'ABSOLUTELY ABSURD'
Disney fans rage as studio to move away from personal films like Elemental and Turning Red after box office fails
Some fans are worried about the future of Disney while others are looking forward to its upcoming release
PIXAR Animation Studios has decided to play it safe with its future films, leaning more toward the style of Inside Out 2.
Film director Pete Docter opened up about Disney's new approach to filmmaking after some of its recent movies received low box office numbers.
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Following the releases of Elemental and Lightyear, and with millions of dollars lost, Pete said the studio felt immense disappointment and needed to pivot for future storytelling.
“There was a real and intense period of self-scrutiny and feeling like we messed up in some way,” the chief creative officer of Pixar told Bloomberg.
He added that Disney executives would steer away from autobiographies and focus more on a "commonality of experience" in order to have mass appeal.
"I don't think we can ever let ourselves off the hook of making sure that we deliver the best possible and most relatable films," Pete explained.
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Some of Pixar’s recent films have all been inspired by their directors' personal experiences in some way.
Luca, released in 2021, was influenced by Enrico Casarosa’s childhood in Italy, while the 2022 film Turning Red was based on Domee Shi’s relationship with her mother.
Elemental, released last year, was also influenced by the racial discrimination Peter Sohn faced as an immigrant.
As for Lightyear, the 2022 spinoff from the Toy Story franchise flopped and lost millions upon its release.
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Disney currently has a few sequels in the works, including Inside Out 2 and Moana 2.
The Moana sequel released its first trailer earlier this week, which was met with an extremely high watch rate.
Disney fans slam 'rooster abuse' in new Moana 2 teaser trailer
Inside Out 2, the sequel to the 2015 hit animated film, is also expected to have one of Pixar's best opening weekends when the movie is released in mid-June.
NOT THE RIGHT MOVE?
On X, formerly Twitter, fans have been slamming Disney for its decision to pivot away from telling heartfelt, real-life stories.
"LIGHTYEAR cost $200M and made $226.4M. ELEMENTAL also cost $200M, but made $496.4M. yet it, LUCA, and TURNING RED, which were dumped on disney+, are the problem, while LIGHTYEAR's tired nostalgia isn't? really telling what is allowed to be a 'commonality of experience,'" one person tweeted.
"Absolutely absurd reality-bending here," a second slammed. "And infuriating misunderstanding of what makes something relatable even to those who don't 'see themselves' in it at a surface level: specificity, detail, depth, intensity."
I don't think we can ever let ourselves off the hook of making sure that we deliver the best possible and most relatable films."
Pete Docter
"I’m sad to read things like this. Lightyear was not bad — it just wasn’t Toy Story," a third wrote.
"While all those other films, having the bad luck to be coming out during the pandemic (including Elemental) but being excellent films. Crowds at Disney LOVE the characters in meets and parades," they added.
"What makes this sadder to me is that it’s Peter Docter who is saying this, one of the best directors of animation ever and a great visionary. So sad," added another.
INSIDE OUT 2 RELEASE
Despite some concern over the future of Disney films, many fans have been showing excitement for the upcoming release of Inside Out 2.
A new trailer was released earlier this year and was met with positive reactions from fans on YouTube.
The sequel shows a new character being introduced inside Riley's head — Anxiety — as she heads into her teenage years.
"Im a 34 year old father of 2 boys(6 and 3) and a little girl(1) and the first time I saw this movie I was in tears. Excited for part 2," one person wrote.
"Inside Out is one of those Disney movies where a sequel actually makes sense and could work very well," a second expressed.
"A rare example of a necessary sequel, it looks absolutely fantastic so far," added another.
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Inside Out 2 will be released in theaters on Friday, June 14.
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