MOVIE NEWS – “Help protect my grandfather’s memory,” Walt Disney’s granddaughter has appealed as she strongly criticizes Disney’s new controversial project. The founder of the Mouse House will return as a robot, but one descendant insists Walt would never have agreed to such a thing. The family is divided over the issue.

Walt Disney, founder of The Walt Disney Company, will soon be immortalized as an audio-animatronic figure in the new show “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” which Disney plans to launch this July at Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House. But the tribute isn’t sitting well with everyone—especially not Joanna Miller, one of Disney’s granddaughters, who has repeatedly voiced her disapproval in public.

According to the company, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” is intended as a moving celebration of the legendary animator’s and entrepreneur’s legacy, meant to inspire visitors with the story of how one man’s dreams became reality. Organizers are drawing on cutting-edge technology and studying Walt’s speeches and writings to let visitors feel as if they’re stepping into his office. But none of that has stopped Joanna Miller from opposing the plans. She’s voiced her objections both on social media and in interviews with the LA Times.

The Disney Family Is Not United

In a letter to Disney, Miller set out her objections and, late last year, wrote on Facebook for the first time: “He would be an imposter. We could never replicate the natural way he spoke, his rapport with the camera, or his excitement for announcing park news. He would not want this.” Later, CEO Bob Iger invited her to meet with the project team, but despite a polite meeting, her concerns were not addressed, as the rest of the family supported the tribute.

Not everyone in the Disney family agrees with Joanna. Tamara Miller told People magazine just yesterday: “Having this representation of our grandfather in the park he built is the perfect way to teach people who he was and to introduce him to new generations. We believe our grandfather would be thrilled about the project, and I can’t wait for my kids and grandchildren to see it.”

Still, Joanna Miller continues her protest. In a since-deleted Facebook post picked up by WDW News Today, she asked everyone to help “stop this madness.” “Don’t let them turn my grandfather into a robot. My mother tried to stop this years ago and her wishes were honored then. (…) Please help protect my grandfather’s memory and legacy!”

WDW News Today notes that Disney Imagineers deny Miller’s claims, stating that they never found any evidence in their research that Walt Disney would have opposed such a project. The show is moving forward, with or without unanimous family support, and from July, park visitors will be able to decide for themselves. The debate remains open.

Source: 3djuegos