Michael Eisner's Message to Cast Members Celebrating The Rookie's Opening

Michael Eisner's Message to Cast Members
3/29 Cast e-mail - "The Rookie"

Subject: The Rookie

Dear Fellow Cast Members:

This weekend, The Walt Disney Studios is opening a movie that is not only a great film in itself, but it one that says something special about our company.

The film is "The Rookie," and stars Dennis Quaid in a story that proves that truth can be more compelling than fiction. Dennis plays Jim Morris, who first played professional baseball as a minor league pitcher from 1983 to 1989, when he retired due to a shoulder injury. Jim went on to become a high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach. Then he engaged in a fateful bet with the school team, which was a perpetual loser: If the team could win the district championship, then Morris, who still threw a 98 MPH fastball, would try out for the majors. The team won the championship and Morris was on his way to being the major leagues' oldest rookie.

This true story makes for a wonderful, G-rated Disney film. But, it should not be viewed in isolation. We have now released a string of exceptional Walt Disney Pictures films that have broken out beyond the children's audience that Disney is traditionally known for. First, there was "The Kid," starring Bruce Willis. Then came "Remember the Titans," starring this year's Best Actor Oscar winner, Denzel Washington. After that was last summer's hit, "The Princess Diaries," starring Julie Andrews. And, just two months ago, we enjoyed the tremendous success of "Snow Dogs," with Cuba Gooding. These films were extremely varied in style and subject matter, but they were all consistent with Disney's values and connected with very broad audiences. What's more, it is safe to say that none of them would have done quite so well without that name "Disney" above the title.

And, there are more to come. This summer, we'll have "Country Bears," based on the popular theme park attraction, and in the fall comes "Tuck Everlasting." Further down the road are "Haunted Mansion," which will star Eddie Murphy, and "Pirates of the Caribbean," produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. I asked Nina Jacobson, president of the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, what all of these projects have in common, and she summarize it with two words - "theme" and "ambition."

In developing these pictures, the first thing Nina and her team look for is a strong theme, rather than simply an interesting subject matter. For example, "Snow Dogs" really isn't about sledding, it's about the nature of family. Similarly, "The Rookie" isn't so much a baseball movie as it is a film about commitment to a dream.

Then there's the matter of ambition. There was a time when the sites for Disney live action films weren't set so high, as they were considered "just for kids." But, with these pictures, the ambitions are as big as any blockbuster being produced in Hollywood. As you can see, we are attracting top talent to work on them. They really are in the tradition of the great Disney live action films, such as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "Treasure Island" and "Mary Poppins," which were major motion picture events, and certainly not just for kids.

I know that Nina and Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, would consider me remiss if I didn't acknowledge the enormous range of people who bring these films to the screen, from the development staff to the people who coordinate the always-demanding physical production to our marketing and distribution staff. Working together, they have achieved a remarkable track record, which we have every reason to expect will continue on into the future, both benefiting from and strengthening the incredible Disney name.

Michael

--Posted April 1, 2002

Formatted: LaughingPlace.com
Source: Disney Company Press Release