Former employees of Pixar spoke in the media and said they were dismayed by the fact that the management of Walt Disney Studios asked to remove a plot related to a transgender character from the animated series Win or Lose planned for the beginning of 2025 on Disney+.
Former Pixar employees address Won or Lost controversy over transgender character
Sarah Ligaticha transgender former assistant editor of Pixar who participated in the creation of the series Win or Losedeclared to The Hollywood Reporter : “It didn’t surprise me, but it devastated me. For a long time, Disney hasn’t been in the business of creating quality content. They have been in the business of creating big profits. Already two years ago, when I was at Pixarwe had a meeting with Bob Chapek [alors PDG]and they made it clear to us that they consider animation to be a conservative medium. »
THR revealed that Disney (under the direction Iger this time) had lines of dialogue removed confirming that a character is a transgender girl. The character remains in the series but is now depicted as cisgender. A spokesperson for Disney said about this change: “When it comes to animated content aimed at younger audiences, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain topics with their children on their own terms and on their own schedule. »
A political affair now
A former employee of Pixar with whom THR spoke highlighted the irony of this statement, given the themes already addressed by Disneynotably the death of a parent in films like Bambi et The Lion King and alcohol consumption in Alice in Wonderland et Pinocchio.
“It’s 100% political”said a former transgender employee of Pixar. He referred to the recent $15 million compensation paid by ABC News to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by the president-elect Donald Trump and information according to which Disney cut an episode about a transgender character from Moon Girl and Devil the Dinosaur. « Disney has just concluded an agreement with Trump. We saw this recently with an episode ofMoon Girl and Devil the Dinosaur which was cut. All of us who knew Win or Lose and this character all gritted their teeth: ‘Please don’t hit us next.’ »
Disney stated that the trans character was not the reason why it was decided to delay the release of the episode in question for Moon Girl.
As for the series Win or Loseit is now finished. Removing the transgender storyline means additional work and expense. Sarah Ligatich expressed frustration that this series was completed for a while but was repeatedly delayed. It was initially planned for the end of 2024, then was postponed to 2024. Its broadcast was then scheduled for this month, but its launch date was interchanged with that of Dreams Productions of Pixar also.
“They had this story in storage for two years, so they could have published it under the Biden presidency, and they chose not to. »
Win or Lose will be launched on Disney+ on February 19, 2025.
Not the first controversy of the year at Pixar
Sarah Ligatich said he knows artists who did not want to work on the episode in question of Win or Lose. Employees were reportedly given the option to not work on the episode, but no one accepted the offer to Pixarsaid THR.
Former employees of Pixar also remember that the animators worked overtime to finish Vice-Versa 2 and that they were asked to make the film’s protagonist, Riley, “less gay.” A source told IGN earlier this year: “Many of us have come to terms with the fact that we may never see a major gay character in a movie Pixar. » Many of those who worked on the film were fired before its release, meaning they did not receive generous compensation for its success.
A Won or Lost actress spoke out
Sarah Ligatich was among the employees laid off in May. She said she felt welcomed and valued during her two and a half years working at the studio. After the announcement of the removal of the transgender story by Disney, she contacted members of the creative team at Win or Losewhose executive producer David Lally.
“I can’t tell you how much I cried yesterday thinking about that conversation that David must have had with [Chanel Stewart] »said the interested party about the transgender actress who lent her voice to the character of Win or Lose. “Not only are you asking someone to play someone they’re not, but you’re also asking them to understand a political conversation that’s completely beyond them. »
Chanel Stewart discovered that Pixar was looking for a 14-year-old transgender girl to lend her voice to a character via a post on X. She declared to Deadline : « I was exactly what they wanted, and that’s why it seemed so right. It seemed right. I immediately asked my mother if I could do it, because I felt like if I didn’t it wouldn’t make any sense. Do you see what I mean? »
Chanelnow 18 years old, remembers: “Oh my God, that was crazy. I wore it like a badge. I wore it with pride. I wore it with honor because it meant a lot to me. The idea of authentically representing a transgender teenager made me really happy. I wanted to do this for transgender kids like me. »
Disney called last Monday to tell Keisha, the mother of Chanelwhich Win or Lose would no longer include transgender history. The actress said she’s still a part of the show: “It’s just that my character would now be a cisgender girl, a heterosexual cisgender girl. So yeah, that’s all they really told me and that I was still a part of the show. »
“I was very discouraged”she added. “As soon as I received the script, I couldn’t wait to share my experience to help other young transgender people find their freedom. I knew this would be a very important conversation. Transgender stories matter and they deserve to be heard. »
“It was upsetting because my daughter is transgender and this is her life. I thought it was very important not to hide this fact”said Keishathe mother of Chanel. “There may be parents who aren’t ready to have this conversation, but this is the world we live in and everyone should be represented. Everyone deserves to be recognized. And I felt like it was just another setback for the LGBTQ community, because it’s very hard on transgender teenagers…transgender people, period. Especially when you’re young and trying to figure out how to navigate this world that you live in and be able to become your own person. »
A revised episode (in depth?)
The sources of THR noted that the episode changed significantly from footage leaked online showing the character worried about which bathroom to use. But one of the (anonymous) former employees of Pixar said about this transgender storyline:
“The episode in its final form was so beautiful. »
The employee did not work on Win or Lose but was able to see the series. He stated that she “beautifully illustrated some of the experiences of transgender people – and that it would literally save lives by showing those who feel alone and unloved that there are people who understand. It is therefore very frustrating that Disney decided to spend money not to save lives. »
The CEO of Disney, Bob Igersaid in an interview with CNBC in April: “At the end of the day, we’re not looking to make the message the number one priority in our films and television shows. They must be entertaining and allow Disney to have a positive impact on the world, whether by fostering acceptance and understanding of people of all types. »
Ecology also in Bob Iger’s sights
Win or Lose is not the only project Pixar which sees an element of its intrigue disappear because it is perceived as political. A former artist of Pixar said that the team of the next film Hoppers had been asked to downplay its environmental message.
Hopperswritten and directed by Daniel Chongfeatures a young girl and a beaver who swap bodies. The film is scheduled to be released on March 6, 2026 across the Atlantic.
The artist, who did not work directly on the film, said:
“Unfortunately, when an entire film is based on the importance of ecology, you can’t really go back. The team had a lot of trouble determining what to do with this note. »
An employee of Pixar licensee is working to open an independent animation studio to encourage underrepresented voices. “This is really how things are going to evolve in the future”added Sarah Ligatich, “we are going to see many independent studios appear to tell stories. »
Although her character is no longer presented as transgender, Chanel Stewart still celebrated his involvement in the project, declaring: “I am certainly one of the first [filles transgenres] to do that! It’s a true honor to be a part of queer history. »
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