Mouse, Trapped

Once a byword for imagination and innovation, Disney has become increasingly reliant on sequels, remakes, and franchises created by others.

It all started with a pirate.

“They’re making a movie about what?”

“A movie based on a Disney World ride? Are you kidding?”

“Why does Johnny Depp sound like Keith Richards in drag?”

“Walt Disney must be spinning in his grave.”

“Don’t be stupid. Walt Disney was frozen.”

This happened in that dark, benighted time before social media; in other words, 2003. Reaction to news about Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl was thus confined to message boards, IRC, and the comments at Ain’t It Cool News — much to Disney’s good fortune, no doubt. The film was a massive hit, launching a franchise and a fleet of sequels.

The House of Mouse and its cash calf were spared the maw of social media, but the response to the movie before it was released (and it’s always before in these situations) was the same as would be seen today on Twitter and Reddit —…