Disney Acquires Japanese Hit 'Spirited Away'

[J.A.F._Doorhof]

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The Walt Disney Studios has acquired all domestic theatrical, video and television rights to Hayao Miyazaki's animated feature "Spirited Away," Japan's highest-grossing film of all time.
  
The movie, which received the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, will be released theatrically in the United States this fall.

Director John Lasseter ("Toy Story," "A Bug's Life"), an executive vice president for Pixar Animation Studios, will serve as creative consultant for the newly dubbed version.

Under the terms of the deal, Disney also will acquire Japanese video distribution rights as well as all theatrical, home entertainment and TV rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and France.

"Spirited Away" follows the adventures of a 10-year-old girl who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost. She must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world.

The picture is part of Disney's ongoing association with filmmaker Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the film's producer. In 1996, Disney negotiated a deal to bring nine of the studio's films to worldwide audiences.

In 1998, Buena Vista Home Entertainment released the coming-of-age family comedy "Kiki's Delivery Service." Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke" has been released on video and DVD and theatrically in the U.S. by Miramax.

Disney also is preparing several of the director's other titles for release on video and DVD later this year.

"We are thrilled to be associated with the great Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli in bringing 'Spirited Away' to audiences around the world," said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios. "This film has already become a box office phenomenon in Japan, and its visionary story and artistry is sure to be a hit with moviegoers all over the globe."

[FrankL]

En nu maar hopen dat er niet weer een handtekeningenactie nodig is om de originele track op de DVD te krijgen.

Of zouden ze het zelfs in hun hoofd halen om deze pan & scan uit te brengen, zoals ze nu van plan zijn met veel titels  

[J.A.F._Doorhof]

P&S wordt inderdaad een issue met Disney.
Ik hoop niet dat DVD beland waar Video begon, P&S versies only.

MvrGr.
Frank