Disney Plans Video Sequels To ‘Pocahontas,’ ‘Lion King’

Tue., March 24, 1998

John Hartl The Seattle Times

It wasn’t true 10 years ago, but the safest bet in video in the 1990s is a Disney cartoon. And that extends to the straight-to-video variety, which sell millions of copies every year.

In the next few months, Disney Home Video will release direct-to-tape sequels to two of its biggest hits: “Pocahontas: Journey to a New World” and “The Lion King: Simba’s Pride.” Both are expected to be blockbusters no matter what the quality’s like.

“Toy Story 2,” which originally was scheduled for a cassette release in early October, is now considered strong enough to be released first to theaters, where it probably will appear in December 1999. John Lasseter, the director of the first “Toy Story,” is executive-producing this one while directing “A Bug’s Life,” which Disney will release to theaters in November.

Starting with the theatrical release of “The Little Mermaid” nine years ago, Disney has revived its reputation as the world’s most successful animation studio, turning out so many hits that when the studio’s latest release earns “only” $300 million, it’s considered a disappointment. The non-Disney competition, including the recent “Anastasia,” is lucky to earn half that.

It’s a little scary how complete this takeover has become. In the new show-biz satire, “The Real Blonde,” a dizzy New York model bases her philosophy on Disney films, especially “The Little Mermaid” - which earned an additional $30 million when it was reissued to compete with “Anastasia” in theaters last fall. The March 31 re-release of the tape is scheduled to beat “Anastasia” to the video market.

And the reissues keep on coming. Disney has brought out a restored, THX-certified, 45th-anniversary tape of its 1953 cartoon version of “Peter Pan.” It will be pulled from the market after 45 days, thereby assuring demand for a 50th-anniversary version.

Also coming from Disney: “Mummies Alive! The Legend Begins,” an animated feature based on the television series (April 7); another straight-to-video sequel called “The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars” (May 19); the video debut of Disney’s 1948 collection of cartoon shorts, “Melody Time” (June 2); a “definitive” collection of Mickey Mouse shorts, called “The Spirit of Mickey” (July 14); and “Mulan Singalong Songs” (July 28), which includes two song numbers from Disney’s summer theatrical release, “Mulan.”

The “Pocahontas” sequel, an adventure that takes Pocahontas to 17th-century England, is coming Aug. 4. The “Lion King” sequel is due Oct. 27.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.