This (http://www.forbes.com/newswire/2004/06/02/rtr1393244.html) is an interesting article. I remember reading somewhere (perhaps an earlier Forbes report?) that Pixar would only consider re-contracting with Disney if Eisner was out of the picture. Suddenly he's "an eternal optimist" and "will not believe it is over until it is over". Um, dude, they are shopping for another distributor. I think that qualifies as over. Any thoughts?

Pixar is not actively shopping. There are plenty of suitors, but no one's answering the door.
Eisner's actually playing this one pretty well:
1. He gets DIS the two movies under the old contract;
2. Next Pixar movie after these two won't be until after Eisner's contract is up (and hopefully not renewed).
3. DIS is the best partner for Pixar. And Pixar knows it. It can put the Pixar characters into the world's premier theme parks and synergize them like nobody's business forever. FOREVER!! That's the important piece that's bound to be missing in any other deal. Pixar is making movies that should last forever. DIS knows "forever."

Here's another article on the subject (http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040607/media_pixar_disney_1.html)

In the staring contest between Disney and Pixar, what this news suggests to me is that someone in the staring contest has blinked.

In the staring contest between Disney and Pixar, what this news suggests to me is that someone in the staring contest has blinked.I think you're right, Carol. Guess someone got a speck of dust in their eye. Interesting...