Monday, April 23, 2012

'John Carter' gives Disney boss the boot

By Robbie Graham Silver Screen Saucers
Mars movies typically spell disaster for Hollywood studios, as Disney chairman Rich Ross (above) has learned the hard way.

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross last week "stepped down" from his long-held position at the house of mouse, stating in a letter to his staff: "I no longer believe the Chairman role is the right professional fit for me."

"But make no mistake about it," writes Deadline, "Ross did not simply decide to step down – he was fired... His ouster now ends his 15+ year Disney career which included one of the most public and worst film failures in Hollywood — John Carter, a $200M writedown for the Walt Disney Co."

Deadline notes that, "even though the film wasn’t greenlit by Ross (it was greenlit by predecessor Dick Cook and championed by John Lasseter), it was still overseen by him and mismarketed by his studio — and became one of the most public and expensive film failures in Hollywood history."

For more on this story, head on over to Deadline. And for a comprehensive overview of Hollywood's many failed Mars missions, read my article: Hollywood and the Curse of Mars.

Related: 

'John Carter' will lose Disney $200 million

'Total Recall' remake erases Mars/ET storyline

'Invaders from Mars': UFO acclimation movie?


No comments:

Post a Comment