As John Lasseter leaves Pixar, a replacement has been named. Pete Docter and Jennifer Lee have been named a chief creative officers of Disney’s animation divisions, with Docter stepping up at Pixar Animation Studios. Docter has already established a relationship with Pixar as he has directed well known films like Up and Inside Out. Jennifer Lee will be heading up Walt Disney Animation Studios, where she helmed the wildly successful Frozen.
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said,
“Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are two of the most gifted filmmakers and storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Pete, the genius creative force behind Up, Inside Out and Monsters, Inc., has been an integral part of Pixar almost since the beginning and is a huge part of its industry-leading success. Jenn, in bringing her bold vision to the boundary-breaking Frozen, has helped infuse Disney Animation with a new and exciting perspective. Each of them embodies the unique spirit, culture and values of these renowned animation studios, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them to lead us into the future.”
While Docter and Lee will oversee creative affairs, Jim Morris, president of Pixar Animation Studios, and Andrew Millstein, president of Walt Disney Animation Studios, will continue in their roles within the studio.
