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Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner can’t remember why he green-lit Kingdom Hearts
Former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner has said he cannot remember why he approved the original pitch for Kingdom Hearts, the Square Enix series combining Disney and Final Fantasy characters. The remark is notable because his approval helped enable a franchise that has since become a major, long-running success for both companies.
Eisner recalled the project only after being reminded of its Tokyo pitch, according to Game File’s Stephen Totilo. Former Disney Japan executive Shuji Utsumi said the project was initially unauthorised and some colleagues expected it to be rejected, but it was eventually approved after extensive preparation; Eisner left Disney in 2005, while Kingdom Hearts 4 is now in development.
In short
- Eisner cannot recall approving Kingdom Hearts.
- The pitch initially faced internal scepticism.
- Kingdom Hearts remains active with a fourth main entry.
Explained simply
Kingdom Hearts is a video game franchise that combines characters from Disney films with those from Final Fantasy, a Japanese video game series. Since its launch in the early 2000s, it has grown to encompass multiple games, films and merchandise from both companies.
Michael Eisner served as Disney's chief executive for decades and made the company's major decisions. His approval of the Kingdom Hearts project was crucial, as it required authorisation from the highest level of Disney's leadership to create a partnership between the American film studio and a Japanese video game company.
The concept was pitched to Disney in Tokyo, and some colleagues expected it would be rejected. Following extensive preparation, the project received approval and eventually grew into a long-running franchise spanning multiple games and other media.
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