Introduction
John Lasseter, the former Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, made headlines in early 2019 when he was hired by Skydance Animation to head their animation division. This move was controversial due to allegations of sexual misconduct that had been made against Lasseter while he was still at Disney. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what happened and where Lasseter is today.
John Lasseter’s Career Before Skydance Animation
Early Career
John Lasseter began his career in animation in the late 1970s, working for Walt Disney Productions as an animator. He worked on a number of Disney films, including “The Fox and the Hound” and “The Black Cauldron.” In 1983, he was fired from Disney after he pitched the idea for a computer-animated feature film, which Disney executives deemed too expensive and risky.
Pixar and Disney
After leaving Disney, Lasseter joined Pixar, a small computer graphics company that was owned by Steve Jobs. Lasseter directed Pixar’s first feature film, “Toy Story,” which was released in 1995 and was a huge success. Lasseter went on to direct other Pixar films, including “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” and “Cars.”
The Controversy
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
In November 2017, The Hollywood Reporter published an article detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against Lasseter. The article cited sources who claimed that Lasseter had a history of “grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes.” Lasseter took a leave of absence from Pixar and Disney in response to the allegations.
Lasseter’s Apology and Resignation
In June 2018, Lasseter announced that he would be leaving Pixar and Disney at the end of the year. In a statement, Lasseter apologized for his behavior and said that he would be taking time to “reflect on how to move forward from here.” Lasseter’s departure from Pixar and Disney was seen as a major loss for the animation industry.
John Lasseter’s Move to Skydance Animation
The Hiring of Lasseter
In January 2019, Skydance Animation announced that they had hired John Lasseter to head their animation division. The move was controversial, as many in the industry felt that Lasseter had not yet done enough to address the allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Reaction to the Hiring
Many people in the animation industry spoke out against Lasseter’s hiring by Skydance Animation. Actress Emma Thompson, who was set to voice a character in an upcoming Skydance film, quit the project in protest. However, some in the industry defended Lasseter, saying that he had made mistakes but deserved a second chance.
Conclusion
John Lasseter’s move to Skydance Animation was controversial due to the allegations of sexual misconduct that had been made against him while he was still at Disney. While some in the animation industry defended Lasseter and believed that he deserved a second chance, others felt that he had not yet done enough to address the allegations against him. Where Lasseter goes from here remains to be seen, but his legacy in the animation industry is undeniable.
FAQ
Who is John Lasseter?
John Lasseter is a renowned animator and filmmaker who co-founded Pixar Animation Studios and served as its chief creative officer until 2018. He is best known for his work on hit films such as Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Cars.
Why is John Lasseter controversial?
John Lasseter was accused of inappropriate behavior towards female employees at Pixar, which ultimately led to his departure from the company in 2018. He was also criticized for his leadership style, which some employees described as being autocratic and intimidating.
What is Skydance Animation?
Skydance Animation is a division of Skydance Media, a film and television production company founded by David Ellison in 2010. Skydance Animation was established in 2017 to produce animated films and television shows.
What was John Lasseter’s move to Skydance Animation?
In January 2019, John Lasseter was hired as the head of Skydance Animation, despite the controversy surrounding his behavior at Pixar. The move was met with backlash from some in the industry, who felt that Lasseter had not been held accountable for his actions.
What happened after John Lasseter joined Skydance Animation?
After Lasseter’s hiring was announced, several high-profile actors and filmmakers, including Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling, publicly criticized Skydance for hiring him. In response, Skydance CEO David Ellison defended the decision, stating that Lasseter had undergone extensive training and would be held to a high standard of conduct at the company.
