As a passionate advocate for representation and inclusion in media, I find myself deeply saddened and disheartened by Disney’s decision to cut a transgender story and character from the upcoming Pixar series “Win or Lose”. The experiences shared by former employees like Sarah Ligatich, who consulted on the cut episode, resonate with me profoundly.
Ligatich’s words echo my own feelings about the industry – that it often prioritizes profits over quality content and meaningful representation. Her statement about Disney not being in the business of making great content, but rather great profits, is a bitter pill to swallow for those of us who believe in the transformative power of storytelling.
The decision to cut this episode, particularly given its potential to save lives, feels like a step backwards. It’s 2024, and we should be moving forward, not backward. I can’t help but think of a joke here: If Disney were a superhero, they’d be Captain Regressive!
The fact that this decision was made just one month after the 2024 presidential election is troubling, especially given the administration’s stance on transgender rights. It’s frustrating to think that had Pixar released “Win or Lose” in 2024, it could have avoided the overtime crunch and been released under a more supportive administration.
Disney’s acquisition of Pixar in 2006 was initially seen as a dream come true for both companies. However, recent years have shown that this partnership has not always been beneficial. The mishandling of films like “Luca”, “Turning Red”, “Lightyear”, and “Elemental” has left many Pixar employees disheartened and frustrated.
Sacrificing stories of underrepresented groups to appease a vocal minority is a dangerous path that could harm the studio’s image in the long term. As a fan, I hope that Disney and Pixar can learn from these mistakes and return to their roots of creating meaningful, inclusive, and groundbreaking content. After all, it’s the stories we tell that define us, and it’s high time we told ones that truly reflect the diversity and beauty of our world.
As a movie enthusiast and former employee at the revered animation studio Pixar, I must express my concern and dismay over Disney’s recent decision to omit a transgender character and storyline from the upcoming Pixar series “Win or Lose.” Chanel Stewart, who lent her voice to the omitted character, has openly shared her sadness regarding this cut. It seems that I am not alone in my sentiments, as both past and present Pixar employees are now joining the chorus of voices speaking out against this move.
Sarah Ligatich, previously an assistant editor at Pixar and advisor on the edited episode of “Win or Lose,” voiced her disapproval over Disney’s choice regarding the matter, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Ligatich, being transgender herself, stated:
Though it didn’t shock me much, it left me feeling shattered. For quite some time, Disney has been more focused on generating substantial profits rather than creating outstanding content. As early as two years ago during my tenure at Pixar, we had a discussion with Bob Chapek, and they made it clear that they view animation as a conservative form of expression.
Ligatich expressed her deep sadness for Chanel Stewart, stating, “I can’t express how much I shed tears yesterday contemplating the difficult talk David Lally must have had with Chanel. It’s not only asking someone to portray a character they’re not, but also encouraging them to grasp a political discussion that is so far removed from their understanding.
As a movie critic, I must share my disappointment over the sudden change in plans regarding a groundbreaking episode focusing on transgender characters that was originally scheduled to debut on Disney+ shortly after the 2024 presidential inauguration. This surprising move came only a month following the re-election of President Donald Trump, and it’s hard not to see this decision as politically motivated.
The fallout from Trump’s presidency has already left its mark on the entertainment industry, with Disney having to shell out a hefty $15 million in damages due to a defamation lawsuit filed by the president against ABC News following George Stephanopoulos’ assertion that Trump was found liable for rape in a civil case. It seems this financial burden has influenced Disney’s decision-making process, which is unfortunate given the high standards we’ve come to expect from this iconic studio.
However, it’s not just the financial implications that concern me – I worry about the potential dangers of this decision for the LGBTQ+ community and the broader society. An anonymous insider at Pixar went so far as to label Disney’s actions as reckless, emphasizing the importance of representing diverse stories and characters in media. This unfortunate turn of events underscores the need for continued support and advocacy for underrepresented groups in Hollywood.
The completed episode, with its heartwarming portrayal of being trans, was truly remarkable – a potential life-saver for those feeling isolated and unloved by showing them they’re not alone. It’s incredibly disappointing that Disney, instead of using funds to save lives, has chosen not to air it.
Another Link in a String of Troubling Headlines Around Disney and Pixar’s Leadership
Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that several workers at Pixar were displeased with Disney’s choice to discard an already finished episode of the series. This necessitates the animation crews to hurriedly rework story aspects in order to meet the February 2025 deadline for Win or Lose. The pressure to accomplish this release date, as Ligatich pointed out, becomes even more exasperating when you understand that Pixar had been holding onto this tale for two years, meaning they could have debuted it during a Biden presidency, but opted not to.
If Pixar had released “Win or Lose” in 2024, it might have avoided the time pressure faced by both “Inside Out 2” and could have been unveiled during a presidential term less overtly antagonistic towards transgender rights matters. It appears there was no justification for the postponement.
As a movie enthusiast looking back on the 2006 acquisition of Pixar by Disney, it was initially an exciting time for both brands, with Pixar reaching new peaks. However, in recent years, I’ve noticed that Disney seems to have stumbled in its handling of the Pixar brand. In 2022, it became clear that many Pixar employees were feeling disillusioned and disappointed by Disney’s choice to debut films like “Luca” and “Turning Red” exclusively on Disney+, a decision that ultimately affected the box office prospects of future releases such as “Lightyear” and “Elemental.
It’s been claimed that Disney attributed poor ticket sales of “Lightyear” to a same-sex kiss scene, leading to extensive revisions and edits in “Inside Out 2” to eliminate any suggestion of same-sex relationships. This decision resulted in job losses for many Pixar employees who had worked tirelessly to ensure the movie’s June 2024 release date and potential $1.6 billion global earnings, denying them bonuses they would have received from the box office success.
Neglecting stories that represent underrepresented groups to placate the loudest and angriest segments of their audience has led Disney and Pixar to lose the admiration and affection of many viewers. Dropping the transgender-focused episode of Win or Lose is simply the latest example in a series of such decisions, a pattern that could potentially harm the studio’s reputation over time.
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2024-12-29 04:02