A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Toy Store

Last week, Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products (DCP), announced that Tinker Bell, a direct-to-video CG-animated film starring the iconic fairy first introduced in the J. M. Barrie play Peter Pan, would be released in the fall of 2008.

Tinker Bell—the movie—was originally scheduled for release in the fall of 2007. The film’s release was to coincide with the launch of the new Disney Fairies franchise. The merchandise, much of which is in stores now, will include toys, books, games, and clothing based on new characters introduced in the film.

Earlier reports indicated that testing had revealed the film’s story wasn’t appealing to a broad enough cross section of children and tweens, the target market for the Disney Fairies line of merchandise. Tinker Bell is the first of a series of four films, which will be released over a three-year period, and Mouse House execs were worried it might not be strong enough to sustain such an “epic” franchise.

Enter John Lasseter, the creative head of Disney/Pixar animation.

Lasseter, as he has done with virtually every animation project in the works at Disney, reviewed Tinker Bell and ordered up a series of changes to the film’s original storyline. Those changes, however, were not the main reason for the delay in releasing the film.

Sources close to DisneyToon Studios, the direct-to-video production arm of Disney animation responsible for Tinker Bell, report that animators have been working on what amounts to two separate versions of the film, and that it is this double duty, “that’s wearing everyone [the animators] out and keeping the thing from being done.”

Although veteran Toon Studio director Bradley Raymond is helming Tinker Bell, it is studio head Sharon Morrill who reportedly is ordering up even more changes to the film, most of which undo the changes mandated by Lasseter, that has caused production to drag on.

According to sources, Morrill is very close to the Tinker Bell project, having worked closely with Disney Consumer Products from the beginning on the “synergy” required between the two divisions to successfully launch the Disney Fairies franchise.

Cover art for Never Faires one of a series of books from the Disney Fairies line of merchandise.
Image copyright© Disney Enterprises

Lasseter, who divides his time between Disney’s Burbank facilities and Pixar’s studios in Emeryville, would hold meetings with Toon Studios’ animators, who would work closely with him on changes he wanted made in the film. Reportedly, during his absences, Morrill would review the work being done and frequently order work to continue on the original scenes from the movie.

“For quite some time, when John [Lasseter] would return to check on our progress,” said a Toon Studios’ artist, “he’d be shown one version of the film—his version. At the same time we also had Sharon’s version in the works.”

Many animators complained about the workload created by producing two versions of the same film at the same time.

Moving On

It’s not certain exactly when Lasseter realized that DisneyToon Studios was attempting to make an end run around his vision for Tinker Bell. However, last week’s announcement by DCP chairman Andrew Mooney can most likely be taken as an indication that all parties are now pulling together to get Ms. Bell out the door.

While calls to Disney animation for comment were not returned, a Disney Studios executive, not connected to the production of Tinker Bell, did say it was his understanding that both Lasseter and Morrill had moved on beyond any differences they had over the film’s production.

Disney’s version of J. M. Barrie’s Neverland sprite has rarely been out of public view since she first appeared in the 1953 release of Walt Disney’s Peter Pan. Despite her role as Pan’s magical companion and Wendy Darling’s often jealous and spiteful rival, Tinker Bell has been almost as much a symbol of the Disney Company as Mickey Mouse.  Her appearance during the opening seconds of the various incarnations of the Disneyland and Wonderful World of Disney televisions shows has been seen by billions the world over. For nearly 50 years, millions more have cheered as she files high above Sleeping Beauty castle during Disneyland’s fireworks display.

Voiced by actress Brittany Murphy, Tinker Bell will speak for the very first time in her starring role in the movie Tinker Bell, due in video stores during the fall of 2008!