When will Walt Disney get a biopic?

[Tempest19]

Out of all people, I personally believe Walt Disney is the most deserving of a biopic. His life has gone on to seriously inspire others, he was a man with a dream that still is a HUGE ASPECT of our culture today. Plus it's a really dramatic story to tell.

There were many up and downs in Walt's life, but despite all of this he was the true under dog who kept his dream alive when others said it was impossible. He overcame everything in his way; did you know Pinnochio, Fantasia and Bambi were all actually box office flops prior to becoming classics? There was even a moment after Walt's daughter saw the film when she asked her father why Bambi had to die in the end that's a really dramatic scene.

Then add Mortimer the mouse aka Mickey. Disneyland. Oswald the lucky rabbit.

There's also: Deep friend betrayals. Corporate sharks. Bankruptcy.

It's a story rich with drama. Currently reading a biography for a paper in business class and the first thing that struck me is the number of obstacles Walt faced throughout his life.

So, why hasn't there been a Disney bio pic yet? Jim Henson's getting one. Surely Disney can and should.

One possible reason that I've heard online is that Disney is cautious as to not hamper with the myth of Disney by showing the man. But, I believe Walt's story would only further harness the legend of the man he was by delivering to audiences a truly inspiring story about a man who faced and overcome all of the obstacles he was faced with due a dream to make things better for everyone.

 

[tzarinna]

Don't they usually do those when people die?
Walt's not dead.

 

[tzarinna]

Okay, so he's frozen he wants to be brought back, right?

 

[Nirvana]

Don't they usually do those when people die?
Walt's not dead.

I think a movie about him could be pretty good. Who would you like to play him?

 

[Jackasscoley15]

Okay, so he's frozen he wants to be brought back, right?

Geez, I didn't know people could be THAT gullible.

 

[Tempest19]

Don't know who could play him, but the ending would be the opening of Disney World, after his death, because it's a moment that provides a lot of great drama.

EXT. WALT DISNEY WORLD- DAY

ROY DISNEY (Walt's Brother) approaches the podium. He stops. Scans the audience. Something's missing. Roy whispers to an aid.

ROY
Would you go find Mickey for me? We don't have Walt anymore, and Mickey's the nearest thing to Walt we have.

Moments later, Mickey Mouse joins Roy on the platform. Roy gives his dedication speech. Notices LILLY (Walt's wife).

ROY
Lily, you knew of Walt's ideas and hopes as well as anybody. What Walt think of it?

LILY
I think Walt would have approved.

Slowly angle up taking in the castle that dreams are made of, as we...

[FADE TO BLACK]

And this is just one example of a possible scene in a Walt biopic, his life is FILLED with dramatic and inspiring moments.

 

[Drizzle]

Anyone think Paul Giamatti would make a decent middle-aged Disney?

 

[Prison Mike]

if this movie is done right, it could easily get an oscar. It could be like Chaplin with Robert Downey Jr. We just need an actor who would be perfect for the role. Who? I don't know.

 

[Figs]

Anyone think Paul Giamatti would make a decent middle-aged Disney?

I'd be all for a biopic on Walt Disney!

As for Paul Giamatti playing him...no.

I like Paul as an actor a lot but he just doesn't look anything like Disney. I would rather they got someone a little taller and not as overweight and balding I guess you could say.

 

[Tempest19]

I think with casting the important thing would be to get an actor who is more Walt Disney in spirit.

Jim Carrey doesn't exactly replicate Andy Kaufman, but I can't personally see any other guy for the role.

For Walt it would have to be an actor that personifies a child and dreamer at heart. I'd say the PERFECT actor, imo, would have been Jimmy Stuart. Because in all of the film's I've seen him in there seems to be a natural goodness. Who's within the right age to play Disney now, don't know.

It would without a doubt win an oscar though. The story's inspiring and hell, I'm man enough to admit, even the biography I read had me crying by the end. Because as said in the book Walt was a guy taken before his time.

As for director though, personally, I think there's only one man for the job. Steven Spielberg. I see the tone as kind of being similar to 'Catch me if you can' and 'The Terminal,' in which they were dramatic films but still had a magical quality about them.

 

[Tojo]

What about George Clooney?

 

[Nirvana]

What about George Clooney?

Holy hell I was just thinking him too!

 

[tzarinna]

I think a movie about him could be pretty good. Who would you like to play him?

Geez, I didn't know people could be THAT gullible.

You two are like zero fun.

 

[Gotham]

I'd love to see a biopic about the man.

 

[Hush]

Man I want to see this and i think that Martin Scorsese, would be perfect. I saw what he did with Howard Hughes and this would be just as good. Maybe Leo as a young version

 

[TNC9852002]

I nominate Casey Affleck for the role.

Here's a young Disney:

-TNC

 

[danoyse]

Don't know who could play him, but the ending would be the opening of Disney World, after his death, because it's a moment that provides a lot of great drama.

The only thing that worries me about that is that people will think the ending is an advertisement for Disney World, since any biopic about Walt Disney would probably be made by Disney.

If I had to pick one of the theme parks to concentrate on, it would be Disneyland, since that's the only one Walt ever actually saw and it's construction and opening day could probably be it's own movie.

Walt had an apartment over the fire house on Main Street in Disneyland, and he would put a lamp on in the window whenever he was there to let everyone know he was in the park. To this day, they still turn the lamp on in that window...to let everyone know that's Walt's spirit is still with them. That would work really well in a movie too.

 

[Immortalfire]

What about George Clooney?

Quit casting George Clooney in every other role.

 

[Cinemaman]

if this movie is done right, it could easily get an oscar. It could be like Chaplin with Robert Downey Jr. We just need an actor who would be perfect for the role. Who? I don't know.

Although Chaplin got a lot of Oscar buzz, it didn't get any ward.

Still, I think a Walt Disney biopic would be a good idea

 

[terry78]

Let's also lobby for a biopic entitled Eisner, where our main character is pelted with flaming hot coals for two hours.

 

[The Guard]

Alan Cumming could play the part.

They could call the movie "Nazi Superman are our Superiors"

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Adrien Brody.

 

[cabel]

I was thinking about this a couple months ago. An actual idea that I had was for the biopic to be animated in classic Disney style.

as for the final scene, I had the idea of the camera going around the empty, recently completed Disneyworld, with one of Walt's speeches played over. The final shot being the Walt/Mickey statue in front of the Magic Castle.

on a related note, has anyone seen the Disney produced Documentary, 'Walt'

 

[Tempest19]

Animation would be interesting, but it would deter from the film itself. That's kind of like saying if Stan Lee ever gets a biopic it should all be done with comic book panels. Also, Walt's main goal was to actually work in the film industry over animation industry. One of the things noted in the bio.

So animation gave rise to Disney. But, Disney already had multiple aims and goals.

 

[Lighthouse]

I'm always curious about biopics. Sometimes a biopic is warranted and sometimes its not. While Walt Disney was a very interesting man, I don't know if his life is interesting enough for a dramatic narrative. A documentary, sure, but I don't know about a biopic. They'd have to do something really interesting with it.