HONG KONG - Disney has decided that Mickey, Minnie and Goofy can't
conquer the coveted Chinese market alone, and that a little local magic should
do the trick.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Hong Kong Disneyland in
a file photo. [Reuters]
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The Walt Disney Co. will premiere the Chinese-language movie "The Secret of
the Magic Gourd" on Monday -- one of a number of projects aimed at carving
itself a strong position in China.
The film, made in Hong Kong, is based on a popular Chinese story about a boy
who discovers an enchanted gourd -- a squash-like vegetable -- that
grants him wishes.
The movie, made by Hong Kong's Centro Digital Pictures, is the first-ever
Disney-branded movie made outside Hollywood. Disney's famed animators were not
involved.
It's a significant venture into local-flavored programming for a company that
has until now counted on Mickey and friends to help win fans around the world.
Disney's first park on Chinese soil, Hong Kong Disneyland, is a near-replica of
the original Disney theme park in California.
"Good stories are not dominated by American creators," Disney's top China
executive Stanley Cheung said in a recent interview in Hong Kong.
"We are not fixed on the idea that we have to lift stuff from the US and drop
it into China and if that doesn't work, we don't have business. I think that
would be a narrow way of doing business," Cheung said.
"Magic Gourd," which will be promoted with story book and merchandise
tie-ins, is only the beginning of Disney's localization in China, with plans to
assemble a group of Chinese Disney characters alongside more traditional ones,
he says.
Cheung said the story of "The Magic Gourd" fits with Disney's traditional
values. The movie's main character is troubled by his magical vegetable which
steals from others to please him.
"It's about a kid growing up understanding himself, family, positive values,"
Cheung said.
The executive said Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger and the company's senior
management are committed to localized content.
"It's directly from Bob and our global leaders," Cheung said.
"They look at China as very, very important to The Walt Disney Co.,
especially in the longer term ... (in) 10, 15 years," he said. "The company,
especially Bob and the board, are looking at how we can grow, how we can ensure
long-term growth of this company."