Will Disney Shareholders’ Monday Morning Blues Last?

 by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

October 19, 2021

 

Disney shareholders heard some unusual Monday morning (October 18) blues this week.

 

First, Disney’s stock received a rare downgrade from a Barclays analyst, going from a price target of $210 per share to $175 per share.

The big worry for this analyst was the slowdown in Disney+ streaming subscribers.  (See DisneyBizJournal’s report on Disney’s latest announcements on streaming.) As Reuters noted:

 

     “While the company (Disney) appears to be targeting one new piece of content a week, not every piece of content has the same franchise value or visibility,” Barclays analyst Kannan Venkateshwar said.

     Barclays also said the slowdown in Disney+ subscribers could not be solely attributed to a pull forward in additions in 2020, when streaming platforms gained popularity as people hunkering down at home sought entertainment.

     To achieve its target of 230 million to 260 million Disney+ subscribers by the end of fiscal 2024, Disney will need to more than double its current pace of growth to at least the same level as Netflix (NFLX.O), according to Barclays.

 

For good measure, shareholders and movie fans were hit on Monday morning with a long list of movie releases being pushed back by Disney. 

 

“Indiana Jones 5” was delayed, again, being moved from July 29, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Keep in mind that this fifth installment in the Indiana Jones saga was originally supposed to be released in 2019. 

 

As for the Marvel Cinematic Universe:

 

• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness moves from March 25, 2022, to May 6, 2022. 

 

• Thor: Love and Thunder will journey from May 6, 2022, to July 8, 2022.

 

• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever goes from July 8, 2022, to November 11, 2022.

 

• The Marvels shifts from November 11, 2022, to February 17, 2023. 

 

• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania shifts from February 17, 2023, to July 28, 2023. 

 

• Also, an untitled Marvel movie is being shifted forward from November 10, 2023, to November 3, 2023.  

 

Assorted untitled films also were removed from the schedule.

 

Meanwhile, on the MCU slate before Doctor Strange are Eternals on November 5, 2021, and Spider-Man: No Way Home (with Sony) on December 17, 2021.

 

So, does all of this information warrant longer-run concerns for Disney and its stock? Not really. 

 

The schedule pushbacks on movies should have surprised no one, as Disney and the rest of Hollywood still work to sort out the (hopefully) post-pandemic world of movie releases. Also, a slowing in subscriber growth for Disney+ was predictable, but reaching the subscriber goal of exceeding 230 million by the end of fiscal year 2024 remains well within reasonable expectations. That effort, of course, will be helped by more streaming content, especially of the Star Wars and Marvel varieties, coming to Disney+.

 

The Walt Disney Company’s stock price closed on October 19 at $171.18.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

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An Indiana Jones Tease from Disney

 by Ray Keating

News/Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 9, 2021

 

When I say that I’m a big Indiana Jones fan, I mean BIG. Indeed, one of my favorite purchases while in Disney World in recent years was an Indiana Jones shoulder-strap case that has become my favorite computer/book-writing attaché.

Source: Official Indiana Jones Facebook Page

So, yes, I’m jazzed to see that Disney, via assorted social media, just teased the next Indiana Jones movie. Disney said, “A new Indiana Jones adventure begins July 29, 2022. Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins the cast alongside Harrison Ford in the fifth installment of the iconic franchise. The inimitable John Williams will also return to score the film.”

Count me in! By the way, I’m a firm believer that the first three Indiana Jones movies – Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – make for the best trilogy in Hollywood history, and the fourth film – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – was not as bad as most proclaim. In fact, it was a “pretty good” movie that, with some solid editing, could have been “very good.” 

 

So, here’s to the return of Indy in July 2022, and to hoping that Indiana Jones 5 makes for a strong entry in the Indiana Jones movie franchise.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Disney Investor Day Update 3: More Star Wars from LucasFilm for Disney+ and Theaters – Plus Indy

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 10, 2020

 

During the December 10 Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day 2020 stream, assorted movies and series were highlighted from LucasFilm.

 

Perhaps most notable was the announcement that Patty Jenkins will be directing a new Star Wars movie Rogue Squadron, to be released at Christmas 2023. Taika Waititi also will be directing a Star Wars film, which he is currently writing.

On Disney+, spinoffs from The Mandalorian, and courtesy of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, are on the way: Rangers of the New Republic and Ahsoka.

 

Also noted were the previously announced Andor, a spy genre in the Star Wars universe and a prequel to Rogue One, starring Diego Luna. It has started production. 

 

And the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series, taking place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith, started production in March. Not only is Ewan McGregor returning in the Obi-Wan role, but also Hayden Christensen – i.e., Darth Vader – will return.

 

Animated Star Wars series on the way are The Bad Batch, Star Wars Visions, and A Droid Story.

For good measure, two more live-action Star Wars series were announced – Lando and The Acolyte.

 

Finally, it was announced that Indiana Jones 5 will start filming in the spring, and is scheduled for release in July 2022.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. Pre-order the latest thriller/mystery in the series – Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel – for the Kindle or signed books. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Also, get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

Spielberg Will Not Direct Indy 5, According to Variety

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

February 26, 2020

Apparently, this is the week for mega-surprising announcements related to The Walt Disney Company. First, it was Bob Chapek replacing Bob Iger as CEO, and now Variety is reporting that Steven Spielberg has decided not to direct the next Indiana Jones movie.

Variety notes that director James Mangold, who was at the helm of Ford v. Ferrari, likely will replace Spielberg behind the camera with “Indiana Jones 5.” Though that has not been finalized.

Of course, this raises questions about possible further delays for this movie, which originally was slated for a release in July 2019. I have written at DisneyBizJournal before wondering why Disney seems to be lagging on the Indiana Jones front – see What’s Up with Script Delays and Indiana Jones? (July 23, 2018) and What the Heck is Disney Doing with Indiana Jones? (October 25, 2018).

Now, only one of the “Big 3” on Indiana Jones will be directly involved with “Indy 5.” While Spielberg reportedly plans to be a “hands-on” producer, George Lucas isn’t involved. That leaves only Harrison Ford returning in the role of Indiana Jones. 

Let’s hope Mangold can capture the Indiana Jones magic, while at the same time, avoiding further major delays.

Geez, Disney, anything else you want to tell us this week?

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

Dear Bob: Disney Needs to Step It Up on Indiana Jones

by Ray Keating

Analysis/Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 12, 2019

Dear Bob,

I just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World, and I’m left wondering, once again, what the heck Disney is doing with Indiana Jones? Please allow me to address some glaring issues.

The first is Indy merchandise. I always stop at the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost – while also taking in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – when at Hollywood Studios. And quite simply, the Indy merchandise currently available is underwhelming, compared to what was once offered long ago, and what could be offered, especially when considering what’s presented throughout the Disney parks for other iconic films and characters. And quite frankly, there aren’t too many movie characters more iconic than Indiana Jones.

Yes, I picked up a very nice satchel, as well as a new pin. I have the Indy shirt and a hat – and even an action figure. But the point is, where’s the rest? Where are the assorted mugs, additional shirts, towels, blankets, glasses, posters, and so on. The first three Indiana Jones movies truly rank as classics (with the fourth being okay), beloved by people of all ages. It’s pretty clear that an opportunity is being missed here, which is odd for you and Disney.

My hope is that when the Stunt Spectacular gets a much-needed upgrade for the summer of 2021 – coinciding with Disney World’s 50^thanniversary and the scheduled release of the fifth Indiana Jones movie – the merchandise will be expanded as well.

Secondly, I have written in the past wondering why Disney seems to be lagging on the Indiana Jones front – see What’s Up with Script Delays and Indiana Jones? (July 23, 2018) and What the Heck is Disney Doing with Indiana Jones? (October 25, 2018). I’ve noted:

When Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion, the House of Mouse not only acquired Star Wars but also the ownership rights to Indiana Jones. So, what the heck has Disney done since with everyone’s favorite archeologist? Oddly, the answer is: Absolutely nothing.

Bob, Disney really needs to step it up on Indiana Jones. There’s the merchandise issue, but let’s expand things in terms of the parks – there’s been talk of an Indiana Jones land – and looking beyond Indiana Jones 5 in terms of additional films (who will be the next Indy?) and Disney+ opportunities. The key, of course, is high quality storytelling and related materials. But quality should not mean a lack of supply. 

By the way, if you need a Kevin Feige-type to helm the Indiana Jones franchise, I’m available.

Thanks for the consideration, and have a magical day!

Sincerely,

Ray Keating

DisneyBizJournal.com

Check out Ray Keating’s previous “Dear Bob” letters...

Dear Bob: When Are You Leaving and Who Will Replace You?

Dear Bob: Do You Have Leader-Storytellers Running Star Wars and Pixar?

Dear Bob: Stream Disney Theme Parks Live

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

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Next Indiana Jones Movie to Start Filming

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 2, 2019

(CORRECTION: Harrison Ford was incorrect. The next Indiana Jones movie starts filming next year, i.e., in 2020.)

The next Indiana Jones movie is scheduled to start filming during the coming week, according to a quote from Harrison Ford in a Variety report.

Variety reported:

     Ford also discussed the upcoming reboot of another of his hit franchises, “Indiana Jones.” According to Indy himself, the much-anticipated Steven Spielberg film “should be starting to shoot sometime next week.” 

     “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Things are coming along well.”

Movie fans last saw Ford is his iconic role of Indiana Jones in the 2008 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The film fell short of the previous three Indiana Jones movies from a critical perspective, but it did rake in $787 million on a production budget of $185 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

It took 19 years for Indiana Jones to return to the silver screen after 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Looking ahead, it will be 13 years since Crystal Skull, as this next Indy installment is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2021. Steven Spielberg will be back at the directorial helm (he directed the first four Indy films), with the screenplay reportedly from David Koepp, George Lucas and Jonathan Kasden.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I author the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.