John Lasseter, left, and Pete Docter at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015 (Getty/Pixar)
John Lasseter will leave Pixar Animation Studios in December, ending a 30-year tenure as the leading creative force behind one of the most critical and commercially successful film studios in the world.
He will exit a company he led from its earliest days as a spinoff from Lucasfilm, and one that has won 19 Academy Awards during his tenure.
“An era is over, you know?” one employee told TheWrap.
Last November, Lasseter took a six-month leave of absence from the company, acknowledging inappropriate hugging and “missteps” after some former Pixar employees accused him of unwelcome touching and presiding over a fraternity-like culture.
The circumstances of his departure have left mixed feelings on the insular, impeccably manicured Pixar campus in Emeryville, across the bay from San Francisco.
On Tuesday, Disney ended months of speculation over the future of Pixar and of Disney Animation Studios, which he also headed, by announcing that that two animation directors, Pete Docter and Jennifer Lee, would succeed Lasseter as the chief creative officers of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, respectively.
Although the announcement of Docter as Lasseter’s replacement has eased some of the uncertainty inside Pixar, it nonetheless represents a monumental change for the company.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” Docter told TheWrap on Tuesday night. When asked if it was bittersweet to come into the position as Lasseter was leaving, he said, “I don’t think anybody would have wished for this, but we’ll make the best of it.”
In the entertainment industry and beyond, Lasseter is often seen as synonymous with Pixar. He revolutionized computer animation with the release of “Toy Story” in 1995 and is credited with turning Pixar into an Oscar magnet with several billion-dollar franchises such as “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” and “Finding Nemo.”
In interviews with TheWrap, several individuals close to Pixar said on condition of anonymity that Lasseter’s departure has created a significant amount of upheaval and confusion within Pixar.
“There’s a great deal of inner turmoil over the fact that things happened the way they did,” one individual with longstanding ties to the company told TheWrap, adding that the amount of power Lasseter had at Pixar and Disney led to resentment among some at both companies. (He reported only to Disney CEO Bob Iger, something Docter and Lee will not do.)
“All I can tell you is it’s a political move, no link with #MeToo,” one person told TheWrap. “It’s the perfect excuse to fire a great leader.”
In a statement announcing Lasseter’s departure on June 8, Iger did not address the reasons behind the exit. Instead, he emphasized Lasseter’s achievements, crediting him with “reinventing the animation business, taking breathtaking risks and telling original, high-quality stories that will last forever.”
“Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are two of the most gifted filmmakers and storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn said in his statement on Tuesday.
Docter joined Pixar as an animator on “Toy Story” and quickly rose through the ranks to direct “Monsters Inc,” “Up,” and “Inside Out.” He is a member of Pixar’s vaunted Brain Trust, and, at 49, is well-poised to shepherd the next generation of Pixar’s leadership. Lee, 46, drew attention for her work as a writer on “Wreck-It Ralph” and later served as a writer and director for the Oscar-winning 2013 hit “Frozen,” the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Within Pixar, Docter is well-liked. “Pete is the best,” said a producer who has made several films with the company. “We’re going to be fine.”
“Jennifer and Pete both have a lot of heart,” said one person with close Pixar ties. “They’re lovely people, and they’re not going to change the direction of the company. But what does the overall company lose with John gone? At some point, every Pixar movie isn’t very good, and John was always the one who made it better.
“And the sad thing for all of us is the question, ‘Is Pete going to be able to keep making movies now?’ He’s made three of Pixar’s best movies, and he was working on another one – is that going to be given to somebody else?”
Docter told TheWrap that he plans to complete the film he’s currently working on. Then he added, with a grin, “At least, they haven’t told me otherwise.”
Steve Pond contributed to this report.
A Timeline of Disney's Animated Animal Sidekicks, From Mushu to Sven (Photos)
"Mulan" celebrates its 20th birthday on June 19, having come out on that day in 1998. The beloved Disney film is based on a Chinese legend and tells the story of a young girl, Mulan, who impersonates a man to take her sick father's place in the fight against an invading Hun army. The movie was well-received by critics, earning multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, and grossed $304 million at the box office. In addition to the title heroine, "Mulan" starred Eddie Murphie as a small red dragon named Mushu, who serves as a guardian for Mulan throughout the movie. In honor of Mulan's 20th birthday, take a look back at some of Disney's most iconic animal sidekicks.
Jiminy Cricket, “Pinocchio” (1940)
This little cricket went from a minor character in the original 1881 novel by Carlo Collodi to a star player in the 1940 Disney film. He serves as the conscience of Pinocchio and tries to keep him out of trouble throughout the film.
RKO Radio Pictures
Thumper, "Bambi" (1942)
This young rabbit from the 1942 Disney classic teaches his best friend how to speak and skate on ice. He also put his own spin on the enduring phrase: "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." Thanks for the tip, Thumper!
RKO Radio Pictures
Gus and Jaq, “Cinderella” (1950)
Jaq is smart and skinny, Gus is chubby and not too bright, but together they serve as Cinderella's best friends and closest confidants. While dodging the ever-hungry Lucifer, these two mice help find a ribbon for Cinderella's dress, get turned into horses so they can pull Cinderella's chariot, and steal the key to Cinderella's room from her evil stepmother so she can escape and marry Prince Charming.
RKO Radio Pictures
Archimedes, “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)
Archimedes is Merlin's pet owl and Arthur's teacher. He teaches Arthur about history, shows him how to fly and helps him find the sword in the stone.
Buena Vista Distribution
Sebastian and Flounder, "The Little Mermaid" (1989)
Flounder goes along with Ariel on all of her adventures, supports her fascination with human things, and ultimately helps her defeat Ursula. Sebastian is the royal court composer and a loyal servant to King Triton, but he's also a loyal friend to Ariel -- helping her win his love and defeat Ursula. Not bad for a tropical fish and a crab!
Buena Vista Pictures
Abu, “Aladdin” (1992)
Abu may be a small monkey and a big thief, but he's loyal to his best friend Aladdin and will do whatever he can for him. He shares his stolen food with hungry children, turns into an elephant to help Aladdin with his disguise to win Jasmine's heart, and transforms into a toy monkey after saving Aladdin's life.
Buena Vista Pictures
Zazu, “The Lion King” (1994)
The king's royal dodo (excuse us, toucan) may not be the world's best babysitter, but he makes up for it with his great singing ("The Morning Report"), his loyalty to Mufasa, and his ability to maintain a sense of humor while living in a bone cage with his boss's murderer. In the end, he takes his rightful place as King Simba's right-hand bird.
Buena Vista Pictures
Meeko and Flit, “Pocahontas” (1995)
Meeko is a greedy racoon and Flit is a loyal hummingbird. Together, they go along with Pocahantas on her visit to Grandmother Willow and try to sabotage her relationship with John Smith -- though they warm up to him in the end, just like Pocahontas.
Buena Vista Pictures
Pegasus, “Hercules” (1997)
Every hero needs a loyal steed, and Hercules is no exception. His winged horse Pegasus is brave, silly, and not too fond of Meg -- but after she saves Hercules' life, goddess and horse work together to help Hercules defeat the Titans.
Buena Vista Pictures
Mushu, "Mulan" (1998)
This dragon may look more like a lizard, but he has a heart of gold and a mouth to match -- and he helps Mulan save China from the evil Hun invaders. Happy 20th, Mushu!
Buena Vista Pictures
Bullseye, “Toy Story 2" (1999)
Even toy cowboys need a way to get around, and Bullseye serves as a loyal -- and adorable -- sidekick for Woody and Jessie.
Buena Vista Pictures
Dory, "Finding Nemo" (2003)
This forgetful fish just kept swimming into our hearts and minds when she helped Marlon find his son in the 2003 Pixar classic -- and twelve years later, she got her own movie as thanks for her hard work.
Pixar Animation Studios
Dug, “Up” (2009)
The lovable golden retriever from Pixar's "Up" is as brave, silly and loyal as they come -- and he can talk about squirrels and giant birds to his heart's content, thanks to a special canine-translating collar.
Walt Disney Studios
Pascal and Maximus, “Tangled” (2010)
They may be different sizes and species, but these two sidekicks help Flynn and Rapunzel stay out of trouble and fall in love. Pascal is a little green chameleon who served as Rapunzel's best friend and confidant during her long imprisonment in the tower. Maximus is a big white stallion who starts out the movie hunting down Flynn with the police -- and ends the movie as a loyal friend to Flynn and Rapunzel and the head of the Royal Guard.
Walt Disney Studios
Sven, "Frozen" (2013)
Kristoff's loyal friend is an excellent example of why reindeers are better than people (according to some). He loves carrots, he can pull sleds like nobody's business, and he earns a medal for helping to save Anna and Elsa from the evil Prince Hans.
Walt Disney Studios
Heihei, "Moana" (2016)
Heihei isn't the smartest chicken in the coop, but he makes up for his low IQ by keeping Moana company on her long voyage across the sea -- and he manages to avoid being turned into Maui's meal along the way.
As ”Mulan“ turns 20, revisit Disney’s most famous furry, feathery and scaly sidekicks
"Mulan" celebrates its 20th birthday on June 19, having come out on that day in 1998. The beloved Disney film is based on a Chinese legend and tells the story of a young girl, Mulan, who impersonates a man to take her sick father's place in the fight against an invading Hun army. The movie was well-received by critics, earning multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, and grossed $304 million at the box office. In addition to the title heroine, "Mulan" starred Eddie Murphie as a small red dragon named Mushu, who serves as a guardian for Mulan throughout the movie. In honor of Mulan's 20th birthday, take a look back at some of Disney's most iconic animal sidekicks.