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Pixar's Pete Docter: We Make Movies, Not Therapy
11 Mar
Summary
- Pixar's Chief Creative Officer cut LGBTQ stories to avoid therapy.
- Autobiographical films like 'Luca' and 'Turning Red' were criticized.
- Recent films like 'Elio' and 'Be Fri' were canceled or overhauled.
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter stated that the studio is choosing to cut certain storytelling elements, including LGBTQ narratives, because "We're making a movie, not hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy." Docter acknowledged that Pixar has experienced recent stumbles after a history of successful films like "Monsters, Inc." and "Inside Out."
Recent Pixar original films, such as "Luca" and "Turning Red," drew inspiration from their directors' personal experiences. However, Docter reportedly informed staff in late 2023 that the studio needed to shift focus toward more universally appealing projects. This directive led to the cancellation of "Be Fri," a film based on a director's experience with a breakup.
Further changes occurred with "Elio," a film initially inspired by its director's childhood. Despite positive test screenings for its story, audiences were hesitant to pay for it. Pixar ordered an overhaul, reportedly removing elements that suggested the main character was gay, and the film ultimately underperformed. Pixar's latest film, "Hoppers," is seen as a more promising direction.
