Welcome to Mickey News, where we bring you all things Disney! Today, we highlight a fascinating discussion featuring Disney legend John Musker, known for his contributions to beloved films like *The Little Mermaid*, *Hercules*, *Aladdin*, *The Princess and the Frog*, and *Moana*.
In an interview with Spanish outlet *El País*, Musker offered candid reflections on his illustrious Disney career and provided a thoughtful critique of the company’s current direction. “We weren’t trying to be woke, although I understand the criticism,” Musker said about his work on *The Princess and the Frog*. “The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message. They wanted you to get involved in the characters and the story and the world.”
John Musker believes that Disney’s primary focus should be on characters and stories rather than on social or political messages. “I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters,” he said. It’s a sentiment many fans might echo as they yearn for the magic that captured their hearts in earlier Disney films.
Musker didn’t just stop at critiquing modern storytelling; he also weighed in on Disney’s trend of live-action remakes. Addressing *The Little Mermaid* adaptation, he noted, “They didn’t play up the father-daughter story, and that was the heart of the movie, in a way,” and critiqued the animation of characters, “The crab — you could look at live animals in a zoo and they have more expression.”
Disney’s creative processes have evidently changed over the years. Reflecting on his *Moana* experience, Musker lamented the sometimes chaotic nature of modern production with too many voices having a say. Yet, he admits, “in some ways, they were right, it was a good thing.”
Even Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, has acknowledged the need for balance in storytelling. At a shareholder meeting this year, he assured, “Our job is to entertain first and foremost. And by telling great stories we continue to have a positive impact on the world.” However, actions like Lucasfilm’s Pride Variants and Disneyland’s Pride Nite might suggest a different narrative.
What’s your take on John Musker’s comments? Do you agree with his suggestion for a “course correction” at Disney? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s keep the magic of Disney alive through engaging discussions!
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*[Source: El País](https://english.elpais.com/culture/2024-05-18/the-director-who-shook-up-disney-and-hollywood-animation-with-a-mermaid-a-genie-from-a-lamp-and-a-polynesian-princess.html)*
