Pixar animation chief John Lasseter reportedly let go by Disney following 'missteps'
In the midst of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the MeToo campaign that followed, allegations were made against Disney Pixar's chief creative officer John Lasseter, prompting him to take a six-month sabbatical from the company.
Now that period is almost up, prompting questions about what Disney's CEO Bob Iger is going to do next.
The 61-year-old, who is one of the founders of Pixar, remains the best-known name currently working in animation –known for his childlike, cheerful demeanour and Hawaiian shirts. He helped to produce a string of hits, including Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc and Finding Nemo. But amidst accusations of sexual harrassment, some of his colleagues have allegedly accused their chief of bullying and taking credit of others' work.
When he stepped down in October, a leaked memo revealed that he acknowledged that he had been "falling short" when it came to making other members of the team feel valued, and referred to putting people on the "receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line" as "missteps".
In a new report by the Hollywood Reporter, multiple sources seem to suggest that Lasseter will not be returning to Disney.
"Bob is about keeping peace in the family," the article quotes one Disney veteran as saying. "He's not anxious to take on defending somebody with that kind of reputation."
Lasseter was reportedly known for getting drunk at company events and for "grabbing, kissing and making comments about physical attributes of women". The company was also allegedly "never a welcoming environment for women".
The report outlines one particular recollection by an anonymous colleague of something that took place during a meeting 15 years ago. The female members of staff would reportedly sit in a certain way to prevent Lasseter's hands from wandering. "'[A female colleague] was bent over and [had her arm] across her thigh. The best I can describe it is as a defensive posture... John had his hand on her knee, though, moving around.' After that encounter, this person asked the woman about what he had seen. 'She said it was unfortunate for her to wear a skirt that day and if she didn't have her hand on her own right leg, his hand would have traveled.'"
"If John goes back, it will kill women in animation," another former Pixar insider is quoted as saying. "The message will be so clear: Shut up and take it."
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Lasseter is also alleged to have to taken credit for the work of others. In one case, Jorgen Klubien pitched idea of a film about talking cars, which became the successful Cars franchise. But despite working on the film and, he believes, being promised a co-director credit, Lasseter pushed him out and left him with a co-writing credit and a payment of $50,000.
"I was the creative spark behind this franchise," says Klubien. "It's John's genius that he got it going, that he was the master of Pixar. And if he had allowed me to be part of it all, I would've been his biggest champion. But I find it to be an abusive thing that he got rid of me to claim sole inventorship."
Disney has yet to comment on Lasseter's future. But the company appears to be seriously considering its next steps. Longtime human resources chief Lori McAdams, who was reportedly seen by many as one of Lasseter's chief protectors, is reportedly leaving the company, and a "day of listening" was held at the Disney animation unit, where senior figures and human resources professionals discussed concerns with the animation team.