John Lasseters six-month sabbatical from Disney might turn into a permanent departure. In November, the head of Pixar announced that he was taking a temporary leave from his post, apologizing to his employees and citing ambiguous “missteps.” Shortly after his announcement, it was reported that Lasseter had been accused of sexual misconduct and unwanted physical contact—to the point where female Pixar employees reportedly designed a move called “the Lasseter” they would employ to keep him from putting his hand on their legs. Lasseter became the next in a long line of men ousted from their lofty positions in the wake of the #MeToo movement. And now that his six-month sabbatical is drawing to a close, it appears that Disney may be preparing to sever professional ties with him altogether.
According to a new piece from The Hollywood Reporter, some Pixar insiders say that Disney head Bob Iger is preparing to name new heads for both Pixar and Disney Animation. A potential name for the Pixar position includes Monsters, Inc. director Pete Docter, meanwhile Wreck-It Ralph director Rich Moore and Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee are reportedly being eyed for Disney Animation. Nothing is set in stone, however, as representatives for Disney did not confirm the rumors to T.H.R. Representatives for Disney have also not yet responded to Vanity Fairs request for comment.
Still, one anonymous Disney veteran told the outlet that it seems likely Iger will boot Lasseter, despite the Pixar chiefs long track record of hits. “Bob is about keeping peace in the family,” the source said. “Hes not anxious to take on defending somebody with that kind of reputation.” Insiders also alluded that the sexual misconduct allegations are part of a long string of strikes against Lasseter, who some allege generally created a difficult work environment. One insider claimed that as Lasseter began churning out hit movies, Pixar became the “cult of the infallible genius,” while another said there was a “level of fear that permeated senior management.”
“You could be in one day but if you did something he didnt like, he could turn and cause a lot of damage,” said an executive who worked with Lasseter. A spokesperson for Disney said to T.H.R. that its claims about Lasseter are “based on nothing more than anonymous sources and rumor-mongering.”
Keeping Lasseter at the helm of the company despite his alleged misdeeds would also reflect poorly in the Times Up era. “If John goes back, it will kill women in animation,” a former Pixar insider told T.H.R. “The message will be so clear: shut up and take it.”
That message has been reverberating quite loudly in the industry for the past few weeks, as a handful of high-profile men have begun eyeing comebacks after their very public #MeToo downfalls. Matt Laueris reportedly “testing the waters” for a return to the spotlight after he was fired from the Today show amid accusations of sexual misconduct. (In an apologetic statement, he said some of the accusations were mischaracterizations, but there was “enough truth“ in the claims.) Similarly, chef Mario Batali is apparently considering a return to the restaurant world after several women accused him of abusive, inappropriate behavior. (Batali responded by apologizing, but saying he did not remember the incidents.) New York comics are also predicting that Louis C.K.—who admitted to sexually harassing women—will return to the mic sooner rather than later.
This small wave of men reportedly trying to retake their once lofty positions in the culture, mere months after facing consequences for their alleged (or in C.K.s case, confirmed) behavior, has been disheartening for those hoping to see more permanent ramifications. Should Iger choose to bring Lasseter back into the fold, the decision would no doubt be met with heavy criticism in the court of public opinion—and that, more than anything, could be the deciding factor.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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