In 1984, Disney had the chance to own the future of animation for just $15 million. They said no.

Today, Pixar is a multi-billion dollar cornerstone of the Disney empire, but the journey from a Lucasfilm basement to the top of the box office was a decade-long corporate war. In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, we’re diving deep into the three specific inventions Disney rejected, the firing of John Lasseter, and the "worst deal" Steve Jobs ever signed.

How did the king of animation miss the paradigm shift happening right under their nose? And how did they end up paying $7 billion for a team they could have owned for a fraction of the price?

In this video, we explore:

• The Lucasfilm "Graphics Group": The rebel engineering outfit that built the future in a basement.

• The 3 Key Inventions: How the Pixar Image Computer, CAPS, and RenderMan changed cinema forever.

• The Exile of John Lasseter: Why Disney fired the man who would eventually save their animation department.

• The Jobs vs. Eisner Showdown: The high-stakes corporate battle that led to the creation of Toy Story.

QUESTION: Have you seen those early Pixar shorts like Luxo Jr., Red's Dream, or Tin Toy? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

If you love exploring how Disney connects to the broader world of history, business, and pop culture, make sure to SUBSCRIBE

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Podcast: Listen to Synergy Loves Company → https://synergylovescompany.com

Support the Show: Shop official Synergy Loves Company merch → https://shop.synergylovescompany.com

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Thank you for supporting the channel!

Connect with Me:

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Credits / Resources: •

Synergy Loves Company is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries. • Images and clips are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and education.

Until next time, keep discovering the magic in everything!

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Why Tom Hanks Played Walt Disney: The 30-Year Disney Connection

Discover the untold story of how Disney strategically built the perfect actor to play its founder. Tom Hanks didn't just get cast as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks—he was engineered for the role across three decades of calculated partnership.

From Splash and Touchstone Pictures to Toy Story and beyond, explore how Disney's synergy with Tom Hanks created the most iconic casting decision in Hollywood history. This is the real reason Tom Hanks became Walt Disney.

In This Episode:

Why Disney created Touchstone Pictures and cast Tom Hanks

How Splash (1984) launched the Tom Hanks era

The brilliant Pixar pitch that convinced Hanks to voice Woody

How Tom Hanks became "America's Dad"

The perfect synergy between actor and founder

Why no other actor could have played Walt Disney

Subsribe to Synergy Loves Company on YouTube for deep dives into how Disney connects to everything in entertainment, culture, and history.

https://www.youtube.com/@SynergyLovesCompany?sub_confirmation=1

Podcast:

Listen to Synergy Loves Company → https://synergylovescompany.com

Support the Show:

Shop official Synergy Loves Company merch → https://shop.synergylovescompany.com

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Connect with Me:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/synergylovescompany

Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/erichsynergy.bsky.social

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/synergylovescompany

Credits / Resources:

• Synergy Loves Company is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries.

• Images and clips are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and education.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Did you know one comedian, Tim Allen, was the secret weapon behind Disney's massive corporate makeover in the 90s?

In this video, we reveal The Tim Allen Blueprint: the calculated strategy Disney used to turn a single star into a multi-billion dollar corporate synergy machine. From his hit sitcom Home Improvement (ABC) to his blockbuster film debut in The Santa Clause (Touchstone), and his iconic voice role in a certain animated masterpiece, Tim Allen was the key figure connecting Disney's newly acquired and developing divisions.

We break down how Disney used his star power to create a self-feeding "flywheel" of success that changed Hollywood forever...(again)

If you've ever wondered how Disney became the IP giant it is today, the answer might just be "To infinity and beyond!"

Subscribe on YouTube for more deep dives into How Disney Connects to Everything!

https://www.youtube.com/@SynergyLovesCompany?sub_confirmation=1

Podcast:

Listen and Subscribe to Synergy Loves Company → https://synergylovescompany.com

Support the Show:

Shop official Synergy Loves Company merch → https://shop.synergylovescompany.com

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links above may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Connect with Me:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/synergylovescompany

Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/erichsynergy.bsky.social

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/synergylovescompany

Credits / Resources:

• Music licensed via Melod.ie

• Synergy Loves Company is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries.

• Images and clips are used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and education.

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.