Even though it might seem familiar, Disney+ has made some significant changes to several of its older movies.
In recent years, a number of movies and television programs have generated controversy because of references or content that some believe doesn’t exactly fit in with the present world.
To both acknowledge the problem and alert viewers, some studios and broadcasters choose to include a content warning, while others choose to remove specific parts or entire episodes entirely.
Disney+ debuted a new content warning in November 2019 that would automatically play before beloved films like Peter Pan and Dumbo. The warning explained that the film a viewer was about to watch featured out-of-date portrayals.
It stated, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain negative depictions or stereotypes.”
The phrasing was revised in October of the following year to add more context.
Prior to select titles at the time, it informed Disney+ subscribers: “This program contains negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures.” Both then and now, these stereotypes are incorrect.
Instead of deleting this content, we want to recognize its negative effects, draw lessons from it, and start a dialogue in order to build a more inclusive future.
“Disney is dedicated to telling stories that capture the rich diversity of the human experience worldwide, with themes of inspiration and aspiration.”
But in a surprising turn of events, we now have a new content warning—well, sort of new.
With a few minor adjustments, the notice has returned to its 2019 version: “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
As first reported by Axios and confirmed by Variety since President Donald Trump returned to power, the action is a part of a “broader shift in DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] strategy.”
Earlier this week, Sonia Coleman, Disney’s top human resources officer, sent a note to employees outlining the changes.
According to Coleman, “our company culture and our business are centered around creating a welcoming and respectful environment for our employees and guests.”
Integrity, creativity, teamwork, community, and inclusivity are the principles that drive our behavior and how we interact with one another.
In addition to sharing some of the work that has been done to update our talent strategy in line with our principles, I would like to give an update on how our values are incorporated into our leader compensation programs, particularly our Other Performance Factors (OPFs).
What are the implications of Disney+’s upcoming modifications for content warnings? Keep up with the most recent developments and how they affect your favorite movies. For additional information about Disney’s changing policy and entertainment trends, visit our website!
