Pixar’s First Live-Action Movie? Pete Docter Drops Major Hints!

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Could it be possible that Pixar, renowned for its exceptional animation, might one day venture into live-action projects? In a recent conversation, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, hinted at this possibility once more, suggesting that while the studio has primarily focused on animated masterpieces like “Toy Story” and “Inside Out”, they haven’t completely closed the door to this idea.

According to Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, it’s possible that Pixar might venture into live-action films someday. During an interview on Mike Birbiglia’s “Working It Out” podcast, Docter was asked if Pixar would produce a live-action adaptation like Disney has done.

At first, he responded, “Probably not.” However, he later pondered over it, keeping the possibility alive by simply stating, “Well, who knows?

“Hmm… probably not. Well, who knows. Who knows.”

Following his response, Doctor playfully confessed that the intensity of the interview was indeed pressing on him, a sensation perhaps uniquely understood by a veteran animator. He expressed this by saying, “‘That’s why I prefer animation,’” due to its accommodating nature when it comes to decision-making time.

I’m quite anxious about appearing on this podcast because I fear you might throw rapid-fire questions at me, and under pressure, I tend to lose my intellect while my wife seems to sharpen hers. This isn’t really fair, but then again, that’s why I choose animation as a field because it allows me to work under pressure, and postpone thinking about things until tomorrow.

Previously, Doctor has openly expressed his lack of enthusiasm towards remaking Pixar films into live-action productions. During an interview with Time in June 2024, he unequivocally rejected the notion, stating, “No, and I might regret saying it, but it somewhat irks me.” He emphasized that one of Pixar’s key strengths is crafting unique tales suited for animation, as numerous iconic visuals may not convincingly translate to live action. He further explained, “The worlds we’ve created simply don’t adapt easily.

A year has passed and Doctor seems to be becoming more lenient about Pixar’s live-action adaptations, possibly indicating internal discussions have taken place. Despite his preference for original narratives, the debut of Pixar’s latest movie, Elio, only managed $20.8 million in domestic box office revenue during its opening weekend – a significant drop compared to Inside Out 2’s earnings of over $130 million one year ago.

Sequels and live-action remakes are popular at Disney, and the success of “Lilo & Stitch” is no exception. Not only is it projected to surpass $1 billion at the worldwide box office, but a sequel has already been planned, demonstrating Disney’s ongoing commitment to this revitalized storytelling experience on the big screen.

What Pixar Films Could be Remade?

After the successful debut of DreamWorks’ live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon”, it seems almost unavoidable that Pixar will venture into animation next.

It appears that Pixar might consider remaking one of their movies into live action, and among all possibilities, The Incredibles seems to be the most fitting choice. Its human characters, superhero plotline, and vintage style make it seem as if it belongs in the same universe as Marvel’s The Fantastic Four. One significant advantage is that it wouldn’t necessitate realistic-looking talking animals or heavily depend on a completely computer-generated character. However, choosing the right cast would be crucial.

Another plausible choice is the film “Brave“, boasting a princess, folklore, and breathtaking landscapes that fit seamlessly with Disney’s current lineup of live-action fantasy adaptations. On the other hand, while “Ratatouille” enjoys wide acclaim, its photorealistic rat character could potentially create unease among audiences, as opposed to an animated one.

Simultaneously, “Toy Story” stands as the studio’s largest series, yet a live-action adaptation could lean heavily on CGI, making it seem more like an upgraded remake than a fresh creation. The “Toy Story” franchise is the most well-known in Pixar’s history, with the fifth film set to premiere on June 19, 2026 – that’s over three decades after the initial release.

Essentially, if Pixar and Disney aim to strike a balance between playing it safe and maintaining significant box office appeal, The Incredibles ticks off all the necessary boxes. In the interim, preparations for Incredibles 3 are underway, with director Peter Sohn steering the ship.

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2025-07-03 10:06