Fine Tooning: Disney's Political Stance, Futurama Reboot, and Voice Actor Negotiations

Disney's Political Stance and Corporate Responsibility

• ⚠️ The Walt Disney Company's response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill is criticized as being "mush" and lacking courage, with a statement focusing on content creation rather than direct action.
• 💡 Historically, Michael Eisner was more willing to take public political stands and supported LGBTQ+ employee protections, a contrast to current leadership.
• 📌 Concerns are raised about Disney's decision to relocate jobs to Florida, given the state's political climate and the company's perceived inaction on LGBTQ+ issues.
• 🏢 The upcoming annual shareholders meeting is expected to feature questions regarding Disney's stance on the bill and its implications for employees and the company's image.

Animation and Stage Productions

• 🐻 The Country Bear Jamboree's West Coast version at Disneyland is recalled as an example of a well-intentioned Disney decision that didn't catch on as expected.
• 🎭 The stage adaptation of "Winnie the Pooh" is discussed, noting its run in New York and upcoming Chicago performances, with hopes for an extended run.
• 🖼️ The visually stunning stage production of "Spirited Away" in Tokyo is highlighted, with potential for a US tour in 2025 contingent on ticket sales in Japan.
• 🍎 "Central Park" on Apple TV Plus is mentioned, with the second half of season 2 featuring a song by Danny Elfman and performed by Catherine O'Hara, reuniting them since "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Voice Acting and Industry Challenges

• 🤖 The "Futurama" reboot for Hulu faced a hurdle with John DiMaggio's negotiation for the voice of Bender, highlighting his commitment to fair voice actor compensation.
• 🤝 DiMaggio's successful negotiation, dubbed "Bender Gate," is celebrated, emphasizing the importance of fan and colleague support in securing better deals for voice actors.
• 🎬 The challenges of production timing and unforeseen events, such as actor deaths or political climates, are discussed, referencing examples like "Dumbo," "Aladdin," and "Shrek."
• 🐉 The voice casting for "Dragonheart" is explored, noting Sir Patrick Stewart's initial involvement and Sean Connery ultimately voicing Draco, with Stewart later voicing the dragon in a sequel.

Star Wars and Other Projects

• 🌟 "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" season 2 release was shifted from spring 2022 to "coming soon" to avoid overshadowing "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
• 🌌 The positive reception of "Star Wars Visions" is noted, with anticipation for potential future seasons and a desire for more "Bad Batch" episodes.
• 🎙️ "Light the Fuse," a podcast by Drew Taylor and Charles Hood, is promoting its upcoming focus on "Top Gun" and interviews with cinematographers.
• 🚢 A new podcast, "Disney Dish," follows a family's experience on the "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser."