Pixar on Thursday reported a third quarter profit of US$22.4 million, or 38 cents per share, on revenue of $44.5 million. In a conference call with analysts following the earnings release, Pixar (and Apple) CEO Steve Jobs discussed some of the studio’s future plans and took a shot at a competing film. Jobs said Pixar is not in serious negotiations for a new distribution deal with any studio and is waiting until Disney names a new CEO to replace Michael Eisner, who is retiring in 2006. “As observers, it looks like Disney seeking a new CEO could have several outcomes, one of which is musical chairs among the other studios,” Jobs said. “So who knows where people are going to end up?” He also said Pixar is considering releasing its films in the summer rather than the holidays, noting that summer movies make more money and that it is better to release home video for the holidays. Jobs also pointed out that Pixar’s “The Incredibles” is beating “The Polar Express,” a computer animated film from Warner Bros. at the box office. “Fortunately, ‘The Incredibles’ derailed ‘The Polar Express’ its first day out of the station,” Jobs said.
