Michael Eisner Slams Harvey Weinstein as 'Pig', Reveals Deep Regret Over Miramax Deal
London, GB – In a candid and revealing interview, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has not held back his contempt for Harvey Weinstein, unequivocally labelling the now-convicted sex offender a "pig." Eisner, who oversaw Disney's partnership with Weinstein's Miramax during his tenure, also expressed profound regret over the acquisition of the influential independent film studio.
A Harsh Assessment of a Notorious Figure
Speaking on the program "In Depth with Graham Bensinger," Eisner didn't mince words when describing his experience working with Weinstein. "He was just a pig," Eisner stated bluntly. He elaborated on Weinstein's character, acknowledging a surprising intellectual depth beneath a gruff exterior. "He was rude, but he was a closet intellectual. He looked like a truck driver. He acted like a truck driver. He had great independent film taste, and nobody at Disney would deal with him but me," Eisner recalled.
The former Disney chief painted a picture of a difficult and ethically compromised working relationship. "He lied about everything. How do you deal with somebody who never tells the truth?" Eisner questioned, highlighting the fundamental challenge of engaging with Weinstein. He admitted that the experience was one of the most challenging periods of his career.
Regretting the Miramax Acquisition
Eisner's regret stems directly from the decision to acquire Miramax. The deal, which brought a slate of critically acclaimed independent films under the Disney umbrella, is now viewed by Eisner as a significant misstep. "I never thought about what I learned, but I think I would not make a deal – because I got a good cheap deal at $70 million to buy Miramax – if I’d thought that I’m bringing a wolf into the hen house," he confessed.
This sentiment underscores the devastating impact of Weinstein's criminal actions, which were exposed years after the Miramax acquisition. Eisner's admission suggests that while the business rationale for the deal may have been sound at the time, the ethical cost, unknowingly borne, was far too high.
A Bleak Outlook for Movie Theaters
Beyond his reflections on Weinstein, Eisner also offered a stark prognosis for the future of the traditional movie theater business. He believes that the industry is on a trajectory towards obsolescence within the next two decades. "The only thing I don’t like about it is that the movies that do well in the theaters are the big technical extravaganzas," Eisner observed, pointing to the shift in audience preferences.
He noted that smaller, independent films, the very type that Miramax was known for, are increasingly finding their audience on streaming platforms. "And the small independent films from Europe or from the U.S. – Miramax-type films – they really only survive on Amazon or Apple or Netflix. So it’s hard. It’s not a business that I would go into today," he stated.
The Convenience of Home Viewing
When pressed on whether theaters could adapt and survive, Eisner was pessimistic. "I don’t know. No, probably not. I don’t know. I mean, it will survive for another 20 years, but at some point, the home is more convenient," he predicted. This prediction reflects a broader trend of evolving consumer habits, where the comfort and accessibility of home entertainment are increasingly challenging the traditional cinema experience.
A Legacy of Controversy and Change
The revelations from Michael Eisner shed light on a complex chapter in Hollywood history. His frank assessment of Harvey Weinstein, coupled with his regret over the Miramax deal, serves as a potent reminder of the industry's reckoning with sexual misconduct and the devastating consequences of unchecked power. As the entertainment landscape continues to transform, Eisner's insights offer a critical perspective on past decisions and the evolving dynamics of filmmaking and distribution.
