Pixar Chief Says, “It's A Rough Time" as ‘Elio’ Stumbles, Sequels Multiply

John Lasseter’s exit marked a turning point for Pixar, and not in the way the studio hoped. As the creative force behind nearly every Pixar classic, Lasseter brought not just vision, but a deep understanding of storytelling that balanced heart, humor, and innovation. His departure in 2018, amid misconduct allegations, left a leadership void that Pixar has struggled to fill creatively.

Since then, the studio has seemed adrift, alternating between safe sequels and underwhelming originals, unsure of its voice. Lasseter may have been a controversial figure, but his ability to shepherd bold, emotionally resonant ideas into cultural phenomena was unmatched — and Pixar hasn’t quite recaptured that magic since.

Pixar chief, Pete Docter, speaking at Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies Summit, tried to make sense of it all. “We need to figure out what people want before they know it,” he said. A noble goal, sure, but not one Elio was able to deliver on. Docter himself admitted, “It’s a rough time.” Understatement of the year.

Their latest attempt at originality, “Elio,” stumbled out of the gate this past weekend. It earned a humble $21M in the U.S. opening weekend — the worst Pixar opening ever. Internationally, Elio added another $14M for a total of $35M.

Still, Docter says Pixar’s strategy is now to alternate between originals and sequels, hoping to strike a balance between creative risks and comforting, nostalgia-drenched safety nets. Case in point: “Toy Story 5” is on the way in 2026, even though “Toy Story 3” ended more perfectly than most marriages.

Also in the pipeline: “Hoppers,” a human-animal body-swap comedy that looks like it was pitched during a sugar crash; “Gatto” in 2027, which promises hand-painted cats; “Incredibles 3” in 2028; and “Coco 2” in 2029.

So yes, Pixar’s in a bit of a pickle. it should be top priority for Disney to right the ship, but this current strategy doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. The departure of John Lasseter has left a creative vacuum deeper than the studio likely anticipated, and it's starting to show.

‘NAZA’ to Self-Distribute in U.S. Theaters Starting September 30

A US theatrical rollout is starting Sept. 30 in NYC, will expand to Los Angeles and other markets on Oct. 9 and then roll out nationally via a plan that forgoes selling the film to a studio or independent distributor.

Zach Cregger's ‘The Flood' Script Is ‘2001’ Meets ‘Aliens’ — and It's Insane

Cregger himself pinpoints that “2001: A Space Odyssey” was an inspiration on “The Flood,” although he steers clear from directly comparing it to Kubrick’s masterpiece.

Brad Pitt and Edward Berger Team for ‘World War Z’ Sequel at Paramount

After more than a decade of false starts, Paramount has closed deals with Brad Pitt to star and Edward Berger to direct the sequel to “World War Z.”

First Clip of ‘Digger’ Released

Here's our very first clip for Alejandro G. Iñárritu's "Digger." There have been two trailers so far, with not much reveal, but this is our first look at a scene from the film.

First Look at Emma Mackey in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’

More Narnia. This time, our first look at Emma Mackey as Jadis, and the image confirms that this will be a very different interpretation of the character first portrayed by Tilda Swinton decades ago.

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

Ron Howard’s ‘Alone at Dawn’ Starring Adam Driver and Anne Hathaway Sets Christmas 2027 Release

This is the adaptation of the nonfiction book by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz. It wrapped production in February and has been in post-production ever since. The film test-screened a few months ago.

Jeremy Saulnier’s Next Film Retitled to ‘Slayground,’ Current Runtime is 2.5 Hours, Plot Details

Jeremy Saulnier’s mysterious A24 project, formerly “October,” still has no release date. You’d think, given that it has been in post-production for almost a year now.

RUMOR: Sadie Soverall Exits Brady Corbet's ‘The Origin of the World' Mid-Shoot, Lily McInerny Steps In Lead Role

Sadie Soverall was just let go after briefly filming on Corbet's new film — no official reason given. She had the lead role. Corbet has replaced her, last minute, with Lily McInerny.

Jemima Kirke and Alexi Wasser to Star in Woody Allen's Next Film

A few months ago, Deadline reported that Woody Allen's next film, set in Madrid and carrying a $14M budget, will be "largely English-language" and feature a "high-profile cast."

Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

Trending

Critics Polls