"It defied all expectations," said Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney's theatrical division.

Mark Urman, who heads ThinkFilm's theatrical division, said that what other distributors found off-putting was for him central to the movie's appeal.

"He, um, doesn't like anybody to ask questions about the movie," said Robert Oregon, a burly driver from the theatrical division of the Teamsters union.

The Lion King" will be the third production from Disney's theatrical division.

"In late January, we will turn over a completed theater to the theatrical division."

Mr. Dolgen, 46 years old, was named president of the theatrical division in September 1990.

Mr. Meli arrived at La Scala in 2003, as director of the theatrical division.

HIT also revealed that its theatrical division would be piloted by a "Thomas" film.

Mr. Schumacher, a 14-year veteran of Disney who oversees (among other units) a theatrical division with 140 employees, is accustomed to the doubters.

Ultimately, the questions will be whittled down to the same one that Fox's theatrical division wrestles with: What's the best street date?