I’m absolutely convinced that the PatF re-theme petition was a controlled leak to gauge GP reaction and create buzz. It’s just such a specific cause that I can’t believe it was a coincidence, especially after Scott Trowbridge said he’s been stealthily working on the project for a year now. That, to me, says that they were pretty far along/seriously considering the project.
I think they knew Song of the South needed to go, so they started developing PatF and when the BLM movement really picked up steam, it was a great time to make a move.
This isn’t a dig at Disney, btw, I’m all for this lol. The whole circus around it is just so unusual, I can’t help to think it was intentional.