Hit motion pictures aren’t hits as a result of just one particular viewers goes to see them. They’re hits as a result of all audiences go to see them. So to say anybody style is just for a sure demographic is already shockingly reductive. To say that when the historical past and existence of your organization unequivocally proves it improper, is one thing far, far dumber.

In a new clip that’s going around from the Wall Street Journal, Disney CEO Bob Chapek—sure, the highest government in control of Disney—says the next:

“I always say that when our fans and our audiences put their kids to bed at night after watching Pinocchio or Dumbo or Little Mermaid, they’re probably not going to tune into another animated movie. They want something for them.”

Do you all the time say that, Bob? Is that true, Bob?

Truly, have you ever ever seen two dumber sentences from the top of an organization? It could be like Tim Cook saying “You know, I think our fans really love Android,” or Elon Musk investing in fuel.

There are so many issues to interrupt down right here, the first one being that, admittedly, the sentiment isn’t universally inaccurate. If your baby makes you watch Encanto or Frozen 200 occasions on repeat, certain, you may wish to placed on one thing else to cleanse the palate: a tear-jerking drama, agross-out comedy, hardcore pornography, something. And Disney, as an organization, does supply a few of these choices (not below the standard “Disney” model—that stuff is PG-13 at greatest, though that’s nonetheless very a lot geared toward youngsters—however with a few of its many different subcategories reminiscent of Fox, Hulu, National Geographic, and so on). It’s the suggestion that adults don’t wish to watch animated motion pictures that’s simply plain silly although.

Has this man seen Wall-E? Beauty and the Beast? Toy Story 3? Up? The Lion King? Basically each single nice, hit Disney film that works each on a quite simple degree for youths however has themes and conditions that talk to adults, too? All of which grew to become hits as a result of audiences of all ages went to see them? Does he assume Disney is price billions as a result of solely youngsters see and love animated movies and all the things they stand for?

Beyond that, does he assume adults cease loving the movies they grew up with? Some of the motion pictures he mentions are over 50 years previous. Do individuals who noticed them as kids and are actually senior residents cease loving them? Has he heard of nostalgia? And what about an enormous, large neighborhood of adults who’re unabashed Disney followers? The ones who spent hundreds and hundreds of {dollars} on Disney merchandise and theme park rides primarily based on these motion pictures? If these individuals didn’t like animated movies, would Bob right here be making tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} a 12 months? We assume not.

We might go on and on. What are your ideas on Chapek’s assertion? Tell us under.

Want extra io9 information? Check out when to count on the newest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and all the things you’ll want to find out about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.