How Disney Killed Alex Hirsch’s Dream Of Making Gravity Falls Merch
Disney By Ryan Scott/Sept. 7, 2022 9:38 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. As far as shows that outlived their initial runs, “Gravity Falls” very much fits that bill and may rank as one of the biggest animated TV surprises in recent memory. The show had a relatively short life, airing for just two seasons between 2012 and 2016. But those 40 episodes have been embraced by fans widely and wholeheartedly in the years since creator Alex Hirsch’s show called it quits. Luckily, Disney has recognized the show’s popularity and some merch has made it out into the world. But Hirsch has understood for a long time that this show was never going to get a big push in that department.
Disney owns a lot of major brands, ranging from Marvel to Pixar and all of “Star Wars,” amongst many others. That being the case, a show that ran for just two seasons isn’t likely to be of major concern to those in charge of merchandise. Hirsch, speaking to The Mary Sue in 2017, acknowledged this harsh reality.
“The day that Disney bought Star Wars (AFTER buying Marvel) was the day I knew my merch dreams for Gravity Falls were basically toast. The company is too huge and we’re barely a blip on the radar to their consumer products division. Luckily the enduring popularity of the show has resulted in a few departments within the company sticking their neck out and trying cool experiments like journal 3. Everyone was surprised by the success of the journal except the fans. Their appetite for more continues to impress even this long after the end of the show.”
As Hirsch mentions, “Gravity Falls: Journal 3” sold quite well and, several years removed, even went on to become a New York Times Bestseller. That speaks volumes about the show’s fanbase, and part of the problem when it comes to managing a company as large as Disney.
How Disney Killed Alex Hirsch’s Dream Of Making Gravity Falls Merch
Disney
By Ryan Scott/Sept. 7, 2022 9:38 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. As far as shows that outlived their initial runs, “Gravity Falls” very much fits that bill and may rank as one of the biggest animated TV surprises in recent memory. The show had a relatively short life, airing for just two seasons between 2012 and 2016. But those 40 episodes have been embraced by fans widely and wholeheartedly in the years since creator Alex Hirsch’s show called it quits. Luckily, Disney has recognized the show’s popularity and some merch has made it out into the world. But Hirsch has understood for a long time that this show was never going to get a big push in that department.
Disney owns a lot of major brands, ranging from Marvel to Pixar and all of “Star Wars,” amongst many others. That being the case, a show that ran for just two seasons isn’t likely to be of major concern to those in charge of merchandise. Hirsch, speaking to The Mary Sue in 2017, acknowledged this harsh reality.
“The day that Disney bought Star Wars (AFTER buying Marvel) was the day I knew my merch dreams for Gravity Falls were basically toast. The company is too huge and we’re barely a blip on the radar to their consumer products division. Luckily the enduring popularity of the show has resulted in a few departments within the company sticking their neck out and trying cool experiments like journal 3. Everyone was surprised by the success of the journal except the fans. Their appetite for more continues to impress even this long after the end of the show.”
As Hirsch mentions, “Gravity Falls: Journal 3” sold quite well and, several years removed, even went on to become a New York Times Bestseller. That speaks volumes about the show’s fanbase, and part of the problem when it comes to managing a company as large as Disney.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Disney owns a lot of major brands, ranging from Marvel to Pixar and all of “Star Wars,” amongst many others. That being the case, a show that ran for just two seasons isn’t likely to be of major concern to those in charge of merchandise. Hirsch, speaking to The Mary Sue in 2017, acknowledged this harsh reality.
As Hirsch mentions, “Gravity Falls: Journal 3” sold quite well and, several years removed, even went on to become a New York Times Bestseller. That speaks volumes about the show’s fanbase, and part of the problem when it comes to managing a company as large as Disney.
“The day that Disney bought Star Wars (AFTER buying Marvel) was the day I knew my merch dreams for Gravity Falls were basically toast. The company is too huge and we’re barely a blip on the radar to their consumer products division. Luckily the enduring popularity of the show has resulted in a few departments within the company sticking their neck out and trying cool experiments like journal 3. Everyone was surprised by the success of the journal except the fans. Their appetite for more continues to impress even this long after the end of the show.”
Money slipping through the cracks
“Gravity Falls” is streaming in its entirety on Disney+.
