Disney and Pixar have announced that 'Frozen' director Jennifer Lee and 'Inside Out' Director Pete Docter will replace chief creative officer John Lasseter, who was accused of making unwanted sexual advances toward female employees and who will leave by the end of this year.
Lee and Docter will split Lasseter's duties. Lee will be named chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, while Docter will serve as chief creative officer at Pixar.
John Lasseter was was a prominent figure at Pixar studios for years, he helped create films like 'Toy Story,' 'Up,' and 'The Incredibles.' But back in November, numerous Pixar employees accused Lasseter of inappropriately touching women and making unwanted advances, including "grabbing, kissing and making comments about physical attributes."
After the news broke Lasseter took a six-month leave of absence from Pixar and now Disney and Pixar have confirmed he was leaving for good.
Lasseter's replacements, Lee and Docter, have both enjoyed successful careers at Disney and Pixar. Lee joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2011, she helped co-write 'Wreck it Ralph' then went on to co-direct the mega-hit, 'Frozen,' which earned her an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Lee recently helped adapt Frozen into a Broadway musical, while she's also working on the film's highly anticipated sequel.
Docter, meanwhile, has been at Pixar for nearly three decades and is considered an original member "brain trust'" which is a core group of storytellers. Docter has helped put together and direct hits like Wall-E, Monsters,Inc and Inside Out, while currently working on Toy Story 4.
"Animation is the most collaborative art form in the world, and it is with the partnership of my fellow filmmakers, artists, and innovators that we look ahead to the future," Lee said. "My hope is to support the incredible talent we have, find new voices, and work together to tell original stories."
"I started here 28 years ago," Docter said. "I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world."