Disney's highly acclaimed theatrical production of Mary Poppins has been playing to sell-out crowds in London, and Broadway is eagerly anticipating its arrival in 2006. And a new stage adaptation of Tarzan®, with new music by Phil Collins, will swing onto the Great White Way this spring.
In November, we introduced our first fully computer-animated film, Chicken Little, which was enthusiastically embraced by millions of moviegoers around the world. And our animation team has an exciting slate of films underway that will continue Disney's great tradition of storytelling in the computer animated film format.
In addition, The Walt Disney Studios, along with our partners at Walden Media, released The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to an impressive worldwide opening weekend of more than $100 million at the box office. The tremendous results of this dazzling film enhanced Disney’s reputation as a leader in quality creative family entertainment and opened the door for future features based on the magical world created by C.S. Lewis. And coming in summer 2006 is the highly anticipated Cars, from the creative team at Pixar.
Disney creativity not only delights our audiences, it also allows us to establish franchises that generate ongoing returns by transcending any one business, as evidenced by the film pictured on the cover of this report – Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest. Not only is Pirates expected to be one of this summer’s blockbusters, with a second sequel already in the works, it shows positive signs of being a true franchise property.
From Mickey Mouse to Winnie the Pooh, Disney's Little Einsteins, the Disney Princesses and on to the infinity of Buzz Lightyear and beyond, we are committed to create characters and stories with staying power that lasts beyond a single movie or a TV show. These franchises provide the kind of dependable, long-term success that is invaluable in the often unpredictable entertainment industry.
