Disney Animation Shake-Up: Jennifer Lee Exiting as Chief Creative Officer, Jared Bush Takes Over

Disney Animation Shake-Up: Jennifer Lee Exiting as Chief Creative Officer, Jared Bush Takes Over

As an ardent fan and connoisseur of Disney animated films, I find myself utterly captivated by the latest news emanating from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The announcement of Jennifer Lee returning to filmmaking and Jared Bush taking over as Chief Creative Officer has sent waves of excitement coursing through my veins.


Jared Bush, a director and writer, has taken over the role of chief creative officer from Jennifer Lee at Walt Disney Animation Studios. This change comes as Lee focuses more on her filmmaking duties within the company and continues to oversee the “Frozen” series. The news was announced by Disney on Thursday, and Bush will now report directly to co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, Alan Bergman. The transition is effective immediately.

Lee, who has held the leading position for a span of six years, will be responsible for both directing and scriptwriting for the upcoming films Frozen 3 and Frozen 4.

It wasn’t entirely unexpected that she stepped down from her role as COO, given the significant setbacks faced by the renowned animation studio during her leadership, such as the disappointing performances of films like “Strange World” (2022) and “Wish” (last year). However, it’s worth noting that she did achieve some successes: “Encanto,” which won an Oscar and became a commercial triumph after finding its stride, is one example. The company’s future projects also hold promise, particularly the much-anticipated sequel to “Moana 2,” set for release in theaters on November 27.

Both Bush and Lee have each produced blockbuster movies worth a billion dollars for the studio. Bush is credited for the success of Zootopia, while Frozen and its sequel, Frozen 2, are attributed to Lee. Interestingly, only two Disney Animation feature films, Encanto by Bush and Frozen by Lee, have won the Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA awards for best animated feature film in history.

Lee expressed his heartfelt thanks to Bob and Alan for backing his choice to devote himself fully to filmmaking once more. He added that working alongside them daily offers him invaluable insights into creativity, business, community, and integrity. Lee has long admired Jared’s exceptional talent in animation and eagerly anticipates the unique contributions he will make as Chief Creative Officer. Collaborating with this talented team of artists, animators, and storytellers is a great honor for Lee, and he’s excited about the amazing projects we’ll produce together.

In a creative collaboration, Bush and Lee are serving as executive producers for the upcoming movie “Moana 2”. Notably, Bush has also joined forces to co-write the script for this project. It’s worth mentioning that Bush was previously responsible for penning the script of the original “Moana”, which recently surpassed a milestone of over one billion hours watched on Disney+ this year.

Jared Bush, a remarkable filmmaker and gifted studio executive, has been a significant creative influence at Disney Animation for the past ten years. I am delighted that he will now be in charge of this esteemed studio, as stated by Bergman. Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude towards Jennifer Lee for her dedicated leadership during her time here – she’s left an indelible impression on both Disney Animation and the wider industry. I am certain that she has many more tales to share, and there is no one more suited to oversee the ongoing narrative of Frozen.

Bush expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their trust in him. He also thanked Jennifer for her guidance and for her kindness as she ventures into new chapters of Frozen. He mentioned that Disney Animation is filled with timeless stories and characters from the last century, and he’s thrilled to collaborate with all our filmmakers, artists, and the Disney Animation team to create the future of this iconic studio.

Longtime Disney veteran Clark Spencer continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

As the Chief Creative Officer, Bush will manage the creative productions at the renowned animation studio, encompassing movies, TV series, and related endeavors. With the studio for over a decade now, Bush was awarded an Oscar in 2022 for his work on “Encanto”. In the same year, he served as executive producer for the Oscar-nominated “Raya and the Last Dragon”, and was both co-director and co-writer for the 2016 Oscar-winning film “Zootopia”. He is currently working on directing and writing “Zootopia 2”, set to be released in fall 2025.

Lee, the creator behind the blockbuster animated films “Frozen” and “Frozen 2”, is an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director who joined Disney in 2011. Over the years, he has taken on crucial roles in movies like “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” and served as executive producer for projects such as “Encanto,” “Wish,” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.

Below is a note that Lee sent staff Thursday morning:

Morning All, 

Many of us feel our dreams have come true since joining Walt Disney Animation Studios. Each day, I can hardly believe I’m a part of this magical team that creates stories which spread hope, curiosity, potential, fun, and happiness across the globe using the art of animation. It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Creative Officer for these past six years. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, endured together, and discovered together. The love, commitment, skill, and enthusiasm you all display each day isn’t just an inspiration to me; it inspires the world.

After reading Alan’s message, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be diving back into the world of filmmaking, partnering with Marc Smith on the script and direction for Frozen 3 and Frozen 4! From the moment Marc introduced this new journey for our beloved characters, I was hooked. His dedication and the depth of his work on this compelling narrative have left me in awe. As a studio, we’re venturing into uncharted territory with musical sequels, and this will mark our first dual-film narrative. I can’t help but feel excited for the challenge ahead and deeply grateful for this chance to rejoin filmmaking. There’s simply no better way to make my comeback than by reuniting with the Frozen family!

One of the things that makes Disney so special is our commitment to having filmmakers as our studio leaders. This morning, Alan also announced that Jared Bush has agreed to be our new Chief Creative Officer. Jared’s talents as an animation writer and director stretch far beyond the ZOOTOPIAs, the MOANAs, and ENCANTO. He is committed to this studio and its future, and I truly believe that his passion, his tireless work ethic, and his pursuit of excellence will only make us stronger. 

I am deeply appreciative of Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their exceptional assistance and advice throughout the years. Each instance I’ve collaborated with them has been akin to attending a prestigious workshop, encompassing creativity, business acumen, community spirit, and moral values. I would like to express my gratitude for backing my choice to resume filmmaking at this studio that holds such a special place in my heart.

In addition, I’d like to express my gratitude to Clark Spencer, an exceptional partner who one could only dream of having. He is intelligent, patient, and much like Kristoff from FROZEN, he’s the real deal. He has been our foundation and will undoubtedly continue to be. I wouldn’t have been able to get through this journey without Eileen Aguirre either. Her dedication to our studio, her expertise, and her thoughtful nature serve as a guiding light for us all.

I’m eagerly looking forward to reuniting with everyone in our gatherings soon! Once more, my gratitude goes out to each and every one of you. You’re all precious enough to make me melt!

Sincerely,

Jenn

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2024-09-19 18:55