Jeff Morel, who succeeded Disney’s longtime head of corporate communications Zenia Fly as new CEO in December, had to deal with PR dust last month – his own.
Morel flew to Florida, where he was treated to a “test walk” of the new world of Walt Disney World guardians of the galaxy roller coaster at Epcot Center. He ended the experience by tweeting “Just another day at the office”, along with selfies from the trip. “Imagineers designed this like no other ride you’ve ever ridden,” he said of the train, called Cosmic Rewind and inspired by the Disney / Marvel blockbuster franchise. “I have to drive it to believe it!” See it from the beginning of the Remembrance Day weekend! ”
At first glance, the post looked like an ordinary corporate cheerleader; The problem is that the expected attraction has not yet been officially announced. Morel, a former BP executive who also served in the Pentagon’s Department of Defense as a spokesman for confidential security briefings, marked an account with the @EpcotCentre handle, a parody account unrelated to the park. Morel deleted the tweet only to repost it without the wrong label and launch date, simply writing, “Coming soon!”
Just one more day at the office – I have to “test” the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster @WaltDisneyWorld EPCOT. The Walt Disney Imagineers created this like no other trip you’ve ever been on. I have to drive it to believe it! Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/PjSityLjUb
– Jeff Morel (@MorrellGeoff) February 23, 2022
But Disney eagle-eyed fans, known for their intense and sometimes obsessive love of all things Mouse House, had already gone mad. @ Royalbishop009 was the first to comment on the revised post with the original tweet and suggestion: “You may just want to announce it now.” to deal with this week. Yesterday, Disney confirmed that the studio is pausing to release its films in Russia.
“Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Turning red from Pixar, “said a spokesman for Walt Disney Co. in a statement. “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide emergency and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.
A version of this story first appeared in the March 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.