Recently, Criterion has announced its first collaboration with Disney, the title in question will be WALL-E:

https://www.criterion.com/films/33246-walle 

It's very big I know. Reading the detail from reliable sources, the deal will only consist of Pixar films for now. But in my opinion, I feel that could change IF we make this title a big seller (and it already has!) because the bigger the seller, the more Disney will see that physical media still has an audience and the more they'll probably consider sublicensing out to Criterion including their MAIN library.

We all know the Disney library is historical and groundbreaking and there are titles upon titles (including their classic shorts) that need grand treatment than they already got (especially if they're also 4K debuts) and the release WALL-E from Criterion opens the door to this possibility. Imagine owning Criterion editions of Snow White, Fantasia, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty, maybe even a complete Mickey Mouse box set AND (we can dream, but play our cards right) Song of The South! The best part, it'll mark the return of our favorite Disney titles on physical media and might even surge a comeback! And with both Disney turning 100 and Mickey Mouse turning 95 next year, now's a good time to get ball rolling.

I have an event planned to convince both studios to do a Mickey Mouse set on Facebook, but right now, the first thing we need to do is to keep pre-ordering WALL-E (some of you can even add it to your holiday wish list like I'm doing) and make it sell to the point where Disney starts realizing just how much people still love physical media.

So let's make this happen people! Great way to celebrate Disney's 100th after all. 😉

Criterion has been releasing Disney content for about 2 decades, this just marks the first time they did a Pixar Movie. This is no written license for Classic Disney content as of yet, and knowing Criterion has an active distaste in most animation, don't get your hopes up in it happening

Who sayed Criterion has an "active distaste" for animation? I was always expecting them to do a set of NFBC shorts (some of which are on their streaming service).

As for Disney, it would be nice if Criterion did a Fantasia set, but who knows if it will happen or not?

If there was to be a Criterion release of Fantasia (or something like it), it would have to be be HUGE, likely because there are several different versions of the film. Some Criterion titles like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Charlie Chaplin's films contains different versions made for various re-releases, and Fantasia should be no exception. Among the versions are:

• 1940 roadshow version (Fantasound)
  
• 1941 roadshow version (mono)
  
• 1942 "general release" version (mono, w/ "Toccata & Fugue" removed)
  
• 1946 "general release" version (mono, w/ "Toccata & Fugue" restored)
  
• 1956 SuperScope version (4-track stereo)
  
• 1969 edited version (4-track stereo, w/ Sunflower removed)
  
• 1982 re-recorded version (Dolby Stereo)
  
• 1990 restored version (1946 version with original soundtrack restored and heard in Dolby Stereo)
  
• 2000 restored version (reconstruction of 1941 version in stereo w/ dubbed Deems Taylor segments)
  

On another note, Snow White would be a natural choice for a Criterion release, given its importance in the history of motion pictures and the material already included on the 2001 Platinum Edition DVD (radio programs, color tests, etc.)

If there was to be a Criterion release of Fantasia (or something like it), it would have to be be HUGE, likely because there are several different versions of the film. Some Criterion titles like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Charlie Chaplin's films contains different versions made for various re-releases, and Fantasia should be no exception. Among the versions are:

• 1940 roadshow version (Fantasound)
  
• 1941 roadshow version (mono)
  
• 1942 "general release" version (mono, w/ "Toccata & Fugue" removed)
  
• 1946 "general release" version (mono, w/ "Toccata & Fugue" restored)
  
• 1956 SuperScope version (4-track stereo)
  
• 1969 edited version (4-track stereo, w/ Sunflower removed)
  
• 1982 re-recorded version (Dolby Stereo)
  
• 1990 restored version (1946 version with original soundtrack restored and heard in Dolby Stereo)
  
• 2000 restored version (reconstruction of 1941 version in stereo w/ dubbed Deems Taylor segments)
  

I did not realized there were that many versions of that film. Kind of kills the chance of including "Fantasia 2000" in the set if ALL the different variations of the 1940 film were included.

You can still include it, don't see why it couldn't.

But man, all those versions. That's amazing!

A reminder to everyone that WALL-E is coming out this month!

I also remind you that if this title sells well (and look at the pre-orders, it's been a continuous hit!), it could convince Disney to do more; Snow White, Dumbo, Lady and The Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, maybe even Mickey Mouse and all in time for Disney's 100th!

So if you haven't yet, pre-order WALL-E now, buy it even for yourself or someone for the holidays and show Disney there is still love and demand for (their library on) physical media.

This is our window of opportunity, people. Let's make it count.

After talking to someone that freelances at Disney, I'm now under the impression that this is not a one time deal and Criterion is already planning more collaborations with the company (possibly for their cenntennial next year) regardless on how well the special edition of "Wall*E" sells.

And isn't that the best thing to ever happen!? :D

If that's true, it's the start of something BIG.

OK, time for an update. Sadly, WALL-E will be the ONLY Disney title from Criterion. The reason being was because the idea to add WALL-E was Andrew Stanton's doing and wanted his film to be included in the line (but rightfully so);

https://www.indiewire.co...n-collection-1234779576/ 

It's bummer news, yes. However, the pre-orders from this release alone proves that a Disney-Criterion deal CAN be successful if Disney just plays ball and Andrew Stanton has opened the door for that. So how can we make it happen? Just keep spreading the idea around anywhere and anytime you can and gain interest.

In the meantime, I myself am putting together an event schedule for this Friday (11/18); we take to Facebook and on the Disney Movie Club page, we ask them to release a complete Mickey Mouse box set for DVD, Blu-ray, and/or 4K through retail either by them or (more favorably) a deal with Criterion. Disney turns 100 next year and Mickey will turn 95 so this is a golden opportunity to make something happen.

I appreciate your support on this event and hope to see you there!

To be honest, with that article in light, I think it would be more likely if we got something like a set of National Film Board of Canada shorts from Criterion than any other non-20th Century [Fox] film from Disney for now. And I've been hoping for a NFBC set for quite a while.