Comcast Out, Mel Gibson In On Disney Takeover?

NewsMax ^ | 5/5/04 | Carl Limbacher

[wagglebee]

The New York Post's Richard Johnson is reporting that "A consortium of mysterious European investors has approached [Mel] Gibson about a possible takeover of Disney now that Comcast has thrown in the towel, sources told PAGE SIX."

Wow.

First, Gibson couldn't even get anyone to distribute his movie, and now that it might become the biggest selling dvd of all time, the movie cognoscenti are interested.

Well, at least they're paying lip service to the idea. They would still want Gibson to throw in a couple hundred million of his own money to help buy the Mouse House, but they also want him to run the company.

One insider told Johnson: "We were very impressed with the way Gibson handled 'The Passion of the Christ'" - especially the part where he produced the movie for around $30 million, but has made $600 million in the theaters so far.

Gibson friends agree: "Gibson has the sensibilities Hollywood needs," one told Page Six. "He has the right insight to lead a studio. Look at those numbers! Now, that is how to make movies - none of this $120 million nonsense."

But, the source added, "He hasn't said yes, and he hasn't said no" to the proposal for a Disney corporate takeover.

Another person close to Gibson said, "The discussions have not gone anywhere . . . yet."

[wagglebee]

This would be awesome!

[Mr. K]

GO MEL!!!!!!!!!!!

[victoryatallcosts]

Sounds good to me.

[Petronski]

Oh wow! Just...Wow.


All I can say is...wow.

[KevinDavis]

That would be great.

[breakem]

It's a small world after all.

[steveegg]

That would explain Disney's reluctance to release the Miserable Failure's latest work of fiction.

[antaresequity]

My mom was Walt's secretary, and my Dad was employee number 5 in the Disney empire...thats how they met.

Roy hates Eisner...all the good old boys have left.Roy must be giddy over this news.

Windows on Main Street at Anahiem Disneyland
Windows on Main Street

George Whitney Location: Above the Market House
Inscription: Geo. Whitney - Guns
George Whitney was the only member of the original Disneyland design team with previous amusement park experience[we owned one]. He eventually became the manager of Fantasyland and also worked on the Mickey Mouse Club Circus.

[FourPeas]

Interesting. Could it be that someday parents would again be able to trust Disney?

[Steve Van Doorn]

” Oh wow! Just...Wow.

All I can say is...wow.”

May I add, ‘sweet’

[Cagey]

It's from the "Page Six" section of the Post. In other words.....gossip.

[ServesURight]

DON'T DO IT MEL! KEEP YOUR MONEY - LET DISNEY CRASH INTO THE GROUND.

[tiamat]

Oh how cool!

I'm a HUGE Disney fan.

You must have had an amazing childhood!

[Mr. Mojo]

This would be too good to be true. ......taking Disney from the pervs and bringing it back into the spirit of what Walt himself envisioned. Mel wouldn't put up with this "Gay Days" crap, that's for sure.

[antaresequity]

To say the least. We owned Playland in San Francisco...and a penny arcade in the town we lived in.

[tiamat]

I've never been further West than St. Paul, so I do not know Playland.

Still, it all sounds fun, and I am glad you got to experiance it all first-hand!

[wagglebee]

And to think, three months ago Mel Gibson was "finished" in Hollywood. I guess his "stupidity" is the same type that the liberals think Bush suffers from.

[Liz]

Would be great....but probably won't happen.

[Smartass]

Mel Gibson and the "Passion" wins again. BIG.
WOW, what a good choice.
I hope the Hollywood manipulators are wringing their
hands out. Gibson will put credibility back into Disney's dream!

[McGavin999]

OMG, he could turn that company right around. He could actually have them make some decent movies again. At one time, the name Disney on any movie meant you could be sure of good, wholesom entertainment.

[Tallguy]

Lethal Weapon meets & defeats Michael Eisner. I'd pay to see that!

[Hildy]

wow...think of the possibilities!

[Vigilanteman]

Would this mean no more "Gay Day" at Disneyland? Would it mean the fudgepackers would have to crawl back in the closets where they belong? Awesome!

[Phsstpok]

My mom was Walt's secretary, and my Dad was employee number 5 in the Disney empire...thats how they met.

Oh, good Lord! Do you know what you've let yourself in for with that admission? Every Disneyfile (like me) is filing away your screen name for every Disneyana question we ever come across!!!!!

I'm a stockholder (I like the artwork on the shares) and used to be an annual passholder for Disneyworld. I spent many hours before the web became THE WEB on the old Florida forum on Compuserve and became one of the addicts there.

We've now got several friends who work in the Florida park (mostly at AC on PI, for fellow addicts), and some who've moved to California, as well as some of the animators who have now branched off (involuntarilly) and some folks in admin from the mouse house. One of the strangest experiences of my life is when one of the Florida Dapper Dan's showed up at my home while he was visiting relatives in my town! You expect to see Disney folks when you visit Disneyworld. It's something else when they come to see YOU!

I think Mel would be able to bring the house of Walt back together again.

It's a nice scenario, true or not.

[section9]

I can see it now: instead of Main Street U.S.A., we have the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Spirited]

If Gibson does this and doesn't get rid of Eisner and his supporters he will go down with Disney.

I would like to hope that he will cleanse that entity of all the evil stupidity that has marked it since the death of the founder.

[FourPeas]

I believe #24 is to you.

[Always Right]

Wow, can't wait for Mel to spin off Mad Max into Mad Mouse.

[antaresequity]

Agreed. Eisner has nearly destroyed the "Magic"...anybody even remotly associated with the founders hates his guts, and where he has taken Disney Land.

Walt was a genius...and a truly beautiful person.

Walt Disney: "We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun - together."

[bayourod]

How much did Disney pay NewsMax to spread this rumor to drive up stock prices so they can afford to release "911"?

[antaresequity]

I got to be a beta tester on Space Mountain before they even had scenery....that was killer.

Before Disney Land CA was even a construction site, it was a farm house and orange grove....

The day before they officially broke ground, everyone drove out to the farm house the evening before. They threw a big party, with all sorts of booze and food.

They had a bunch of crow bars and sledge hammers....so everyone got hammered, and hammered on the house.

According to my mom and dad, Walt got so tanked he passed out. They threw him in the bath tub, and carried him out like newly crowned king in the claw foot tub, legs hanging out....every one was singing drunk party songs.

My mom has a picture...

The official ground breaking and demolition started the next day, but the house looked like it had been in a war zone. Randomly busted holes in the walls, empty booze bottles and what not scattered around...

The imagery my mom and dad shared with me is as real as if I had been there my self...

[antaresequity]

I think Mel would be able to bring the house of Walt back together again.

I can't think of anyone better to resurrect the "Magic"...

[eleni121]

Walt would be proud if Mel could pull it off.

I wonder if this is why Eisner told Miramax fatso weinstein that he would not distribute the latest fatso Moore propaganda film.

[BobS]

Mel needs to fire a whole bunch of people too:):)

[TC Rider]

I went to the Disney ranch in Wyoming once on business back in the 70s. I was blown away, I kept getting a really weird sense of Deja Vu.

I told the ranch foreman about it and he asked if I had watched Micky Mouse Club in the 50s. I told him of course I had. He told me the ranch was the location for "Spin and Marty".

[Future Useless Eater]

awesome is right. thanks

[~Kim4VRWC's~]

COOL!Now that would be a really interesting take-over. I hope he does..and will reserve my judgement until afterwards.

[pbear8]

We owned Playland in San Francisco

Whadja do with Laughing Sal?

[onyx]

Wouldn't that beat all?

[antaresequity]

Whadja do with Laughing Sal?

My dad sold her to John Wickett in 1972. He has recently passed away and it is now going on the auction block.

[antaresequity]

Don't forget the It's It...man were they good...

[fatima]

wagglebee,That would be so nice,we can dream.

[Liz]

I would love to see someone of Mel's caliber running Disney instead of that scum Eisner.

[Snuffington]

Those quotes sound like parodies. I wouldn't put much faith in this report.

[churchillbuff]

Wow you must have some stories to tell about Disneyland history. Ever thought of writing a book?

[pbear8]

There she is! Looks like she just read John Kerry's voting record on defense.

[onyx]

If Mel buys it,
I'll admit I still have stock. :)

[Liz]

My lips are sealed.

[onyx]

LOL!
"our" secret.

[nmh]

If Mel would buy Disney then we'd visit Disney World. Till then we won't waste a penny on liberals and Disney is loaded with liberals and perverts.