moving forward, but it was quite in a solid position. It was doing good over with films and television and decided to keep going more with video games as well. Their parks were becoming an increasing standout with plans to open more DisneyQuests across over in the United States, especially as they consider further additions to the complex. Overall, Disney was in quite a good place and left in good hands. Eisner would stick around a bit longer to finalize transition, but for now, many would see a hippie leaving the House of Mouse, riding into the sunset.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
And a big mega thank you to
@Geekhis Khan and his epic timeline. I was happy and proud to be there at the beginning and I appreciate your support of my own timeline here.
. I couldn't think of anything myself (that and the original planned name of State of New Columbia was not a good one).
