You're right... Disney only owns HALF of Roger Rabbit.stev02 wrote:Doesn't Disney not own Roger Rabbit anymore? Isn't that why they changed Roger who was originally in the parade to the Genie?
From SaveDisney.com:
"A story option had been lying around Feature Animation for years (going back to the Miller regime) that would combine live-action and animation in a film noir comedy spectacular -- Who Framed Roger Rabbit? No one had ever wanted to spend the money to make it, but the project intrigued Jeffrey and Michael. The idea caught fire when Steven Spielberg signed on as executive producer, making the film a co-venture between Disney and Amblin. While Disney would later regret giving away half of the character copyrights, approvals and royalties, the licensing of rights to major cameo characters from other studios may not have been possible without Spielberg's political clout."
More from the LaughingPlace.com:
"What happened? The answer lies in that 50 / 50 deal Eisner made with Spielberg. Both Disney and Amblin own half of the copyright on the characters created for Who Framed Roger Rabbit. That means - before any project involving Roger can move forward - both sides have to agree exactly on the exact terms of the contract. Every time Roger appears in a film or a theme park attraction or even on a toy, there's a lengthy negotiation between Disney and Spielberg's lawyers involved.
As you might imagine, this sort of micro-management takes up a lot of time... which is why Roger Rabbit's career has been on hold these years past ten years."
I almost forgot this ride. 
