Apple in Talks to Pick Up Two Animated Films Produced by John Lasseter

[MacRumors]

Apple is in talks to acquire the rights to two animated films from Skydance Animation, which is headed up by John Lasseter, reports Variety.

Lasseter is the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar, but he departed the company in 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct and has been at Skydance Animation since 2019. Prior to joining Skydance Animation, Lasseter directed popular Disney movies that include Toy Story, Cars, and A Bug's Life, plus he executive produced many others.

Apple is interested in the rights to his two newest movies, "Luck" and "Spellbound." "Luck" has been called "vintage Lasseter" with dazzling production value and commercial appeal. It follows the unluckiest girl in the world.

When she stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, she must join together with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

"Spellbound" is a musical fantasy that's set in a world of magic where a young girl aims to break the spell that has split her kingdom in two.

If Apple acquires the rights to the two movies, they could see a premiere in theaters before coming to Apple TV+, but the deal has not yet been finalized. "Luck" is set to be released on February 18, 2022, while "Spellbound" is slated for release on November 11, 2022.

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Article Link: Apple in Talks to Pick Up Two Animated Films Produced by John Lasseter

 

[street.cory]

Apparently Lasseter's allegations aren't as serious as they were once thought... Or Apple is willing to look the other way as long as the content is good.

Either way, I enjoy the stuff that he's been instrumental in developing.

Edit: I hope the allegations are not true.

 

[buckyballs]

And we're just going to ignore exactly why he left Disney?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apparently Lasseter's allegations aren't as serious as they were once thought... Or Apple is willing to look the other way as long as the content is good.

Either way, I enjoy the stuff that he's been instrumental in developing.

Edit: I hope the allegations are not true.

What allegations?

 

[Ramashalanka]

What allegations?

2.4 Allegations of sexual misconduct and exit from Disney/Pixar

 

[Apple_Robert]

The “Spellbound” premise sounds a little like “Fantasia.”

 

[aaronhead14]

Apparently Lasseter's allegations aren't as serious as they were once thought... Or Apple is willing to look the other way as long as the content is good.

Either way, I enjoy the stuff that he's been instrumental in developing.

Edit: I hope the allegations are not true.

The only allegations were that he occasionally gave co-workers “unwanted hugs.” Which is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, it’s probably appropriate to ask someone before giving them a hug... but cone on. He got booted for being a teddy bear.

Lasseter is a good guy, and I can’t wait to see his future films!

 

[_Refurbished_]

Are they films about the importance of “hugging”?

 

[Apple_Robert]

2.4 Allegations of sexual misconduct and exit from Disney/Pixar

Thanks for the reply.

If said allegations are true, I am surprised about Apple’s new involvement, given their stance.

 

[kilihn]

The only allegations were that he occasionally gave co-workers “unwanted hugs.” Which is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, it’s probably appropriate to ask someone before giving them a hug... but cone on. He got booted for being a teddy bear.

Lasseter is a good guy, and I can’t wait to see his future films!

damn dude you know him? tell us more

 

[Mavman]

The only allegations were that he occasionally gave co-workers “unwanted hugs.” Which is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, it’s probably appropriate to ask someone before giving them a hug... but cone on. He got booted for being a teddy bear.

Lasseter is a good guy, and I can’t wait to see his future films!

Next you’ll tell us how Weinstein is good guy as well?

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Didn't even know he was gone.

Yikes.

It's a shame that so much talent can be tarnished by some people's "secret selves".

I hope that he locked that guy in the closet and his wife swallowed the key, 'cause the man does produce good work and I REALLY don't want my conscience beating ME down over what he did.

 

[michaelant]

I think it boiled down to him being creepily affectionate, and he had too much power to realize how much it was grossing people out, or perhaps he could guess but since he did have all that power he let himself get away with it. Regardless, it apparently wasn't more serious than that, and sounds like he has tried to make amends. I hope he's changed, and I also think it's right for him to have another chance. I also love his films and I'm very happy to see that more might be made.

 

[slb]

The only allegations were that he occasionally gave co-workers “unwanted hugs.” Which is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, it’s probably appropriate to ask someone before giving them a hug... but cone on. He got booted for being a teddy bear.

Lasseter is a good guy, and I can’t wait to see his future films!

This is a lie. Those were not the only allegations. He had a reputation among employees for grabbing and kissing people. It was so bad that he actually had handlers assigned to him whose job was to keep him from invading people's personal space.

 

[Ar40]

I love Apple giving a second chance to Lasseter. If the content is good, that's all that matters. I've had it with cancel culture. Cancel culture needs to be canceled. Artistry should be held above the lives of the people who make the art. I don't care about all the dirty secrets and behavior by the many many low lifes in Hollywood. As long as their output is good, lay it on me.

 

[CWallace]

Skydance Animation signed a deal with Paramount in 2017 to distribute their animated films and this included "Luck". Be interesting to know if Paramount is not handling the distribution for these two films per the original plan because of COVID, the subsequent hiring of Lasseter, or both.

EDIT - Per the Variety report, Skydance can shop the movies.

 

[Ar40]

Skydance Animation signed a deal with Paramount to release their animated films in 2017 and this included "Luck". Be interesting to know if Paramount is not handling the distribution for these two films per the original plan because of COVID, the subsequent hiring of Lasseter, or both.

(Skydance Media works and has worked with a number of major Hollywood studios and production companies.)

No, the original report says that Skydance, although continues to have a deal with Paramount (see Top Gun and Mission Impossible), has ultimate control of its IP and can decide to sell individual shows to any streaming service or studio it wants.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Next you’ll tell us how Weinstein is good guy as well?

I'm not defending Lasseter but there's a large difference between the Weinstein (sexual assaults and rapes) and Lasseter (sexual harassment) allegations.

The commenter you replied to was misunderstanding or minimizing the severity of the allegations against Lasseter but you jumped in with what's effectively Godwin's Law.

 

[slb]

I love Apple giving a second chance to Lasseter. If the content is good, that's all that matters. I've had it with cancel culture. Cancel culture needs to be canceled. Artistry should be held above the lives of the people who make the art. I don't care about all the dirty secrets and behavior by the many many low lifes in Hollywood. As long as their output is good, lay it on me.

Weinstein's biggest fan.

 

[Ar40]

Weinstein's biggest fan.

Wtf, weinstein has nothing to do with Lasseter.

That’s such a strawman, as the prior poster stated.

That’s like calling me Hitler’s biggest fan because he commissioned Nazi propaganda “art.”

As reasoning adults we can make these distinctions.

I happen to think that Woody Allen and Mel Gibson are horrible people like Weinstein. Same with Bill Cosby. In all these cases, I also never found their content to my taste, even before they were outed as creeps and vile people. But, I can understand the people who love Woody Allen movies and Braveheart.

 

[iZac]

Are they films about the importance of “hugging”?

 

[BC2009]

Lasseter has publicly apologized for his behavior. He said:

“I am deeply sorry for my actions, which were unquestionably wrong. 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.”

I don't believe people should be condemned and shunned for life for doing something that was not even a crime. Even criminals get released from prison (often early on parole). Give the guy a second chance and see if he has learned his lesson. I am glad that he is making films again and Apple is picking them up -- he is definitely a very talented person -- he has made many of my favorite movies. If Lasseter falls back into habits of bad behavior then I may think differently.

 

[Sasparilla]

With Lasseter, it was alot more than hugs, don't delude yourself - you would have seen this if you followed it at the time. Very sad to see someone so instrumental in such great movies so badly tarnished in that way. Seems few humans can resist letting their dark sides go 100% when given almost total power in their workplace for a long enough period of time.

Hopefully the women at the new company won't have to learn the "Lasseter move" (which they had at Pixar) and endure their bottoms being groped or worse - but with John at the #1 spot we'll see over time.

 

[pers0n]

I guess the “me too” movement means nothing to Apple, keep making money even if it means sexual harassment

 

[Onelifenofear]

Can’t defend him, however any comparison to Weinstein is pretty awful as no Charges have ever been made even after he left. It‘s difficult however - He left for a reason and Disney’s can’t be seen to have anything improper in the workplace.