“Howard” Will Not Be Removed From Disney+ Following Backlash
Following a huge backlash to the news that Disney was going to remove the documentary “Howard” from Disney+ on May 26th 2023, Disney has reversed the decision, and the film will now remain on Disney+.
Directed by Don Hahn (“Beauty and the Beast”), “Howard” is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics like “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid” and creator of musicals including “Little Shop of Horrors.” Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, personal films and photographs, as well as interviews with Howard’s friends and family, the film is an intimate look at the Disney Legend’s life, his creative drive, and the process behind the music. Spanning his childhood in Baltimore, to his formative years in New York, and his untimely death due to AIDS, “Howard” goes in-depth to explore his journey to become the lyricist behind some of the most beloved and well-known classic family films in the world.
According to a representative from Disney, who told Deadline:
“The list of titles coming off of Hulu and Disney+ next week is still being finalized ,”
The spokesperson also indicated that there could be additional changes to what’s being removed.
The backlash to this film being removed, comes as Disney is set to release a live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” in cinemas next week, featuring music created by Howard Ashman. And with next month being Pride month, the social media reaction to this fantastic film being removed has not gone down well with fans.
The list of shows includes some well-known shows and films, including “Willow”, “The Mysterious Benedict Society”, “Big Shot”, “Pistol”, “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”, “Diary Of A Future President”, “Maggie” and many more. These removals are happening because Disney is trying to write off around $1.8 billion dollars to make its streaming service more profitable.
Thankfully, Disney has seen sense and will keep “Howard” on Disney+. Hopefully, some other titles may remain after a social media backlash to the news.
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