John Lasseter Accused of Sexual Assault

[Sotiris]

But given that he's long been known to "party," I could easily see that he may have gotten himself in trouble over something scandal-worthy and that everyone agreed to keep it quiet if he left under other supposed circumstances.

Highly plausible theory. Steve Hulett implied as much, here.

[Elladorine]

Highly plausible theory. Steve Hulett implied as much, here.

Ah, thanks! I skimmed through this thread again thinking that I'd caught some confirmation somewhere along the way before making my post, but somehow passed right over that.

* * *

On a side note, I'm sure that aren't too many die-hard Cars fans here that have bothered to watch the bonus content of Cars 3, but it's disconcerting to watch some of the behind-the-scenes features focusing on the intimidation that at least one woman felt when being hired on at Pixar, an angle they apparently explored for Cruz Ramirez's character without actually spelling out sexism within the context of the film.

[Sotiris]

It looks like Disney Publishing won't be replacing John Lasseter after all in the book Disney Parks Presents: Jungle Cruise which is set to be released on July 03, 2018. Maybe this means Lasseter is coming back or that the book was too advanced in the publication process to make any radical changes. Regardless, it's odd they're moving forward with this title given the circumstances.




They forgot to add "sexual predator".

[Kyle]

Nice artwork though.

[Sotiris]

It looks like he won't be returning from that "sabbatical".

On Feb. 1, the staff of Disney Animation Studios will gather on the lot for what the company is calling a “Day of Listening,” with a handful of human-resources professionals present to facilitate a discussion of workplace concerns.

The gathering, which Disney veterans say is unprecedented for the Burbank-based animation unit, comes as sources with ties to both Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios speculate that John Lasseter, who oversees both companies but has been on leave since November, will not return from what was Disney characterized as a six-month “sabbatical.” Disney declined to comment but an insider described the “Day of Listening” as part of a frequent effort to engage with employees.

While one veteran says he believes the “real reason behind this day of listening is to take the temperature of staff to see how likely it is that Lasseter can come back,” he says many in the animation community think Lasseter’s return is unlikely. “That’s a stretch to put somebody back in charge of animation at such a storied brand as Disney after the revelations of his behavior,” he says.

When Pixar had such a listening event several years ago, sources say, employee complaints were aired about Lasseter’s behavior generally. When Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull delivered that feedback to Lasseter, one animator says, Lasseter was so angry that he didn’t speak to Catmull for more than a week. [...]

Regardless of who is positioned to take over, replacing Lasseter would be a daunting challenge. Since popularizing computer-generated animation with 1995’s Toy Story, which Lasseter directed, he steered Pixar to its 2006 purchase by Disney and then revived the fortunes of Disney Animation. Until his sabbatical, he was the most powerful and influential figure in the animation community and a key creative force powering several divisions of the Walt Disney Co. “Lasseter's precipitous fall caught them all by surprise,” says another longtime animator. “They probably assumed it would be a few more years before they needed to think about successors.”

In addition, Lasseter had successfully balanced distinct creative environments at Disney and Pixar. “John is also the only creative head who could straddle the separate company cultures of Disney in Burbank and Pixar in the Bay Area,” continues the longtime animator. The belief now is that “instead of another capo di capi like him, they would appoint separate leaders.”

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ ... te-1080339

[JeanGreyForever]

I'm glad to hear and I hope it's permanent. If Disney did bring him back, it would be a PR nightmare, especially now that some of these offenders are actually being punished like the Olympics instructor.

[Sotiris]

Former Pixar animator Dylan Brown was just fired from his directing gig at Paramount Animation after multiple complaints of sexually inappropriate and unwanted conduct.

He worked on the films A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille and various shorts. He was the Creative Director of Pixar Canada in Vancouver until it closed. He then moved to Paramount Animation to direct "Amusement Park".

[unprincess]

I am really surprised that this may happen and he may be removed. I really thought theyd just wait until the "me too" movement cooled off and quietly move him back in. They'd just have to keep him invisible and keep him away from all interviews and promo pieces like the ones that he used to do. But I suppose they wouldnt be able to control the media, who would continue to ask about him in interviews. Theyd have to place a ban/restriction on asking any questions regarding Lasseter and I assume thats something the media doesn't take kindly to. Though Im surprised I havent seen more of Lasseter's scandal on media outlets compared to stuff like the Weinstein, Rose and Spacey scandals. I can understand ABC being forced quiet but I dont think Ive seen anything about it on other tv broadcast or cable news stations.

[PatrickvD]

The metoo movement has transformed into the time’s up movement which right now is a legal defense fund. This is not going away. Allowing him to return is PR suicide at this point.

[Disney's Divinity]

But I suppose they wouldnt be able to control the media, who would continue to ask about him in interviews.

I hope they would do that! He does not deserve to be in a position of power again.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

If Disney decide to give Lasseter an early retirement, the main reason is probably not to make a better environment for the female employees. As always money talks. By allowing him back, it would create bad publicity, and there would most likely be protesters outside the studio. Which is very bad for business, especially if people should start to boycott Disney movies and products. If they one the other hand tell the media that they are taking the allegations seriously and will announce someone else to take over, it will send out the right signals.

[JeanGreyForever]

I really thought theyd just wait until the "me too" movement cooled off and quietly move him back in.

The metoo movement has transformed into the time’s up movement which right now is a legal defense fund. This is not going away. Allowing him to return is PR suicide at this point.

It doesn't look like this movement will be going away, and will just grow bigger in size, and it's about time imo.

[unprincess]

I really thought theyd just wait until the "me too" movement cooled off and quietly move him back in.

The metoo movement has transformed into the time’s up movement which right now is a legal defense fund. This is not going away. Allowing him to return is PR suicide at this point.

It doesn't look like this movement will be going away, and will just grow bigger in size, and it's about time imo.

Good, I hope so!

[Rumpelstiltskin]

It looks like Disney Publishing won't be replacing John Lasseter after all in the book Disney Parks Presents: Jungle Cruise which is set to be released on July 03, 2018.

If I should guess, I would say that the book was too advanced in the publication process. Unlike a movie you can't just reshoot some scenes with a new actor. Should it be revealed that Lasseter is on a permanent vacation, the book will probably never be printed in another edition. At least not without being edited first.

[Sotiris]

Steve Hulett doubts Lasseter will be gone for good.

Ms. Masters says various "insiders" think John won't be back, but I continue to find that difficult to believe. Mr. Lasseter was one of the reasons the conglomerate bought Pixar for seven-plus billion in the first place, and despite a proclivity for partying robustly, J.L. has made the company a poop-load of money. So I continue to think the Mouse will find some way to keep John on board. On the other hand, I've been decisively wrong before. Maybe the internal and external politics are just not there for Mr. Lasseter to remain at the Walt Disney Company, and he'll be spending more time with his family and grape vineyard.

Source: http://tombcartoonmonkeyskeleton.blogsp ... tical.html

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Maybe "'Day of Listening" is actually "Day of Convincing", in an attempt to let the employees give Lasseter another chance. But all that is just speculation. Guess we will know within 24 hours or so. Either way, I would personally prefer if he was given the responsibility of Pixar only, while the Disney studio decided to go for a new leadership.

Should he disappear, it would also be cool if they went for one last Cars movie, this time with a completley new writer and new concept.

[Kyle]

Maybe he'll be back, but with the understanding that they need to find a suitable replacement within the next few years or so. Maybe finish current projects but not take on new ones.

[Disney Duster]

The book was probably too far in advance to remove the guy from the artwork. Him being back is the worst thing they could do. He won't be back.

[Sotiris]

At the time when this came out I remember feeling a sense of discomfort watching this and knowing that these people were working in a boy’s club workplace environment. I never had the idea that minorities and women had an equal voice. And we now know for a fact that they don’t.

This comment on Cartoon Brew from someone named "Drew" who allegedly worked at Disney is particularly disheartening.

I have personally witnessed many moments where gay men and women have been mocked behind their back by leadership at Disney and if you speak up, you're a problem child. I have seen many gay employees leave the company because the culture did not welcome them in to the "collaborative" environment.

Source: http://www.cartoonbrew.com/pixar/rashid ... 3627680743

[JeanGreyForever]

That's really disgusting to hear. I hope that with Lasseter ousted, these problems will be analyzed and fixed once and for all, otherwise, with or without him, nothing has really changed in Disney.