Del Toro Disney Deal Deliberations

Yesterday, this blog entry had my initial thoughts on GDT's DOUBLE DARE YOU production label with Disney. My initial impression: not excited.

Today: VERY EXCITED.

I emailed Guillermo with my thoughts - which basically asked, "Is this going to be like GOOSEBUMPS?"

He replied on our message board today that it is definitely not GOOSEBUMPS - mainly for one reason: DDY is going to produce "theatrical, high end" animated films.

This is big news - a Disney animated theatrical Guillermo Del Toro film.

Disney has a historic record of creating iconic characters and classic stories. Their films span the generations. They last. They are special.

I couldn't wait to watch a movie with my 2 year old son for the first time. His attention span is short, so I wasn't sure when he would actually be able to sit still and watch a movie with his old man. One day, while the wife was out, I decided to give it a try.

I got him a sippy cup of milk, a few "cheesy poofs" for toddlers, popped in BAMBI, and sat him on my lap. From the very beginning he was mesmerized. It was like magic for him. He smiled, laughed and watched the whole thing from beginning to end. It was magic for me too, because I felt like I was sharing a part of my childhood with him.

Imagine my joy when it was over and he said, "Watch it again!"

BAMBI was made in 1942. Special.

I can tune out the cynical remarks about Disney and their pursuit of the "all-mighty dollar" because, to me that afternoon with my son is what Disney is all about.

I hope GDT's films can capture some of that same "Disney magic."

That would really be special.

Professor Guillermo

Did you know that Guillermo helped create the film school at the University of Guadalajara? Check out this excerpt from an interview with SLANT back in May of 2009.

GDT: But I went to school in Guadalajara, but it was a very small film school that we created. It became the film school of the university—but we created it. There was no film school in Guadalajara as a kid, so we said "let's make one" and eventually the university formalized it.

Slant: Were you teaching there for a while?

GDT: The first year I was learning, the second year I was teaching.

Slant: Did you like being a professor?

GDT: Yeah, I'd actually love to teach again. I really enjoy that process.

So there you go - you're little GDT fun fact for the day.