PIXAR Animation Studios has decided to play it safe with its future films, leaning more towards the style of Inside Out 2.
Film director Pete Docter has spoken out about Disney’s new approach to filmmaking after some of its recent films received poor box office returns.
After the releases of Elemental and Lightyear, and with millions of dollars lost, Pete said the studio felt immense disappointment and needed to pivot to tell future stories.
“There was a real, intense period of self-examination and feeling like we got it wrong in some way,” said Pixar’s chief creative officer. Bloomberg.
He added that Disney executives would avoid autobiographies and focus more on a “common experience” for mass appeal.
“I don’t think we can ever free ourselves from the responsibility of making sure we deliver the best possible, most relatable films,” Pete explained.
Some of Pixar’s recent films have been inspired in some way by their directors’ personal experiences.
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 of the Toy Story franchise flopped and lost millions upon its release.
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 had an extremely high watch rate.
Inside Out 2, the sequel to the hit 2015 animated film, is also expected to have one of Pixar’s best opening weekends when the film is released in mid-June.
NOT THE RIGHT MOVE?
On X, formerly Twitter, fans have criticized Disney for its decision to stop telling heartfelt real-life stories.
“LIGHTYEAR cost $200 million and made $226.4 million. ELEMENTAL also cost $200 million but made $496.4 million. Still, LUCA and TURNING RED, which were dropped at Disney+, are the problem, while LIGHTYEAR’s jaded nostalgia isn’t really telling what’s allowed to be a ‘common experience,’” one person tweeted.
“An absolutely absurd distortion of reality here”, replied a second. “And an irritating misunderstanding of what makes something relatable even to those who don’t ‘see’ themselves in it on a superficial level: specificity, detail, depth, intensity.”
I don’t think we can ever free ourselves from the responsibility of ensuring we deliver the best possible and most relatable films.”
Pete DoctorCreative Director, Pixar
“It makes me sad to read things like this. Lightyear wasn’t bad – it just wasn’t Toy Story,” wrote a third.
“While all the other films had the misfortune of being released during the pandemic (including Elemental), they are excellent films. Crowds at Disney LOVE the characters at meet-and-greets and parades,” they added.
“What makes me saddest is that it is Peter Docter who is saying this, one of the best animation directors of all time and a great visionary.
INSIDE OUT 2 RELEASE
Despite some concern about the future of Disney films, many fans have expressed excitement about the upcoming release of Inside Out 2.
A new trailer was released earlier this year and received positive reactions from fans on YouTube.
The sequence sees a new character being introduced into Riley’s head – Anxiety – as she enters adolescence.
“I’m 34 years old, father of 2 boys (6 and 3) and a girl (1) and the first time I saw this film I cried. Excited for part 2,” one person wrote.
“Inside Out is one of those Disney movies where a sequel really makes sense and could work really well,” expressed a second.
“A rare example of a necessary sequel, it looks absolutely fantastic so far,” added another.
Inside Out 2 will be released in cinemas on Friday, June 14th.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story