Netflix is facing backlash after promoting disgraced Pixar co-founder, John Lasseter, as the ‘visionary’ behind its latest animation Spellbound.
American filmmaker Lasseter, 67, rose to fame as the person behind major DisneyPixar hits such as the Toy Story franchise, Cars and A Bug’s Life.
But, in 2017, John eventually resigned from the company after ‘missteps’ that left staff feeling ‘disrespected or uncomfortable.’ As he wrote in a lengthy email to the company.
At the time the Hollywood Reporter shared testimony from staff members who confirmed he was well known for ‘grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes’ and recounted moments when he had crossed boundaries with women in the workplace.
After leaving the famed entertainment company, Lasseter joined Skydance Media in 2019 as head of Animation and has worked on several projects including 2022’s Luck and the upcoming Netflix film Spellbound.
The animation follows ‘the adventures of Ellian [Rachel Zegler], the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters.’
The film, directed by Shrek’s Vicky Jenson, also stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem with a musical score from EGOT-winner Alan Menken.
Despite the star-studded cast and crew, Lasseter’s front-and-centre involvement in the film as a ‘visionary’ producer in the trailer has left fans outraged.
‘Hey Netflix, quick question: Who is this “visionary”, and why aren’t they working at Pixar anymore?’ @SamZilberstein wrote on X.
‘No, Netflix, listing a bunch of Pixar titles in the trailer isn’t going to make us forget why John Lasseter no longer works there,’ @lilyellowfish1 echoed.
‘Do not let Rachel Zegler animated film debut distract from the fact this movie is produced by John Lasseter, who’s career is so golden this trailer mentions all his biggest movies without ever saying his name. Wonder why,’ @burnishedabbey shared.
When Lasseter steppped back from the company, at the height of the #MeToo movement, Disney released a statement.
‘We are committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are respected and empowered to do their best work. We appreciate John’s candor and sincere apology and fully support his sabbatical,’ the company wrote.
He permanently left the company in June 2018.
When Lasseter joined the Hollywood studio Skydance Media in 2019 and came on board for Luck, British actor Emma Thompson backed out of the production.
In an open letter, she explained: ‘It feels very odd to me that you and your company would consider hiring someone with Mr Lasseter’s pattern of misconduct given the present climate in which people with the kind of power that you have can reasonably be expected to step up to the plate.’
She added that although ‘centuries of entitlement to women’s bodies’ could not change overnight, if people like her do not ‘take a stand then things are very unlikely to change at anything like the pace required to protect my daughter’s generation.’
As for Luck director, Peggy Holmes, she said at the time: ‘I can’t speak for other people, but I can say my working relationship with John feels just as it did before, in that he is a really great mentor. He’s a master storyteller and he is very generous with his ideas and his time.’
A town hall took place for Skydance employees to discuss Lasseter’s appointment, in which he addressed the allegations.
‘I am deeply sorry for my actions, which were unquestionably wrong,’ he said in 2019 according to Deadline.
‘I very much regret making women feel unsafe or disrespected. I will continue to work every day for the rest of my life to prove to you that I have grown and learned.
‘I am resolute in my commitment to build an animation studio upon a foundation of equality, safety, trust and mutual respect for everyone.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to representatives from Skydance Media, Netflix and John Lasseter for comment.