Disney is developing for ABC's "Wonderful World of Disney" a remake of "The Wizard of Oz" that will feature Kermit the Frog as the Scarecrow, Miss Piggy as the Wicked Witch of the West, other adorable Muppets playing various residents of the Land of Oz, and singers Ashanti and Queen Latifah playing Dorothy and Auntie Em, respectively. Oh, and Quentin Tarantino will play himself, which is to say the director of R-rated ultra-violent flicks like "Kill Bill," "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs."
Here's a good place to mention that the Walt Disney Co. distributes Tarantino's flicks through its Miramax Films subsidiary. Disney also owns ABC, and Disney recently purchased the Muppets characters from the Jim Henson Co.
Think of "The Muppets Wizard of Oz" as one big Walt Disney Co. product-placement orgy.
...
In fairness, we should at least mention that there are those who feel Tarantino's flicks are perfectly okay for children.
Tarantino, for instance.
...
(Of course, at that same news conference, Tarantino also said he was especially proud of the movie's gang rape scene. See -- that is so something my mother would say.)
SNIP
Okay. Disney wanted to distance itself from Michael Moore but embrases QT to do a, I hope, G rated movie?
I will see it, just out of curisoity, but I see parents and parents groups up in arms about this when they find out about it.
Originally posted by Zeruel...and Disney recently purchased the Muppets characters from the Jim Henson Co.
When did this happen?!?!?
And did they actually PURCHASE them (as in, Disney OWNS them now?), or did they just get permission to use them somehow? I just cant imagine that happening.
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeWhen did this happen?!?!?
And did they actually PURCHASE them (as in, Disney OWNS them now?), or did they just get permission to use them somehow? I just cant imagine that happening.
According to Wikipedia, "After earlier unsuccessful attempts, in 2004. The Walt Disney Company bought the rights of the Muppets that appear on The Muppet Show. The rights of the characters that appear on Sesame Street are owned by Sesame Workshop." Click Here (en.wikipedia.org).
"I will see it, just out of curisoity, but I see parents and parents groups up in arms about this when they find out about it."
I've got to ask, but why would people be up in arms over a man appearing in a made for TV, WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY movie? He's cameoing as himself, a director, in a clearly G-rated film. Do you honestly think he's going to say or do anything that out there or "wacky" that would cause people to revolt against Disney? At best he might get some tongue in cheek, "wink-wink" line or two here and there but he obviously isn't going to be allowed to offend anyone in this type of picture.
Also, for anyone looking for more on the wheres, whys and hows of the Muppet Sale, you could always go to www.JimHillMedia.com and search for stories on said topic. He covers animation and Disney in general but had a couple of good articles on the whole deal from a few months back.
Originally posted by HrdCoreJoe"I will see it, just out of curisoity, but I see parents and parents groups up in arms about this when they find out about it."
I've got to ask, but why would people be up in arms over a man appearing in a made for TV, WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY movie?
It reminds me of a saying, "Out of sight, out of mind."
Kids saw a nipple, so parents screamed bloody murder. I bet that if they have QT in the movie, parents will think they will have to explain who he is and what else he has done.
Originally posted by HrdCoreJoe"I will see it, just out of curisoity, but I see parents and parents groups up in arms about this when they find out about it."
I've got to ask, but why would people be up in arms over a man appearing in a made for TV, WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY movie?
It reminds me of a saying, "Out of sight, out of mind."
Kids saw a nipple, so parents screamed bloody murder. I bet that if they have QT in the movie, parents will think they will have to explain who he is and what else he has done.
That's why I think they will be upset.
Parents groups have protested about less.
Parents would be upset if QT showed up and did a gory scene of violence. Parents will not be upset* if QT shows up and pulls a George Carlin on Thomas the Train (aka Mr. Conductor). Miss Piggy having a wardrobe malfunction, not so good.
Witness any of the recent Disney or Pixar movies for more examples. How many parents do you know who felt that had to explain who the McKenzie Brothers (Brother Bear) were?
* There are always going to be the extremists who get upset by the oddest things.
Edit: "did" not "do".
(edited by SirBubNorm on 26.8.04 2049) It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milkbone undershorts.
He made in through a WHOLE episode of "American Idol" without anyone even getting so much as a papercut. I think he'd be OK.
Although if he walked into a dingy bar and Kermit was tending bar with a big bushy mustache and he and Fozzie were whispering in Spanish and QT ended up telling a joke about pissing in a glass, that WOULD rule.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Comparing Tarantino to Moore is apples to oranges. Tarantino is a director who considers himself to be an artist, and Moore is a director who is a social commentator. While Tarantino's films are certainly far more violent than Moore's, they are no where near as stirring to the senses.
Now, when he goes into a diatribe about the Wiz starring Micheal Jackson using his own brand of dialogue on ABC, I'll start worrying about seeing Quentin Tarantino.
Chris Rock made a guest appearance on a Sesame Street special (5 millionth episode or something) and was told "NO dirty jokes!", to which he had to reply "but people love my mud jokes!"
I love both the Muppets, and The Wizard of Oz, so I'm lining up for this one.
It's not like the Muppets don't have a history of actors making cameo appearances or something.
DJFF, even before the purchase, Disney and the Muppets had working agreements, I believe. Now that they're officially of the Mouse, by the Mouse, and for the Mouse, they've got a 3-D show at Disney MGM Studios. It's way cool, and the moichandise shop {/Spaceballs} had some incredibly kickass stuff...like an action figure of the newscaster that always got hit with something on The Muppet Show.
If it's Muppets, I'm there. Swedish Chef 3:16 says...uh, BORK BORK BORK!
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life! (Click the big G or here to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio...or try .AU, .WAV or .MIDI!)
Originally posted by EddieBurkettAccording to Wikipedia, "After earlier unsuccessful attempts, in 2004. The Walt Disney Company bought the rights of the Muppets that appear on The Muppet Show. The rights of the characters that appear on Sesame Street are owned by Sesame Workshop." Click Here (en.wikipedia.org).
Hmm... does that mean they both get Kermit?
Anyway, if they do this Muppets/Oz thing, the munchkins better be rats, or else we'll no for sure that Disney just doesn't understand the Muppets.
South Park went back to social commentary this week with an episode addressing gay marriage and same sex parents. In other words, its a great way to reintroduce BIG GAY AL in the series. Man, it seems like its been forever since we've seen him.