By Michaela Gordoni
Pixar boss Pete Docter doesn’t want LGBT themes in his movies.
“We’re making a movie, not hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy,” he explained recently.
“I got into animation because it’s easier to draw people than talk to them,” Docter said, admitting he “probably overindexed on, ‘Do whatever you want.’ As time’s gone on, I realized my job is to make sure the films appeal to everybody.”
“If we’re going to just crank crap out, let’s shut the doors,” he said. “I’d rather die trying to make something that we genuinely believe in.”
Related: Disney Reportedly Asks Pixar Animators to Remove ‘Nearly Every Moment’ of LGBT Affection
Docter admitted that he was too “conflict-averse.” The auto-biographical movies Pixar made under leadership — ELEMENTAL, TURNING RED and LUCA — did poorly in the box office. ELIO was also originally intended to head in that direction — and did to some extent — but Docter drew a line during development that wasn’t to be crossed.
A former Pixar artist who worked on ELIO told The Hollywood Reporter, “It was pretty clear through the production of the first version of the film that [studio leaders] were constantly sanding down these moments in the film that alluded to Elio’s sexuality of being queer.”
ELIO had record-low numbers for Pixar and debuted to $20.8 million domestically and $14 million overseas.
In late 2023, Docter spoke to Pixar’s staff, explaining his regret for making such movies and explained the need for universal appeal. Around that time, he cancelled another autobiographical project called BE FRI, based on its director’s experience with a breakup.
Pixar also removed a transgender storyline from its Disney+ series, WIN OR LOSE, The San Francisco Chronicle noted.
Its new movie, HOPPERS, embodies Pixar’s new goals. It opened to $88 million at the global box office last week.
Part of Movieguide®’s review reads, “Beautifully animated, HOPPERS tells a delightful, wacky, hilarious story with fun twists and turns. Despite some Romantic, environmentalist content, the movie ends up on strong morally uplifting notes. For example, it has some pro-life themes.”
“Also, the humans and animals decide to work together to create a paradise for both worlds. Finally, the story also promotes repentance from evil. However, HOPPERS has some scary moments and creatures. There are some snakes, a friendly but menacing female shark, a large bear, and a chase scene with lots of peril.”
Pixar clearly needed to make some changes. We’re glad it wised up and did so. Now, families don’t have to worry to much about what they’ll see from future Pixar movies.
Read Next: HOPPERS Dominates Box Office With $46 Million Domestic Ticket Sales
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