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Credit: Inside the MagicWith changes in leadership, actors and writers striking in Hollywood, and devastating bombs at the box office, things are not looking good for the Walt Disney Company. A recently-covered report brought up a partnership with Apple, but the real point of interest lies with the return of the legendary John Lasseter.
If Disney does end up selling to or working with Apple in some capacity, the studio will be falling back into the hands of former head of Disney Animation, John Lasseter. Not only is this a likely possibility, but it might be the only hope Disney has to make up for the sins of the past.
This piece is not to make the case that Disney should work with Lasseter again but rather to show that the possibility greatly increases if the two companies were to agree on some kind of merger.
The last time Disney fans saw or heard from John Lasseter, the iconic animator behind such films as Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Up stepped down as the head of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios after being accused of alleged sexual misconduct in 2018.
That year, the then-head of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios announced he would be stepping away from the company. An article from The New York Times reads:
“Mr. Lasseter said in November that he would take a “six-month sabbatical” after unspecified “missteps” that made some staff members feel “disrespected or uncomfortable.” He announced in a lengthy email to employees, apologizing “to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape or form.”
Although no true charges or accusations were filed, reports came forward that Lasseter allegedly made a habit of “grabbing, kissing, and making comments about physical attributes” to many of his co-workers. These allegations were made by numerous people within the company.
Some would argue that Disney’s animated works have been on a gradual decline since he was forced out of the company.
Since Lasseter’s departure, Disney’s pattern of successful animated features has been spotty at best and abysmal at worst. Most films after Ralph Breaks the Internet only marginally had the success of his contributions that came before, and many are barely surviving at the box office.
While there are several other factors at work regarding the reception of Disney’s latest movies, such as lack of correct marketing, current social climate, and conflict with writers and scripts, direction and creative processing headed by Lasseter was instrumental in Disney’s heyday. Now head of Skydance Animation, in association with Apple, he could very well come back into control of the studio responsible for his exile.
Lasseter has previously expressed his distaste for Disney’s recent animated features, and was reportedly “very critical” of Pixar creations like Lightyear. If Disney and Apple join forces, it’s only a matter of time before he steps back into the director’s chair.
Related: Op-Ed: ‘Elemental’ is Pixar’s Best Love Story Since ‘Up’
While the idea of two multimedia juggernauts combining might scare some, the possibility that John Lasseter could once again spearhead the studio back to its glory days is undoubtedly a tantalizing notion for most. Bringing things full circle is almost a poetic redemption arc for the shamed animator, and it might be the catalyst Disney and Pixar need to soar back to infinity and beyond.
Will John Lasseter come back with a glorious return? Tell Inside the Magic what you think in the comments below!